I have around 5 years of working experience and currently working in a Big 4 Finance Transformation practice - mostly on business process improvement and system impementation. I am evaluating whether or not I should move up the ladder in Big 4/ try to pursue MBB opportunity doing strategy consulting.
1) Do you think Finance Transformation > MBB is even possible without MBA?
2) Would you recommend going for other second tier consulting firms instead?
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!
Back to overview
10
Thank you! If leave the Big 4 as a Senior Associate (I’ve been one of the top performers in the team), how do I convince folks at MBB that I have the skills required If I cannot get myself to be placed in strategy project? As consulting I do is mostly operational consulting.
Hi Anonymous, I would follow the steps presented before: try to find activities outside your job where you can show strategy skills, find referrals in MBB to strengthen your application (once invited for an interview the fact you did not work in strategy is not relevant anymore) or, as last resort, apply for an MBA. Best, Francesco
Thank you!! If I am a Senior Associate at the Big 4 with 6 years of Finance/Accounting experience - what level do you think I can realistically land in MBB?
Hi Anonymous, with such experience you should be considered for either a Senior Associate or Consultant position (BCG) or Senior Analyst or Associate position (McK). The difference in the level depends on the country you are applying to. Best, Francesco
Thank you! If I leave the Big 4 as a Senior Associate (I’ve been one of the top performers in the team), how do I convince folks at MBB that I have the skills required? As consulting I do is mostly operational consulting.
For the calculation of annual pass holders, isn't it 60,000 passes, given that we assume that 600,000 visitors use their pass 10 times per season?
10
Big 4 Finance Transformation to MBB?
2
3.0k

Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer

Francesco
on Oct 01, 2019
Coach
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Hi Anonymous,
Big 4 are not the typical source of candidates for MBB, in particular if your background is implementation and not strategy. In order to increase your chances you may consider the following:
- Move first to the strategy branch present in your big 4, if present
- Expand your CV with more strategy roles; this could be done working as advisors for a startup or no profit.
- Develop a good MBB network and use their referrals rather than the online applications only. You can find more on referrals at the following link: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176
In case that doesn’t work, you may consider the MBA path; this will take more time and money but could increase your chances significantly.
In terms of the second-tier companies: if you are interested in strategy consulting it would definitely make sense to apply there as well, to increase chances.
Hope this helps,
Francesco
4 comments

Anonymous A
on Oct 01, 2019

Francesco
on Oct 02, 2019
Coach
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Anonymous
on Oct 02, 2019

Francesco
on Oct 03, 2019
Coach
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Vlad
on Oct 01, 2019
Coach
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School
Hi,
1) I don't see any single reason why not. MBA is not a requirement for MBB
2) Tier 2 is better than big 4. MBB is better than Tier 2. Again, I don't see any reason why it can be the opposite
Best

Anonymous A
on Oct 01, 2019
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Sign up for free to read all answers.

Similar Questions
Most Popular Posts
BCG Dubai hardware
8
on Aug 26, 2025
Asia
3
200+

Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
3 Answers
200+ Views


What can I expect from McKinsey onboarding?
8
on Aug 27, 2025
USA
2
200+

Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 7+ years coaching l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
2 Answers
200+ Views

McK or ATK?
10
on Aug 27, 2025
DACH
8
1.0k

Top answer by
Pedro
Coach
30% discount in September | Experienced interviewer & consultant (+5 years) | ex-BCG | RWE
8 Answers
1.0k Views


+5
BCG Internship Interview Preparation in 7 Days - Taipei
9
on Aug 27, 2025
Asia
6
600+

Top answer by
Lukas
Coach
50% OFF on first 2 sessions | ~10yrs in consulting | ex-BCG Project Leader | Personalized prep & coaching | INSEAD MBA
6 Answers
600+ Views


+3
Question about
Case
on Aug 29, 2025
Global
2
400+

Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 7+ years coaching l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
2 Answers
400+ Views
