Are the big 4 consultancies the same as the big 4 accountancy firms?

http://www.big4.com/

Yes... but their messy corporate histories mean there are now more than 4 of them- they used to be the big 4 accountancy firms' consulting divisions, they got spun off then the big 4 started to re-build consulting capability. So you have the old bits (KPMG's old division now called BearingPoint, etc) plus the new bit (KPMG consulting etc).

Actually, most of KPMG went on to become Atos - who are considerably more successful than Bearing Point!

I work there - they are basically Andersen and KPMG old practices put together, strong and respected in some countries (France, Nordics, China and to a lesser extent US) and poor in others (UK). Not as well run as Andersen was at all. The new CEO has finally set his mind on getting rid of all the old KPMG cronies - about time.