Big 4 to MBB

Question

Hi all,

Firstly, thank you for reading this!

I have worked in Audit and CFO Advisory for 10 years at a Big 4 firm in Australia and the UK. I have a First Class Honors in Business from a top 10 UK university, am a Chartered Accountant and am a high performer (can be evidenced in my client roles e.g. working on the largest audit client in our group, top-tier performance ratings etc).

CFO Advisory projects included ERP integrations, an overhaul of controls and governance processes, automating of the finance function, and process improvement. In summary, not strategy consulting.

I'm now based in the US and exploring what would get me closer to a career in consulting.

I am willing to work as hard as I need to get into MBB as an experienced hire, but of course, I am balancing this with being realistic about the pathways and the competition I will face.
Is there an appetite for finance experience in MBB and would my experience be valuable? I can see teams online and on LinkedIn such as Strategy and Corporate Finance Consulting (McKinsey), Finance Consulting (Bain) and Corporate Finance & Strategy (BCG).
Does anyone have a sense of the MBB job market of recent? Appreciate it has been slow for the last ~18 months. Hiring generally seems to be picking up in finance/deals roles, but I'm less clear on consulting.
Regarding networking with people in BMM, which level should I be focussing on?
Private Equity Value Creation team at a Big 4
Does this provide a more logical next step, and keep the MBB door open down the track? Or, is it more common to go MBB to Big 4 PVC?
Should I be focussing on transitioning into a Strategy& / EY-P team? Again, I'm unsure as to how valuable my background is here.
I've been offered a role in a Big 4 Finance Transformation team (Finance Operations Consulting), so quite similar to what I was doing in CFO Advisory, but I'd be doing this full-time (with no audit), with an access to bigger clients, better tech capabilities etc.
Does this take me further away from MBB?

In terms of my character and ambitions - I'm great at problem-solving, seeing the bigger picture/longer-term, super analytical but able to balance the logical/creative sides of my brain, have a strong work ethic, and I'm great with people/client-management. I'm pretty confident that my character traits would shine through and can be evidenced, but it's more bridging the gap with the experience I'm worried about.

Thank you again!

Answer 1

Hi there,

First of all, it's definitely possible to make that move. Just go and LinkedIn and filter past and current employers to see examples.

The people you find could be your starting point for networking efforts to get more insights into the process and potentially a referral down the line.

Your experience would definitely be valuable -> Feel free to reach out. I have written a guide on how to make this transition happen. Consulting hiring is still slow but happening as we speak! In your networking focus on EM/Manager and high
I think you can go the more direct route
I think you can go the more direct route but should generally apply to all firms at the same time (t2 and MBB)
No, it would be a great position but the question remains why not directly try with MBB

Cheers,

Florian

Answer 2

Hey! Firstly, congratulations on your career accomplishments and your ambition to transition into MBB consulting. With 10 years of experience in Audit and CFO Advisory at a Big 4 firm, as well as the breadth of finance-related projects you've undertaken, you're in a strong position to leverage your skillset and pivot towards consulting. Here’s a breakdown of how you could approach your career transition:

First of all, yes, there is definitely an appetite for finance experience within MBB. Firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain have dedicated corporate finance practices where your background in ERP integrations, governance processes, automation, and finance operations would be highly valued. For example, McKinsey's Strategy & Corporate Finance Consulting and Bain’s Finance Consulting teams often look for individuals who can combine deep financial expertise with strategic thinking. Your experience in improving controls, governance, and financial processes aligns with the advisory work MBB firms do for CFOs and finance departments, so you already have a relevant skill set.

From my point of view, the consulting job market has been somewhat slow due to global economic conditions over the last 18 months. However, corporate finance and deals teams have remained relatively strong. MBB firms, particularly in the US, continue to value candidates with strong financial backgrounds because of their increasing focus on restructuring, cost optimization, and performance improvement projects for their clients. While competition remains high, your unique blend of finance, operations, and problem-solving experience could stand out, especially if you can demonstrate how you can pivot into strategic work.

When networking, it is best to target Senior Managers, Principals, and Partners within MBB’s finance-related teams. These individuals often have influence in hiring decisions and can give you insight into the types of projects they’re working on, what skills they’re looking for, and even provide referrals. Aim for thoughtful, personalized outreach and try to demonstrate your enthusiasm and strategic thinking in your interactions. At the same time, don’t ignore connections with Consultants or Managers, as they can offer tips on the recruiting process and what the firm values in experienced hires.

Joining a PE Value Creation team within a Big 4 could certainly keep the door to MBB open. The skills developed in PEVC, such as operational improvement and strategic advisory for portfolio companies, align closely with what MBB’s corporate finance teams deliver. Many MBB consultants transition into PE roles after gaining experience, but going from a Big 4 PEVC team to MBB isn’t uncommon, either. You’d gain a strong strategic toolkit, experience in fast-paced environments, and deep exposure to high-impact projects, which can be a significant advantage.

Working in a Strategy& or EY-Parthenon team could be another pathway into MBB, especially if you aim to transition towards more strategic consulting projects. These teams focus heavily on strategy and deal advisory, so your move into these areas would help round out your financial expertise with broader strategic insights. These teams are seen as strong players in the strategy consulting space and could serve as a solid stepping stone to MBB.

Accepting the Finance Transformation role at the Big 4 could slightly delay your move to MBB if you spend too much time in purely operational finance projects. However, if you excel at leading major transformation initiatives and gain experience working with top-tier clients, it could also add substantial value to your resume when transitioning into MBB. Focus on projects that showcase your ability to drive strategic change, not just finance operations, and position yourself for future moves into more strategic roles.

Overall I would say that your background in CFO Advisory and Finance Operations is valuable and transferable to MBB, especially within their corporate finance and strategy teams. Consider using your next role, whether in PEVC, Strategy&, or Finance Transformation, as a strategic bridge. Keep honing your skills in strategic problem-solving, and continue to network effectively. With persistence and the right positioning, making the jump to MBB is achievable, especially given your strong foundation in finance and consulting-related work.

Hope this helps!
Good Luck! Alessa :)

Answer 3

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing your background! Here's a quick summary to address your questions:

Appetite for Finance Experience at MBB: Yes, your finance background is valuable, especially for teams focused on corporate finance and transformation. However, the current hiring market is tight due to economic conditions. Applying to start in 2025 will give you a better shot as quotas reset.
Application Strategy: Apply to both MBB and second-tier firms (e.g., Strategy&, EY-Parthenon). Start with second-tier interviews to practice.
Networking: Focus on Project Managers and Partners for networking. You can try contacting some Project Managers to ask for a short call to as you are interested in the company - this could also lead to valuable referrals, which can improve your chances.
Big 4 job offer: Congrats to your job offer! I don't think it will have a negative impact, however I would recommend to apply to MBB right away.

Best of luck with your transition!

Have a great day,
Kairavee

Answer 4

Congratulations on the offer!

This new oppportunity does NOT take you farther away from MBB but I'd suggest you take your shot at applying to MBB and Strategy&, EY-P et al right away if consulting is your primary objective.

Regarding networking, you should ideally try to connect with Post-MBA (Consultant in BCG) and above to learn more about the job, their respective office, and potentially obtain a referral. Also, I don't think you should restrict yourself to individuals within the Corporate Finance & Strategy practice area (or equivalent) across firms to widen your opportunity space.

Feel free to reach out for any additional networking tips.

All the best,

Fathu