Which one would you chose between the two for IT Advisory / Project Delivery roles ?Please dont tell me niether as that is not an option.

If it in FS then EY, outside of FS IBM.

Mars, Thanks.Could you please elaborate your stress on FS wrt EY over IBM, as I am actually from FS

I would choose EY over IBM in FS partly because naturally all roads in IBM lead to technology, and they lack both the assurance legacy and deep footprint in FS which EY can claim to have. If tech is your thing then obviously IBM makes more sense, but as EY doesnt really go in for SI work the closest you'll get is advisory type work around core banking platform issues rather than implementation. IBM has been building its FS consulting area, and like all things IBM do they are not messing about - its an ambitous build, but as yet they lack the scale in business consulting in FS to go head to head with Big 4. Put it this way - assuming you are on the business side you could easily take a few years at EY and move to IBM, but would find it much harder in the current market to reverse that move. Not slating IBM, just different animals.

Mars,Thanks for your insightful post as always.I am inclined to EY but I come from tech background. Mostly technical project delivery with strong business knowledge and want to move more towards the business.When you say that the work in IBM would be more tech oriented, are you saying its the classic SDLC stuff or more like PMO or large IT projects ?You also said IBM is building their FS practice, is that more by hiring staff or expanding in new areas ?

MC if you are coming from a tech delivery background and looking to move towards the business then your instincts to go EY are spot on. SDLC is obviously core to IBM, and of no interest to EY. Both have an interest in enterprise architecture type projects, although IBM will execute straight through where EY will hand over to a 3rd party (often cognizant) and assure the delivery. Worth considering what market you will align to also: insurance? cap markets? retail b? Etc. Some are a little bumpy in terms of business volumes.IBM are hiring to build the business end, but as all routes ultimately lead to tech in IBM I cannot be confident they will build the platform quickly enough for you to be able to point to 3 - 5 years in IBM and say to a prospective employer on the business end that it's a player in business advisory. With EY under your belt it wouldnt even need to be asked. Having said all that, comparing cultures I would lean towards IBM. Being far bigger than EY, and a corporate not a partnership, you have more security that they can soak up some downturn should be double dip, whereas EY tends to run lean. Depends on the level of risk and return you can accept on that one.

Mars,Thank you once again.I come from cap markets background with 5+ years experience with all major IB's. EY as a whole has FS while IBM has it divided into cap markets, retail and insurance.With my plan of moving more towards business side I think EY advisory line would suit me better.Thanks !

MC EY also align internally through sector specific teams so you would still be able to align to capital markets. Obviously EY very strong in MO, their sweet spot, but if you can bring strong FO understanding too you'll do very well.