Latest InSights

By Yao Tang - Business Development Manager

Companies across industries are expanding their consulting divisions through a mix of strategic acquisitions and internal growth. This trend is driven by the rising demand for integrated solutions, the pursuit of high-margin revenue, and the imperative to support clients through digital transformation. In this article, we explore the strategies behind these expansions, highlight key examples from various sectors, and discuss the HR challenges that arise when integrating consulting roles into existing compensation structures.

Expansion Across Sectors

The trend toward incorporating or expanding consulting capabilities is evident across a range of sectors—from technology to private equity, specialized industries, and traditional accounting—where companies are leveraging strategic acquisitions and internal growth to meet the rising demand for integrated, expert advisory services.

A. Technology Firms Moving Beyond IT Services

Technology companies are increasingly shifting from their traditional focus on IT services to broader consulting roles. For instance, NEC’s acquisition of ABeam Consulting in 2023 represents a strategic move to expand its advisory offerings. Similarly, in 2023, Accenture’s acquisition of InfinityWorks—a leader in agile digital transformation solutions—underscores the growing demand for integrated advisory services. In addition, other types of firms are also responding to this trend; for example, EY’s 2022 acquisition of Nuvalence has enhanced its digital transformation expertise, reflecting a broader industry move toward offering comprehensive, end-to-end consulting solutions.

B. Private Equity’s Interest in Consulting

Private equity firms are capitalizing on the high-margin revenue potential of consulting services. The ongoing discussions by Apax Partners to acquire a majority stake in CohnReznick, along with Inflexion’s 2025 acquisition of Baker Tilly Netherlands, reflect a broader trend of investing in professional services with established consulting practices. These moves are not only financial transactions but also strategic efforts to diversify revenue streams and build more resilient business models.

C. Specialized Industry Consulting

In specialized fields such as life sciences, biotech, and pharmaceuticals, targeted acquisitions have become a key strategy. Sia Partners’ 2022 acquisition of Latham BioPharm, for example, deepened its expertise in these sectors. By focusing on niche advisory services, firms can offer tailored solutions that address the specific regulatory and operational challenges inherent in these industries.

D. Accounting Firms Strengthening Their Advisory Services

Accounting firms have long offered professional advisory services, and many are now expanding these capabilities. PwC’s 2023 acquisition of Sagence boosted its data and digital transformation advisory, while Deloitte has expanded its digital consulting presence in both the U.S. and Europe. KPMG’s acquisition of Russell Reynolds Associates and Grant Thornton’s 2024 partnership with New Mountain Capital further underscore the trend of blending traditional accounting services with modern consulting approaches.

Key Drivers Behind the Expansion

Several factors are motivating firms to broaden their consulting capabilities:

• Digital and AI Expertise: The rapid adoption of technologies such as cloud computing, automation, and AI has created an urgent need for expert guidance. Consulting services now play a critical role in helping organizations navigate digital transformation.
• Revenue Diversification: Consulting provides recurring, high-margin revenue streams that complement other business areas. This diversification is particularly attractive in a volatile market environment.
• Client Demand for Integrated Services: Clients increasingly seek comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that combine strategic advice with practical implementation. Firms are responding by integrating consulting services into their broader offerings.

HR Challenges in Integrating Consulting Roles

Integrating consulting roles into established compensation structures presents several HR challenges:

1. Differing Compensation Structures

• Consulting Models: Often include performance-based bonuses, accelerated salary progression, and equity incentives at senior levels.
• Corporate Models: Typically rely on fixed salary bands and standardized annual raises.
• The Challenge: Balancing these models to avoid pay disparities while remaining competitive in both markets.

2. Incentives and Career Progression

• Consulting Firms: Employees expect rapid promotions and profit-sharing opportunities.
• Traditional Corporations: Generally emphasize structured career growth based on tenure.
• The Challenge: Designing career paths that attract top consulting talent without undermining traditional career progression models.

3. Recruitment and Retention

• Consulting Talent: Often drawn to project-based, performance-driven roles but tend to be more mobile.
• Corporate Talent: Typically prefer longer-term, specialized roles with predictable career paths.
• The Challenge: Crafting recruitment and retention strategies that effectively appeal to both types of professionals.

4. Accurate Benchmarking of Compensation

• Consulting Benchmarks: Usually compared against peer consulting firms.
• Corporate Benchmarks: Often aligned with industry-specific salary norms.
• The Challenge: Developing a hybrid benchmarking approach that reflects both consulting and corporate compensation standards to ensure internal equity and external competitiveness.

