Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!

Anonymous A

on Jan 15, 2021

Global

BDO Strategy Consulting to Big 4 Strategy Consulting or Big 4 Audit to Big 4 Strategy Consulting?

Hi, I would like to ask for your opinion which is easier: transfer from BDO Strategy Consulting to Big 4 Strategy Consulting or internal transfer from Big 4 Audit to Big 4 Strategy Consulting?

Appreciate your help!

Thank you!

2.2k

Be the first to answer!

Nobody has responded to this question yet.

Top answer

Lukas

Coach

on Jan 15, 2021

BCG | PwC | LSE | 3+ years in Consulting |I get you ready for BCG

What is your definition of BIG4 Strategy Consulting? If you mean Strategy&, EY-Parthenon and Monitor Deloitte. The internal networking possibilities will not help you. Therefore I would recommend joining BDO Strategy and then try to apply to them, depending on your profile you will need special expertise or an MSc or MBA from a target university.

If you define BIG 4 Strategy consulting as a team within the BIG4. I would recommend doing Audit withing the company and then network aggressively your way to the strategy role. Specifically, you can ask partners for coffee, most of the time, they will say yes.

Hope that helps. If you have more questions please let me know, I'm always glad to help.

Kind regards,
Lukas

2 comments

Daniel

on Jan 15, 2021

Hi Lukas, Thank you for the quick response. Could I please clarify what do you mean by Big 4 Strategy Consulting as a team within Big 4? Based on my understanding in Asia (not too sure if this is applicable to your country), Strategy Consulting departments in Big 4 e.g KPMG, EY, PwC are also known as KPMG Global Strategy Group, EY Parthenon and Strategy& respectively. They are technically still under respective Big 4. Aren’t they the same thing? Currently, I have a job offer with a Big 4 Audit. Just not too sure if I should take it or I should apply to smaller tier firms that offer management consulting such as BDO? Since I am interesting in Strategy Consulting. Thank you!

Lukas

Coach

on Jan 15, 2021

BCG | PwC | LSE | 3+ years in Consulting |I get you ready for BCG

Hi Daniel, EY Parthenon and Strategy& etc., are part of the BIG4 publicity. However, the strategy teams are split up from the main business. The recruiting process works slightly different. Trying to get into Strategy& while working in PwC Audit is close to impossible, you would need to take a break and do a top MBA to get an interview maybe. Internal networking will not be sufficient.

Clara

Coach

on Jan 15, 2021

McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Unfortunately, this is too wide to give you a good answer.

Since I am guessing that you are asking for a specific situation/prson that you have in mind, would you like to write more about the specific trade-off?

Cheers,

Clara

Antonello

Coach

on Jan 16, 2021

McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

Probably the second option as it is an internal transfer.

Hope to further help you if you provide more details.

Best,

Antonello

Gaurav

Coach

on Jan 18, 2021

#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there,

In general, internal transfers tend to be easier, but of course it depends on what you actually want, what is your experience etc. Don't hesitate to write me for any further help.

Cheers,