Hello all,Anyone knows of a certification institue for Strategic Management Consultants!?Thanks

There are a couple, but they're not reputable. I'm not aware of an independent body that certifies strategic consultants, and there isn't a particular qualification that is a pre-requisite for the profession.You could look at the CMC qualification. Although it is not very widely recognised or appreciated, it is at least accredited by a reasonably reputable professional body.

Actually I think the qualification, under certain circumstances, carries some clout, expecially if you are looking into geting involved with supply optimisation reorientation type work, or process coordination delivery type role. It really depends on the nature of the work you want to do: is it business reprocess enginering, is it operations management type work or more traditionally supply chain reconfiguration and evaluation stuffZB

If you want certification...you should look at masters and PhD programs...the quantitative skills required for true Evidence Based Management..are difficult to achieve in other less intense programs...Decision and Management Science are just that Science... Especially in the areas of supply chain optimisation and business process modeling... There are already too many consultants peddling advice from books on the top 20...anecdotal evidence won't be enough to cut it in these hard times...Adam Durstwww.mgmtpolicyconsult.com

I'm looking to make the move from middle office FS to MC - currently I have 2 years experience after undergrad in maths - what type of masters would be appropriate? and would doing it part time over the next 2 years be the best option ?

You would be best to do a Masters in Management (essentially a pre-experience MBA). Normally, full-time study is better. However, right now if you are currently employed and your employer will allow you study leave then stay employed and do the course part-time. Of course, if you're unemployed then study full-time and you'll be able to buy yourself a year's grace in the job market.

1. CFA prove knowledge and interest in FS, but is this necessary within MC in FS? 2. The bank are going to cover my CFA, but if I mention a MSc in management part time (possibly along side the CFA) -surely we enter "too much for one person" - would I be best not doing CFA and sticking with part time MSc in Management ?

1. CFA isn't necessary2. This is a tough one - any sponsored qualification is hard to turn down. It would be difficult to do both CFA and a part-time Masters whilst simultaneously working. Turning down the employer's favoured qualification and doing something different may jeapordise the one thing which is more valuable than any qualification - your work experience.

MSc part time and work experience - so long as bank do not fret too much about me no longer showing an interest in CFA - should be acceptable/optimal route to MC ?

Yes

any idea of where to do a respectable MSc in Management part time - LSE and Cass etc seem to have full time only ?

Try www.londonexternal.ac.uk - it's the University of London accredited degrees through distance learning part or full time. I'm doing my undergrad through them (lead college = LSE) while working. My husband is doing some OU courses and trust me, the London ones are much, much harder! It's the oldest distance learning programme in the UK, and marked to the same standard as internal students, so you get no grace or leniency for not having tutor support.

H, i'm in a similar position - see 50965 – MSc @ warwick full time - £5k - so cheaper than london - cost of living up there = £5k on accommodation and £3k on living - so that’s £13k compared to CASS or LSE etc! The latest Anon, made a very good point, do postgraduate only if interested – I’m only interested in so far as it will give me all the skills I lack in my current job to move to MC etc… which in some ways proves my interest! I’m still not sure about the work experience over the MSc for career progression? My life plan is kinda rigid …. But do want to try MC (& MSc seems excessive if I have no idea what MC is all about) – thus I intend to apply now – but unhopeful of getting in – given 2 years in financial services sector (non-client facing!)