How Vencon Research Supports Compensation Strategy

Vencon Research plays a crucial role in helping firms navigate these HR challenges by providing detailed compensation benchmarking for consulting roles. With access to comprehensive market data, organizations can align their pay structures with industry standards while maintaining competitiveness and internal equity. Whether expanding a consulting division or restructuring compensation strategies, Vencon Research offers insights that support strategic growth and stability.

‍For more information on aligning your compensation strategy with industry standards, please contact Vencon Research to learn how our services can support your organization’s strategic objectives.

The European Union has introduced an important update to its regulations on pay transparency, aimed at addressing gender pay disparities and fostering greater fairness in salary practices across its member states.

This new legislation mandates that companies disclose salary information in job postings, provide employees with clear insights into pay structures, and allow individuals to understand how their compensation compares to others in similar roles. While this shift represents a major leap toward a more transparent and equitable workplace, it also creates new challenges and opportunities for businesses to adapt their compensation practices in line with evolving regulations.

What the EU Pay Transparency Directive Means for Employers

The EU’s Pay Transparency Directive, which will fully take effect by 2027, imposes several key obligations on employers. One of the most significant changes is that companies with 250 or more employees (and eventually 100 employees by 2031) will be required to disclose detailed pay data. This includes breaking down salaries by gender and role, a practice that will no longer be hidden behind confidentiality clauses or other restrictive policies. Companies will also be required to report this data on an annual basis, increasing visibility of any pay disparities and putting pressure on businesses to act.

Under the new rules, if a gender pay gap of over 5% is discovered, employers must conduct a joint pay assessment with employee representatives to investigate the cause of the gap and take corrective measures. This provision forces businesses to confront any existing disparities and make necessary adjustments to their compensation structures. Furthermore, employees will have the right to request pay information at any time, enabling them to negotiate more effectively and ensure fair treatment in salary discussions.

Ensuring Competitive and Fair Compensation

The introduction of these new transparency measures highlights the need for companies to stay competitive by offering fair compensation packages that align with market standards. With the increased visibility into pay structures, firms will need to be proactive in reviewing their compensation practices to ensure they meet legal requirements and reflect industry trends.

By using detailed, market-based data, organizations can make informed decisions about their pay structures, ensuring they attract top talent while maintaining equity within their teams. This becomes especially important as businesses seek to comply with the new EU regulations and avoid potential backlash for not addressing pay disparities.

Adapting to the New Regulatory Landscape

The EU’s pay transparency initiative is more than just a regulatory obligation; it is an opportunity for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to fair pay practices. Firms must act swiftly to ensure their compensation structures are not only compliant but also aligned with broader market expectations. This will involve examining not just salary figures, but the full spectrum of compensation, including benefits, bonuses, and other forms of remuneration.

For consulting firms, particularly those in industries with highly competitive labour markets, staying ahead of the curve in terms of pay equity and transparency will be essential. As firms adjust their compensation models to comply with new laws, they will also need to ensure they remain attractive to potential hires, particularly in an era where talent is at a premium.

Embracing Transparency, Strengthening Competitiveness

The EU's new Pay Transparency Directive marks a significant step toward reducing gender pay gaps and promoting fairness in compensation practices across industries. While these changes may pose challenges, they also provide an important opportunity for businesses to assess and refine their pay practices to ensure they are both competitive and compliant.

With full implementation set for 2027, companies will need to act quickly to ensure compliance and begin integrating the necessary changes. At Vencon Research, we are committed to helping consulting firms navigate these regulatory changes and build stronger, more equitable compensation structures. With a focus on providing detailed and relevant benchmarking data, we support our clients in maintaining compliance while ensuring they remain attractive employers in an increasingly transparent labour market. Through comprehensive, data-driven insights, businesses can confidently adapt to the new EU regulations and continue to foster an environment of fairness and competitive compensation.

At Vencon Research, we specialize in helping consulting firms adapt to regulatory shifts like the EU Pay Transparency Directive. Our detailed benchmarking data and HR expertise enable firms to build equitable and competitive compensation structures. Contact us today to stay ahead of the curve and demonstrate your commitment to fair pay practices.

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By Veronika von Strachwitz-Camara - Business Development Senior Manager

While cash compensation often takes centre stage in compensation benchmarking, benefits play an equally important role in attracting and retaining talent.

In the consulting industry, where competition for skilled professionals is intense, offering a robust and relevant benefits package can be a decisive factor for employees at every career stage. Here's a closer look at why consulting firms should prioritize benchmarking their benefits.

