Management consulting firms exist in every corner of the planet and serve virtually every industry niche. While everyone knows about McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and Bain, there are numerous other consulting firms that offer great client service and fantastic professional experience. But how do you know which consulting companies would be best for your career path? Well, we’ve aggregated a list of top management consulting firms for you.
If you’re an aspiring consultant, don’t stop at the Top 3 consulting firms – there are many aspects to consider when looking at which consulting firm would be the right fit for you.
Jump to Rankings
What Makes a Top Consulting Firm?
Yes, MBB firms offer the greatest prestige, but there actually may be other firms that fit your specific career path better. Do you know what you want to do after your time in consulting? Are you just going to pick the consulting firm with the largest reach? If so, you might be surprised to learn that neither McKinsey, BCG or Bain are even in the top 10 in terms of revenue generated.
Some consulting firms require almost 100% travel, others require much less. Some charge by the hour and others by the project – there’s a big cultural difference between being incentivized to complete your work quickly and maxing out your billable hours. You may want to be involved with a specific diversity group or live in a specific city. All of these are important considerations as you narrow down your personal list of target firms.
A quick note on the list below: there are many, many ways to categorize consulting firms. Here, we’ve first organized this ranking around types of consulting firms, and then alphabetically within each category. However, to use a consulting term, we wanted to be MECE (mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive). In other words, we wanted each of our top firms to fall into only one category.
In addition, we used the following criteria to rank firms: Prestige, Culture, Compensation, Work/Life Balance, Type of Project Work, Firm Size, and Future Business Outlook.
If you represent a consulting firm and would like to share what makes your firm a great place to work with over 3M readers, reach out today.
Types of Top Consulting Firms
We put the MBB – McKinsey, Bain, BCG – in their own category. Each firm has a foundation in core strategy, but now offers many other services, and each has a prestige level that is high enough that creates the need for a separate category.
We also have a General Management and Strategy consulting category for top consulting firms. These types of firms work on projects focused on setting strategic direction, pricing, organic and M&A growth strategy, sales, and organization. They also spend a lot of time focused on operations, financial engineering, and turnaround consulting.
If we had to choose a “one-stop-shop” category, the Accounting, Finance & Technology category would be it. These firms tend to have organizational histories in accounting, but technology consulting also plays a huge role in their service offerings. At the same time, firms in this group also do strategy consulting and operations consulting.
Economic and litigation consulting is its own beast. Firms in this part of the consulting market use advanced economic theories, tools, principles, and applications to help companies understand the value of assets or develop unique strategies. In addition, they also work alongside law firms to help place a value on the impact of illegal market behavior.
Operations and turnaround consultants work on the front lines with clients. They might design new pricing strategies, get involved in sourcing key inputs, or be heavily involved in sales execution. When firms are facing or are actually in bankruptcy, they may need to hire a turnaround consultant.
Private equity consulting concerns itself with all things M&A and PE. Firms in this category serve clients throughout each stage of the M&A process.
Bridgespan comprises the totality of our Non-profit consulting category. Bridgespan, and firms like it, can work on strategy development, operations, HR, or organizational issues, but focus on non-profit clients only.
And finally, our list of top consulting firms contains some Industry or Function-focused players. These consulting firms focus on particular industries (i.e., healthcare, energy, financial services) or functions (i.e., supply chain, market research).
For each firm, we provide a summary of what they do. Then, we offer details on:
- Revenue
- Prestige level – Highest, high, average, and boutique (our perspective on prestige comes, in part, from this article)
- Key employee considerations – could be related to professional opportunities, work-life balance, compensation, etc.
- A firm profile link – we’ve compiled a Consulting Firm Directory with hundreds more consulting firms listed. Office locations, diversity groups, practice areas and salaries are included.
List of Top Consulting Firms
MBB
The most prestigious consulting firms on the planet. Generally, the foundation of their offerings is strategy consulting, but these firms offer surprisingly broad services.
Bain & Co.
Bain is the youngest of the world’s top three consulting firms. The company places a large emphasis on camaraderie and has the “frattiest” culture out of the Big 3. Bain currently employs over 13,000 people across 50 offices worldwide.
Though “Bainees” build strong relationships amongst their teams, consultants are still required to work long hours in return for interesting projects and excellent exit opportunities. The firm utilizes a local staffing model, meaning that projects are as near each local office as possible. Bain has also differentiated itself through its expertise in private equity through Bain Capital, made even more famous by previous leader Mitt Romney. Bain has also earned a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign for 12 years and was named ‘Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.’
Annual Revenue:
- $6,000,000,000
Prestige:
- Highest
Employee Considerations:
- Good Benefits
Ranked as top company to work for:
- Long Hours
- Constant Travel
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Boston Consulting Group
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is known as an innovative thought leader in the consulting industry with a strong focus on strategy. BCG has an intellectual culture that prioritizes creativity and academia. The firm has roughly 25,000 employees across 90 offices around the world. The company generates $11.7B in revenues annually.
BCG is consistently ranked as one of the best places to work even while demanding long hours out of its consultants. The firm offers unique programs to its top performers, such as the Strategy Lab and BCG Fellows program. BCG also offers several programs and internships that focus on diversity, one of the firm’s core values. Consultants who leave BCG are provided with top notch exit opportunities across almost any industry.
Annual Revenue:
- $11,700,000,000
Prestige:
- Highest
Employee Considerations:
- High turnover for great exit opportunities
Ranked as top company to work for:
- Long Hours
- Demanding Culture
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
McKinsey & Company
McKinsey is a company that needs no introduction. The company is consistently ranked as the #1 most valued brand in the consulting industry, making it the most prestigious company on the list. Since its founding in 1926, the company has grown to over 38,000 employees across more than 120 offices around the world. The company generates a whopping $13.5B in revenue annually.
McKinsey’s recruiting process is one of the most competitive in the world. The firm typically hires candidates with Ivy League backgrounds and/or prestigious work histories. McKinsey is also known for pioneering the recruitment of advanced professionals with non-business degrees to its consulting teams. McKinsey consultants are known to be amongst the hardest workers in the industry, which in turn result in outstanding exit opportunities.
Annual Revenue:
- $13,500,000,000
Prestige:
- Highest
Employee Considerations:
- High turnover for young adults
- Great future career opportunities
- Long Hours
- Constant Travel
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
General Management and Strategy Consulting Firms
These firms have a primary focus on strategy, pay well, and offer excellent professional development opportunities.
Advancy
Advancy is a pure-play strategy consulting firm whose small and nimble consulting project teams deliver in-depth industry insights to large global clients, aided by the firm’s focus on just three sectors of the economy – Consumer Goods, Life Sciences, and Chemicals. The 300-person firm has a uniquely European feel to it owing to its origins in France. One of the hallmarks of the firm’s culture is an annual trip where the company takes the entire global team on a international trip to a secret location. Who wouldn’t want to work here?
Annual Revenue:
- $90,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Low travel requirements
- Laid back culture
- Above-average work-life balance
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
EY-Parthenon
Ernst & Young acquired The Parthenon Group in 2014, increasing EY’s presence as a Big 4 consulting firm. EY-Parthenon focuses on strategy consulting and currently employs over 9,000 professionals worldwide. The firm advises C-suite, business, and organizational leaders across multiple sectors, including consumer, diversified industrial products, education, financial services, health care, life sciences, oil and gas, private equity and technology, media and telecom.
While EY-Parthenon may be able to access the power, global reach, and capabilities of one of the world’s corporate giants, the firm still retains its trademark boutique culture. The organization’s leadership has remained intact, along with functions critical to retaining culture. As a result, consultants at EY-Parthenon highlight the firm’s strong collegial atmosphere, entrepreneurial environment, and transparent management as key benefits of working at the firms.
Annual Revenue:
- ~$19,000,000,000
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Great professional development
- Great people
- Some have experienced a consistent need to reprioritize their work
- Some bureaucracy
- Average consulting work-life demands
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Kearney
Kearney (formerly known as A.T. Kearney) is an American global management consulting firm that focuses on strategic and operational CEO-agenda issues facing businesses, governments and institutions. Kearney maintains offices in more than 40 countries globally. The company generates roughly $1.6B in consulting revenues every year.
The company is known for advocating strongly for female leaders, especially in countries such as India. Kearney offers several programs focused on diversity and inclusion.
Annual Revenue:
- $1,600,000,000.
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Good Culture
- Well Balanced
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
L.E.K. Consulting
L.E.K. Consulting is a management consulting firm founded in 1983 by three individual partners from Bain & Company: James Lawrence, Iain Evans, and Richard Koch. The company’s primary service lines consist of corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and operations. The firm employs a generalist model across all major industries, including a large presence in defense, aviation, life sciences, healthcare, energy, entertainment, transport, retail, consumer products, financial services, and private equity (note: a majority of the firm’s expertise is in life sciences and healthcare).
The company is extremely selective, and its consultants are known to work long hours, sometimes resulting in feelings of being understaffed. L.E.K. offers attractive bonuses and incentive programs, including benefits for families. The average tenure for new associates is roughly 2 years. The firm is known for its strong diversity programs, including for LGBTQ, women, and minorities.
Annual Revenue:
- $750,000,000
Prestige Level:
- Average
Key employee Considerations:
- Long work hours
- Understaffed case loads
- Strong mentorship culture
- Bonus and incentive programs
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
OC&C Strategy Consultants
OC&C turns away work that doesn’t fall strictly into the box of strategy and thrives on its “challenger” mentality – and that tells you just about everything you need to know about the firm. OC&C was founded in London but has a rapidly-expanding presence in the United States. The firm spends the lion’s share of its time on projects in 5 industries: Consumer Goods, Retail & Leisure, Business Services, Media and Technology.
The firm has 14 offices across 11 nations and employs a flat organizational structure, meaning anyone at any level can engage with anyone in the firm – whether an intern or Partner. If you’re looking for a strategy firm where your merit determines your career trajectory, OC&C Strategy Consultants may be the place for you.
Annual Revenue:
- £150,000,000
Prestige Level:
- Boutique
Key employee Considerations:
- Pure focus on strategy work
- Relaxed culture
- Startup feel
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Oliver Wyman
Oliver Wyman is a quickly growing strategy consulting firm with deep connections in Europe and Asia Pacific. The firm is known for quick career progression – you’ll hit a new promotion cycle every 18-24 months. The firm generates roughly $2.5B in revenue every year.
Oliver Wyman consultants express that it can be challenging working long hours at a growing firm but generally enjoy the fun work atmosphere. Fortune points out that the company is particularly popular with millennials, and the firm makes substantial accommodations for working mothers. Oliver Wyman also doesn’t have requirements for an advanced degree, unlike many other top consulting firms.
Annual Revenue:
- $2,500,000,000
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Fun Atmosphere
- Positive Feedback
- Growing Firm
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Porsche Consulting
A 2024 newcomer to the ranking, Porsche Consulting was spun off from the sports car manufacturer of the same name in 1994. The firm, focused on performance improvement for clients, conducts two-thirds of its business in Germany but has a growing presence in the U.S., other parts of Europe, Asia, and South America.
Porsche Consulting does conduct a high volume of engagements centered around the automotive industry (i.e., for leading automakers), but that’s not all it does. The firm has expertise in a number of other sectors, including aerospace, industrial goods, consumer goods, and construction.
If you’re one of the ~900 consultants and support staff Porsche Consulting employs, you get some sweet perks courtesy of Porsche AG – you can lease a Porsche while you work there and get a new car every six months!
Annual Revenue:
- €212,000,000
Prestige:
- Average (High in Europe)
Employee Considerations:
- Small firm size allows for high level of ownership and responsibility
- Fun perks (new Porsche!)
- Focus on operations work instead of pure strategy
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Strategy&
Strategy& is a strategy consulting firm previously known as Booz & Company, which was acquired by PwC in 2014. Strategy& focuses on executive level strategy, similar to the projects you would find at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. To help its clients compete, Strategy& places a heavy emphasis on foresight and innovative thinking – a trait that goes all the way back to founder Edwin Booz.
Annual Revenue:
- $17,000,000,000
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Highly recommended
- Great place to work
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
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Accounting, Finance, & Technology
Many of these firms have historical foundations in accounting but have built excellent general management and technology-based consulting offers.
Accenture
Accenture is a technology consulting firm with a strategy consulting arm. The firm’s footprint is massive, with an estimated 700,000 employees across the world. Accenture is especially great for aspiring consultants who value opportunities to learn about technology.
Accenture is known to have a challenging work culture. Overtime is optional, but many consultants reportedly need to work the extra hours. In order to excel at Accenture, its consultants say networking is essential in order to land the best teams and projects.
Annual Revenue:
- $61,000,000,000
Prestige level:
- High
Key employee considerations:
- Optional overtime
- Good opportunities to learn about technology
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Booz Allen Hamilton
Booz Allen Hamilton offers management and technology consulting services, with an emphasis on technology and services to the U.S. Federal Government. The firm previously spun off Booz & Co., which was acquired by PwC. The firm generates roughly $8B in revenue on an annual basis.
Booz Allen Hamilton consultants are known to work hard but not travel as much. On Glassdoor, employees give a 75% approval rating to the firm. The firm proclaims that it invented the management consulting profession in 1914. Booz Allen Hamilton has also worked on several interesting projects, including helping the U.S. Navy reinvent itself into a force critical in aiding in America’s World War 2 victory.
Annual Revenue:
- $8,000,000,000
Prestige:
- Average (High in Middle East)
Employee Considerations:
- Mid-range benefits
- Hard Work
- Less Travel
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Deloitte Consulting
Though the company’s original expertise is in accounting, Deloitte Consulting has made a big name for itself in the consulting world. Deloitte enjoys #1 market share in terms of revenue among Big 4 firms, generating $59B+ on an annual basis. The firm is consistently ranked as the fourth most prestigious consulting firm (after MBB) and has more than 415,000 professionals worldwide.
Deloitte’s consulting services are divided into five practice areas: Core Business Operations, Customer & Marketing, Enterprise Technology & Performance, Human Capital, and Strategy & Analytics. Consultants typically recruit for and advance their careers through one specific practice area. Deloitte’s Strategy and Analytics arm – formerly Strategy and Operations – is essentially its management consulting arm, while its other practice areas have less to do with overall corporate strategy.
Annual Revenue:
- $59,000,000,000
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Upward Mobilization
- Lower morale than at Top 3
- Long Hours
- International Travel
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young’s advisory business is known for services similar to those provided by other consulting firms. The firm focuses on four core areas: performance improvement, risk, IT risk and assurance, and other cross-advisory teams. EY is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and generates $45B in annual revenue. The firm is ranked 7th in prestige amongst all consulting firms.
EY is known for having a significantly better work life balance compared to some of the other top consulting firms. The firm’s is known to have good communication across hierarchical levels and most employees are known for collegial personalities. Bonuses and raises at the firm are performance based.
Annual Revenue:
- $45,000,000,000
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Performance-based bonuses and raises
- Good work-life balance
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
KPMG
KPMG is well known as one of the Big Four accounting firms. The company has experienced massive growth in China and Hong Kong and generates roughly $35B in consulting revenue annually.
The main differentiator for KPMG is its work life balance. The firm offers great benefits, flexible hours, and a relatively mellow culture. KPMG consultants are known to be extremely supportive of one another and the firm places a high emphasis on feedback from supervisors.
Annual Revenue:
- $35,000,000,000
Prestige:
- Average to High
Employee Considerations:
- Good Culture
- Good Benefits
- Flexible work hours
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
PwC Consulting
PwC provides a mix of industry and functional expertise to help clients address their most complex business issues and opportunities – from strategy through execution. PwC advises a significant number of the Fortune 500 and generates roughly $50B in annual revenue.
As standard with most of the top firms, hours tend to be long for consultants at PwC. Promotions don’t happen as quickly at the firm compared to others, but PwC is a great place to start a career. PwC has numerous diversity groups and works with employees with disabilities.
Annual Revenue:
- $50,000,000,000
Prestige:
- High
Employee Considerations:
- Good place to start career
- Valuable work experience
- Frequent Travel
- Long Hours
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Wavestone
With almost half a billion dollars in annual revenues, Wavestone is a serious up-and-comer in the strategy & implementation consulting space. Headquartered in Paris and with a distinctly European feel, the firm has been rapidly expanding its U.S. presence in recent years through numerous acquisitions and a targeted hiring spree. If the thought of working for a growing “do-it-all” consultancy lights you up, Wavestone may be the firm for you.
Annual Revenue:
- $900,000,000
Prestige:
- Top Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Rapidly growing up-and-comer with competitive comp
- European firm culture (generally better work/life balance than U.S.-based firms)
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Economic and Litigation Consulting
These firms use deep economic analysis to help both corporations and law firms make better decisions.
Analysis Group, Inc.
Analysis Group is the world’s premier economic consulting firm. What is economic consulting? This branch of consulting supports clients (mostly law firms and governments) with research and insight during litigation. If you’re a numbers geek and econ whiz, Analysis Group offers you the chance to conduct economic analysis within an advisory function.
Annual Revenue:
- $250,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Great professional development opportunities
- Demanding clients often lead to late nights
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Bates White
If the word “Antitrust” gets you jazzed, you’re going to want to stick around for Bates White. This 330-strong economic consulting firm is headquartered in Washington, D.C and specializes in econometrics, statistics, antitrust, and specifically advanced econometric modelling. The firm is made up of really smart people – the majority of folks at Bates White hold a PhD or master’s level degree, although the firm does hire some people straight out of their undergraduate studies. If advanced economic analyses are what get you out bed, Bates White may be the place for you.
Annual Revenue:
- $100,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Opportunities for PhDs & other Advanced Degree Candidates
- Top rated internship experience
- Long hours
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Cornerstone Research
Two themes emerge when talking about Cornerstone Research: really smart people and great office culture. Although this economic consulting firm has grown to 900 employees, its managed to keep a familial culture with tight bonds between colleagues.
As an economic consulting firm, Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial analysis in all phases of commercial litigation and regulatory proceedings. This means you’ll be working with lawyers and their clients – although, you won’t be involved in direct client-facing work until a few years into the job. If Excel modeling, market research, and statistical analyses are your jam, you may want to consider Cornerstone Research.
Annual Revenue:
- $270,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Emphasis on quantitative skills
- Top rated office culture
- Unpredictable hours at times
- Low travel
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
FTI Consulting
Another 2024 newcomer, FTI Consulting operates around 5 core practice areas: Corporate Finance and Restructuring, Forensic and Litigation Consulting, Economic Consulting, Strategic Communications, and Technology. The firm describes its purpose as helping organizations “manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional.”
The firm smartly avoided over-hiring during the boom years of 2021 and 2022, allowing it to avoid layoffs during the global economic slowdown of 2023. Not only that, the firm continues actively hiring. If you’re looking for a large firm (8,000 employees) with the feel of a small firm culture, FTI may be right for you.
Annual Revenue:
- $3,000,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Employees enjoy the work-life balance
- Lower salary than MBB/top boutiques
- Caring senior leadership
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Operations and Turnaround Consultants
These firms tend to work on ‘front line’ issues like pricing, sourcing, sales execution, and other topics that can help companies improve the bottom line in the immediate term.
AlixPartners
We’ve got two competitors coming up back-to-back. AlixPartners, founded in 1981, is one of the world’s premier turnaround consulting firms. It has advised on some of the most famous Chapter 11 reorganizations in history, including Enron, GM, and Kmart.
The firm is known for its long work hours and meritorious culture, but compensation reflects this. If a fast-paced work culture and tight deadlines get your heart racing, as does bringing companies back from extinction, AlixPartners should be on your list of target firms.
Annual Revenue:
- ~$2,000,000,000
Prestige:
- Average to High
Employee Considerations:
- Front-line work with great client and partner exposure
- Work hard, play hard
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Alvarez & Marsal
Alvarez & Marsal, also known as A&M, is a bankruptcy, turnaround, and restructuring firm made famous during the 2008 financial crisis, when it took over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The firm is a premier player in the consulting world, with the reputation and compensation to boot. If rescuing distressed companies sounds like fun to you, A&M may just be the firm you’ve been looking for – providing great strategy, operations, and finance exposure.
Annual Revenue:
- $1,200,000,000
Prestige:
- Average to High
Employee Considerations:
- Turnaround Management and Performance Improvement – you’re on the front lines
- Work hard, play hard
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Insight Sourcing Group
Insight Sourcing Group is the world’s premier strategic sourcing and procurement consulting firm. Founded in 2002 by consulting alumni from the likes of Accenture and Deloitte, the firm takes special pride in helping clients navigate the challenges – and costs – of procurement and sourcing. A relatively small firm (~175 employees) the firm boasts a culture of tight-knit expertise across just a handful of offices, with Atlanta serving as HQ.
Note: In February 2024, Accenture entered into an agreement to acquire Insight Sourcing. Upon approval, Insight Sourcing will merge with Accenture’s Sourcing & Procurement practice.
Annual Revenue:
- ~$36,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Open door policy with leadership; great work/life balance for consulting
- Well Balanced
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
The Keystone Group
A 2023 newcomer to the list, The Keystone Group is squarely in the boutique category. TKG focuses primarily on operational improvement, turnaround, and growth strategy projects with clients across sectors. What sets The Keystone Group apart in the boutique space is just that – it’s small size. This lends itself to a collegial tight-knit work environment and culture (the firm has fewer than 50 employees spread across three U.S. offices). If you’re looking for a boutique feel with “big firm” opportunities for impact and career progression, The Keystone Group may be the right career next step for you.
Annual Revenue:
- ~$20,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Close-knit culture
- Opportunities for accelerated upward progression
- Work hard, play hard
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Private Equity Consulting
These firms serve as a bridge between finance and consulting and are involved in all things M&A and Private Equity.
Palm Tree
Palm Tree is a Southern California-based M&A advisory firm that terms itself a ‘one-stop shop’ for Private Equity. The firm’s operating model, a unique combination of investment banking, consulting, and accounting, allows it to provide hands-on finance, accounting, and transformation support through all stages of the M&A process. In addition, the firm fosters a fun, collegial culture that employees rave about – they say folks at Palm Tree are genuinely good people (now that’s a breath of fresh air!).
Annual Revenue:
- <$100,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Supportive management team
- Unlimited PTO
- Intense deal-driven work at times
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Stax
Stax is a strategy consultancy that mainly serves PE investors, PE-backed companies, hedge funds, and investment banks through commercial due diligence, value creation and growth strategy, and exit planning. The firm is industry-agnostic, but does a lot of work in the following industries: tech, healthcare, business services, industrials, consumer & retail, and education.
It’s a small but quickly-growing firm with lots of opportunities to own and accelerate your career in the world of strategy consulting with a side of Private Equity.
Annual Revenue:
- $75,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Plenty of learning & development opportunities
- Meritocratic, startup-type culture
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Non-Profit Consultants
These firms engage in many of the same activities a member of MBB might but do so to meet the needs of non-profit organizations.
Bridgespan Group
The Bridgespan Group is a global consultancy that collaborates with mission-driven leaders, organizations, philanthropists, and investors to break cycles of poverty and dramatically improve the quality of life for those in need. The company aims to find solutions to ensure equal opportunity and core human and civil rights.
