As People Consulting Partner at KPMG with a varied career background, Tim Payne has a people-focused perspective on the Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) accreditation process. His insights highlight the accreditation’s role in professionalising consulting and the personal growth it fosters.
Tim, a finalist in the ChMC of the Year category at the 2024 MCA Awards, relates how he achieved chartered status and how he believes the accreditation benefits the profession.
On the impetus for ChMC accreditation:
“The idea of professionalising management consulting was something I found very appealing,” he explains. “Back when the Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) accreditation was first introduced, my boss, Nigel Slater, who was the head of consulting for KPMG at the time, was a strong advocate for it.”
We’d always seen our colleagues in accounting and tax go through rigorous processes to enter their professions. These established qualifications offered a clear mark of quality, and consultants across the industry have lacked an equivalent. It was clear that management consulting deserved the same level of recognition, and I was delighted to be part of the initial pilot program for the ChMC accreditation.
“There was a sense of duty involved as well. Senior consultants like myself have a responsibility to elevate the profession. Part of achieving that involves demonstrating our commitment to professional development and upholding high quality standards. The ChMC accreditation journey became a way to showcase this commitment.”
The Significance of the ChMC Journey:
“The ChMC process itself was a valuable learning experience. In our day-to-day consulting work, we rarely get the chance to step back and take stock. What does it truly mean to be a well-rounded consultant? What are the essential skills for success? The ChMC criteria helped me to consider these questions. It provided a framework for evaluating my strengths and weaknesses, and for identifying areas where I could improve.
“For someone early in their career, the ChMC journey can be a roadmap for targeted development. For someone more senior, it’s a chance to reflect on your career path and the skills you’ve acquired along the way. It even helps you identify ways to mentor junior colleagues as they embark on their own development journeys.
Finally, Tim highlights the value of ChMC as external validation. He says:
The ChMC designation serves as an external validation of my expertise. It’s a way of saying that I’ve undergone a rigorous development process and that a third-party body has endorsed my skills and experience.
Of course, the ChMC accreditation is still relatively new. The true impact will be felt when it becomes more widely recognised and sought-after. Imagine job descriptions that explicitly mention ChMC accreditation as a requirement! The more consultants who pursue this designation, the sooner we’ll reach that tipping point.
On the confidence boost from achieving Chartered status:
“Personally, achieving Chartered status was a moment of validation. The self-doubt that plagues many consultants, myself included, can be a significant hurdle. Earning the ChMC designation provided external confirmation that I was on the right track. Consultants crave feedback, and this accreditation process delivers valuable reassurance.
On the importance of ethics in consulting:
Among the various ChMC competencies, ‘consulting operating environment’ resonates most strongly with me. For consultants, everything revolves around the client. Understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations is paramount. However, the emphasis on ethics is equally important. It’s always been a cornerstone of the profession, but its explicit inclusion in the framework ensures that future generations of consultants will develop with a strong foundation in ethical considerations.
“As consultants, we grapple with tough questions – are we advising what clients want or what they truly need? Can we deliver honest advice even if it means losing a project? The ethical dimension is crucial.”
Tim admits to being uneasy with attention but conveys the significant satisfaction he’d feel if he were to win the ChMC of the Year at the MCA Awards 2024, stating:
“The prospect of winning the ChMC Consultant of the Year award is both humbling and slightly terrifying! Recognition from my peers, who are themselves highly accomplished, would be incredibly rewarding. But the spotlight isn’t exactly my comfort zone. Let’s just say I’ll deal with that bridge if I ever have to cross it.”
Tim’s varied career path, encompassing consulting and in-house roles across different industries, has shaped his perspective. He explains:
Looking back on my path to becoming Chartered, the biggest takeaway is the importance of acquiring the skills outlined in the ChMC framework. While some may be specific to consulting, others are more broadly applicable. My own career path has been varied – a mix of consulting and in-house roles across different industries and teams (tax, deals, consulting). This diversity has been invaluable. It’s allowed me to develop empathy for clients and gain a deeper understanding of their realities.
Tim strongly recommends the ChMC designation to others, concluding:
“So, to anyone considering the ChMC designation, I say go for it! It’s an opportunity to step back, reflect on the bigger picture of our profession, and truly understand what it means to be a consultant, not just someone with a consulting job. There’s a world of difference between the two.”
Find out more about the Chartered Management Consultant Award.