Management Consultancy Association A positive force for the economy

MCA Consulting Industry Report FAQs

Answers to some of our most frequently asked questions on our annual Industry Report

FAQs 

How does the MCA gather its data?
From consulting firms: each January the MCA surveys all its members in order to get detailed information about their performance over the previous year. We also carry out a shorter, mid-year survey of members to get a snapshot of up-to-date trends.

What information does the MCA publish?
The MCA collects and publishes data on fee income, by sector, service and type of firm. It also has detailed data going back to 2002 and higher-level data for around ten years before that, and information on the number of partners, consultants, and employees in its member firms. Our mid-year report provides information on which sectors and services have grown in the first half of the year, and which are expected to grow in the second half. It also contains some operational metrics on utilisation, the value of orders, etc – a section which we plan to expand in 2010.

Does anyone else collect this data?
The MCA is in a unique position because it has been collecting accurate data on its members for many years. We therefore believe that our data is the most authoritative source of information on the UK consulting industry. In the past, Management Consultancy magazine published league tables of consulting firms, but these have not been updated since 2007. Those interested in the consulting industry in Europe may wish to consult FEACO’s reports at www.feaco.org. Information on the global consulting industry can be found at www.kennedyinfo.com.

What firms are included?
The MCA gathers data from its member firms. See our member list.

Does the MCA’s data include league tables of UK consulting firms?
No. Our data is in aggregate only. However, we do segment the data into types of firm. In the past, Management Consultancy magazine published league tables of consulting firms, but these have not been updated since 2007.

Does the MCA’s data only cover the UK?
Yes. Almost all the MCA’s data is about the UK consulting industry, although we do gather some high-level information on fees earned by MCA member firms overseas.

How does the MCA segment consulting firms?
The MCA’s segmentation acknowledges the fact that today’s “consulting” industry spans a wide array of firms, some of which only undertake management consulting work, but many of which are part of larger firms that offer other services such as systems development, outsourcing, audit, tax, corporate finance and engineering consulting.  Firms are categorised into one of six segments:

• Type M firms offer “pure” management consulting only. These are firms that provide management consulting services (strategy, human resources, change management, programme management, financial management, operations, business process re-engineering, economic and environmental consulting, marketing/corporate communications, and outsourcing advice), but not IT consulting.

• Type A firms provide management consulting, accounting, tax and corporate advisory firms. The leaders here are the “Big Four”: Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers, all of which are MCA members. Some “second tier” accounting firms also offer management consulting services, and some of these are also MCA members.

• Type I firms provide both “pure” management and IT consulting; some also carry out systems development work.

• Type E firms share a common heritage in civil engineering and project management. Most are relatively new entrants to the management consulting market.

• Type O firms offer a combination of general management consulting services plus outsourcing/managed services.

• Type C firms combine management consulting with IT systems development and outsourcing/managed services firms. The very biggest players in the consulting industry offer a full range of services from consulting through to delivering a managed service. 

What consulting services are covered in the MCA’s data?
Business process re-engineering 

Change management 

Economic & environmental

     Economic analysis and forecasting
     Environmental audits, assessment and management

Financial 

     Budgeting
     Due diligence
     Financial strategy
     Investment management
     Management accounting
     Procurement

Human resources

     HR strategy
     Interim management
     Outplacement
     Pensions/benefits/compensation
     Performance/training
     Recruitment/executive search

IT consulting 

     Emerging technologies
     Enterprise Resource Planning
     IT consulting

Marketing and corporate communications 

     Brand management
     Customer relationship management
     Market research
     Marketing

Operations Distribution
     Logistics
     Product development & innovation
     Productivity
     Property consulting
     Quality assurance
     Supply chain management

Outsourcing consultancy 

     IT outsourcing
     Business process outsourcing

Programme/project management 

Strategy 

     Corporate venturing
     International development
     Market analysis
     Mergers & acquisitions
     Organisational development
     Risk management
     Value management
  
What sectors are covered in the MCA’s data?
Resources and energy
     Mining, Metals, Forestry & Paper
     Chemicals, Oil & Gas
     Utilities (Electricity, Gas & Water)
Manufacturing
     Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
     Electronic & Electrical Equipt, Engineering & Machinery
     Aerospace & Defence
     Automobiles & Parts
     Consumer Products
     Other Manufacturing

Construction and transport
     Construction & Building Materials
     Transportation & Logistics

Financial services
     Banking
     Insurance
     Life Assurance
     Investment Companies
     Other Finance

Telecoms, high tech and media
     IT Hardware, Software & Computer Services
     Telecommunication Services
     Media & Photography

Services
     Retailing
     Leisure, Entertainment & Hotels
     Business services
     Real Estate
     Private Healthcare

Non-Profit Making Bodies 

Public Sector
     Central Government
     Local Government
     Defence
     International Agencies
     European Commission
     Exec Agencies & NDPBs
     Education (2010 report only)

Does the MCA data include information on fee rates?
No, this is not included in our analysis.

Can you provide historic data?
The MCA has detailed data going back to 2002 and higher-level data available for around ten years before that. If you would like to purchase a copy of our past reports, please contact stephanie.mitchell@mca.org.uk or call 020 7321 3995.