Anyone else feel a little soulless at a massive consulting firm? I feel like we talk about being mission driven / having values etc. etc. but it feels so fake. We just want money. I know for a fact if we could find a way to get billable hours out of it we would have an assassination practice....

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Posting as :
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Yep, those messages are mostly to impress clients

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That’s some deep shit MD1.

I sold my soul for a paycheck, best decision I ever made

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Not "a little soulles" - totally and irreversably soulless. But the good news is that at some point you might just run out of f**ks to give and become completely numb to BS that surrounds you. Good luck!

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That numbness might be what it takes to make partner...I realized this after only a few months in.

Go government consulting then.

If you guys had an assassination practice it would be lit and I’d join for sure😂

It would be like the CIA’s DCS, but actually pays well

Related Posts

Partners or whomever can help me understand about billing and hours. To keep things simple, let’s say you only have one staff to work 1,700 billable hours a year on a $60k salary and you have only one job that and the rate charged to the client is $300/hour and an projected hours budget of 1,700 hours. So ideally you would have revenue of $510k. If the staff takes less time partners make less money and if they take more time partners make more money while the staff keeps the same salary?

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Tech implementation folks, what is your utilization target (hrs/week)? How many hours do you actually work per week (incl. admin/non-billable work)?

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Ok, maybe this has been done before, but I want to get a real life sense of the difference between EPLI and Private L&E (management side) practices. Let's do a poll:

1.) Primary source of business: EPLI or Private Companies?

2.) Number of matters you are currently working on

3.) Average billable rate (your year)

4.) Normal working hours/wk

5.) Percentages: Litigation vs Counseling

6.) Type of firm: ID, Big 4, Boutique, BigLaw, etc.

I'll kick things off in comments.

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What's up everyone? I saw a salary survey posted earlier. What do y'all think I should make at a litigation boutique that handles primarily business litigation on a contingency fee? No billable hours.

Salary survey:

Base:
Years:
Number of attorneys:
Yearly billable requirements:
Bonus:

I started at a new firm this year in January. I had a billable goal that was given to me mid year of around 1750 house for the year. I am nowhere near that and definitely will not meet the goal. I had so many non billable hours I was forced to take when I first came in. I worked my ass off in busy season. At my previous firm I never fell short of hours as it was B4. This firm is mid sized and more focused on WLB. My question is how bad do you think this will affect my comp??

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What are firm’s known billable requirements? Is there a ramp up period?

I’ve worked the last nine years for my state legislature as an attorney analyst, drafting and analyzing proposed legislation. I’ve primarily worked on health professional regulations. Next year, I will apply for student loans forgiveness under the public service program and would like a change. I know others who have gone into lobbying/government relations, but I would like to find other options to pursue. I’ve never done billable work so not sure if law firm life is for me. Any suggestions?

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That moment when your "smart" plan to boost your hours this month by working the Labor Day weekend (thus turning down all the fun plans your friends made) becomes sitting on your hands & feeling dumb because all the partners are too busy to delegate anything. The worst kind of "off" day is one you planned to /wanted to work, but there's no billable work...

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15+ years experience in Forensic Accounting. What would be considered fair pay in the NYC area? Average yearly Billings was 2,500, however recently took over the building out of systems, training younger staff, more marketing in a set region; basically more non billable work.

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Has anyone transitioned from Tax to RM? Could you share your experience and pros/cons of the change? Really want to get out of client facing/billable work, but I like my firm. Thank you!

What are your current billable hours and salary? Is anyone actually on a good ratio with this - would love to hear

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Apps for keeping track of billable hours?

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When your firm requires billable hours, how are they calculated? Actual vs realized (I.e. what you put on your billing sheet vs what is billed to the client). Does your firm differentiate? Which number do they go by? My mind is somehow not comprehending how some big law hours are under my small firm requirement?

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EOY review time! Boutique firm with large workload. I’ve signed multiple clients and met my billable requirements in the months I’ve been here. Is a 20k raise request reasonable?

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What's a reasonable amount of billable hours for a first year? How do you adjust to not having much free time?

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Some good news after almost 11 months of applying and interviews and lots of rejections finally got an offer! In NYC small firm, ex big law folks, no billable hours, niche practice area, appearance of forwarded thinking firm, remote till who knows when, emphasis on pro bono initiatives and building book of business. The catch salary. Was making around 140k at last firm with 1800 billable. Offer is 85k and revist to bump to around 100k in several months after review (plus discretionary bonus)

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Does your company track billable hours? And is it actual billable or scheduled billable?

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Do you record your unbillable time? I have had conflicting responses. I have been told it's not good for efficiency calculations but others have told me if your still doing work let people know. For example, I get weird international stuff sometimes that not everyone gets (I think maybe? ) and I need to reread the 5471 rules or 8865 rules as I do the returns. I have been told not to bill for this but if I didn't have to spend time to do such things my billable hours would be higher

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So, I'm happy at my current job and have been there about 18 months. Our pay is probably 15% below market (AmLaw 100) but so are our billable requirements. An interview for another firm kind of fell into my lap, and I'm debating whether to take it just for the sake of seeing what market really is. Is there something shady about interviewing somewhere you're not totally committed to accepting an offer from?

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More Posts

I hate that the confession bowl has turned into the politics bowl. This used to be a fun bowl. Somebody send me an invite for the super secret confession bowl.

