Which is more valuable for MBB - EY Business Consulting or PA Strategy Consulting

I'm weighing up graduate offers for Strategy & Growth at PA Consulting London (rotations in asset management, economics & investment strategy, growth strategy etc) vs Business Consulting at EY London (Financial Services consulting, not generalist). 

The short term aim is to exit to MBB/T2 consulting. Based on that, which would be the best offer to take based on long term exposure, learning opportunities, exit opportunities and compensation. 

Basically weighing up the Big 4 brand name vs the chance to work on strategy projects at PA - which would be seen as more valuable when applying for MBB/T2? For context, I already have a couple of brand name internships in strategy/finance at FAANG and go to a target uni in London.

EY Business Consulting vs PA Consulting Strategy

EY Business Consulting
74% (28 votes)
PA Consulting Strategy & Growth
26% (10 votes)
Total votes: 38
5 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Would definitely go for EY. MBB typically view experiences in "prestige tiers" rather than how similar your experience is to strategy consulting. E.g. an IB summer at GS would be seen more favourably when applying to MBB than a strategy consulting summer at a T2 like LEK, even though the T2 is way more relevant to MBB. This is because MBB can teach you the technical skills of consulting, but they want hardworking and super smart people which they're more likely to find at top unis/those with top internships.

And even if you don't get MBB from EY, you're still part of one of the biggest consultancies in the world, working with the biggest clients. Early in your career, having brand names to fall back on is the most important thing. Although I don't know anyone at PA so might not be the best person to comment on that.

 

OP is in the UK, so I would not say EY is of higher prestige than PA. Being in strategy/growth consulting might also be better if looking to transition to the same at MBB/T2.

Not sure if it is relevant, but PA bought TCG in the US and is absorbing it (TCG brand is gradually being replaced by PA growth strategy). Making moves in the space, so to speak. I interviewed with PA Growth Strategy in the US for FT and was impressed, though I did not choose to work there.

 

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