I have got offers from EY BAS (FS PI practice), Detica (FS practice) and PA (FS practice)My impressions are - Detica, fast growing but more technical work involved even for Business ConsultantsPA (FS) - Really good firm but FS is not their strongest sector, great for consultants who want to specialise in Public sector but not FSEY BAS(FS) - Growing very fast, a bit chaotic but very strong prospects in the FS area - obviously a great brandI would apprciate any views on this..what would you do?

Detica - I disagree about thje work being too technically focussed. They have just bought Ma-Patners who have over 150 people who are not technically focussedPA - Definatley the worst of the 3EY BAS - I would say that they are a good company, but on the whole the projects they are winning are not the most exciting. My opinion, go with Detica

I agree with Mikes conclusion (ie Detica FS), but disagree about E&Y - They are winning some good work. I would also add, that the culture at E&Y isn't that great. As for PA - stay clear. They dont have many subject matter experts in the FS area.

Mike do you work for Detica? They are totally technically focused!On their website:"Detica is a business and technology consultancy""As a consultant, you will work on a number of different projects, often at the leading edge of technology"

Steer clear of PA FS at your peril!I defintly think E&Y is the better of the three in terms of self marketing. Detica are still establishing themselves as buisness advisors as opposed to implementors.

Sorry - let me explain. Yes, Detica have a very strong technology background, but they have just bought Ma-P. If you are working in Detica FS UK, you are essentially joining Ma-Partners of old, who were not technology focussed at all...and no I dont work for Detica. I work as an independant.

PA's FS focussed team did seem very small and that was one of my concerns.The FS practice in EY seem to have a very strong leadership team (specifically talking on the BAS side). They admit that Wholesale Banking is weak but I think Insurance and Asset Management is going great guns and Retail Banking is reasonably strong as well.

Hi JJ,When you say, culture isnt great, do you mean not enough focus on developing people or is it a very aggressive culture?The people I met were very friendly and relatively open about whats good and whats not

If you think of Financial Services then you think of the Big 4 - EY is streets ahead of the others in terms of financial services. the other two are good consultancies but I would stick with EY in a financial climate.

The atmosphere in EY isn't good.Its led by a few ex-IBM and Accenture partners, and they've brought their "pile em high, sell em cheap" culture with them. The work is poor quality, and the people not friendly.

How do you know about their atmosphere? Do you work there?

There are no ex-IBM Partners in FS BAS so that's crap. There are 2 in ICG BAS who are pretty nice guys.