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MBB to ACN Strategy - Thoughts?

Accenture Strategy MBB
New answer on May 07, 2021
5 Answers
2.0 k Views
Anonymous A asked on May 06, 2021

Dear community, hope everyone is safe and well.

I'm a post-MBA consultant at an international MBB office. COVID has struck my office pretty bad - from 17 post-mba consultants joining the firm 2 years ago, 15 were let go last year because of the weak project flow. I was one of the two survivors, but I was told I will not be making to Manager in the next promotion cycle - I was unstaffed most of the time this year and unfortunately could not develop certain areas. So, according to the up/out policy I gotta go. It sucks.

I recently got an offer from ACN Strategy to join as a Manager. I'm not sure what to do: I enjoy consulting but I have not found many info on ACN Strat - from what I researched, it seems like a steep downgrade. But I enjoyed talking with the partners on the recruiting process, and comp-wise is pretty similar to an EM/PL/M would make - possibly the gap will increase in the future.

Apart from ACN Strategy, tech is also an avenue I am exploring (local unicorns/FANGs/Uber).

Any (candid) advice here on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated. Also, any materials on ACN Strategy is also greatly appreciated.

(edited)

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Clara
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replied on May 07, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Sorry to hear about the situation. On the other hand, congrats of being one of the two survivors!

Honestly, I do agree with the opinion that seems kind of a downgrade from MBB. Is this office in the same region? Because then I don´t see either how different can the circumpstances be.

Another option that you don´t mention is a transfer to another MBB or even inside your MBB to another locaiton, have your considered that? Sames goes for getting international staffing -I know for instance in the US there are hands needed atm-.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous A on May 07, 2021

tks but office transfer is not an option after this feedback

Francesco
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replied on May 07, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about the issue with your current company.

On Accenture: if you are not convinced about the brand, before moving there you may also try:

  • Other MBB
  • Tier 2 (OW, Kearney, S&, RB)

On Accenture vs Tech: it really depends on what you would like to do 5-10 years from now. If you want to target partnership in consulting, Accenture could still be interesting. If you want a more entrepreneurial culture and move to tech, this could be a nice moment for a transition.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

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Udayan
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updated an answer on May 06, 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Sorry to hear about the promotion that is tough.

I am also surprised to hear about the work because in the US offices they are desperate to get more staffing currently.

Here is my honest opinion

  • If you want a good exit option and are able to then stick to MBB - the brand name carries weight and you will be able to leverage it accordingly
  • If you are truly unhappy and can't bear the thought of one more day at the company then quit. There is no point carrying on in a role that makes you sad. Life will always work out in the end and there are so many possibilities as to where your career may take you
  • A third option is to transfer out - like I said, in the US they are truly understaffed so if you can I would encourage you to transfer here to get staffed on projects

Best,

Udayan

(edited)

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Anonymous A on May 06, 2021

tks - unfortunately i'll have to leave because of the up/out policy... so staying at my mbb is not an option - ACN Strategy, tech or staying unemployed are :)

Udayan on May 07, 2021

Got it. Well I don't think you should rush into any decision. We spend too much time at work to just take the first offer unless you are very happy with it. There is a lot of demand for workers or will be very soon anyway no need to settle. All the best!

Ian
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Content Creator
replied on May 07, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

My honest advice is to take this ACN Strategy offer.

It's a brand downgrade, but it's also a promotion...which it what you need/want...which is not a downgrade. I think this is a fantastic offer to not be taken lightly.

Now, if you had time to search for other options, I'd say do that, but clearly this MBB up-or-out has caught you off-gaurd a bit.

Work at ACN Strategy, and, in the meantime, search for the other opportunities! No harm in taking the role for now, but jumping ship if it's not great and/or you get an offer from a firm you prefer.

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Anonymous A on May 07, 2021

tks Ian - could you give an aussie perspective on how ACN Strat is perceived in ANZ? would love to be in bondi for a while

Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on May 07, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Hi,

I have provided a lot of information previously on Accenture in the Q&A forum. Check out this and embedded threads for the information you need:

  • https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/ey-parthenon-vs-accenture-9952
  • https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/accenture-strategy-consulting-9886

Its not a downgrade by any means and Accenture is beating even MBB in key markets, geographies and capabilities. All information is in the threads above.

All the best.

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Anonymous A on May 07, 2021

tks Adi - yes, I read most of the articles you posted. could you expand on where acn is winning relative to mbbs? it would be greatly appreciated, tks

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