Is it possible to Switch from big four to mbb’s or boutique firms
Overview of answers
Upvotes
Best answer
Hi Ghassan,
it really depends whether you mean switching from an audit division or switching from a strategy division (eg Strategy&/Monitor/Parthenon) from Big 4 to MBB/boutiques.
If you mean from a strategy division, it is definitely possible to switch as a lateral hire.
If you mean from an audit division, it is not easy to switch directly to MBB. In order to increase your chances you may opt for the following:
- Move first to the strategy branch present in some of the big 4
- Expand your CV with more strategy roles; this could be done working as advisors for a startup, or an NGO
- Develop a good MBB network and use their referrals rather than the online applications only (this recommended anyway even if you are currently in a strategy division)
In case the previous points do not work, you may also consider doing an MBA; this will take more time and money but can increase your chances significantly.
Best,
Francesco
Was this answer helpful?
Hi,
yes, of course! There are plenty of cases (on LinkedIn you could check, inserting in the former employer campus the name of the big 4)
For any advice about crafting the story of the switch feel free to text me.
Best,
Anto
Was this answer helpful?
Hi,
Yes, I have seen and worked with many employees at BCG who had "consulting" experience in big four previously.
Based on my experience, the switch becomes easier at the project leader level, since you would already have 4-6 years of consulting experience (and thus the learning curve at MBB and big four becomes quite comparable, compared to someone with 1-2 years of work experience, where big four may not be able to offer the same level of learning vs. MBB).
Best,
Deniz
Was this answer helpful?
Hi,
I agree with Francesco here. It's extremely hard to switch from the following departments:
- Audit
- Taxes
The following Big4 divisions have a pretty straight forward path to MBB:
- Consulting
- Transaction services
- Digital
Best
Was this answer helpful?
Related Cases
Expert case by Francesco
Style:
Our client is a supermarket chain that is considering whether they should enter the emerging online grocery delivery business where consumers order their groceries online and have them delivered to their homes. Currently, two competitors have entered the online market in the client's area in San Fra
...
Our client is a supermarket chain that is considering whether they should enter the emerging online grocery delivery business where consumers order their groceries online and have them deliv
...
(Open whole case)
8.0k
Times solved
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco
Style:
Your client is the Performance Chemicals division (revenues of $500 million) of a Specialty Chemicals Company with total revenues of $14 billion. The CEO wants the company to become the fastest-growing specialty chemicals company and has therefore asked all the divisions to present growth strat
...
Your client is the Performance Chemicals division (revenues of $500 million) of a Specialty Chemicals Company with total revenues of $14 billion. The CEO wants the company to become the fast
...
(Open whole case)
8.0k
Times solved
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco
Style:
Our client is a German-owned water provider company based in the southwest of the United States. As the biggest water provider in the region, they serve the majority of the southwest region.Profit growth has slowed down considerably in recent years, and the company is finding it difficult to co
...
Our client is a German-owned water provider company based in the southwest of the United States. As the biggest water provider in the region, they serve the majority of the southwest re
...
(Open whole case)
7.5k
Times solved
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Francesco
Style:
Our client today is AirService – a service provider for a number of airlines and airports. Their management recently realized a decrease in profits that is linked to increasing costs.Accordingly, they have engaged our firm to help address this issue. How would you approach this problem?
Our client today is AirService – a service provider for a number of airlines and airports. Their management recently realized a decrease in profits that is linked to increasing costs.Accordingly, they have engaged our firm to help address this issue. How would you approach this problem?
(Open whole case)
7.4k
Times solved
Intermediate
Difficulty
Expert case by Ian
Style:
Our client is Energy England, one of northern England’s largest electric utility companies. They were created over the past decade through an aggressive series of mergers of existing utility companies each specializing in a single energy generation source.Recently, the CEO has embarked on an initiat
...
Our client is Energy England, one of northern England’s largest electric utility companies. They were created over the past decade through an aggressive series of mergers of existing utility
...
(Open whole case)
7.3k
Times solved
Intermediate
Difficulty
Content Creator
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
4,522
Meetings
44,958
Q&A Upvotes
392
Awards
1618 Reviews
Hi Francesco,
Hi Francesco,
thank you or your reply. I have just finished my MBA and the job offer is from pwc ( management consulting unit) .. so from there is it possible to switch to mbb’s or a boutique consulting in the future
Hi Ghassan, theoretically yes, if it is PwC and not Strategy& it would still be challenging due to the brand name for MBB, I would recommend to find a referral to strengthen the application – you can find more on referrals at the following link: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/hey-everyonehope-all-is-well-3176