I've been working in consulatancy for 2 1/2 years since graduating and am a bit dissatisfied with the type of work that I've been given. On the positive side, the money is good and work-life balance is fine. However, the job is very IT heavy and technical and I’m not getting much client contact. I’ve tried talking to my managers about this but to no avail. In addition, the skills that I’m learning are very industry specific and not applicable elsewhere. I’m not studying for any professional qualifications like the ACA or CIMA either.Reading through some of the job adverts, I’m concerned that I’d have trouble moving into another consulatancy job and could be getting myself quite stuck here. Contrast this to my accountancy chums who seem to have the world at their feet now that they’ve qualified. I’m also jealous of the fact that they can expect to be partner in 10 years (if they’re not kicked out).It’s candidates market at the moment, so I’m thinking of applying to another consulatancy or even to accountancy. If I moved into accounting with the big 4 and got an ACA, I could always move back into consultancy and probably demand a higher salary. This would probably involve a 10k+ pay drop as I think accountants at Deloitte are on 28-ish. Has anyone made a similar decision and can offer any advice? Also, apart from this site, where could I find out more on the consultancy opportunities available.

YOu could copperplate your IT experience by gettign the professional accreditation from the British Computer Society CITP.Accountants do not really have the World at their feet - ultimately they're just technicians performing a function, there's a bunch of ACA types on this board looking to get into YOUR shoes.10 years in the one place is a hell of a long time - there are many other things to aim for, than partner.

Look into deloitte consulting - on the Strategy and Operations side - you are expected to be 70% utilised - ie direct client facing and some of the smaller stratgey and health care projects are much less IT transformation focussed and involve direct board level problem solving. They also sponsor you to do the CIMA or CIPS qualification - if you're inclined to do so. Moving from consultancy directly to an auditing role would not only mean a pay cut but is also not going to get you better client facing roles. in my view ring up the recruitment consultants - who are chomping at the bit to 'transfer' people with consultancy expereicne into the growing areas of Cap Gem, PA and Deloitte.... good luck

Thanks for the replies, I'm starting to put a CV together and will be researching companies over the next few weeks. I'm definately tempted by Deloitte. What advantage would I have applying through a recruitment consultancy rather than direct? I would have thought I'd be at an advantage applying directly because companies might prefer not to pay comission on to the recruitment consultants.Would it be worth applying to strategy companies like McK, Boston, Bain etc now that I have couple of years experience in a consulatancy role? I have a high 2.1 (I got a viva) and a masters degree from Durham with good extra-curricular.

You can apply direct - i just think its easier (time and effort wise) to get a recruitment consultant involved - as they can put you in front of the volume of companies you need. make sure your CV is as strong as possible. list each project in date order and what deliverables, skills you have used. Even if its on the IT side - there are many pieces of work in Finance Transformation in the market that combine strategy with IT - so you will always be able to carve a more interesting role for yourself . good luck

For you there is an advantage of seeing an agency as they may put some opportunities in front of you that you haven't considered. However if there are firms you know you want to work for then apply directly to them. Deloitte is easy (like most of the big firms) as everything is on line for Experienced Hires as well as Grads.

I have four years experience in audit and assurance services and is looking to move out of my country. can anybody help me.Regards

1) Where is your country, and where do you want to move to?2) In which countries/economic areas do you currently have the right to reside and/or work?3) Are you looking to remain in audit and assurance having moved and, if not, what areas do you wish to go into? What is your priority - the geographical move or the career move?