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Vault Consulting 50

The Vault Consulting 50 is our signature list of the best consulting firms to work for.
Survey Methodology

When it comes to choosing an employer, there is no question that prestige is important. However, our survey data indicates time and again that many other factors come into play when weighing a choice--and even more affect employee satisfaction in the months and years after the decision has been made.

Did you know that for more than 40% of consulting firm candidates, firm culture was the most important factor in selecting an employer? Other top factors include practice strength and work-life balance, in addition to prestige and compensation.

But choosing an employer is only part of the equation--staying there over a period of time is something else entirely. And while elements like compensation and work-life balance remain important as part of that picture, other factors such as satisfaction and the ability to make career progress also emerge as critical differentiators of top employers--and these factors change over time as generations shift.

We continually monitor responses from the consultants we survey to ensure that our ranking methodology accurately reflects the concerns of the people currently employed in the industry.

In order to properly reflect a company's status as an employer within the consulting industry, the Vault Consulting 50 for 2023 is based on the following weighted formula:

30 percent prestige
15 percent firm culture
15 percent satisfaction
10 percent compensation
10 percent work/life balance
10 percent level of challenge
5 percent overall business outlook
5 percent promotion policies

As ever, our survey is only open to consultants who are currently employed at reputable firms in the industry. When rating quality of life issues, consultants are only permitted to rate their own firm. For prestige and practice area rankings, however, consultants are only allowed to rate competitors, and NOT their own firms.

Take Our Survey

Each year Vault invites eligible consulting firms to participate in our annual Consulting Survey. Please contact us if you’re interested in having your firm considered for inclusion.

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2023 Vault Consulting 50

#1
SCORE 9.383
2022 Rank 1

Bain & Company

Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world’s most ambitious change-makers define the future. Across 64 cities in 39 countries, the firm works alongside clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary...

Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Employee Reviews
#2
SCORE 9.242
2022 Rank 3

Boston Consulting Group

With 22,000 employees in more than 90 offices in more than 50 countries and regions, Boston Consulting Group ranks as one of America's largest private companies, according to Forbes. The firm partners with leaders in business and society to help...

Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Employee Reviews Jobs
#3
SCORE 9.085
2022 Rank 2

McKinsey & Company

McKinsey & Company is a privately owned management consulting firm committed to accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth. Roundly considered the most prestigious company of its kind, it has achieved a near-universal level of renown by...

Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Employee Reviews
#4
SCORE 8.277
2022 Rank 5

EY-Parthenon

EY-Parthenon is a strategy consulting outfit with 9000+ professionals in 120+ office locations worldwide. EY-Parthenon professionals advise c-suite, business, and organizational leaders across multiple sectors, including consumer, advanced...

Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Employee Reviews Q&As Jobs
#5
SCORE 7.997
2022 Rank 4

The Bridgespan Group

Co-founder and managing partner of The Bridgespan Group, Jeffrey L. Bradach left his post at Harvard Business School’s Organizational Behavior and Social Enterprise Initiative department, where he was a professor, to start the firm. Bradach is...

Overview Survey Says Employee Reviews
#6
SCORE 7.959
2022 Rank 15

ghSMART

ghSMART Founder Dr. Geoff Smart’s Psychology PhD dissertation found that those private equity firms best at choosing teams made the most money. Equipped with an expertise in human behavior, he and his early colleagues went on to advise private...

Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Employee Reviews Jobs
#7
SCORE 7.797
2022 Rank 8

Kearney

Kearney has been trusted advisors to the world’s foremost organizations for almost a century and continues to live by the principles established by its founder Andrew Thomas (Tom) Kearney so long ago: “Our success as consultants will depend on...

Overview Survey Says Employee Reviews
#8
SCORE 7.772
2022 Rank 9

L.E.K. Consulting

L.E.K. Consulting is a global strategy consultancy that works with business leaders to seize competitive advantage and amplify growth. The firm’s engagements are targeted interventions that reshape the trajectory of its clients’ businesses. The...

Overview Survey Says Employee Reviews Q&As
#9
SCORE 7.730
2022 Rank 21

Analysis Group

Analysis Group provides expertise in economics, finance, health care analytics, and strategy to top law firms, Fortune Global 500 companies, global health care corporations, and government agencies. Much of the firm’s work is grounded in...

Overview Employee Reviews
#10
SCORE 7.721
2022 Rank 13

Alvarez & Marsal

Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) is a privately held leading global professional services firm that delivers business performance improvement, turnaround management, and advisory services to organizations seeking to transform operations, catapult...

Overview Survey Says Why Work Here Employee Reviews Jobs