Most Prestigious Consulting Firms by Regions (2024)

The prestige of a consulting firm is influenced by various factors like industry specialization and geographical presence. It also depends on different perspectives, the prestigious for customers will be different from the prestigious for applicants.

Remember, each consulting firm excels in specific areas, and the most prestigious firm for you will be the one that aligns with your goals and provides the value you are seeking.  

This article will provide you with the latest ranking of the most prestigious consulting firms across key regions, including North America (NA), Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific. Alongside the rankings, we also present some informative takeaways to enhance your understanding of these prestigious firms

Ranking of most prestigious consulting firms by regions 2024

All 3 ranking tables below rely on the list compiled by Vault. The rankings are based on surveys conducted among consultants from various firms and regions. They were asked to rate each consulting firm on a scale of 1 to 10, excluding their own firm, and focusing only on those they were familiar with.

Vault collected the survey results and calculated an average score for each firm, which determined their rankings.

Vault's rankings are not influenced or chosen by the organization itself. Rather, they represent the perceived prestige of the consulting firms as determined by consulting professionals, not revenue, size or lifestyle.

Most prestigious consulting firms (NA 2024)

Most prestigious consulting firms (EMEA 2024)

Most prestigious consulting firms (Asia-Pacific 2024)

Do NOT rely completely on the ranking

As mentioned earlier, the prestige of a consulting firm is influenced by a range of factors like field or location. The rankings just provided reflect an overall average rating of prestige across all fields. 

This ranking is based on a survey from subjective opinions of individual consultants from many places, combined with a methodology that is quite plain, thus, its results cannot cover all the factors.

However, each consulting firm excels in specific fields where their expertise is highly valued. In some certain specialized sectors, boutique consulting firms may hold even greater prestige compared to renowned firms like MBB or Big Four.

• In the field of general management and strategy, MBB firms (Mckinsey, Bain, and BCG) undoubtedly hold a prominent position. Still, there are some other firms like Oliver Wyman, EY-Parthenon, OC&C, and Accenture also making a significant impact in this sector. 
• Regarding finance, risk management, and compliance, the Big Four group comprising EY, PwC, KPMG, and Deloitte enjoys a high level of prestige, alongside the MBB firms. Additionally, Alvarez & Marsal, Mazars, and Booz Allen Hamilton are also renowned firms in this field.
• In the private equity sector, Bain stands out with its expertise through Bain Capital, while BCG, KPMG, EY, and Alvarez & Marsal also hold reputable positions.
• For government and NGOs projects, Mckinsey has long been recognized as a leader, closely followed by other major firms like Bain, BCG, and the Big Four. 
• Boutique consulting firms are generally more reputable in serving SMEs, with Analysys Mason, BearingPoint, and Mazars among the reputable firms in this category. 

Aside from the aforementioned, there are plenty of other niche fields that boutique consulting firms are more preferred over MBB or Big Four.

On the other hand, industry differences are not the only factor, remember that the prestige of these rankings is based on assessments from consultants across various locations. Their perspectives on prestige may not necessarily align with the specific prestige value you are seeking. 

It is crucial to understand that the rankings reflect a collective view and may not fully capture your individual priorities or preferences

Key Takeaways

Overall, MBB firms are still at the top level of prestige in many fields and there is a huge gap between these three consulting firms and those firms that are right behind like the Big Four and other boutique firms.

However, the rankings above are just average scores for broad areas and you should only use it as a source reference.

It is crucial to understand that there are significant variations between regions and even among different offices of the same consulting firm. Combined with the diverse perspectives of the survey respondents, this creates a wide range of fluctuations that makes the scores of some firms no longer accurately reflect reality.

For consulting candidates, networking is still the best approach. Try to connect with professionals working at the consulting firms you are interested in, especially those in the specific office you wish to apply to. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date insights .

Additionally, depending on your goal, it is important to not only evaluate the prestige of the consulting firm but also understand about the industry you are interested in. 

As mentioned earlier, each consulting firm has its areas of specialization and prestige within specific industries. If you are young and your primary goal is to make your resume stand out, targeting firms like MBB (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG) could be a wise choice. Similarly, if you have a keen interest in the finance sector, the Big Four firms offer strong prestigious and valuable experience. 

Each consulting firm excels in specific areas, and the most prestigious firm for you will be the one that aligns with your goals and provides the value you are seeking. The prestige of a consulting firm is influenced by various factors like industry specialization and geographical presence. It also depends on different perspectives, the prestigious for customers will be different from the prestigious for applicants. 

This article will provide you with the latest ranking of the most prestigious consulting firms across key regions, including North America (NA), Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific. Alongside the rankings, we also present some informative takeaways to enhance your understanding of these prestigious firms.