New York City stands as one of the world's premier business hubs, home to a vast array of top consulting firms that shape industries, drive corporate strategy, and influence global markets. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an aspiring consultant, or new to the city with ambitions to break into the industry, we've identified 10 of the top consulting firms in NYC to help you navigate your career path. With its fast-paced environment, competitive job market, and access to world-class clients, New York offers unparalleled opportunities for those looking to make an impact in consulting.
Beware though - New Yorkers are a different breed. How do we know that they think the universe revolves around them? Well, for one, when we set our calendar on West Coast time, they show up on East Coast time. Because, who (that matters) lives outside the Big Apple?
Jokes aside, we love the great city of NYC. If you are a New Yorker, just moved there with hope and zeal to conquer the consulting world, or are just looking for some world-class information on the top consulting firms in NYC, you're in the right place!
What about the Top Boutique Consulting Firms in New York? Interested in some of the top boutiques that call New York home? Skip down to our boutique listing. Now for the main event - drum roll please...
Top Consulting Firms in New York
McKinsey & Company, headquartered in New York at 3 World Trade Center, is the city’s most dominant consulting firm. Founded in 1926, its New York office is the firm’s largest, housing over 2,000 consultants and maintaining a vast alumni network of more than 5,000 professionals, many of whom are leading major corporations or launching successful startups. The office boasts a diverse team representing over 35 countries and speaking 29 languages, reinforcing McKinsey’s commitment to a global perspective. Its primary focus areas in New York include financial services, healthcare, advanced electronics, aerospace & defense, and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT). The firm has also received top marks on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index for its commitment to LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion.
McKinsey’s New York office is known for its high concentration of seasoned professionals and long-term McKinseyites, reflecting the wealth of opportunities and prestige associated with the location. Compensation is highly competitive, though the cost of living in New York offsets some of the financial benefits when compared to other U.S. locations like Dallas or Atlanta. The recruitment process in NYC is among the most competitive in the firm, with top schools in close proximity and a high volume of candidates vying for positions. Despite the intensity, McKinsey’s New York office remains a magnet for those seeking high-impact consulting work in one of the world's most influential business hubs.
2. Boston Consulting Group (BCG)
Boston Consulting Group’s New York office, located in the state-of-the-art Hudson Yards development, is a key player in the city’s consulting landscape. The firm’s headquarters in 10 Hudson Yards places it in one of the largest real estate projects in U.S. history, alongside corporate giants like Time Warner and KKR. The office, which houses over 500 BCG consultants, was designed with employee input to foster collaboration and innovation—an approach that aligns with BCG’s culture of creative problem-solving. The firm’s New York teams focus on a broad range of consulting areas, including corporate finance, digital transformation, risk management, strategy, and sustainability. The neighboring New Jersey office specializes more heavily in pharmaceutical and life sciences projects, complementing the expertise of the NYC team.
BCG New York offers compensation on par with its top competitors, including Bain and McKinsey. However, the workload is intense, with long hours being the norm—something that aspiring consultants should anticipate. That said, the firm fosters a strong professional network, providing opportunities to work on high-profile projects across multiple industries. With its prime location, competitive salaries, and strong industry focus, BCG’s New York office is an excellent place for consultants looking to establish themselves in one of the world's most dynamic business environments.
Deloitte’s massive New York office, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, serves as a key hub for the firm’s consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services. With over 5,000 professionals operating in the NYC office alone, Deloitte is one of the most prominent consulting firms in the city. Unlike many traditional consulting firms, Deloitte operates a hoteling system—meaning employees do not have assigned desks, reflecting the transient nature of Deloitte consultants who often travel extensively. The office is also notable for its sustainability efforts, earning a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for commercial interiors.
