would this be a smart move or completely mad. I would probably mean a drop in salary of a few grand as well. Thoughts please???????

dude EY BAS is miles above PA.1stly its not a techie company - rather an advisory. and if you look on their recent wins - they have taken tpretty big ones. thier partners come from Capgem, Mckinsey, AtK and Accenture. I would jump at the occasion should i be at PA...

PA a techie firm? Yes, it has some but is primarily an advisory business.Bloody accountants :)

EY BAS better than PA ? This is certainly a joke. Just take a look at PA's track record and their clients and then speak. What does BAS have to offer ? Absolutely nothing aside from those number crunchers commonly referred to as accountants.

clearly you dont understand a boiled egg. the greatness of EY BAS is the opportunity it represents - a great start up within an existing company - just like what they did with capgemini years ago. and as far as the clients go... youre again ignorant. they include BP, Shell, mutlitute of government bodies, Unilever and another 40 or so FTSE 200's. Not bad for thier first year.... I just sent them an application - and im coming from BAH. Its an opportunity not to be missed in my eyes

I regularly follow this forum and it is quite evident that some insecure body from EY BAS comes on the forum and praises it. More interestingly this very person makes it a point to state which tier 1 consultancy he imaginatively works at and that hes leaving for BAS. Up till now we're heard Mckinsey, Bain and now BAH.

I met EY BAS at a conference a few months ago (I'm at PA) and I really liked them- their stuff was well presented and thought out, the people were clever, straightforward and fun... slight dearth of TR, but to be expected as they have just set up. I think they may be a good option, though being risk averse I'm going to wait a few months and see how they do

I'm a partner at Bain but I am so excited by EYBAS that I'm considering joining them at consultant level. For me it would be an honour.

Nikki would I be correct in assuming your either in SMP, BOP or FS?What rank are you? are you considering EY BAS as a grad or an experienced?

No, am in BTG and aligned with FS but not in one of the practices you mention.And at 28 I suspect I am a little old for the grad scheme....Johnboy-= don't be nasty- just because you have a problem with them for some reason doesn't mean they don't have some positives or may not be right for some people!

Nikki what do you honestly think of PA ? Is the brand a huge problem?

Brand is undoubtedly a problem for PA, work doesn't just walk in the door as at some other firms. PA has a lot to offer candidates though, particularly in work-life balance and we have some very good clients and work despite what a lot of the elitist snobs on here think. You'll not get rich quick at PA, but you can have a good consulting career without burning out/ getting divorced which is better than a lot of firms can offer.

My idea of a good career is not making 80- 100k at MC ( one level before partner). PA might be a good firm but the brand will determine its future. Unless it changes, one can expect to lead a tough life earning peanuts. And FYI not everyone gets the work life balance at PA. Many ppl are send into the middle of nowhere to work like dogs for some undeserving client

PA does have a brand issue- but also many positive points. I have to confess it has been very good to me- 2 promotions in 2.5 years and a level of experience (and income) I could never have gained in industry. No, I don't have much work life balance- but I'm 28 and am currently chosing to focus on my career, so that's no big deal. However, I'm not sentimental about my empoyer and would move in a moment if a better offer came along.

Any better offers welcome.....

As an outsider looking in, I'd counsel you not to move if it means a drop in salary.EY have a reputation for being poor payers, as was shown recently when staff were offered a one off additional 4 days holiday instead of a pay rise.Both good consultancies, but BAS will always struggle due to its association with the main audit firm.

As stated before - it does not have a brand. Unless you move now, you won't be able to go anywhere. EY BAS atleast have a name. Remember its first the brand that counts and then what you did. Its sad but its true. The more time you sit around, the more unmarketable you become. Goodluck

PA does have a brand - as a consultancy. Ernst & Young has a brand - as accountants.Don't know where you get your info informer, in my time at PA I've seen people go to top-tier consultancies, FTSE 100 companies and scatter themselves over the world. If you're disgruntled at the lack of career moves open to you maybe you should look at what you contribute rather than blame PA.