Anyone Here Work for Accenture?

PeterNem · 17 Dec 2013 at 20:35

Tunney said:
This is the primary reason why virtually every IT project that Accenture is involved with goes horribly wrong.

Could you cite a reference for that 'fact'?

Sure, there are a couple of high profile examples of projects which for one reason or another have gone wrong, run over time, over budget - but that will be the same for any similar company.

There are also an awful lot of very successful projects... although they're the ones you're much less likely to hear much about.

It's true to say that for the most part one of the reasons the pay is good is that you're expected to work hard and at times take on a lot of responsibility relative to your experience. The 'up or out' mentality and the forced distribution of performance ratings is certainly not perfect; but it does keep people on their toes and stops people stagnating. It's not for everyone and an awful lot of people join as graduates and leave after 3 or 4 years. Part of the reason for that is that generally the calibre of recruits is pretty high and there are always clients or competitors on the prowl to recruit them!

I have an interest to declare in that I've worked for Accenture for 7 years since graduating in 2006; plus as an intern for a year between my second and third year at Uni.

Happy to discuss any specific questions by email (trust message for details).

elmarko · 17 Dec 2013 at 20:44

I've worked with them in the past on a few projects, they have some nice ties.

PeterNem said:
Could you cite a reference for that 'fact'?

I could (should I say).

Terrier_Jimlad · 17 Dec 2013 at 21:22

ermm NPFIT Programme in general, LSP PACS, SystmOne ... care to go on lol

Tunney · 18 Dec 2013 at 00:01

PeterNem said:
Could you cite a reference for that 'fact'?

Sure, there are a couple of high profile examples of projects which for one reason or another have gone wrong, run over time, over budget - but that will be the same for any similar company.

There are also an awful lot of very successful projects... although they're the ones you're much less likely to hear much about.

I don't want to discuss details on a public forum but I saw a lot more failures than just the ones that made it into the media. Projects were almost entirely staffed by very inexperienced employees (either fresh graduates or people in India). It's not surprising that things often went wrong.

Accenture is in the business of winning work not doing work. As a company, they couldn't care less about a project once its won.

dowie · 18 Dec 2013 at 00:48

leaskovski said:
lol, just did that with current company. I wasn't expecting it to be on there, but it was, and boy, was that funny!

especially when people don't disguise themselves well and its obvious who has written a particular review - tis a very useful and revealing site

dowie · 18 Dec 2013 at 00:58

I was previously under the impression that they culled people every couple of years if they were a bit mediocre... Contrary to this a former colleague who was, to put it politely, a bit of a numpty, started working there a few years ago and in spite of this supposed policy is still there now.

londonbairn · 18 Dec 2013 at 07:29

Many consultancies operate similarly, in that they deliberately breed a competitive environment through laddering or however they want to class it. There are definitely politics, like being visible in your functional area is important for promotion etc.

As for the comments about winning work, well for any consultancy their pipeline is vital. The area I worked in cared very much about delivering to the extent that many of the contracts signed would be based on delivery.

Depends what you want. If you want diverse experience across an industry, consultancy is a great place to go to, especially if you want to use it as a springboard to go back into industry after 2 or 3 years. It did me a world of good and I am glad I did my graduate scheme there. Being able to work across multiple functions in the bank, the relationships I built up and the functional models we worked with makes my current role in industry much easier, and my skillset more "valuable"

ahar · 18 Dec 2013 at 07:50

I worked for Accenture for 8 years and left as a senior manager (M4 in the structure). Seen plenty of consultancies and IT firms and they don't seem any better or worse than most. Looks good on the CV to havea stint with them

londonbairn · 18 Dec 2013 at 07:58

I have worked in two in my career and they are very similar. I also know people who work for others and they say the same.

pitchfork · 18 Dec 2013 at 08:35

Worked with some of their people before, bunch of nobheads, all talk, no action.

But what consultants aren't?

snitcher · 18 Dec 2013 at 16:07

panthro said:
There are beans to spill?

baked beans please.

panthro · 18 Dec 2013 at 18:18

Thanks for the info guys; I have a telephone interview this week so will see how it goes. Will trust you Peter if I have any specific questions

Skidder · 18 Dec 2013 at 18:19

pitchfork said:
Worked with some of their people before, bunch of nobheads, all talk, no action.

But what consultants aren't?

niche ones