I've been a top tier consultancy for 5 years, am a qualified accountant and want less travel as part of my job. I have a written offer from a FSTE FS company to work in their Busines Change dept that matches my base pay and gives me potential to earn far bigger bonuses. Only downside is that I'd be at 2 locations - city and out on the Thames Valley - so would need to move and a location that appeals means I'd be faced with a 30ish min commute to one location and approx 1hr to the Thames Valley. Nothing compared to being international Mon-Fri granted, but equally not ideal. I've had a mixed year and not expecting a great rise or bonus, so is now the time to go? I've got other applications in process, but not at interview stage yet. From this experience it's been about a 2 month process, by which time this opportunity will have gone, I'm sure.

Any thoughts? Hope the typo in my first post didn't put people off - I meant that I've been at a top tier consultancy, not that I actually AM one. Anyhow...I've been reading this forum for a while but this is the first time I've contributed. Please ladies and gents, any input from those who've been in consulting for 5+ years would be really helpful.

My inclination would be to take the job, but to move home to somewhere that is in spitting distance of one of the two locations. That way a portion of all your working days you aren't dreading the commute at all - and as and when you've got kids there'll be some of the week when you can be there for breakfast with them and back in time for their bedtime. Being based half-way between the two just means every day is a drag.In terms of timing, I'd take the role as there's the possibility that the next months will see fewer opportunities in industry being advertised and far more competition from fellow consultants if the consulting sector suffers any kind of dip and pushes lots of them to be looking elsewhere...Bob

Thanks Bob; a couple of really good points there.There's lots of people that I work with that are waiting either to take a pay-off from my place as business takes a downturn, or have gingerly started to look elsewhere. I think you're right though - I will be going up against for external positions them over then next 3-6 months if things start to move. As far as location/commute, I'm looking at all the possible combinations now. I really appreciate your insight. Anyone else?