Booz Allen Hamilton vs EY Parthenon vs Arthur D. Little vs Strategy& (Dubai Offices)

Hi there,

The other coaches have provided some great background. Let me just at my take:

1. Please don't think too much about this until you actually have offers from all of them. Let the process choose you…not only will this make your ultimate decision easier (fewer decisions to weigh), but you're less likely to get disappointed. You could very well decide x company is your favorite, then be upset even with 3 fantastic offers
2. Network extensively to get this answer for yourself. The interviews are as much for you to assess them as for them to assess you!
3. Strategy& is technically the “best” choice when it comes to regionally prestige/brand name

Strategy& (PwC) and EY-Parthenon (EY) have the advantage that they can leverage their Big4 presence to win in the market. Particularly EY-P, as they have more room to grow  (and growth means more opportunities for a fast-track career). These are also the most credible brand names, by far, at a global level.

Hey Anonymous, am aware of the answers to your questions. I'm sure you would have more questions. Please feel free to message me - happy to clarify all your doubts.

1. BAH - The office is not very big (~100). Although projects span across public sector, O&G etc. Culture is always a question that a current employee can tell best. Progress and exit opportunities are at par with other tier 2 consults.

2. S& has higher base pay in the region amongst all consults. I wouldn't put heritage as the option since many Booz folks have also settled in other consults. 

ADL has been in the region for a while now and has established its niche and brand with the clients

EYP is “relatively” new to the region and right now is also in the process of expanding its footprint in multiple middle-east countries as the diplomatic conditions have become a lot stable and consulting projects are back into a bull-run mode.

If you ask me to compare - there isn't a lot of cut-and-dry comparison possible between these 4. If you message me with more details I'll be happy to help out.

Hello,

I would echo Ian to advise you not to assume this is your choice set until you get an offer from the final two firms. You don't want to end up being disappointed and waste time thinking through opportunities that don't get realized. That being said, I hope you get the best outcome! In terms of brand name/prestige, I would say Strategy& and EYP are about equivalent, but really future outcomes will depend much more on what you end up doing at those places rather than those particular names. They are all companies of the same level. 

I would also encourage you to reach out and do some networking, at least to Booz Allen Hamilton, to understand a bit more about the work and culture there. The people who will have the best sense of the culture, projects, exit opportunities, etc. will be the people who are currently working there.