Advice - what's next?

Question

I recently left one of the Big 4 consulting to go into an in-house consulting at a big company one of the global fortune 500. Great benefits, nice colleagues and all. However, I don't know what's next... I don't think I will stay long cause I feel I am "done" with consulting. Projects wise that I am doing are high profile exposure to senior leaders almost at the top of the organisation and all.

However, I do want to get into a finance role but have been told before that it might be too late. I have about 6+ years of experience. Even though my background is in accounting and finance and also data analytics, not sure if pivoting is worth it. If I were to stay on in my role or consutling what is next?

Anyone is able to give tips etc? Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi, thanks for sharing this, it’s a very real crossroads and you’re definitely not alone in feeling this way.

First, to address the biggest concern head-on: it is not “too late” to move into finance with 6+ years of experience, especially given your background in accounting, finance, and data analytics. What does change at this stage is the type of finance roles that make sense and how you position the move.

Coming from Big 4 consulting and now in-house consulting at a Fortune 500, you already have a lot of credibility. High-exposure projects and senior stakeholder interaction are strong signals. The question is less “can I move into finance” and more “which finance roles actually align with where I am now.”

If you’re feeling done with consulting, typical next steps I see working well for profiles like yours include corporate finance roles such as FP&A, business controlling, corporate development, internal M&A, or finance transformation roles that sit close to decision-making. These roles value your consulting skill set but allow you to work more hands-on with numbers, planning, and execution.

What I would be careful with is trying to pivot into very entry-level or execution-heavy finance roles that are designed for people much earlier in their careers. That’s often where the “too late” feedback comes from. It’s not about your ability, it’s about level alignment.

If you were to stay in consulting or in-house consulting, the next step usually means either moving into people leadership, owning larger transformation programs, or specialising deeply in a functional area. If that doesn’t excite you anymore, that’s a good signal to listen to.

My advice would be to get very clear on why you want finance. Is it the content, the decision rights, the ownership, or the long-term career path? Once that’s clear, the pivot becomes much easier to explain and to execute. With your background, a thoughtful transition into the right finance role is absolutely realistic.

Answer 2

Hello,

Thanks for sharing your situation! From my perspective, 6+ years of experience is definitely not “too late” to pivot into finance, especially given your background in accounting, finance, and data analytics. Your current in-house consulting role gives you high-level exposure, which is valuable for transitioning into strategic finance or corporate development roles.

A few thoughts:

Map transferable skills – Highlight your experience in analytics, budgeting, forecasting, and stakeholder management when applying to finance roles.
Consider intermediate steps – Roles like FP&A, corporate finance, or strategic planning might be a smoother bridge from consulting to finance.
Networking matters – Leverage your current connections, including senior leaders you interact with, to learn about openings or mentorship opportunities.
Upskill selectively – If you feel there are gaps (e.g., technical finance tools, advanced modeling), a short course or certification could strengthen your profile.

If you enjoy consulting projects but want more finance exposure, maybe you can seek projects in your current role that focus on financial strategy or investment analysis—this can make the transition easier.

It’s not too late, and your consulting experience can actually be a strong differentiator in finance.