KPMG GSG Vs Strategy& Vs Monitor Vs Parthenon

Hi there,

Here’s a concise comparison of the Big 4 strategy arms:

1. Strategy& (PwC)

• Strongest brand in the region (legacy Booz & Co).
• Deep government and public sector work.
• Heavy focus on strategy vs. implementation compared to others.
• Hours are long but prestige and exit opportunities are best among Big 4.

2. Monitor Deloitte

• Growing fast, strong in digital, transformation, and implementation-heavy projects.
• Less pure-strategy, more operational/tech-heavy than Strategy&.
• Culture often considered more balanced than Strategy&, though still demanding.
• Exit opportunities are solid but not on par with Strategy&.

3. EY-Parthenon

• Split between education, healthcare, PE/Commercial DD, and restructuring.
• Known for heavy due diligence and transaction-driven work.
• Great place if you want to keep ties to PE/VC and deals.
• Can be repetitive if you want broad strategy exposure.

4. KPMG Global Strategy Group (GSG)

• Smallest brand equity in the region among the four.
• More implementation/market-entry and corporate strategy than high-level government work.
• Culture can be more stable but deal flow and prestige are weaker.
• Exit opportunities into MBB are rarer compared to Strategy&.

Ranking (brand/prestige/exit):

1. EY-Parthenon (for PE/deals)
2. Strategy&
3. Monitor Deloitte
4. KPMG GSG

Takeaway:

• If you want prestige and long-term brand value, aim for Strategy&.
• If you want deals/PE-heavy work and PE exit opportunities, EY-Parthenon is strongest.
• If you want digital/implementation exposure, Monitor Deloitte.
• KPMG GSG is the least competitive, but may offer easier entry and balance.

Best,

Evelina

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• First of all, I would advise you to wait for the results of your application processes before you start thinking about a personal ranking. You may not end up with more than one offer, as much as I would like you to.
• Moreover, I would highly advise you to opt for the option that best aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals. In order to make an informed decision, I would advise you to do the following:
  • Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you independently of the current options (e.g., personal growth, culture, international exposure, compensation). After that, score the options based on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in discrete scores. This way, you have covered the left-brain perspective.
  • Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality. This way, you have covered the right-brain perspective.
  • By doing so, you will be able to integrate both parts of the brain into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance that you will still be happy with it years later.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen