Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG all run large consulting practices covering strategy, technology, risk, operations and people. Outside their strategy arms, the work tends to be more about implementation: making big changes happen inside large organisations.
For strategy work specifically, see the Big 4 strategy arms.
Big 4 or MBB?
The work is more implementation-focused, projects can be larger, and pay is usually lower than at MBB. Hours and travel are similar. Both lead to good careers. Pick the one whose day-to-day work you'd enjoy.
Getting in
- Read the programme list properly. Each firm runs many consulting programmes. Pick the one you'd actually enjoy.
- Practise the online tests. The Big 4 use them early, and a lot of good CVs fall at that stage.
- Use the spring weeks. My Deloitte spring week was a broad introduction to every service line, which is exactly what you need when you're not sure which area suits you.
- All four have big offices in Lagos and Mumbai, as well as London, Hong Kong and New York.