What is the anticipated time to make Partner in the mid market; KPMG et al, ACN from entering at Manager level with internal consultant experience?5 Years, 8 years? Or is that too cautious, too optimistic?

I'd have thought that both of those were within the realms of possibility, although you'd really need excellent performance to do it in 5 years. If you went from Manager to SM in 2 years, then did good volumes of business for 3 years, you might go straight to Partner. Alternatively, an estimate of 3 years at Manager, 3 years at SM, 2 years at Director is probably a more realistic career path.As is always highlighted on this website, the path to Partner is not easy. A large number of consultants won't make it past the Manager stage, and a large number of SMs will never make Partner.

At Acc they reckon 3-4 years M and 3-4 years SM before making Senior Exec. (formerly Partner) so your estimates are right by those accounts.