Code of Practice
Setting the standard for effective consultancy
The MCA is an advocate of high standards and quality service in the management consulting industry. Member firms have jointly developed and signed up to the MCA Code of Practice (download above). This represents the high quality service delivery a client can expect from an MCA member and explains what it means to be a member of the MCA. It is based on the MCA Bylaws.
MCA member firms have to meet stringent entry criteria to become members, and are audited periodically to ensure that these high standards are maintained. Members are all committed to complying with the Code of Practice.
The MCA Code of Practice
MCA members:
- Demonstrate their compliance with the Code before joining the MCA.
- Explicitly renew their commitment to the Code every year.
- Can be audited in the event of a client complaint to the MCA or on the initiative of the MCA Membership Committee. If upheld, complaints can result in reprimand or expulsion.
As members of the MCA, each company will always:
1. Put their client’s interests first: MCA members make sure that the objectives and terms of any assignment, including remuneration, are agreed with the client in advance. In any conflict, the duty to the clients must prevail.
2. Focus on delivering sustainable value to the client: MCA members ensure a clear focus on value and the transfer of knowledge to clients. Client references are always taken up before a company is admitted into the MCA. These must demonstrate high levels of client satisfaction. Member audits also review references from clients.
Click here for a real life example of this part of the Code of Practice
3. Employ people with the right skills and experience to help their client, and continually develop their expertise: MCA members employ at least ten full time consulting staff, with relevant experience and qualifications. They also have formal training and development programmes for their consultants, together with annual performance appraisals.
Click here for a real life example of this part of the Code of Practice
4. Be clear and transparent with the client: MCA members must disclose any information which could influence their ability to work on a particular assignment.
5. Be trustworthy, independent and objective: MCA members keep strictly to all agreements about the confidentiality of information. They all have a management consulting service which is ring-fenced from any other business so that their advice is objective and fact-based. Members only accept work that they are qualified and have the capacity to undertake.
Click here for a real life example of this part of the Code of Practice
6. Be financially strong enough to deliver on their commitments: All MCA members have a track-record in the industry – they have been in operation for at least three years before they join the MCA. They are financially self-supporting and can meet all their liabilities.
For more information on the Code of Practice, please contact lydia.waliszak@mca.org.uk
