Comparing Apples to Oranges: Lessons from a Big 4 Consultant

In my 3.5 years at a Big 4 firm, there are a few takeaways I will always carry with me. Skills that extend far beyond consulting itself.

To be a consultant, there are certain phrases one must master, including (but not limited to):

1. Leveraging

2. Aligning the point of view

3. Bandwidth to support

4. Comparing apples to oranges

5. Put a stake in the ground / boots on the ground

6. Boil the ocean

7. [Do not] reinvent the wheel

8. Bifurcate an idea

9. Is the juice worth the squeeze

10. Living the dream

So, what are these? And why do they matter?

The Language of the Room

Metaphors are critical in the business world. Learning to speak this way doesn’t just signal experience. it makes people listen. Crazy, right?

I once counted how many times I heard the word “leverage” in a single day. The final number was 82. Eighty two times. Early on, as an associate or business analyst, it’s crucial to mimic how your leaders speak. To absorb their language, tone, and cadence. To be a sponge. In Big 4 consulting, everyone is smart. Intelligence is not the differentiator anymore.

What actually matters? Being someone others want to work with. Someone they want to teach. The internal business model of the Big 4 companies is an apprenticeship model, learn quickly and be able to teach the next level down. Personality, curiosity, and coachability matter more than perfection.

Questions, Questions, Questions

It took me far too long to start asking questions. This is the real cheat code, the thing that separates strong associates from the rest.

In my first year, I often didn’t even know what to ask. M&A is intense, immersive, and rarely taught in university. Everything felt new, overwhelming, and high stakes. It wasn’t until I “failed” my first project that I realized questions were the differentiator.

Ask every day. Then apply the lesson immediately. Some questions I recommend:

• What does the end result look like? What are we aiming for?

• Can you explain this business process and how it connects to where we are today?

• How did you know that client meeting was successful? What was your main takeaways?

• How does this workstream fit into our main objective?

• [To your senior associate] Can you explain this to me in details, where we are now and where this takes us?

And if you’re truly confused tell your Senior Associate. That is literally their job. Anyone who discourages questions is a bad teacher.

Leveraging Resources (a.k.a. Don’t Start From Zero)

Before opening Excel or PowerPoint, always ask your Manager or Director if they have a vision, or an existing example, to start from. Never begin from scratch.

Standing out doesn’t mean rebuilding everything. It means improving what exists:

• Cleaner layouts

• Simpler formulas

• Clearer logic

  
  

In PowerPoint, nothing should jump:

• Slide numbers on every page

• Consistent fonts, headers, and colors

• Client names triple checked

  
  

In Excel:

• For tracking have dropdowns with corresponding colors

• Clean structure with an easy-to-follow logic

• Make sure cell A is 4 width, and start from cell b

• Have gridlines turned off

• If client material, include client logos

Your job is to make your manager’s life easier. If you’re lost, ask. It’s always better to ask than to leave someone else to redo your work.

Business Writing (Non-Negotiable)

Business writing is a mandatory skill. Being concise, clear, and able to explain complex situations simply is everything.

Early on, your role will often be:

• Taking notes

• Writing emails

• Consolidating information

Tips to remember:

• Start sentences with actionable verbs

• Ask: What is the main message?

• Cut filler words relentlessly

• Titles must reflect the core message

• Supporting points should flow together as a story

• Every word on a slide matters, and your boss will read all of them

• Do not rely on ChatGPT alone; you must understand what you’re saying

• Use strong business verbs: streamline, align, leverage, consolidate, transform

Meeting Notes That Actually Matter

For business notes:

1. Start with a short summary at the top

   • Thank attendees

   • Highlight next week’s focus and key dates

2. Add an action tracker table:

   • Topic

   • Description

   • Owner

   • Due date

3. Close with key takeaways

   • From three-hour meetings, you should be able to distill meaning into a few bullets

Professional Presence (First Impressions Are Everything)

How you carry yourself becomes who you are in the room. You will be placed in rooms with powerful people; it is important to act the right way. What I learned:

• On the first day with a client or new team, shake everyone’s hand before sitting down

• On the last day, do it again

• Make eye contact with whoever is speaking

• Dress the part

  • Be polished, not distracting

  • Bring a work jacket

  • Wear good shoes

  • For men, belts and shoes always have to match

  • Invest in a nice watch

  • Wear simple jewelry

• Travel light: one bag, one carry-on

• Avoid negativity: long days happen, but energy is remembered

• Go to team dinners, events, and activities

• But most important be kind, curious, and easy to work with

What I Carry With Me

Overall, your first job at a Big 4 is a massive learning experience, and I loved mine. The people I worked with became lifelong friends. I had exceptional teams (minus one truly bad one), an incredible office culture, and constant exposure to smart, driven, inspiring people. Each Big 4 has a personality, make sure yours align with who you are - I absolutely loved PwC and recommend it over the others. PwC values their people, gives great benefits & perks, and the office culture (at least in Chicago) was sociable and warm. I miss the people I work with.

Remember the hours are tough. But the people are not.

And for that, I will always feel grateful.