Bridgespan concentrates on four broad fields: education; children, youth, and families; public health; and global development. The firm’s services include consulting to nonprofits and philanthropists, leadership development support, and developing and sharing insights – all with the goal of scaling social impact.
Annual Revenue:
- $100,000,000
Prestige:
- Average to High
Employee Considerations:
- Well Balanced
- Tough Workload
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Industry-Focused Firms
Our final category captures firms that tend to develop solutions around industries or functions (i.e., healthcare, financial services, energy, market research).
Altman Solon
Altman Solon is the undisputed leader when it comes to advising the telecommunications, media, and tech (TMT) industries. The firm prides itself on its exclusivity with these three industries – a great filter to attract interested candidates and to weed out those not interested in a career in TMT. This means you can gain deep industry expertise in a short period of time. If this aligns with your goals, Altman Solon is a great place to work.
Annual Revenue:
- $100,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Top notch opportunities for career growth in TMT space
- Great people
- Industry focus limits exit opportunities
Consulting Firm Directory Link:
Clearview Healthcare Partners
If your passions lie at the intersection of life sciences and strategy, Clearview Healthcare Partners is for you. A young buck in the consulting space (founded in 2007), the firm has quickly gained a reputation as a top boutique – in any sector. If you’re ready to brand yourself a life sciences specialist and have a role in the future of the business of healthcare, Clearview is a great place to be.
Annual Revenue:
- $41,200,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Prestige factor in the life sciences space
- Work life balance is hit and miss, but gets better as you become more senior
Consulting Firm Directory Link:
DeciBio
Another top firm in the life sciences industry – and a 2023 newcomer to the list – but DeciBio goes a niche further by focusing exclusively on precision medicine. The firm is set apart by its utilization of data analytics and deep industry expertise. The 50-person firm gives employees the space to grow professionally by putting them in front of clients in year one, responsibility often given to 2nd- or 3rd-year consultants.
Annual Revenue:
- ~$15,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Low travel
- Startup culture
- Better work-life balance than competitors
Consulting Firm Directory Link:
Guidehouse
Guidehouse is headquartered in Washington, DC and is a global consulting firm serving the public sector and commercial markets. The firm employs over 16,000 consultants across more than 55 locations and generates over $3B in annual revenue. The firm focuses on three key business segments: healthcare, energy, and financial services advisory and compliance, serving clients in both the private and public sectors.
Annual Revenue:
- $3,000,000,000
Prestige:
- Average
Employee Considerations:
- Well Balanced
- Exposure to private and public sector clients
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Kin + Carta
Kin + Carta is a data and technology specialist based out of the UK but with close to 20 offices globally. The firm actually started off as a printing company, but pivoted into digital marketing before again pivoting into tech consulting. With practice areas like Data and AI, Cloud and Platforms, and Digital Services, Kin + Carta hires for specific technical skills.
With almost 2,000 employees and $200M in annual revenue, the firm is well-positioned to tap into the growing need for digital transformation and AI advisory services.
Annual Revenue:
- $196,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- High value for positive work environment
- Delivery/implementation focus instead of strategy
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
Putnam
Founded in 1988, Putnam – formerly Putnam Associates – focuses on serving healthcare, private equity, and venture capital clients through sophisticated and robust analytics. The firm focuses on providing customized, actionable recommendations that draw on problem framing, cutting-edge methodologies, deep therapeutic area knowledge, extensive global networks of health care stakeholders, and expert synthesis across scientific, clinical, and business disciplines.
Putnam consultants have similar professional and educational backgrounds to those at strategy consulting firms. Uniquely, 100% of Putnam’s work is dedicated to maximizing the value of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostic and device products. The company serves clients that market many of the world’s best-known biopharmaceuticals and who are leveraging the genomics and “big data” revolutions month by month with new breakthrough therapies and higher quality patient care.
Annual Revenue:
- $28,000,000
Prestige:
- Boutique
Employee Considerations:
- Good Benefits
- Good Supervisors
- Well Balanced
Consulting Firm Profile Link:
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