Charles River Associates Firm Profile

Charles River Associates (CRA) is a publicly traded consulting firm specializing in economic, financial, life sciences, and management consulting services. In 2026, the firm was named a Top Ranked Consulting Firm by Management Consulted.

Headquartered in Boston, MA, Charles River Associates supports clients across numerous industries including legal, corporate strategy, and the public sector.

Firm Key Stats

Website: www.crai.com
Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts
Number of Employees: 1,200
Number of Locations: 24
Chief Executive: Paul Maleh
Revenue: $687M

Charles River Associates History

Charles River Associates – founded in 1965 – has a rich history of economic consulting leadership. With a keen focus on empirical analysis, CRA has grown its set of offerings over the years to become a global consulting firm. CRA primarily serves major corporations, law firms, and government agencies.

Charles River Associates acquired Marakon in 2009 to enable the firm to deploy strategy consulting services. This move enabled CRA to add traditional strategy consulting services to its economic consulting expertise.

Charles River Associates Careers

Charles River Associates offers diverse career paths and entry points, attracting talent from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds, including finance, economics, and the natural sciences. The firm fosters an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach to problem-solving, making it an ideal environment for analytical professionals seeking to build a rewarding career.

CRA also provides H-1B sponsorships on a case-by-case basis for international employees looking to work in the United States. Given the firm's strong reputation, CRA roles are highly competitive, often drawing hundreds - if not thousands - of applicants per position. Aspiring candidates increase their chances of success by thoroughly researching the firm, networking with professionals, and dedicating ample time to structured interview preparation.

Charles River Associates Internship

Charles River Associates offers a structured summer internship program for those looking to launch a career in consulting. Interns work alongside experienced consultants, gaining hands-on experience with real-world projects.

Additionally, select offices and practice areas provide winter/spring internship opportunities. CRA interns can expect a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment, along with the potential to secure a full-time role upon successful completion of the program.

Practice Areas

CRA hires directly into specific practice areas rather than as generalists. The firm's biggest growth drivers currently include Antitrust & Competition, Energy, and Forensic Services. In Europe, Antitrust & Competition and Energy are also the two largest practices. The Energy practice hires both management consultants and economic consultants, reflecting its hybrid expertise.

Overall, CRA serves numerous industries, including:

- Banking and Capital Markets
- Energy and Power
- Life Sciences and Healthcare
- Tech, Media, and Telecommunications
- Retail and Manufacturing

Services Offered

- Economic Consulting: Analysis on matters of antitrust, competitive economics, intellectual property, and labor/employment situations.
- Financial Consulting: Expert advisory services in corporate finance, financial economics, and forensic finance matters.
- Management Consulting: Strategic advisory on broadspan corporate strategy, operational expertise, and corporate performance.

CRA also offers services to up-and-coming industries including Blockchain and digital assets.

Charles River Associates Locations

Charles River Associates has over 20 office locations spread across the globe – below is a sampling:

North American

- - Boston, MA
  - Chicago, IL
  - Dallas, TX
  - Houston, TX
  - Los Angeles, CA
  - New York, NY
  - Salt Lake City, UT
  - San Francisco, CA
  - Toronto, ON

Europe

- - Amsterdam, Netherlands
  - Brussels, Belgium
  - Dusseldorf, Germany
  - London, United Kingdom
  - Munich, Germany
  - Paris, France

Latin America

- - São Paulo, Brazil

Australia

- - Sydney, Australia

For more information about Charles River Associates locations, please click here.

Career Path

Charles River Associates emphasizes internal promotion, providing a clear pathway for career growth. Consultants typically progress from entry-level analysts to senior associates, then to principals, with some ultimately reaching the partner level.

This advancement is supported by robust internal training programs and a strong mentorship culture, ensuring employees have the guidance and resources needed to develop their careers within the firm.

Exit Opportunities

Professionals from CRA have moved into nearly every industry imaginable. Some of the most common exits are into government roles, academia, and corporate strategy.

Target Schools

CRA targets students from top-tier universities, including Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. But CRA doesn’t limit its recruiting efforts to only these schools. If you have a solid academic and professional record and take a strategic approach to recruitment, you’ve got a chance.

Diversity Programs

Charles River Associates (CRA) actively promotes diversity and inclusion through several dedicated employee resource groups:

- OutLoud@CRA: This group fosters a supportive environment for LGBTQI+ employees and its allies. OutLoud@CRA encourages individuals to express pride in its identities and provides a platform for feedback, helping CRA become even more inclusive.
- Mosaic@CRA: CRA's commitment to diversity includes embracing various cultural identities and heritages. Mosaic@CRA connects members of the Black, Hispanic, Latino/a, Native American, and Pacific Islander communities, fostering a culture of mutual respect and cultural exchange.
- PAC@CRA (Parents & Caregivers at CRA): Recognizing the unique needs of parents and caregivers, PAC@CRA provides resources and a supportive community for employees balancing professional and caregiving responsibilities. This group aims to cultivate an inclusive workplace by offering support and building connections among caregivers.
- Women@CRA: This group provides mentorship, networking, and career development opportunities for women employees at the firm.

Charles River Associates Culture

Charles River Associates emphasizes analytical rigor, collaboration, and professional standards in its consulting approach. The firm’s work is grounded in data-driven analysis and economic methodology, reflecting its roots in expert services and litigation support.

Career progression at CRA often follows a structured path with opportunities for internal promotion and mentorship. The firm maintains an internal utilization target of approximately 80% for consultants, which reflects expectations around billable work and project allocation. As with many consulting firms, workload levels may fluctuate depending on client demands and practice area activity.

Consultants may have opportunities over time to serve as testifying experts, which represents a potential advancement track within certain practices. In addition, CRA has indicated plans to expand lateral hiring in 2026 to support growth across selected practice areas.

Charles River Associates Interview

Charles River Associates conducts a comprehensive interview process, including both behavioral and case interviews. Candidates should be prepared for questions that assess problem-solving abilities, industry knowledge, and fit for the role. Common interview questions include “Tell me about yourself” as well as more industry- and role-specific queries.

The CRA case interview follows a traditional interviewee-led format, involving both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Candidates will be asked to provide recommendations based on their analysis. After the case portion, candidates have the opportunity to ask the interviewer questions and learn more about the firm.

The interview process at CRA typically includes multiple rounds, focusing on both analytical and interpersonal skills. Candidates can expect an initial phone screen followed by virtual or in-person interviews.

For more details on the CRA interview process, visit the official CRA careers page.

Charles River Associates Salary

CRA’s compensation structure is competitive, often on par with other leading consultancies. Positions like analysts, consultants, and principals have structured salary bands, which are detailed in Management Consulted’s consulting salaries report.

Undergrad/ Masters Salary: Base: $95,000

Conclusion

Charles River Associates offers a rigorous career path with attractive practice areas and an attractive compensation structure. Whether you’re a student or an experienced professional, CRA provides a challenging, rewarding environment.