Interview: The Life of an Accenture Strategy Consultant in Canada

the image is the cover of an interview with an accenture strategy consultant

Last Updated on March 6, 2024

The Consulting Interview Series

At StrategyCase.com, we’re excited to announce our new series, aimed at offering insights into the diverse roles in the consulting industry across renowned firms and varied geographies. This series taps into our extensive network of professionals from leading consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain, bringing you an insider’s view of their roles, day-to-day experiences, and insights into the consulting sector.

We welcome your input for this series. If you have specific inquiries about certain consulting firms or geographic locations, or if there are particular questions you’d like us to address, please let us know. We’re committed to utilizing our network to arrange in-depth interviews and provide content that resonates with your interests on StrategyCase.com.

In our second installment of this series, we feature an insightful interview with a consultant from Accenture Strategy in Toronto, Canada. This interview delves into the professional life of an Accenture consultant, exploring their daily responsibilities and giving you a glimpse into what a typical day at Accenture entails. Check out the full interview below for a comprehensive look at a consultant’s journey at Accenture.

The Experience of an Accenture Strategy Consultant

StrategyCase.com: Where do you work? What position?

Interviewee: I work at Accenture Strategy in Toronto. Consultant.

StrategyCase.com: What kinds of cases do you work on?

Interviewee: Mostly Growth Strategy (i.e. Distribution Strategy, International Expansion, Sales Force Effectiveness), and Organizational Restructuring

StrategyCase.com: Do you travel every week? How far?

Interviewee: No. Accenture employs a regional staffing model. Since 90% of our client’s HQs are in Toronto, most consultants based here do not travel. Of my 9 projects, 2 involved travel. 1 to Montreal, 1 to Memphis. Average 2-4 hours of travel time when on a travel project.

StrategyCase.com: What are your favorite travel hacks?

Interviewee: ALL THE POINTS! Delta accelerated status program, Delta-SPG crossover rewards, Hertz-Delta crossover rewards, check-in & out of the hotel every day to hit 25 stays per year and retain platinum status. Also – get an inflatable headrest for the flight.

StrategyCase.com: How does a typical day look in your consultant life? (e.g., distribution between client meetings, problem-solving, analytical work in Excel, slide preparation, etc)

Interviewee: Arrive on site between 8 – 9. 25% Excel-based analysis, 35% making bomb-ass slides, 15% independent/team-based problem solving, 15% client meetings/following up to get data/to validate facts.

StrategyCase.com: What are the typical hours you work during the week and on Friday? How about weekend work?

Interviewee: Typical weekday 9 – 8; weekend work typically only on +1s (e.g. asset development, thought leadership, community programs, etc.)

StrategyCase.com: How do you unwind during the week and on weekends?

Interviewee: Socials with my team, Explore the city (if on travel projects), party on the weekend, go to the gym, head to a park/outdoor pool (summer), escape the frozen tundra in the winter with indoor activities (game bars, museums/galleries, paint, eat, hibernate)

StrategyCase.com: What’s the best part of the job?

Interviewee: Bringing clarity to our clients by deconstructing their business problems and working towards a solution together, working with young, smart, ambitious, and fun colleagues, learning about best practices/market trends in diverse industries & functions, budgeting for socials & team meals, travel & points 😀

StrategyCase.com: What is the worst part of the job?

Interviewee: Landing on cool projects is always a little bit up to chance (e.g. depends on roll-off timing) so you don’t always get to work on the exact project you’d like to, navigating company politics & managing perceptions

StrategyCase.com: What tip would you give applicants for your role and your firm?

Interviewee: All the basics – know what makes this firm different, practice cases/behavior, practice communicating clearly & concisely

StrategyCase.com: What exit opportunities are you considering?

Interviewee: VC, growth-stage startups, restructuring/turnaround advisory, moving to Miami/San Diego 

StrategyCase.com: What have you learned on the job?

Interviewee: Refined my perspective on ‘what good looks like’ (e.g. structuring & executing quantitative analysis, communicating findings clearly and concisely via PPT/verbally), know how to balance serving your client & managing scope creep, protect your personal life by drawing boundaries (the more you offer, the more the firm will take), pick your battles – learn to recognize when pushing back/challenging team members during problem-solving becomes counterproductive, and evaluate whether the decision causes a material change to the deliverable.

StrategyCase.com: Anything else you would like to add?

Interviewee: Be focused on managing your career. Have clarity on the experiences you want to attain, and then chase them down so that if you leave, you walk away with a strong profile that is transferable to the type of work you want to continue doing.

If you want to read more consulting life from different firms and regions, check out some other reports below:

How We Help You on This Journey to Accenture

Embarking on your journey to secure a position at Accenture is a challenge, but with specialized guidance, your path to success is clearer. Our team, renowned as top McKinsey coaching experts, is here to support you every step of the way.

Our background as former McKinsey consultants and seasoned interview coaches equips us with a unique perspective and expertise. We focus on transforming your candidacy by:

For any queries or further guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are committed to providing a personalized program designed to navigate you successfully through the Accenture Strategy application process.

Ace your consulting applications with our dedicated preparation packages.

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