How is working in M&A PMI interms of exposure, scope, interest? Is it better than CDD and strategy? How is the pay in this practice and what are skill sets in this practice? Is big 4 leading in this domain than MBB? If yes, which big 4 is leading?

Hello,

As Julia mentioned, these are different steps: CDD is more about understanding the market and the target company, so it is more strategy-oriented, whereas PMI is focused on making the integration a success, and is more operation-oriented.

In MBBs, there is no difference in comp, as consultants - up to a certain seniority - are versatile and can operate across industries and projects. From my experience, PMI in MBB is usually sold as a follow-up of a previous CDD or Strategy project that led to the Merger or Acquisition. 

Hello! PMI is all about making a deal actually work (merging systems, aligning teams, hitting synergy targets…) Compared to CDD (pre-deal research) and strategy (big-picture planning), it’s more hands-on and execution-focused

It’s not better than CDD & strategy, just different. CDD is fast-paced and varied but can feel repetitive. Strategy is broader and more conceptual. PMI goes deep into fewer clients where you see real tangible impact.

Pay’s about the same as other consulting tracks.

Big 4 lead PMI in volume (especially PwC and Deloitte) and MBB does fewer PMI projects but usually the complex, high-stakes ones.

I would strongly recommend you reach out to a few people who are now in consulting and working in M&A PMI to ask these questions. 

The added benefit is that not only will you get proper 'insider' answers, but you might also end up with a referral for potential upcoming applications. 

If you don't have contacts already in the industry, you might find this guide helpful:

• Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn?

Best,
Cristian

Hey there :)

PMI in M&A is super hands-on and high-impact, you work closely with C-levels to align orgs, systems, and culture. It’s very operational and cross-functional, with deep exposure to execution. Compared to CDD or strategy, it’s less about high-level frameworks and more about driving real change post-deal.

In terms of skills: strong project management, change management, stakeholder handling, and a mix of finance + org design are key. Pay is usually slightly below pure strategy roles, unless you’re in a boutique specialized in M&A/PMI.

Big 4 often lead here, especially PwC and EY-Parthenon, due to their broader transaction service offering. MBB gets the high-end deals, but Big 4 runs many integrations.

Let me know if you want to compare specific firms or roles!

Best,
Alessa :)