Consulting Adding Value
by Graduan.com.my
Accenture set the record straight on careers in consulting to business
Management consulting has always had that sheen of professional glamour about it. Jet-setting all over the world. Working with major multinationals across various industries. Rubbing shoulders with top management.
Advising the best corporate minds. And a name card bearing the logo of Accenture speaks volumes about your capability and intelligence.
Despite this, few graduates know fully what consulting is about. After all, it is not exactly a subject taught in university like Auditing or Engineering. To get a better picture of the hard work that goes on behind the glamorous façade, we speak to Accenture.
Accenture is one of the world’s leading management consulting, technology services and outsourcing companies. With more than 186,000 people in 52 countries, it has clients in nearly every major industry.
SO, YOU WANT TO BE A CONSULTANT?
There are various types of consulting. At Accenture, consulting covers all aspects of the business, including business consulting, technology consulting and systems integration consulting aimed at creating value for clients to improve and bring innovation to their business.
“At Accenture, we apply deep industry and functional expertise to bring change and innovation to our clients’ business. In other words, we help clients achieve high performance,” says Mr Lee Vee Meng, Senior Executive and Partner with Accenture.
So, it should come as no surprise that many consultancies hire graduates with diverse qualifications. It is not, as some may think, a career for only those with business majors. “We look for candidates from a wide range of disciplines – Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Sciences, Business/Commerce, Economics, Organisational Psychology, Human Resources, Management, Political Science, Finance and Law.
“Our consulting professionals design, sell and deliver comprehensive business solutions, drawing upon the knowledge across
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At Accenture, we apply deep industry and functional expertise to bring efficiency, certainty and strategic flexibility to our clients’ business needs. In other words, we help clients achieve high performance.
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Accenture’s global network. They also develop and apply expertise in an industry, business, technical or functional area.
“Consulting people work closely with clients, often in a fast-paced and highly collaborative environment. They work in and learn from teams that bring together relevant expertise from across Accenture. Consulting work typically takes place at client sites, often requiring travel,” Lee expounds.
OPPORTUNITIES IN CONSULTING
According to Lee, a consultant in Accenture will belong to one of three consulting workforces, working across several industry groups and developing a broad set of skills that will best position you for future success.
Management Consulting:
• Focuses on improving management practices and business function which includes strategy, supply chain management, customer relationship management, talent and organisation performance and process and innovation performance.
• Uses industry or functional expertise and critical thinking skills to help clients determine where they are on their journey to high performance and design realistic and achievable strategies to address their key business priorities. Systems Integration Consulting:
• Delivers large-scale, complex systems that marry processes with technology to help clients achieve high performance. Specialises in the design, development, integration and delivery of functional and industry solutions and processes for clients based on existing packages such as SAP and PeopleSoft or custom-built systems.
Technology Consulting:
• Delivers technology innovation and serve as the backbone of Accenture’s systems integration business. Specialises in designing enterprise architecture and technology solutions, assess and diagnose technology environments, design technology infrastructure such as networks, security and platforms, setting strategies, and finetune technology environments for optimal performance.
THE ACCENTURE ADVANTAGE
“The main reason people choose a career at Accenture is because of the work we do. The sheer scale of capabilities and client engagements differentiates us from most other companies. Many of our clients are global organisations, so you’ll craft business solutions and build systems that affect companies around the world,” Lee comments.
Lee lists four reasons why you should consider a career with Accenture:
Wide variety of projects. Working on projects in various industries, Accenture offers the widest range of job opportunities in Southeast-Asia and around the world: cross-industry, cross-function and cross-border.
Accelerated career development. Accenture encourages its people to develop their skills and confidence. Employees get the chance to become top performers by working with the best people worldwide to solve problems and doing what hasn’t been done before.
Leading client exposure. Accenture’s clients are some of the world’s best and biggest companies. Household names come to Accenture for help with their most difficult technology challenges. So the work it does is not only important, it also has an impact: the results change the everyday life of people all around us. Accenture people work on vital assignments for FORTUNE® Global 500 clients to help them achieve high performance.
Active community commitment Accenture actively encourages staff to play an active role in community life – charity, welfare, leisure, sports or any other activity that helps society grow.
WORKING AT ACCENTURE
Fresh graduates join as analysts in the Consulting Workforce or associate software engineers in the Services Workforce. Internship programmes are also available.
The company offers training programmes at every level to help you acquire and build core and specialised skills faster. You will have the opportunity to assess your skills and undergo a structured learning programme to meet your development needs.
“At Accenture, we believe career success is largely defined by continuous professional development, building highly specialised skills and gaining insights into a range of businesses and issues.
“And because Accenture works with the leading industry players globally, you will find opportunities to accelerate your career beyond what could be achieved with many other employers,” Lee explains.
To find out more or to apply, visit: accenture.com/malaysiagrads
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Life in Accenture
Iliyas joined Accenture Malaysia as a graduate. Now, an analyst for the for consulting practice, he talks about his career.
What has been your most interesting experience at Accenture?
I have just rolled off from a project with a national oil company’s trading outfit. I worked with a team to assess the company’s risk management capabilities and provide recommendations to enhance them.
What advice would you give anyone wanting to join Accenture.
Working in Accenture is different from working in other companies. You have to be resourceful, learn things fast and do things even faster. There are people to help and support you, but at the end of the day, you have to make things happen. Stay focused and motivated, and you will be successful.
What can graduates expect from their experience at Accenture?
The most important factor in shaping your career experience is, of course, you – the skills, goals and motivations that you bring to work every day.
At Accenture, we work for a company with a globally recognised brand and reputation. Accenture is a respected organisation with core values that shape its culture and character and guide how we act and make decisions. The work challenges us to consider new, innovative ideas and be open to new possibilities. The work is demanding, but there are strong support networks in place to help you along the way – from motivated and talented co-workers, to supportive leaders and supervisors, and internal communities that complement your work experiences with mentoring, coaching, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities.
You will soon see there is something unique about the people with whom you work. In exchange for your efforts, you will have a range of opportunities to learn, grow and expand your expertise through on-the-job experiences and formal and informal training. You will be rewarded and recognised through various programmes designed to acknowledge your contributions.
Are you Accenture material?
“We’re looking for motivated and exceptional graduates to join our consulting and technology teams – talented people with the potential to become leaders. A career with Accenture provides you with great opportunities to build market-relevant skills in both transferable and specialist areas,” adds Lee.
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