I've had a look through the threads as I have an assessment centre for PA coming up for their grad scheme. However, their ISI practice doesn't seem to be too well documented here. Please could someone clarify the following (if possible), if so I'd be very grateful:On the forum, one person mentioned that ISI was geared towards the project management side i.e. assessing systems requirements, architecture etc, whereas someone else stated that PA handled the implementation side i.e. development aspects. Can anyone clarify this or is it merely project specific?I'm aware that PA's base salary is below their competitors but that their bonus in certain practices more than compensates for this. Is this the case with ISI? (I've heard they're profitable)In terms of career progression, someone suggested the following timescales:Analyst -> Consultant Analyst: 12-18 monthsConsultant Analyst -> Consultant: 18-24 monthsAre these timescales realistic? If they are I imagine then the base you'd get would in some cases be higher than the equivalent from other firms at a similar stage in your career.I know I'm asking a fair few questions, but it'd be nice to get genuine answers.

Hi AnonI dont work for the SI Practice but have worked in Assisgnments led by them - So my answers might not be totally accurate but will try my best :Most of the work we do is in what you have called the "Project Management side" but which can be clubbed into "Advisory Services" - SO things like creating Business Cases, helping clients draft RFPs, taking them through the Procurement and Sourcing cycles, Vendor Selection , helping them through the Design and Architecture stage and so on. We have a proposition caleld the "Solution Builder" where we handle Development and Implementation, though this is still a new theme but is growing quite rapidly. I dont think you will have trouble from moving from one "side" to another , as a lot of people in SI do that. Promotion timescales that you have mentioned are very close to reality - Within 3-4 years, you can expect to move from Analyst to ConsultantBonus - I cannot comment on this as I have only joined PA this year. I was in a Big-4 Consultancy and moved to PA early this year - I must say I have been impressed with them and am happy I made the switch - Great people to work with, Great projects and hopefully I will get a decent bonus too.Good Luck to you

As an ex PA employee, re the Bonus element:Analyst, Consulting Analyst and Consultant bonuses are determined by profit across the whole firm. In theory they should be the same, however in reality they do vary (e.g. Goverment was higher).Average bonus is around 22 - 28% provided you get near your utilisation target etc. You also get share options which can be quite valuable and vary in terms of number granted based on performance.

I disagree with the statement "average bonus is around 22 - 28% provided you get near your utilisation target etc". I think the reality is significantly lower; perhaps 15-20%.

Sure, I was just speaking from my experience and those I spoke to when I got my bonus whilst at PA.It does vary by practice at a junior level (despite what is said). Also if PA isn't as profitable then it will be considerably lower.

Bonus will never be the same by grade because the allocation is discretionary to each individual.

can anyone share thoughts about PA's manufacturing practice ?