Does anyone work for Accenture?
Discussion
I am thinking of applying to them for a graduate position as an entry level associate.
I am from a Corporate Finance background and was wondering if anyone could offer an insight into the sort of people they hire. I think I have the necessary skill set but I want to make sure my personality comes across as being suitable.
I am from a Corporate Finance background and was wondering if anyone could offer an insight into the sort of people they hire. I think I have the necessary skill set but I want to make sure my personality comes across as being suitable.
hmmmmm - well IBM gave up with droids and sold the concept on to Accenture...
Lots of suits, who 'may' have read a manual but rarely ever done the task
There are some very talented people but a lot of drones.
very sales focused, in terms of just get into a client then grow from inside.
Me i'd always hire original thinkers with imagination & flaire over corporate drones with the right suit
Lots of suits, who 'may' have read a manual but rarely ever done the task
There are some very talented people but a lot of drones. very sales focused, in terms of just get into a client then grow from inside.
Me i'd always hire original thinkers with imagination & flaire over corporate drones with the right suit
Market leader full of good people but with a "particular"(read arrogant) culture. If you fit, you`ll love it, if you don`t, you`ll loathe it - it`s very binary.
You will need good academics and a decent track record to join. They pay well, particularly if you`re enough of a s**t to be made Partner!. Accenture is good on your CV and offers potentially great development opportunities if you fit.
You will need good academics and a decent track record to join. They pay well, particularly if you`re enough of a s**t to be made Partner!. Accenture is good on your CV and offers potentially great development opportunities if you fit.
Just rememeber they're NOT a partnership anymore...they're a publicly listed company. My wife works for Accenture and, although she would not say so, it is clear that the corporate culture has changed since flotation...
They have been an excellent firm to work for for my wife, however. Sometimes she comes home furious but you do from any firm - even one you own yourself!
On balance I'd give it a go. But remember: In a firm like Accenture there are two sorts of people. The first type generate income by doing work for clients. The second type do not generate income but are part of the corporate body. The second type cost the firm money, the first type makes the firm money.
In any Consultancy the distinction between these two types of people is....quite marked and can affect greatly how you are treated.
You want to be part of the firm that generates the money if you can. You'll like it better. Oh
They have been an excellent firm to work for for my wife, however. Sometimes she comes home furious but you do from any firm - even one you own yourself!
On balance I'd give it a go. But remember: In a firm like Accenture there are two sorts of people. The first type generate income by doing work for clients. The second type do not generate income but are part of the corporate body. The second type cost the firm money, the first type makes the firm money.
In any Consultancy the distinction between these two types of people is....quite marked and can affect greatly how you are treated.
You want to be part of the firm that generates the money if you can. You'll like it better. Oh
Phil321 said:
I am thinking of applying to them for a graduate position as an entry level associate.
I am from a Corporate Finance background and was wondering if anyone could offer an insight into the sort of people they hire. I think I have the necessary skill set but I want to make sure my personality comes across as being suitable.
My best friend works for them, having started on the grad scheme, he now lives in Melbourne and still works for them and regularly is in the US on training courses/visits etc. Worked on a big project for Disney and spent 3 weeks in Florida - Git!!!
I'll e-mail him today and see if I can get any further info from him - Mail me exactly what you want to know via my profile and I'll see what I can do.
FYI he was a straight A student and graduated with a first in Astro Physics form Canterbury.
Personality type I have met (socially) amongst grad recruits 1 to 2 years into the job ... lots of front, tend to try to impress rather too hard. Seem to try to live the "work hard, play hard" lifstyle bullshit. Seems they are expected to socialise (drink) with each other and the client to a degree that I would find oppressive (both as a colleague and as a client). Social conformists (droids). Remind me a lot of the stereotypical Durham graduate. The corporate structure seems to be something of a pyramid scheme with a lot of arse kissing and some back stabbing.
If they are offering good money and you are confident you can get into some projects that will move your career in the right direction, then go for it ... but keep your bullshit detector switched on at all times.
If they are offering good money and you are confident you can get into some projects that will move your career in the right direction, then go for it ... but keep your bullshit detector switched on at all times.
totally agree with ATG.... applied for them out of Uni...they offered me a job. I turned it down having had the most miserable day of my life at their interview (they really can be utter c**ts if you ask me). They phoned me up TWICE to ask if I was serious as 'no-one turns us down' - which was basically exactly why I did.....if you wanna be the sort of prick in a suit most people enjoy taking the mick out of and whose only comeback is 'yeah well Im loaded' then join em...if you're a real person, dont!
(sorry if above comes accross as conceited excuse to say they offerd me a job!)
(sorry if above comes accross as conceited excuse to say they offerd me a job!)
nightmare said:
totally agree with ATG.... applied for them out of Uni...they offered me a job. I turned it down having had the most miserable day of my life at their interview (they really can be utter c**ts if you ask me). They phoned me up TWICE to ask if I was serious as 'no-one turns us down' - which was basically exactly why I did.....if you wanna be the sort of prick in a suit most people enjoy taking the mick out of and whose only comeback is 'yeah well Im loaded' then join em...if you're a real person, dont!