Beyond consulting, Deloitte is deeply integrated into New York’s business and social landscape. The firm is known for its commitment to community service, organizing initiatives such as IMPACT Day, New York Cares Day, and the NYC Marathon. It also partners with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC and the NYC Multiple Sclerosis Bike Tour. Given its size and breadth of services, Deloitte’s NYC office provides exceptional networking opportunities, access to senior leadership, and exposure to a wide array of industries. However, with its scale comes a fast-paced and sometimes impersonal work environment, making it best suited for those who thrive in dynamic and highly structured settings.
Fun fact: 30 Rock is where you get to see NBC anchors and other TV stars on their way to work! (That's pretty cool, but the cool factor may wear off after many long days and nights in a row).
4. PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PwC, another shining star in NYC, is headquartered in New York at 300 Madison Avenue. PwC's mothership manages a network of member firms with 83 offices across the U.S.
The New York office focuses primarily on projects that touch cybersecurity, financial services, fashion & retail, and more. Compared to the Top 3, employees have a decent work-life balance and get to rub shoulders with some of the crème de la crème of PwC - like Deloitte, the big brass hang out in the NYC offices.
The office environment can be quiet on weekdays, and even Fridays - working remotely is permitted as long as the work gets done. PwC does offer great flexibility - their vacation and holiday policies are very good. The NYC office skews young - staff members are heavily junior.
Bain & Company’s New York office, located at 1114 Avenue of the Americas, stands out for its prime location in the Grace Building across from Bryant Park. The firm’s NYC office has a strong reputation for its extensive pro bono work, including consulting services for nonprofit organizations. Bain consultants in New York have worked on projects with the NYC Department of Education, as well as the Alliance for Downtown New York, which sought Bain’s expertise in revitalizing the city post-9/11.
Beyond its nonprofit initiatives, Bain’s New York office serves a diverse client base across multiple industries, including finance, healthcare, and retail. The office is known for its close-knit culture and strong emphasis on mentorship and professional development. Bain recruits heavily from top Ivy League schools and leading business programs, focusing on Associate Consultant and Consultant positions. With a growing emphasis on APD (Advanced Professional Degree) recruiting, Bain New York offers extensive opportunities for candidates from non-business backgrounds looking to transition into consulting.
EY Consulting, headquartered at 1 Battery Park Plaza, has expanded significantly in recent years following its acquisition of Parthenon. Historically, EY’s consulting practice focused on advisory services like performance improvement, risk, and IT, but Parthenon has brought a stronger emphasis on strategy consulting. This shift has positioned EY as a more competitive player in the management consulting space, particularly in financial services and digital transformation.
The firm is known for fostering a collegial and development-focused work environment, contrasting with the more intense cultures of Deloitte and McKinsey. EY has also made significant strides in SAP consulting, making it a key destination for professionals specializing in enterprise technology solutions. In addition, its New York office recently completed one of the largest lighting retrofit projects in the city, highlighting its commitment to sustainability.
7. Accenture
While Accenture’s global headquarters is in Chicago, its New York office at 155 Avenue of the Americas is one of the firm’s largest, housing nearly 2,000 employees. The office primarily serves industries such as financial services, public services, and consumer products. Accenture also has a smaller, less publicized office at 11 Broadway, focusing on technology consulting for financial services clients.
Accenture’s NYC office has seen substantial growth over the past decade, offering extensive career development opportunities in analytics, cybersecurity, healthcare, and digital transformation. However, work-life balance is a known challenge, with long hours and demanding workloads being the norm. Those who thrive in a high-intensity environment will find the firm’s New York presence a strong launchpad for their consulting careers. Go young, work hard, and move on!
8. KPMG
KPMG’s U.S. headquarters at 345 Park Avenue is home to over 5,000 employees across audit, tax, and advisory services. While KPMG’s advisory practice includes consulting, it is not traditionally viewed as a top-tier management consulting firm. That said, the NYC office remains a solid choice for those interested in tax, regulatory, and financial services consulting.
