Accenture

Advancement opportunities at Accenture.

Large base of clients and opportunities, which decreases bench time and offers more job security than other consulting firms.

Core values aren't just words. They are values to work and live by that people try to protect in the dog-eat-dog world of consulting or continuously strive for if it is out of their comfort zone. They'll help you grow.

A small minority who blatantly do not follow the expected core values, affecting the performance of others, are given a pass, especially if they are a manager, director, or have in-demand specialized skills. The difference is at Accenture, it is a small minority rather than the majority like at some firms who hire too many Type A consultants. That small minority though still exists and can devastate someone's career.

If you report or coach up, you are less likely to get staffed when scrambling because your bench time is expiring. Good old boys' numbers are dwindling with the emphasis on increasing the number of females in leadership positions, but there are many still there with the power of someone's livelihood in their hands.

There is one value most consultants reluctantly compromise in order to survive in the consulting world. Like every consulting company I've worked for, at Accenture, most managers who say "bill the client what you work per week, even if over 40 hours," they say it with a wink and a smile as they all work 50-60 hours a week, submit only 40, and pressure you to work the same because that's what the project was estimated at. With work always taking longer than estimated and a high number of deliverables in short time windows, they have no choice. Non-billable WBS's should be available to all, not comp time, so Accenture can solve the estimation problem and people problem. If it's not recorded, there will be no urgency. If any consulting firm can change this widespread problem, it is Accenture.

If you stick to forty hours, you are less likely to get staffed again by that manager on the project or get promoted. There are those who are put on the fast track with promotions almost every year, and others who stay at their level for years and years because they are simply doing their 40 hr, only 5 days a week job, even though they are performing as expected. Must do way more to get ahead, like most consulting companies.

This is why I gave them 4 stars out of 5. In comparison, I wouldn't give any other consulting company where I've worked above a 3, and I've worked for 7 of them.

Requiring employees to live within 90 miles of a major office instead of any of its offices in the US is driving good people away. With COVID, many moved to be closer to family. They should change this, since wanting to be closer to your loved ones is a value you would likely find in most Accenture employees who work there long term.

As stated above, change the 90-mile proximity requirement in the US to include all Accenture offices, not just the large, major ones.

Have a WBS non-billable code for client work over forty hours. Analyze issues, add short-term staffing to help, and really hold those accountable for not entering all their hours and putting pressure on other team members to do the same.

Promotions, salary increases, and doors for demanding diamond clients shouldn't stay closed for those who aren't viewed as go-getters but are proficient at their job and desire to have better work-life balance.

With retention being an issue, for each year you stay with the company, you should get a small bonus to show your loyalty is recognized and valued. There are signing bonuses; why not stay bonuses?

Most importantly, if employees report and show evidence or have witnesses that one of their fellow employees doesn't work with Accenture's core values in mind, then dismiss them no matter how well-connected or qualified they are. Accenture is known for being the best of the best. Having the best people should apply to everyone.