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What are consulting exit options in Middle East? Just trying to see what's out there in the market and see if something makes sense. Any guidance would be appreciated.

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I need help. My 5 year old is throwing tantrums all the time. Last night she told my husband she wished he was dead and tonight she “checked me off” - any resources that have helped for similar situations?

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To anyone who is good with numbers, please help me in improving the accuracy or efficiency of this data.
I have the range of 31-32, but I need to increase this number(s) to almost 90.

Post Photo
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Can anyone explain rating structure of BDO RISE?

Tips for desk research heavy projects (lots of reading, processing and synthesising information): how do you do it? Are certain meds better/worse? Modafinil feels better for reading and processing info but stimulants better for focus and executing tasks.

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Hi,
I have a couple of questions -
1. What is the average bonus pay for WM division ? I asked HR and he did not quote any range.
2. How long it takes to promote to 602 given an average to above average performer.
Thanks

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I have a lot of student debt from law school. I’ve refinanced a couple of times and received the best fixed rate available, but I’ve seen others refinance with a variable rate which of course is lower. I’ve read some other comments of people refinancing at a super low variable rate....isn’t this risky? Of course I am afraid of going variable and then the interest rates going up a lot. Am I missing something?

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Someone mind sharing their diagnosis journey? Did you start with a therapist or a psychiatrist? Virtual or in-person? How long did it take?

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$3200/month is worth for Riyadh in Saudi? Having offer from Accenture of 35L. Riyad is better or staying at India n join to Accenture is good?

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Got offer from coforge.
Test Specialist role.
Is the test Specialist role equivalent to manager and
Is they provide work from home?

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PwC India HR had asked me to submit documents on Tuesday which i did, how long will they take to communicate further. Don't want this opportunity to slip through my hands.PwC India

Hi fishes, iam an ASE my project team is not good ,partially,toxic minds,. I don't want to be under my manager need rolloff but they are not releasing ... Even HR is not responding anything Should I connect with sr. Manager?? And explain all the politics going in project? Please give suggestion

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Has TCS revised the stiphen for Band S?

What are the names of some client-side internal creative depts/internal “agencies”? I know Disney has Yellow Shoes, but what are some others?

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Hi All

I have two offers
Mphasis 21.5L CTC
Birlasoft 24L CTC

Which one is the best in terms of career growth ?

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Is it hard getting into Dumbo House?

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Any recommendations on a good, light weight backpack for traveling? Female, no budget, just looking for quality and practical.

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I miss being a bright-eyed & bushy-tailed young creative. This industry has left me tired & jaded. Womp womp.

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Additional Posts in Consulting

We are at the stage where everyone is expected to work even when we have COVID. I cannot stay in this job for another year 🥺😞

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funnylikesmart

I'm new to the consulting world. Can someone tell me what the difference is between consulting support and staff augmentation support?

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going to be alt-traveling to Detroit at least once a month. need living accommodations once my marriott points inevitably run out. is Airbnb my best option?

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Fucking hate Delta. Missed my flight. I was with my 4 months old 👶 daughter. She was hungry and crying I requested em to let me check in bag early instead waiting in Line. They said no. Morons.

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Does anyone know a hidden gem for dress shirts and suits? I haven’t found a good place that sells the clothes with the slim fit I like for cheap. H&M is like the closest place I found that is cheap & slim fit but it’s not that great if you’re 6’2 or taller … I’m guessing the best option will be to find a local tailor 🤔

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Hey fishies! Super curious...What do you redeem for your recognition awards?

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This Indian matchmaking show on Netflix is ridiculous. Does this actually go on still?

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Got a verbal offer from Capgemini almost 3 weeks ago. Any chance of getting an offer letter anytime soon lol? Job's in Krakow, Poland.

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Hi, anyone can give information about FTI Consulting? I’d love to get more details if anyone can share anything for systems implementations (capital projects). Salary? Life work balance, etc? Thanks

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After a year using my home office setup, especially the 27 inch monitor, how can I ever go back to the traveling life with tiny laptop screen? 😔

likesmart

Did the wsj pwc layoff article ever happen

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Ugh. Deloitte is making it impossible for me to find out the salary range and the compensation ratio for my position. Anyone with suggestions for a GPS pursuit manager within enabling areas? Other big four: what’s the average salary for this position at your firms?

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Went on three dates in last three weeks. Two of them backed out when they came to know that I travel everyweek. The one left was unhappy this morning when I got up at 4 to catch my flight. FML !

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what difference does 109% vs. 100% utilization make at Year End? Latter basically means you took your PTO, former means you worked every minute of the year (Consulting, S&O)

I had 200% utilization for the two weeks for the month. Will hat get flagged for something? Honestly worked all those hours and am burnt out too..

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When it's been a day so you order steak. 🥩🍷

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Hi consulting bowl, I’m looking to apply to LEK for U.S. associate role starting in February. Is anybody willing to have a chat with me which can possibly lead to a referral?

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If anyone is looking for a referral to Point B, shoot me a DM, happy to help!

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I seriously feel at my best if I get at least 8.5-9hrs of uninterrupted sleep. Can anyone else relate?

I just feel tired and depressed all the time on ~7hrs of sleep on a daily. Is consulting not for me?

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