Which consulting firm is best?

Factors to consider in your consulting job search

Some of the best-known consulting firms

Factors to consider when choosing a firm

Determining the "best" consulting firm is highly subjective. “Best” means different things to different people. 

Important factors to weigh up include:

• Prestige and reputation

• Compensation and benefits 

• Work-life balance

• Company culture and satisfaction

• Professional development  

• Exit opportunities

We’ve broken down ‘best’ into six categories and rate the top firm per category to help you decide which firm suits you best.

Best firms per category

Prestige: McKinsey & Company

McKinsey has shaped the management consulting industry more than any other consulting firm. With only a 1% acceptance rate, it's harder to get into than Harvard.

Salary: Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

BCG offers the highest starting salaries at approximately  £63 000 compared to half that at Big Four firms.

Work-life balance: KPMG

KPMG employees report lower overtime hours and overall higher satisfaction with work-life balance.

Culture & employee satisfaction: Bain & Company and KPMG 

Bain and KPMG both rank highest in employee satisfaction and enjoyment of workplace culture.

Career progression: Bain & Company and L.E.K. Consulting

Consultants rate these firms as providing the fairest and fastest career advancement.

Exit opportunities: McKinsey, BCG, Bain & Company (MBB)

The most prestigious "MBB" firms produce many alumni that become Fortune 500 executives. Notable MBB alumni include Sheryl Sandberg, Mitt Romney and Sundar Pichai.

Find the best fit for you

The "best" firm is ultimately the one that aligns with your goals. Thoroughly research company cultures and consultant experiences to choose where you'll thrive.

However, this blog gives you a starting point of what consulting firms might be right for you based on what different things are important to you.