KPMG is known for its strong training programs and structured career development, making it a good entry point for consultants looking to build foundational skills. However, compensation is lower compared to MBB firms, and upward mobility can be slower. While the office offers valuable experience, those seeking a pure strategy consulting career may find better opportunities elsewhere.
Booz Allen Hamilton, one of the longest-standing consulting firms, has a well-established presence in New York at 1133 6th Avenue. With over a century of experience, the firm specializes in government consulting, focusing on cybersecurity, information technology, modeling & simulation, organizational strategy, and systems engineering. Unlike traditional management consulting firms, Booz Allen’s New York office is heavily technical, catering to federal and defense clients while also expanding its presence in commercial sectors such as financial services and healthcare. The firm is known for its strong government contracts and deep expertise in technology-driven solutions.
The work culture at Booz Allen’s New York office is defined by high utilization rates, long hours, and a highly structured environment. While the firm sponsors frequent networking events and provides solid career growth opportunities, compensation tends to be lower compared to MBB firms, particularly in a high-cost city like New York. However, one unique advantage is that the firm follows the federal holiday schedule, which can provide more structured downtime. Those interested in government consulting, digital transformation, and technical problem-solving will find Booz Allen to be a strong fit, though the firm’s commercial opportunities remain somewhat limited compared to its competitors.
10. IBM Global Business Services
IBM Global Business Services (IBM GBS) operates out of a cutting-edge Astor Place Office, and its New York presence is distinct from many of the top consulting firms on this list. Unlike strategy-focused firms, IBM GBS specializes in IT infrastructure, cloud computing, security, analytics, and mobile technology consulting. Much of the firm’s work is diagnostic, often serving as a prelude to large-scale implementation projects that integrate IBM’s own technology solutions. This technical orientation makes IBM GBS a strong contender for professionals with expertise in data science, artificial intelligence, and enterprise technology solutions.
While IBM GBS offers strong training and development opportunities, the nature of the work is more technology-driven than traditional management consulting. The New York office, located outside of Manhattan, means that commuting can be challenging, and the overall office environment is more corporate than the high-energy, fast-paced culture found at firms like McKinsey or BCG. However, for those looking to build a career in digital transformation and enterprise solutions, IBM GBS provides a pathway to work on cutting-edge technological advancements with some of the world’s largest corporations.
Honorable Mention: Top Boutique Consulting Firms in New York
These are the top boutique consulting firms in New York (they don't fit the criteria to make our top firms list, but still amazing places to work and great places to start or advance careers):
- The Brattle Group is an economic anti-trust consulting firm with an office in New York and HQ in Cambridge, MA.
- Cornerstone Research provides attorneys with consulting for many facets of the litigation process - they have an office located in New York, but HQ in San Francisco, CA.
- The Chartis Group provides strategic planning in clinical transformation and information technology consulting services with an office located in New York.
- Marakon (now a part of Charles River Associates) is a corporate strategy consulting NY firm with the experience and track record of helping CEOs and their leadership teams achieve winning performance and build stronger organizations.
- Novantas has HQ in New York and is an analytic advisory services and technology solutions for financial institutions around the world.
Each of these top consulting firms in NYC is a great place to begin or continue a consulting career. Know what you're looking for, and get ready to rumble in the Big Apple! Work with our expert team to get your resume ready for the competitive NYC applications, and then pivot your focus to case prep with an MBB coach.
Conclusion
New York City remains one of the most competitive and dynamic consulting markets in the world, with top firms offering unparalleled opportunities across industries ranging from finance and technology to public sector and digital transformation. Whether you're aiming for a strategy powerhouse like McKinsey, a tech-driven firm like IBM GBS, or a specialized consultancy like Booz Allen Hamilton, breaking into these firms requires rigorous preparation and a strong understanding of the recruitment process. Work with Management Consulted to refine your case interview skills, optimize your resume, and navigate the consulting hiring landscape to land a role at one of these top firms. If you're ready to launch or advance your consulting career in NYC, we're here to guide you every step of the way.