Understanding Benefits: More Than "Fringe"

Benefits encompass a wide array of offerings, both cash-related and non-cash-related. These can be categorized into:

1. Hard Benefits: Tangible offerings with direct financial value, such as healthcare, life insurance, retirement contributions, and car allowances.
2. Soft Benefits: Non-financial perks that improve work-life balance or enhance the workplace experience, including vacation days, sabbaticals, parental leave, professional development support, and flexible work arrangements.

Both types of benefits are essential, but their significance varies with employee preferences, career stage, industry trends, and market specifics. Early-career employees often value immediate financial perks like healthcare and allowances, while experienced professionals prioritize retirement plans and security. Regional differences also play a critical role; for example, countries with limited public services require robust private benefits, while flexible work policies are highly valued in regions where work-life balance has become a cultural norm. Consulting firms must adapt their offerings to align with global trends, local market demands, and the diverse needs of their workforce to stay competitive.

The Case for Benchmarking Benefits

By regularly evaluating and aligning their offerings, firms can remain competitive, adapt to evolving trends, and meet the diverse needs of their workforce.

Here are ten compelling reasons consulting firms should prioritize benefits benchmarking:

1. Attract and Retain Top Talent

Consulting firms face fierce competition for highly skilled professionals. To stand out, they must offer benefits packages that align with what employees value most.

• New Hires: Often prioritize hard benefits due to their tangible nature.
• Tenured Employees: Place greater emphasis on security-related benefits like health coverage and retirement planning.

2. Ensure Competitiveness

Benchmarking ensures consulting firms stay competitive by understanding how their benefits compare to industry standards.

• Market Positioning: While some firms aim to offer benefits at the market average, others—especially top-tier strategy consultancies—strive to lead the market to gain a distinct edge.

3. Stay Aligned with Market Trends

Regular benchmarking helps firms adapt to emerging trends. Some notable examples include:

• Unlimited Vacation Policies (popular in the US and UK).
• Fertility Treatments as part of health benefits.
• General Mobility Allowances for eco-friendly commuting options.

Adopting forward-thinking benefits also enhances a firm's image as modern and employee-focused.

4. Support Work-Life Balance

Consulting is demanding, often involving long hours and frequent travel. Benefits like mental health support, remote work options, and sabbaticals are increasingly valued. Ultimately, a healthy work-life balance is an essential driver of sustainable productivity.

• Generational Shift: Younger employees tend to prioritize work-life balance over traditional markers of success like salary or status, focusing on vacation days, sabbaticals, and team-building events.

5. Optimize Cost-Effectiveness

Benchmarking helps firms allocate resources wisely:

• Identify underutilized benefits and redirect funds to those with higher perceived value.
• Avoid overinvesting in trendy but low-impact perks while ensuring sought-after benefits are covered.

6. Address Demographic Shifts

• Retirement Security: With decreasing public pension guarantees, private retirement options are critical for employees at all stages.
• Health Insurance: A robust health plan is increasingly vital as public offerings shrink in many markets.

7. Foster a Modern Workplace Culture

Younger professionals are drawn to firms with:

• Considered Workspaces: Well-designed offices, collaborative environments, and wide-ranging amenities.
• Social Perks: Team-building events and activities that foster camaraderie.

Maintaining a balance between traditional benefits and modern workplace culture is a challenge but critical to success.

8. Regional Considerations

Different regions have unique needs that must be addressed when structuring benefits. For example:

• In the US, where public benefits are minimal, firms must offer comprehensive private packages to ensure employees have adequate coverage.
• In GCC countries, benefits packages often need to reflect expectations around allowances, housing, and even child education, making it important to understand these specific regional requirements.

9. Legal Requirements

Benchmarking benefits can help firms navigate local legal frameworks, ensuring compliance with labour laws and industry standards.

• For companies opening offices in new regions, detailed benefits reports are invaluable to understand local legal obligations and competitor offerings.
• This ensures firms structure benefits packages that meet regulatory requirements while staying competitive in the local market.

10. Encourage Innovation in Benefits Strategy

Analysing competitors' offerings can inspire innovative, cost-effective solutions that resonate with employees. Benchmarking may also highlight gaps or strengths in current offerings, equipping HR teams with data to better communicate benefits' value to employees.

The Vencon Research Approach

Benchmarking benefits is not just about staying competitive; it’s about understanding and responding to what employees truly value. For consulting firms, this translates to happier, more engaged teams and a stronger position in the talent market. By leveraging detailed insights from Vencon Research, firms can craft benefits packages that deliver value for both employees and the business.

