M&A to Strategy / Management Consulting?
I am fortunately given the choice between continuing the current M&A route - or moving onto strategy / management consulting within financial services. Both are great companies so the destination isn't the issue.
I was wondering whether anyone can share an insight into transitioning from 1 to 2? How typical it is, how viable it is, how relevant it is, and what similar skills would come into use?
Cheers guys
M&A as in investment banking? I feel like that's a pretty easy transition to make. I interned in IB before recruiting for consulting full time and I was always asked why I made the switch. My answer was something along the lines of: I think strategy projects are interesting, but I want exposure to more problem types and industries than IB can provide. I'm also looking for more of an intellectually challenging culture which I have felt at 'xyz consulting firm' but not at 'abc investment bank'. The feedback I got on this answer was almost always favorable.
Nice. I think I'm being misled by the one person I spoke to a while back who was adamant that Strategy is not only irrelevant to IB but also incredibly subjective as to 'anyone can do it'; though I have always been inclined towards strategy.
But Nightman, do you see any correlation in terms of the specific skills sets? Will it really be less analytical? Is it as subjective as it sounds? And by chance, do you know what the team members assigned for a strategy project would do i.e. its compartments? Cheers my man.
Yea I'm not entirely sure why anyone would say that IB is unrelated to strategy consulting. M&A could even be considered a component of strategy consulting (i.e. a consulting firm recommends company X enters market Y through the acquisition of company Z). I feel like both roles are quite analytical - my interviewers definitely made sure that I stressed my analytic skills during my interviews.
I really can't speak to much more about consulting considering I haven't spent a day as an actual consultant yet (I'm a senior heading to a tier 2 boutique after graduation). Hopefully someone more knowledgeable than myself can chime in. Good luck.
Move from M&A to Management Consulting (Analyst level) (Originally Posted: 01/05/2018)
Monkeys,
Currently a second year (moving onto third in a couple months) M&A analyst at a BB in London. Currently considering my exit opps - not too keen on PE at the moment but really trying to keep an open mind about things.
A former McKinsey consultant turned recruiter contacted me for a top-3 management consultancy role (specifically, "generalist strategy consulting role"). He mentions my background in M&A and academic credentials are compelling for this role.
To be honest, I had never considered a career in Consulting. But I'm getting really sick of the work here in M&A (and working hours) and depending on future prospects of this job, I'd consider looking into it seriously.
Do you guys know of anyone who's made such a move? i.e. M&A analyst 2/3 to management consulting What would be the big differences between the two jobs? What are your thoughts of making such a move?
thanks a bunch
I have few friends who moved from BB IBD in London to MBB in the UK or Continental Europe after working 2-3 years in banking. They all ended up in entry level positions, however got promoted much quicker (in some cases even after 6 months). In terms of skillset I don't think it will be too hard for you to transition altough you will have to pick up some of the operational skills on the job. In one or two cases my friends agreed with the joining firm to join a specific PE/Corporate Finance/Turnaround team where it would be easier for them to transition. You will definitely enjoy better hours than IBD but the hours can still be long (60-80 rather than 90-100hrs per week) and constant travel can also take its toll. Personally I think that having an IBD and consulting experience under your belt will give you greater career flexibility down the road than banking alone.
M&A Tax to Management Consulting (Originally Posted: 02/04/2013)
I have been working as a consultant for the crossborder M&A tax advisory practice of a Big 4 firm for private equity funds for the past two years and I am presently being counceld out/fired if i dont find something else quickly enough.
I would like to move to management consulting but considering that I graduated in law and not business prior to joining Big 4, and that my Big 4 position was in tax structuring advisory, i am worried that even boutiques would not consider my application. Do you think that an MBA would be the most efficient solution for me to get into management consulting?
Would it be better to go work in a developing country for a few years where i could get a more senior positions with more client facing situations and a larger management role, to prepare the move to MBA or Management consulting?
FYI. i will soon turn 27 and I have been working in Europe for D******* since i graduated from my Master in law.
Who gets counselled out of tax...?
Every year since 2008 probably around 20 to 30% of Big4's junior consultants around the world
Unless you have an advanced degree and 5+ years of work, I don't see an experienced hire move to MC. The MBA route is your best bet - at INSEAD, LBS or IMD will make it easier - you have reasonable experience, right age, and assuming decent grades / GMAT / story / app execution that would be the best way into MC, including MBB.
Thanks for the help GPMagnus. I now have to decide what would be a good position for the one to two coming years to prepare the move to MBA. A guy offered me to work in Irak in oil tax consulting however i am not sure it would be the best way to prepare the MBA admission despite the fact that if i get kidnaped i would have plenty of spare time to prepare for the GMAT. I think i should better look for something in the UAE or south eastern asia in international tax or international tax related business dev.
M&A back office job at Deutsche Bank to Strategy Consulting ? (Originally Posted: 11/15/2017)
I want to know if the transition is viable/possible and if Big 4 / MBB hire from Deutsche Bank after 1-2 year
Hi IB2345, hope I can help. Do any of these links cover what you're looking for:
If we're lucky, the following pros may have something to say: McEnroe @Sussex" @morrisp33"
Hope that helps.
Boutique M&A -> Consulting? (Originally Posted: 06/27/2013)
Hey I've worked 3 years as an analyst at a small boutique M+A firm focused on the middle market.
I've worked sellside, buyside, and exit planning deals.
I already have an MSF (hopped on that train early!)
There is not much upward trajectory for me here at the firm. Where do I go now?
Do you think it would be possible to lateral as an associate at a consulting firm?
MBB out of reach?
I don't know much about getting into MBB, but I know that the Big 4 are bulking up their consulting/advisory practices big time. You'd probably be a good fit for Deloitte M&A TS or PwC Deals or anything along those lines.
You can try E&Y Transaction Advisory, Deloitte TS, PwC Deals or even KMPG. I think it's a good idea but if I were you I would go for an Associate at a BB.
How would I go about obtaining an associate position?
I heard big four is growing fast that could be an interesting option!
M&A Analyst -> Strat Consulting (Originally Posted: 09/18/2009)
I'm a M&A analyst interested in jumping to strategy consulting. If you might have any insight on that, please feel free to PM me or post in here. Appreciate the help if you can spare a few minutes!
(I'd be happy to share my rationale and background directly)
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