I'm currently working as an IT consultant for a well established management consultancy. I've been there over 2 years after graduating and am a little dissatisfied with the work.I am thinking of either moving to another company as an IT consultant (and still be on 30k+) or trying to get into Accountnacy with one of the big 4 (I think starting salary is around 25k so I'd be taking a pay cut). My primary motivation is career growth, i.e. where I would be 10 years down the line.I've a friend who has passed his exams at Deloitte and he thinks partnership is attainable in 12 years.Does anyone know how Consultancy compares with Accountancy in terms of career progression? I.e. 12 years down the line, would partership be achievable?

12 years would be a reasonable expectation at most places - but you have to look at the %s that survive the attrition. It would also be worth thinking about where those different careers could lead to if you made another switch in 4-5 years' time. I'd say accounting would lead to a number of nice finance roles but consulting might give a broader range of possibilities. IT, I guess, leads pretty much just to IT?

The salary would be less to begin with but after getting the ACA and 2-3 further years (5 years total) I've heard you'd be earning as much as a consultant who had been working that long (50k). The salary is supposed increase steeply if you survive attrition. I'm not sure how much consultants get paid in the big 4 though, their career progression may not be as steep as that for an accountant.

I graduated last summer and went to one of the Big 4 to start a training contract but resigned in November; the main reason being that the work was dull as dishwater and after talking to partners etc..there wasn't going to be much differentiation in work as I progressed. Do accounting if you like accounting, personally i couldn't stand the job, others love it!!! Otherwise I would stick to consulting, do your time and then look for role in industry later on with more strings to your bow than variance analysis and partnership account preparation.

James, <br>After 5 years, consultants take home circa 60K plus bonues. 50K is achieved after 3 - 4 years.<br> This is all derived from my sources.

Here in KPMG, even the AD&#39;s (10 yrs plus) don&#39;t take home that sort of money ! I know, I am one ! Try closer to 45-50.

Accenture and Deloitte would have you on more than 50K after 5 years. <br>At ACN You would be a third year consultant on 60K - 65K.<br>At Deloitte you would be on £55K - 60K.

Get out of KPMG. That&#39;s ridiculous. Our SMs are on between 70-90 and Directors 90-140.

What about Capgemini?

In accenture after 5 years you would be a 3rd year consultant, but they get paid round £55k. but then a year later you jump up to manager and get more like £70, which is where the salary differences between consulting and audit really kick in.Starting with audit doesn&#39;t rule out consulting - I made the swtich after I qualified.

I&#39;ve been at Capgemini for 5 years, joining as a junior consultant, have just been promoted to executive consultant (one below vice president) and am over six figures. Unmodestly quite a fast progression but certainly doable. I think its great, and very upbeat.