Need to Decide between IBM Consulting by Degrees-Strategy and Analytics or EY Business Advisory Financial Services Office
Hi WSO,
I've recently received two offers, one from IBM Strategy and Analytics Consulting and the other from EY Business Advisory in the Financial Services Office. Here are some salary facts:
IBM Salary base 75k
Signing Bonus 7k
I will automatically be considered a "consultant" at IBM and after two years (possibly less) I will be promoted to Senior Consultant
IBM really prides itself on its ability to utilize Big Data Analytics and tech partnerships (Apple, Twitter) and many have said that is where the future lies.
(Note: IBM has two main consulting tracks, "Strategy and Analytics" and then just "Analytics", hope this gives some point of view)
EY Salary Base 70k
Signing Bonus 3k
I will start off as "Staff" and essentially have a three year program.
EY's advisory is planning on growing rapidly and their Financial services office is one of the best (#2 or 3 on vault) in financial consulting.
I truly have no idea which will set me up for the long run. What sort of opportunities does each give me in the future. At first I was leaning towards IBM but I am not sure if that will pigeon hole me in tech. As for EY, I sense that the culture is definitely more uptight than IBM and it seems like I could get stuck doing operations for financial institutions.
As for my goals, I hope to stay in consulting for a few years, no more than 3-5. Ideally I would want to leave for a PE firm (if that's even possible) or try to get into VC (this is my #1 goal). If anyone has any advice or experience with the two I would be very thankful. Also please feel free to explain to me the other great opportunities that I could find as a result of being with one of the two firms.
Thanks!
Which office are you at?
New York Office for both
At EY, Staff's are usually there for two years before moving to senior. If you're good, you might be able to move up faster.
When you start in the BAP program, try to align yourself in the group that does the work you are interested in. That way you won't be stuck in operations. If you want to move into PE or VC, it seems financial consulting would be a good. They probably have better growth than IBM right now, as you mentioned, and are prestigious in the financial space.
IBM is known for it's tech work, but that doesn't mean you will get stuck in tech. Salary is good starting off, but I wonder how they will align as you get promoted. The strategy work does sound interesting if you land the projects, see if EY will give you similar projects.
It's a tough choice for sure. Just my two cents.
Where did you end up choosing?
what did you go with?
idk if this is weird but if you linked-in search OP's name the first entry is a "consultant at IBM"
Definitely him, smh
IBM or EY? (Originally Posted: 12/06/2012)
Hi all,
I need to decide between IBM CbD and EY Risk advisory.. I know they aren't MBB but I do hope that one day I'll get into a top tier MBA school in US. Disregarding signing bonus, IBM is offering approx $10k more than EY. On the other hand, maybe it's just me - but IBM doesn't seem to be very well received here on WSO. so I'm confused and here are my questions:
Thank you so much for any tips and advice you can give me!
Even without the salary gap, IBM is probably a better choice. It's kind of underrated on WSO.
People think the CBD program at IBM is Tech Consulting, and Tech Consulting is...not the audience for WSO. That's why there's strong hate towards the program.
I'm in the CBD program, and it's definitely strategy focused conceptually on technology processes. Then again I can make strong arguments that what I do impacts the bottom line a lot more than my friends at Deloitte/Mercer/even some MBB (if I REALLY get into it).
Is the CBD program perfect? No. I can tell you more over email. But for my future goals in entrepreneurship with a technology focus, the program builds both credibility, connections, and a safe fall-back.
IBM, your choice is between tech strategy vs risk
I was actually in a similar position as yours a year ago. I would say if its between EY RISK, or IBM CBD, def. go with IBM. As futuredoc mentioned, its between management consulting vs. risk. EY risk is not the glamour, nor are its exit opps.
However, I heard that IBM gets difficult later on when going for promotions and raises, you have to sell yourself a lot, and make a business case, where as EY its more clockwork. Regardless, I believe you'd be able to leverage your work at IBM more and do more interesting work.
Higher salary and better ops? I'd go IBM
IBM GBS vs EY BAP: Exit and MBA? (Originally Posted: 02/27/2014)
Hi all,
I have received offers both from IBM GBS SAP Consulting and from the EY BAP (FSO) program. For those of you who don't know the Business Advisory Program, it is a 3 year rotational program within EY's Financial Service Office line for new graduates. I come from a larger state school with a (top 50?) business school and a target for the Big 4.
I know that IBM seems to have a bad rep around here, because most people want managerial consulting, which I think I might want too but I want to keep my options open at this point. I have somewhat of a technical background (mostly developed on my own time) so I don't mind working with code and technology. IBM is offering a (slightly) higher salary and a slightly higher sign up bonus; and also from what I understand works you less than EY. Now I'm not saying I'm afraid to work hard, but you have to take opportunity cost into account, ya know?
Saying this I think I really enjoy the business side of things and I think I may eventually want to move into a corporate finance / strategy position in the future. I've also always wanted my MBA (think top 10), and think that this would be a good way to move into the position I want. Saying this, I've always valued understanding technology so I'm not opposed to doing IT consulting, MBA, and lateral into strategy and management.
So my question is, what position do you think will be a better place to start my career? I want the place with the best opportunities, reputation for business schools, and exit ops, ect. Feel free to give me any other advice, experiences you have with either firm or position.
Thanks in advance.
for FT?
Yea it's for FT
I have to make the decision by tomorrow, would love to hear some feedback.
EY's advisory branch is growing very quickly, it might be a good time to get in. But it's still a risk to bank on their potential growth, the brand itself has some work to do to catch the likes of PwC and Deloitte. The BAP program is probably the closest thing they have to management consulting; I think a few BAP's end up getting positions in good MBA programs based on recruiting information I've seen from schools.
I'm not sure how SAP work will look when trying to land a top 10 MBA. It's not really strategy related. If you're interested in technology maybe IT strategy or CIO advisory would be a better look for a top-10 MBA then working on SAP packaged solutions. IBM is a strong brand for consulting though, particulary tech consulting, but I think most kids they send to top MBA programs are from their strategy practice.
I am not an expert on this by any means, but I've talked with many people with many different types of work experiences who successfully cracked top 10 mba admissions.
One alum I talked to last month started out at BB back office -> top 10 mba -> MBB consulting. He mentioned that the very top schools (HBS, Wharton, Stanford) basically only take people with MBB / BB IBD / military experience nowadays for non-minority male applicants. But most schools outside of that 'top 3' range are much more forgiving of different types of work experiences, or so I've heard.
That being said, I think you should pick a job offer based on your interest. Which position do you see yourself enjoying more? From either position, you could probably make it to a good mba program if you play your cards right. So, I would focus more on other factors in making the choice.
Which is a better job offer, IBM Consulting or EY (Ernst & Young LLP) Advisory? (Originally Posted: 11/19/2014)
I have offers from both firms' consulting practices and am torn between which to choose. I am considering the following factors in making my decision: -Career Growth -Pay -Type of Work & Work/life balance -Culture -Exit Opportunities & Attractiveness to MBA programs
Can somebody provide any insights to help me make this decision?
NOTE: Something nagging me has been the pay differential. EY: $65/$3k bonus (won't budge) IBM: $72/$7k bonus
Thoughts here would be greatly appreciate too!
IBM if you are trying to build a career in technology consulitng, EY if you want a career in financial advisory.
65, 3k sound like a chicago office offer
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