Vencon Research specializes in compensation and benefits benchmarking for consulting firms. Our Benefits Reports are tailored to the consulting industry, offering:

• Detailed market insights.
• Up-to-date trends and legal requirements.
• Customized solutions for specific regions or firm needs.

Available as off-the-shelf or bespoke reports, they provide the comprehensive data consulting firms need to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

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By Mik Bodnar - Business Development Senior Manager

Strategy consulting firms are facing notable shifts in workforce dynamics, shaped by evolving market demands and regional economic conditions. Recent analysis by Vencon Research highlights significant headcount trends across Germany, Japan, the UAE, the UK, and the USA, offering valuable insights for HR leaders faced with these realities.

Workforce Trends in Strategy Consulting

The consulting industry continues to grapple with tightening talent markets and rising compensation pressures. Entry-level positions have been disproportionately affected, reflecting cost containment strategies and evolving hiring priorities. At the same time, senior roles such as Principal-level positions remain in demand, suggesting a focus on leadership and specialized expertise.

Meanwhile, regional disparities have become more pronounced. While mature markets like Germany and the USA reported negligible changes in overall headcount, the UAE experienced exceptional growth, driven by strong demand for consulting services in the region.

These trends align with broader industry shifts. Hybrid work models, purpose-driven consulting, and demand for cross-functional expertise are reshaping workforce strategies in the sector. Effective talent management, including targeted upskilling and leadership development programs, has become critical for retaining top talent in an increasingly competitive market.

Findings from Vencon Research

Vencon Research's year-on-year analysis of strategy consulting firms reveals the following key trends:

1. Declines in Entry-Level Roles: Analyst positions experienced the largest reductions, with headcounts decreasing by over 10% in Japan, the UK, and the USA.
2. Growth in Senior Roles: Principals were the only group to show consistent headcount increases across all regions studied.
3. Regional Variations:

• Minimal Changes in Germany and the USA: Overall headcounts remained relatively stable.
• Decreases in Japan and the UK: These markets saw modest declines in total headcount.
• Exceptional Growth in the UAE: Headcount increased by nearly 20%, with associate roles surging over 40%.

Implications for HR Leaders in Strategy Consulting

Current workforce trends present both challenges and opportunities for HR and business leaders in strategy consulting. As firms reassess their approaches to talent management and compensation, several key questions emerge:

• Are our workforce trends aligned with market benchmarks, or should we adjust to remain competitive?
• How can we capitalize on opportunities to attract top talent amid rising attrition at competing firms?
• What measures can optimize compensation strategies, particularly for critical senior-level roles?

Addressing these issues demands a balanced strategy—maintaining workforce stability while remaining responsive to changing economic and market conditions. For example, reductions in entry-level positions may appear manageable in the short term but could weaken the talent pipeline over time. Conversely, growth at senior levels underscores the importance of retaining and fairly compensating leadership talent while controlling costs.

Making informed decisions starts with access to accurate, market-specific data. Vencon Research provides targeted solutions to help firms act decisively. Our compensation benchmarking services deliver precise, actionable insights tailored to strategy consulting firms, enabling leaders to align pay structures with evolving market realities. By including detailed job matching as a core component, these services ensure roles are benchmarked with precision, providing a solid foundation for competitive and equitable compensation plans.

Beyond benchmarking, Vencon Research offers customized solutions to tackle unique challenges. Whether addressing talent shortages in established markets, identifying growth opportunities in high-demand regions like the UAE, or refining workforce strategies in response to economic shifts, our expertise equips firms with the tools to act with confidence.

To learn how Vencon Research can support your firm in meeting workforce and compensation challenges, visit venconresearch.com. With comprehensive insights and practical solutions, strategy consulting firms can position themselves not only to overcome today’s challenges but to strengthen their teams for long-term success.

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By Osas Ohenhen - Business Development

In compensation benchmarking, the choice of peer firms can make or break the quality of insights gained. Selecting firms that align closely with your company in industry, size, and business model ensures the data collected is relevant and actionable.

The Foundations of Benchmarking

A successful benchmarking process typically involves four key steps that build upon each other to deliver accurate, meaningful results:

1. Selecting the most appropriate competitors
2. Choosing the most applicable “Line of Business” (e.g., consulting functions)
3. Completing an accurate “Job/role matching”
4. Comparing the relevant components of remuneration

Each step requires careful consideration and expertise to ensure that benchmarking efforts translate into informed compensation strategies. In this article, we will examine the first step—selecting the most appropriate competitors—and why it is important for a meaningful comparison.

