Big Four or the Next Ten?
Updated on Apr 24, 2025.
Interest in the Big Four companies is always high. Questions that regularly appear in our Studydrive career groups include: How does one get started at Deloitte? What can you expect in an interview at Ernst & Young? What starting salary can you expect as a consultant at KPMG? What experiences have others had at PwC?
Well, here’s some good news. We'll not only take you behind the scenes of the dominant and largest international consulting firms, but we'll also introduce you to the new generation of pioneers in the space: the Next Ten!
What is Consulting?
Consulting is more than just giving the right advice. Here's a brief overview of what consulting actually entails.
- Providing important information to a client
- Resolving issues with clarity
- Diagnosing fundamental problems and making recommendations
- Helping implement recommended solutions
- Establishing a foundation of remedial action for the long term
- Enabling scalable client learning
- Building and refining company efficacy
Big 4 - we already know them! And you?
There used to be eight, a number that’s since reduced to four – because of past mergers. These are the Big Four.
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG audit and advise the majority of publicly listed companies worldwide. In our Studydrive career portal, you'll find exciting information about these four global players. We've picked out the highlights for you:
Tech Careers at Deloitte
Annina, Lennart, and Erik from Deloitte are currently making their mark in the tech sector. They tell us what makes working at Deloitte so special. How does one get started, what skills you need, and some frequently asked application questions to help you land the job of your dreams. To make sure you don't miss anything, listen now:
Direct Entry at KPMG
KPMG views itself as a people-driven organization: services, quality, and success are built on motivated employees and a culture of teamwork. Ambitious young talent is always welcome. Learn more about job highlights, the application process, and career prospects at KPMG.
EY – How can you get started?
Auditors, consultants, designers – that's Ernst & Young. With the goal of changing the world, EY addresses and answers questions such as: How can we operate in a climate-neutral way? How can companies protect themselves against cyberattacks? What will work look like in the future?
A look inside PwC
In our interview with Birgitte, we took a close look behind the scenes at PwC. As a People Manager and mentor at PwC, we wanted to know what a day-to-day working life at PwC looks like. She gives us in-depth answers to questions such as: how can you best prepare for starting your career at this company? What are some helpful tips for the job interview? And, of course, we also asked about current salary structures!
Take me to the Podcast: Studydrive x PwC
Clear the Stage for the Next Ten in Consulting
There are new players in the game, commonly known as the the Next Ten. These are some of the largest auditing and consulting firms globally, and the top contenders to the Big Four.
- BDO
- Rödl & Partner
- Mazars
- Warth & Klein Grant Thornton
- Baker Tilly
- Ebner Scholz
- RSM
- Dornbach
- DHPG
- PKF
Ranking or popularity is not the only factor when choosing a career. Try to gain experience during your studies through internships or consolidate work experience as a student employee. Find out which company size, areas of responsibility, daily challenges, and requirements are right for you - make an informed choice!
The Big 3 of Management Consulting
What is management consulting?
Briefly explained, management consulting delves into organizational problem-solving and improvement. Facets include operations, supply chain, tech and product, growth, and more. Management consultants are chiefly responsible for taking stock of a company's functional hierarchy and therafter recommending solutions that can streamline processes in the short and long term.
Who are the Big 3 of management consulting?
The Big 3 of management consulting are often referred to as 'MBB' - McKinsey, BCG, and Bain. The consultants at the Big 4 and the Big 3 work in similar ways - with joiners in the Big 3 typically starting their careers as generalists.
MBB has achieved repute as entrepreneurial and agile in their approach to strategy projects, with tech clients driving massive growth in the last few years. Additionally, MBB consultants are paid higher salaries, have greater access to appealing exit opportunities, and experience rapid career progression. Downsides? A rather punishing work schedule.
How to choose the right Consulting Firm?
Choosing the right consulting firm is a subjective process. You have to weight out several factors:
- job fit
- alignment with background of higher education
- developmental opportunities
- culture & salary
Our advice? Choose carefully - consulting is an exciting and challenging arena, make sure you're ready for it! And in the meantime, we've got you in case you've received an offer and are not sure how to go about buying some extra time.
Big 4 vs Next 10: Key Differences
| Category | Big Four | Next Ten |
|---|---|---|
| Global Revenue | $40–60B+ annually (each) | $2–10B range (varies) |
| Global Offices | >150 countries | Typically <100 countries |
| Brand Recognition | Very high (instant credibility) | Medium – strong regional recognition |
| Client Base | Fortune 500, government, multinationals | More SMEs, regional firms, startups |
| Work Culture | Fast-paced, high pressure | Slightly more flexible |
| Work-Life Balance | Often long hours, demanding projects | Might offer more balance depending on firm/team |
| Specialization | Broad services, industry verticals | Focused or niche (e.g., mid-market, ESG) |
| Recruitment Process | Structured, formal (assessments, case studies) | Less standardized, more direct |
| Promotion Speed | Clear ladders, but competitive | Potentially faster if you stand out |
| Innovation & Tools | Invest heavily in AI/data/tech | Growing focus, but fewer resources |
What do Recruiters look for in Consulting?
Recruiters at consulting firms usually look for candidates with a combination of analytical ability, interpersonal skills, diligence, business intuition. Here's a list:
- Problem-Solving: The ability to break down complex problems and work with large datasets to reach viable solutions.
- Structured Communication: The ability to speak and write clearly, and communicate cross-functionally with different departments.
- Leadership: Highlighting times in which you've taken an initiative or led a team is always a good idea, with a strong result-focused narrative.
- Teamwork & EQ: Be open to feedback, collaborative, emotionally aware, and communicate expectations clearly.
- Business Curiosity: Consulting recruiters are naturally inclined to prioritizing candidates who demonstrate interest in market trends, business projects, and latest developments in the field.
- Drive & Resilience: Preference is given to candidates who can show an aptitude for personal initiative, resilience, and steady progress.
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