Hi there,
I’m considering a career shift from consulting to finance and want to understand the key differences between the two fields. How should I adjust my career strategy and approach to better fit the finance industry? Are there specific aspects of my consulting experience that I should emphasize or de-emphasize? Insights from those who have navigated this shift or coaches that helped coachees with the transition would be very useful.
Having worked in both consulting and finance, I’d say the main difference is the focus. In consulting, it’s about big-picture problem-solving, like helping a client expand into a new market. You’re working on long-term strategies, collaborating with clients, and often juggling multiple projects.
Finance, especially investment banking, is much more detail-oriented and technical. I remember working on an M&A deal where we spent weeks fine-tuning a financial model. Every small detail mattered because it could impact the deal. It’s also faster-paced.
Hey there,
I’ve helped several consultants make the move into finance. It's absolutely possible and not that uncommon.
What's important is that you are able to demonstrate your technical knowledge on financial modeling, valuations, deals, etc. Ideally, you've been on some consulting projects where these skills werde needed. If not, try to get staffed on them or build up the knowledge through (online) courses.
You should also know that (depending on where you want to go), finance can be faster-paced than consulting. Deals move quickly and precision matters.
I always advise my coachees to connect with bankers who’ve made similar moves, as they can be a great support when lateral opportunities open up. If you’re proactive about learning and positioning yourself, the switch is absolutely within reach.
I wish you much success and let me know if you need support on the way!
With experience in both consulting and finance, I’ve noticed that while both fields value strong analytical skills, they differ quite a bit in pace and focus.
Consulting is more about high-level strategic problem-solving, managing client relationships, and working on longer-term projects. Finance, especially in investment banking or private equity, moves faster and demands a deep technical understanding—things like financial modeling, valuation, and handling deal execution under tight deadlines.
If you’re shifting from consulting to finance, it’s important to highlight transferable skills like working under pressure, synthesizing complex information, and communicating clearly with senior stakeholders. At the same time, you’ll want to build up your technical skills and show genuine interest through courses, certifications, or personal projects related to finance. When telling your story, focus on the commercial impact of your work and demonstrate your ability to dive into detailed financial analysis quickly.
As someone with experience in both consulting and investment banking (IB) finance, I can share insights from my experience:
Emphasize:
De-emphasize:
In consulting, I developed problem-solving and client skills, which helped in IB’s client-facing roles. However, I had to quickly learn financial modeling and analysis. Networking with ex-consultants in finance and learning financial modeling bridged the gap
Let me know if you need resume or interview tips!
Hey,
I made a similar move from consulting to finance, so I can definitely relate! While the two fields share some common ground, there are some key differences you’ll need to adjust to. Here's what worked for me:
First, finance is much more numbers-focused. In consulting, you’re often working on strategy and big-picture recommendations, but in finance (especially areas like investment banking or private equity), you’ll need to get really comfortable with financial models, valuation techniques, and detailed market analysis. If you don’t already have experience with that, I’d suggest diving into online courses or brushing up on Excel, accounting, and financial modeling. Even basic understanding of DCF or M&A models will go a long way.
That being said, your consulting skills are super valuable in finance! Things like problem-solving, client management, and project leadership are highly transferable. When making the shift, I found it helpful to really play up how I’d led complex projects, worked under tight deadlines, and helped clients make data-driven decisions. Finance firms appreciate people who can think strategically and communicate complex ideas clearly, which consulting gives you a ton of experience with.
One thing I had to adjust to was the more transactional and fast-paced nature of finance. The work can feel more focused on short-term financial goals and market-driven decisions compared to the broader strategic focus in consulting. The hours can also be pretty intense, especially in roles like investment banking, but if you’ve survived consulting projects, you’re probably already used to that.
Lastly, don’t forget about networking. This is crucial in both fields, but finance can be even more relationship-driven. I leaned heavily on my consulting network and reached out to contacts who had made similar moves into finance. LinkedIn is a great tool for that, and informational interviews really helped me get insights into what specific roles would be the best fit.
In short: sharpen your technical skills, highlight your consulting strengths, and be ready for a faster-paced, numbers-driven environment. It’s definitely doable, and your consulting experience will give you a unique edge. Good luck with the transition!
Hey there,
Jumping in late, but I’ve coached several consultants moving into finance, and it’s absolutely doable! Your consulting skills (problem-solving, client management, working under pressure etc.) are valuable in finance too.
The biggest adjustment? Getting comfortable with the technical side. If you haven’t worked on valuation or modeling yet, I’d recommend taking a course or finding ways to get hands-on experience.
Also, finance moves fast. Deals can be intense, and attention to detail is key. If you position yourself well and network strategically, the transition is definitely within reach.
Happy to chat if you need guidance!
I made the shift from consulting to finance, and the biggest difference I noticed was the emphasis on technical skills in finance (things like financial modeling, valuation, and understanding market trends). If you’re coming from consulting, you probably have solid problem-solving, project management, and client-facing skills, but you might need to build up your technical finance knowledge.
To adjust your strategy, I’d suggest highlighting any finance-related projects you’ve done, even if it was just analyzing a company’s financials or working on a market entry strategy. If you can, take a course in financial modeling or get some exposure to valuation work. It shows you’re serious about the switch. Also, be ready to shift your approach from broad, strategic thinking to more detail-oriented, numbers-driven analysis. It’s a bit of a mindset shift, but totally doable. Good luck!