Consulting Industry Segmentation

The consulting industry is highly segmented, with each area bringing unique compensation dynamics. Strategy consulting firms, for example, often pay higher base salaries and offer substantial performance bonuses to match their high-level project demands. IT consulting, on the other hand, spans a range of roles, with compensation varying widely based on technical skills and certifications needed for rapidly changing tech requirements. Operations management consulting emphasizes efficiency and stability, with compensation reflecting deep industry knowledge. Meanwhile, accounting and full-service consulting firms often balance base pay with moderate performance incentives to suit their compliance-focused work.

Firm size and revenue add further complexity: large, multi-service firms may standardize base pay with practice-area bonuses, while smaller firms may emphasize profit-sharing or equity. These variations make selecting relevant competitors essential for reliable benchmarking across consulting segments.

Why Selecting the Right Competitors is Essential

Choosing the right competitors allows firms to create benchmarks that align with their unique demands and operational scope. This process involves four key considerations:

1. Ensuring Industry Relevance and Specificity: Given the segmentation within consulting, each firm may operate in a distinct practice area or sector, such as healthcare, technology, or sustainability consulting. Selecting competitors within the same niche ensures salary benchmarks reflect the unique demands and compensation patterns of that specific consulting area. For instance, a technology-focused firm should benchmark against other technology consultants rather than financial advisors.
2. Matching Client Scope and Project Complexity: Selecting competitors of similar scale and complexity allows for compensation comparisons that reflect the firm’s workload, client sophistication, and employee expertise. For example, comparing a boutique consulting firm to a large, global consultancy may skew results. Instead, a boutique firm might benchmark against other regionally focused or similarly scaled consulting firms.
3. Influences Employer Brand and Talent Attraction: Benchmarking against respected industry leaders or firms known for competitive pay can enhance a company’s reputation, making it more attractive to top talent. Peer selection directly impacts how prospective employees perceive a firm’s compensation practices.
4. Promotes Retention by Offering Competitive Packages: Benchmarking with relevant peers also aids in employee retention, ensuring that pay and benefits align with industry standards. Employees who feel fairly compensated relative to the market are less likely to leave, helping reduce turnover and its associated costs.

Vencon Research’s Approach to Selecting the Right Competitors

At Vencon Research, we recognize that effective salary benchmarking starts with carefully selecting the right competitor group. This goes beyond simply selecting firms within the same industry, rather this needs to be aligned with the firm’s position in the talent market, its hiring needs, and retention goals. To this end, we ask three important questions to guide the peer selection process.

1. Which firms are you competing with in the market?

This first question identifies the direct market competitors—firms operating in the same or similar lines of business, often targeting the same client base or market segment. Benchmarking against these firms provides insight into how competitors compensate roles that are crucial to maintaining a competitive edge in the industry.

2. Which firms are you / might you be losing people to?

Understanding where an organization’s employees are going when they leave can be highly revealing. By selecting competitors who frequently attract departing employees, we gain insight into what might be drawing talent away. This allows Vencon Research’s clients to adjust their compensation packages, benefits, or career progression opportunities to improve retention.

3. From which firms do you / might you hire people?

This question focuses on the talent pipeline. Knowing where new hires are likely to come from helps Vencon Research tailor peer selection to ensure salaries are attractive to candidates coming from specific backgrounds. Benchmarking against firms that are common sources of talent enables organizations to position themselves as an appealing next step for potential hires.

Aligned Compensation Strategies

Vencon Research’s approach to competitor selection through these three questions provides a 360-degree view of the talent landscape. By understanding not only who the immediate competitors are but also who attracts or supplies talent to the organization, Vencon Research enables clients to build compensation strategies that are highly aligned with their market position and talent needs.

This comprehensive approach to peer selection is central to Vencon Research’s commitment to providing clients with compensation benchmarks that are not only accurate but also strategically aligned with business and talent goals.

Consultant Salary Survey: An Invaluable Tool for Compensation Management

Salary survey reports are invaluable tools for compensation management. By understanding key indicators and leveraging data-driven insights, businesses can develop competitive compensation strategies that attract, retain, and motivate top talent effectively.

Find out more about Vencon Research's Consultant Salary Survey here.

As a trusted HR partner for the consulting industry, Vencon Research is here to help you unlock the full potential of your team. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your HR needs and drive success for your business.

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