(sorry if above comes accross as conceited excuse to say they offerd me a job!)
I was in the same boat and in the end went with another firm. Most of the guys I spoke during interview rounds were more interested in what school they went to, what their fathers did and misinterpreting the FT to try and show that they understood "finance".
I have worked with plenty in the ERP arena and whilst some are very, very good, many of their grads are muppets who landed a plum job due to good A-Level results.
The experienced hires I have worked with on the other hand have been, on the whole very good.
They are still a very good name to have on the CV though.
Have to agree with a lot of the above - have known both Andersens and Accenture people, both similar:-
- Strong "team" attitude, but very arrogant with it. IMHO totally unjustified, their experience was very narrow.
- Ultra-competitive internally
- Long-hours culture (even for ac'g / consulting)
- High-pressure (even for acc'g / consulting)
- Very political (even for acc'g / consulting)
In short, unless you feel you need the money, or the name on your CV, look elsewhere. You will be used/abused by them, unless you learn very quickly how to play the system and put in stupid hours (Try averaging 60+/week, in some cases worse).
Just my 2p as an experienced ACA with CF experience(but then, I've left practice and gone into industry).
- Strong "team" attitude, but very arrogant with it. IMHO totally unjustified, their experience was very narrow.
- Ultra-competitive internally
- Long-hours culture (even for ac'g / consulting)
- High-pressure (even for acc'g / consulting)
- Very political (even for acc'g / consulting)
In short, unless you feel you need the money, or the name on your CV, look elsewhere. You will be used/abused by them, unless you learn very quickly how to play the system and put in stupid hours (Try averaging 60+/week, in some cases worse).
Just my 2p as an experienced ACA with CF experience(but then, I've left practice and gone into industry).
Thanks to everyone that has replied and especially to those who have e-mailed offering assistance.
Great to see community spirit in action.
I will certainly take on board all of the points made above and its very useful to hear real life opinion from both inside and outside of the company.
Once agin, many thanks for taking the time to reply and if there are any more opinions lurking out there, feel free to voice them!
Great to see community spirit in action.
I will certainly take on board all of the points made above and its very useful to hear real life opinion from both inside and outside of the company.
Once agin, many thanks for taking the time to reply and if there are any more opinions lurking out there, feel free to voice them!
I personally don’t have much time for them based on my own experiences of employing them! Here is a link that’s more appropriate!http://anthonyjhicks.com/stuff/crew_accidenture.mp3
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
tvrforever said:
hmmmmm - well IBM gave up with droids and sold the concept on to Accenture...
Lots of suits, who 'may' have read a manual but rarely ever done the task
very sales focused, in terms of just get into a client then grow from inside.
Me i'd always hire original thinkers with imagination & flaire over corporate drones with the right suit
Having spent some time as a contractor working in conjunction with people from both of organisation named above (which gave me a sort of independent and impartial position to view from) I would have to agree with every word.
That said, and specifically about the ones who do not manufacture computer kit, if you can stand it inside OR become a known (but mobile in the job sense) CEO/COO who can be relied upon to turn to them for assistance, then you will find plenty of opportunities to feather as many nests as you like. Not without some personal sacrifices though.
Have to echo most of whats been said above.. Whilst they do have a slightly questionable reputation amongst some areas of the market, there must be a reason why they are so big and the market being what it is, this has to be due to sales and therefore a proportion of happy customers. The culture of Accenmture today is quite different to that of Andersen Consulting, but its still an 'up or out' approach; if you join as an associate, (i.e. grad trainee) and you've not made consultant within 18 months, you're not going to.
As a 1st job in consulting, I'd say its a very good name to have on the CV. I would seriously consider the likes of PA Consulting, for a more staff friendly firm. the smaller niche consultancies I'd probably steer clear of for now; its far more easy to go from a big firm to a smaller one than vice versa.
If you're new to the game, 2 books I'd suggest reading are Con Tricks (Martin Ashford - interesting view on consultancy) and The 7 Cs of Consulting, (Mick Cope - good basic model of consultancy which will talk you through the process of a consultancy intervention). www.top-consultant.com is also worth a browse, as is the Institute of Management Consultancy's site.
Hope this helps..
As a 1st job in consulting, I'd say its a very good name to have on the CV. I would seriously consider the likes of PA Consulting, for a more staff friendly firm. the smaller niche consultancies I'd probably steer clear of for now; its far more easy to go from a big firm to a smaller one than vice versa.
If you're new to the game, 2 books I'd suggest reading are Con Tricks (Martin Ashford - interesting view on consultancy) and The 7 Cs of Consulting, (Mick Cope - good basic model of consultancy which will talk you through the process of a consultancy intervention). www.top-consultant.com is also worth a browse, as is the Institute of Management Consultancy's site.
Hope this helps..
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