I have offer to join PA consulting in their IT practice. Obviously in economic climate I am wondering what is the situation with work and pipeline with PA's IT practice. Please I am looking for specific answer and no sarcastic response to make informed decisions. Thank you for your help in advance.

This year for PA has been a record year in terms of revenue and profitability. However, given the uncertainty in the economy, it is hard to predict how well PA or any other consultancy will do next year. I guess the same is true of most sectors. For what it's worth, PA seem to be fairing better than most though at present.

As with most other consultancies, 2008 was a good year for PA. However, PA's margins and market share fell relative to the rest of the market. The damage from the memory stick is now starting to manifest itself, in the form of a very weak forward order book. PA have been very focussed on the public sector for the past 5 years, and will find it hard to diversify away now

I don't agree with opine's view. PA hasn't lost market share in the IT area, we have had a good year across the IT group of practices. I don't believe our margins have been hit, I think we grew them year on year.Next year is looking good to start with, certainly I'm seeing opporunities growing all over the place at the moment. Longer term through a falling economy, who knows? But PA sells via relationships primarily so are as good a place as any, and don't have to answer to shareholders outside the firm (so no - 'lets lay-of half the workforce knee-jerk reactions).Which IT practice have you received an offer from, and what do YOU want to do?

PA generates more revenue from private sector than it does from public sector. The assertion that PA focuses on public sector contracts is a myth!

Well ever since they lost the memory stick, I hear that they've had to strategically realign their sales effort away from the Government sector.Ho ! Ho ! Ho !

How is public sector defined, and has that definiton changed?

It's quite amazing how much nonsense is written about PA here. "Strategic alignment after the memory stick incident?" Er, no, for years now PA has been increasing the proportion of its private sector revenue base. Yes its about 50:50 now, or thereabouts. Despite a slowing consulting market, PA has done very well this year.

Rumours of PA's demise in the public sector have been greatly exaggerated. It is finding some market conditions tough, however, unlike our competitors who were shedding staff pre-credit crunch we're in not too bad a state.