Hi All,Just going through the final stage for a management consultant position in a very small consultancy (not London based). I have graduated this year and failed to secure a position with some of the more well known firms.The role will involve a lot of responsibility and a wide range of consulting in a few niche sectors. Will this role add value in terms of reapplying for graduate roles? What are the exit opportunities like if I decide to stick to it, given the clients are generally restricted to SMEs and medium-sized businesses? Am I right to assume I wouldn't be able to join as an experienced hire at a larger firm due to the differences in clients? Thanks in advance.

Any comments regarding this? Been called for a final final interview so would appreciate some insight.

I also have a final round interview with a mid-tier accounting firm (Baker Tilly, Mazars, etc) for the ACA program in their insurance group; two different roles but the consulting firm would allow me to stay at home for a while and save some money whereas the ACA program would involve moving to London (something I've done before and wouldn't mind). Would appreciate any thoughts on weighing up the two.

Yes it will add value for grad roles, not you wont count as an experienced hire for a major MC. But don't discount working with SMB clients - they form the vast majority of business in the UK, and there is a thriving consulting sector working with them. In fact many of the most exciting places to be working right now are comparatively small, and 'consultancy' is a much broader tent now than it has ever been - you could even argue that the big players are struggling to keep up with the more innovative smaller ones. Stop looking at this as a stepping stone (even if it is) as that WILL come across in your interview (or an experienced interviewer will spot it) and probably ruin your chances. And frankly, your exposure/quality of experience (leaving aside the formal training of the big firms) will be much better in the first couple of years, by which you will probably have lost interest in the Big 4 and the like anyway.

Thanks for the reply Mars.I've just received an offer for the consulting firm which I'm happy about. The salary is just below what a Big 4 graduate would earn (outside London). I can't help but thing about the long term career prospects; most people enter consulting with a view of moving into an industry role later on. I'm assuming that path would be closed off due to the nature of clients. Even if I stayed there for a number of years, eventually I would move on - but where? I have an assessment centre with the mid-tier firm on Wednesday for their ACA route - I can see a clearer career path with them.The biggest benefit of this role is that, including myself there will be 4 consultants, and the firm itself is growing quite well so there will definitely be a significant learning curve. Just a bit confused as to which path to take and whether I'm making the right decision.

Are your ACA options in audit? If so the prospects are pretty good but the work is soul destroying. Personally I'd advise you to avoid.

The ACA is in the firm's insurance group, but still in audit yes. The firm is one of the top 10 accounting firms (Not Big 4) so the brand name is swaying me slightly. I'm actually not put off by the repetitive work though.. Really looking for some guidance, there's not much information on here regarding SME consulting firms.

[quote]The ACA is in the firm's insurance group, but still in audit yes. The firm is one of the top 10 accounting firms (Not Big 4) so the brand name is swaying me slightly. I'm actually not put off by the repetitive work though.. Really looking for some guidance, there's not much information on here regarding SME consulting firms. [/quote]When you say insurance group, are you talking about a market sector? As in you audit insurance companies? If so, that's pretty irrelevant in truth.ACA will lead you to stability and decent money, but just be prepared to sell your soul for three years. Also bear in mind, the big 4 take 4k graduates per year alone. That's 4,000 grads qualifying in the same year as you from just those four firms, with arguably better experience/brand behind them - so perhaps not the golden ticket you might expect.I'd be tempted in your position to take the consulting position and then apply for 2015 starts at the big 4 as a second option if things don't go well. But perhaps that's just my bitterness at audit speaking rather than sensible careers advice :p

Also, try posting this question on TheStudentRoom in the A&F careers section. Given the nature of this question (graduate entry accounting), you're likely to get lots more relevant info to your situation.No idea if I'm breaking rules in saying that =/ Ah well, I'm a rebel.

Yeah, I would be focusing on the insurance sector. I see, would it be possible to move to a big 4 once qualified (for the better experience/brand)?I have thought about doing that, but it's going to be difficult going through the recruitment process with graduate firms when there is under 6 people working there. I can imagine vague explanations for time off wouldn't be sufficient.

Yes moving from one of those top 10/20 firms to big 4 post qual is definitely a possibility, but after 3 years of audit I doubt you'll want to.Ultimately, if you want a solid choice with decent prospects, then sticking it out in audit for 3 years is probably worth the grind. I guess long term the brand is going to help you out considerably more than a 6 person consultancy, unless of course you really liked the small consulting firm and decided to stay long term.

a lot will depend on the type of consulting work on offer at this small firm. There are obvious merits to the mid Tier audit route, moving into Big 4. But...call me deliberately devisive but there are already enough (more than enough) grey skinned auditors treading along like hard labour, hoping to make it to Big 4 as the promised land, thinking about life post audit, and finding actually...it's all just a way of paying the bills.If there is something which might give you a more entrepreneurial route, dare I say it aloud, a more 'Generation Y' career, don't discount.

* Discount it.Feel free to discount stuff, especially if I'm buying it :)