IB & Consulting Firm Aura Tier List

Based on the most helpful WSO content, your tier list seems to mix both investment banking (IB) and consulting firms, which can make comparisons tricky since their prestige and strengths are evaluated differently depending on the industry and focus areas. Here's a breakdown of some key points to consider:

1. Top Tiers (S++ and S+):

   • McKinsey (McK), Goldman Sachs (GS), Centerview Partners (CVP), and Evercore (EVR) are widely recognized as top-tier firms in their respective fields. McKinsey dominates strategy consulting, while GS, CVP, and EVR are elite in investment banking.
   • Lazard (Laz), JPMorgan (JPM), and Moelis are also highly regarded in IB, with strong reputations for deal flow and client relationships.

2. S Tier:

   • Bain and Morgan Stanley (MS) are strong players. Bain is part of the MBB trio in consulting, while MS is a powerhouse in IB.
   • Firms like Rothschild (Roth), Perella Weinberg Partners (PWP), PJT Partners, and Barclays are solid choices, though they may vary in prestige depending on geography and specific practice areas.

3. A and B Tiers:

   • Oliver Wyman and Accenture are strong consulting firms, with OW excelling in financial services and Accenture leading in tech/implementation work.
   • BofA, Citi, and Nomura are respected in IB but may not carry the same prestige as the top-tier firms.
   • PwC and EY are more implementation-focused in consulting, while Houlihan Lokey (HL) is a leader in middle-market IB.

4. Lower Tiers (C and D):

   • Deloitte, UBS, and Piper Sandler are solid firms but may not have the same prestige as others in their respective industries.
   • Wells Fargo (WF), RBC, and KPMG are generally considered lower-tier in terms of prestige, though they still offer strong opportunities depending on the role and geography.

5. Specialized Firms:

   • Some firms like Roland Berger (RB) and Simon Kucher excel in niche areas (e.g., automotive in Germany or pricing strategy) and may rank higher depending on specific interests.

Your list seems to be designed to provoke reactions ("rage bait"), but it's important to remember that "prestige" is subjective and varies by geography, industry, and individual career goals.

Sources: 2023 Consulting Tier List, 2023 Consulting Tier List