heycurrently looking into applying to strategy consulting roles for a start in ~Oct 2008 (so a year from now) and came across PwC Strategy Consulting on the web.I've searched the forums and i'm a little confused about the setup at PwC.Some posters suggest that PwC Strategy is not strategy consulting at all - but some form of accounting?! Is this true?Also, what's the real difference between PwC PIC (Performance Improvement Consulting) and PwC Strategy? Again, there seems to be a good deal of confusion about the exact arrangement.Having looked through the PwC website I'm further confused as there seems to be:PwC Strategy Group (what I'm looking at)PwC Performance Improvement ConsultingPwC Transaction Services Strategy & ValuationsAre these three areas of PwC completely distinct - or are they in fact all interconnected?Furthermore, how does the rest of the consultancy market view PwC? And, in light of this, and the answers to the other questions above is it a "good" place to start?

PwC Strategy Group: Mainly CDD projectsPwC Performance Improvement Consulting: Change management, Finance function consulting - more operational consulting. Don't think they compete with the MBBB bracket.PwC Transaction Services: Financial DD for transactions. They work on the mulit-billion dollar deals. Also, they do post-merger integration work.PwC Valuations: Valuation work on impairment reviews for audit clients, PPA, and fixed asset register construction for complex asset groups e.g. telecoms

thanks for this, that helps clear things up a bit.so, assuming i was hired into the pwc strategy group, and did 3 or 4 years, would i be significantly behind someone working in the MBBB firms?

thanks for this, that helps clear things up a bit.so, assuming i was hired into the pwc strategy group, and did 3 or 4 years, would i be significantly behind someone working in the MBBB firms?

From my understanding you are right jimbo:if you would like to work on strategy projects McK, BCG, Bain et al. are the first choice from my perspective. If you cannot get an offer from a tier 1 firm you can still try to work for Accenture, Capgemini or even PwC in the strategy division....however this is the second best option from my view. I would try the premium path first, if that does not work out then you can still see....

Jimbo,From an end user perspective, and as an ex consultant, we have used both PWC Strategy and PWC Transaction Services in the last 6 months.Strategy is focused upon issues such as market analysis, product development, forecasting etc.Transaction Services are focused upon deals by range from undertaking commercial due dilligence for vendors / sellers, analysis of managements business cases and even market analsyis.The personnel involved with the two pieces of work have had a fair degree of overlap. Therefore it would appear there is scope to work across organisational lines.Hope this helps, and good luck with applications.

Thanks for all the info so far - I too am interested in the SG at PwC so some useful food for thought. Obviously, having read all the glossy brochures, you'd think AC at PwC is the greatest job on Earth, what with all the 'exposure' and 'variation' provided (usual stuff). So..are there any insiders here willing to spill the beans on the SG? - Whats the culture like? Stupid amount of face-time required?-Future career Prospects? Not as prestigious as MBBB of course, but am I right in saying its no mean feat to have SG on your CV?Thanks in advance

basically, the tier 1 or MBBB (some remove one of the B's but that is a seperate debate) are the best known brands. It is a bit like if you are English and play for Manchester United, you are a shoe in for the England team regardless of your quality (look at the Neville brothers....) and you will find it quite easy to migrate into a very senior role in industry in the future. The problem with tier 2 consultancies is that they are not seen as being equivalent in terms of the service offered, the quality of work and ultimately the quality of candidate. I have seen senior managers/directors at tier 2 firms being turned away or offered basic level Associate positions at tier 1 firms. The way they see it, you are unlikely to have become a true industry specialist and the consulting skills will have to be re-taught. There is your issue. Hitting the tier 1 in your lae twenties/early 30's is easier if you have held a strategy/marketing related position in an industry they serve and have completed an MBA from a top school. Before the debate as to the value of MBA's follows, this is not necessarily what I think should be the case, it is just the way it is. Ultimately, the tier 2 offer some strong experience. Tier 2 can lead to boutique (OC&C/Roland Berger etc), which can lead to tier 1 but it is a long winded route.At your stage, you should apply for pretty much everything in consulting. Go hard at all the interviews and then come back to the forum with your offers!! PWC is a good company and you should definitely go for it. Very few get into the tier 1 so it is no slur on you if you do not make it. People have good career with tier 2 firms and ... bgger got to go a client has just walked in....

thanks MG for your input..can i just ask why you're miserable? is it work-related or something else?Appreciate the PwC advice..tbh, I'm not at a top 5 Uni and dont tick too many of the boxes that some of the orthodox Tier 1 firms require before opening their pearly gates for you (not, thats not a euphemism). PwC sounds like a good place to be and whats great is the relative lack of travel involved (or am i wrong?). I jus cant be dealing with an excessive amount of flights although consultancy as a profession really appeals to me. PwC sound pretty respectable and if they're thought of as Tier 2..well thats a decent enough push onto the proverbial ladder.thanks again..now i gotta apply.damn.

Not really got much to comment on with regards to strategy but don't lose sight of the fact that all the companies mentioned here, whether it be MBB or Acn, PWC and so on will look very very good on your CV.It's not just the tier 1 guys who get into the top business schools and many people, for career advancement, leave firms like Acn and so on, go to a good busines school and get jobs at the top firms in industry, consulting, banking and so on. So even if you don't start off at the top, doesn't mean it will never happen!

PwC's Strategy team went through a structural change in July 07 which may explain some of the confusion.It used to be a virtual group comprising people in the Advisory division (V&S) and the Assurance division (TS Strategy). It has now been brought together as a single team within the Assurance division.

So suppose I have two offers: one from PwC Economic Advisory and the second one from Bain.Which one would u choose? I know that probably Bain looks better on my CV, but probably PwC will provide me with more specific knowledge. The big question is: which one would give me the best exit options? MC at Bain or Economic consulting at PwC?

I personally think you'd be crazy to turn down Bain in terms of exit options.

I fully agree... go for Bain!

What is the culture/pay like in: a) strategy, b) transaction services, c) the rest of PwC generally?Is there much 'face time' required? What time do people usually get in and go home? Is it a friendly place or a stressful environment? What are the grades and approximate pay ranges?Thank you.