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How is Government strategy different from others? Is it good interms of exposure,pay,future compared to private strategy? Is it same as Public Finance Management, if yes what are skills required and sample interview questions, if not whats the difference?

Any one who worked in Public Finance Management requesting to share your experience and how is it compared to strategy consulting and government advisory and sample interview questions.

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Evelina
Coach
on Aug 31, 2025
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 7+ years coaching l 10% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS

Hi there,

1. Government vs Private Strategy

  • Focus: Government = policy, regulation, social programs. Private = growth, profit, M&A.
  • Objectives: Public = citizen impact; Private = shareholder value.
  • Pace: Government = slower, multi-stakeholder. Private = faster, commercial.
  • Exposure: Government = ministers, multilaterals. Private = CEOs, boards.

2. Pay & Career Outlook

  • Pay: Generally lower than private strategy.
  • Future: Strong for policy, multilaterals, government roles. Private strategy has broader corporate exits.

3. Government Strategy vs Public Finance Management (PFM)

  • Not the same.
    • Government Strategy: broad (digital, health, climate, diversification).
    • PFM: technical (budgeting, fiscal policy, treasury, debt, accountability).
  • Overlap: when fiscal constraints shape national strategy.

4. Skills for PFM

  • Public budgeting & fiscal frameworks.
  • Tools: MTEF, IFMIS, debt management.
  • Quantitative: modelling, CBA.
  • Advisory: stakeholder engagement, policy communication.

5. Sample Interview Questions

  • Government Strategy:
    • How would you design a digital roadmap for a ministry?
    • How to diversify an oil-dependent economy?
    • What’s different about advising governments vs corporates?
  • PFM:
    • Walk through a government budget cycle and inefficiencies.
    • Assessing fund use in a ministry.
    • Cash vs accrual accounting in the public sector.
    • How to close a budget deficit?

6. Experience Comparison

  • PFM: Technical, finance-heavy, slower pace, high policy impact.
  • Private Strategy: Fast-paced, commercial, higher pay, wider exits.
  • Government Advisory: Hybrid — strategy frameworks with policy nuance, often high-profile (e.g. Vision 2030).

In short: Government Strategy ≠ PFM. Strategy is broad, PFM is finance-focused. Both build valuable skills but lead to different career paths.

Best,

Evelina

Alessa
Coach
on Aug 31, 2025
10% discount in August |xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | xRB | >400 coachings | feel free to schedule an intro call for free

Hey there :)

Government strategy focuses on policy reforms and national programs, while private strategy is more about growth and profit. Exposure is high but pay is usually a bit lower than in private sector consulting.

Public Finance Management is narrower, dealing with budgets, fiscal reforms and treasury systems. Skills needed include financial modeling, budgeting, and controls. Sample questions: “How would you improve a government budget process?” or “How should a country diversify its economy?”

So PFM is part of government advisory, but not the same as broad government strategy.

best,
Alessa :)

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