Wait for Deloitte?

FutureAnalyst:

What role at Deloitte?

I would extend and wait on Deloitte.

Consultant w/in Cap Mkts.

financenerdDC:

I was at Capco for a few months right out of my top 10 MBA program (thats how much I loved the firm).

First - definitely extend and wait.

Your final decision will depends on where they are looking to staff you, which partners you will develop relationships with, etc.

So here is my good/bad: + Small enough firm that you can develop relationships and develop your own personal brand internally. You'll get to interact with partners and principals every day.

• If things are going well, they need you more than you need them. Remember that. It means you can fight for promotions - I know kids that graduated from undergrad in the late 2000s that are now principals because they can play the game. Not so at a big firm.

• Capco has almost no brand in the US, so you'll continually have to explain what the firm does. Not a problem with Deloitte.

• I know kids that graduated from undergrad in the late 2000s that are now principals (see above). Not always bad, but this sometimes means working for someone with little leadership experience.

• Many of the projects are really IT project management for FS clients. Not interesting at all, or likely to stretch your finance skills.

• Zero training / skills development

• A ton of their work is concentrated with a few clients.

• If you do well on a crappy uninteresting project, they'll silo you and keep you there (happens a lot in consulting but seems like it was worse here because it was a small firm and a few clients called the shots). Some people had been at the same client for 1.5-2 years -- meaning you learn less and have a more narrow network.

A few other notes:

What level did Capco offer? Their normal post-MBA role is Consultant, a select few were offered Sr. Consultant. If you got a Consultant offer, go back and tell 'em you need to be an SC, even with the same salary level. Many of the Capco consultants were kids with 2 years of experience (which pissed off the MBAs that had 5+ yrs and 2 years of b-school).

I knew an girl that had 3 years of work experience with the same client and was sought after because she was valued at that one client. She talked them into giving her the SC role. I also knew a guy w/ 15 yrs of experience that was a controller at a state insurance company that got laid off. Somehow, they convinced him that the SC role was typical for his experience. A little jarring to have them sitting next to each other.

If you haven't finished your CFA and are looking for them to pay for it, get it in writing as part of your offer letter. They say its part of their benefits (tuition reimbursement). I know several that applied and not a single person that had it approved. Small n but people were mostly not impressed.

Wow, this sounds outright terrible. Zero development, and you have to barter with your bosses - who sound like used car salesmen - constantly just to avoid not getting screwed over. Doesn't seem like the best work environment.