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Consulting Analyst job description

A Consulting Analyst is the entry point into a consulting firm. They do the research, data gathering, modelling and slide building that support a consultant or manager on an engagement. The role is where raw analytical skill is turned into consulting craft. A good Consulting Analyst produces clean, accurate analysis fast, asks the right clarifying questions before starting, and makes the consultant's job easier by delivering exactly what was asked with a bit more insight than expected.

DetailFor this role
DepartmentCA and Consulting
LevelEntry level
Reports toConsultant
Direct reportsNone
ExperienceFresher or up to 2 years in analysis or research

Consulting Analyst job description template

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Job title: Consulting Analyst

Department: CA and Consulting

Reports to: Consultant

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

A Consulting Analyst is the entry point into a consulting firm. They do the research, data gathering, modelling and slide building that support a consultant or manager on an engagement. The role is where raw analytical skill is turned into consulting craft. A good Consulting Analyst produces clean, accurate analysis fast, asks the right clarifying questions before starting, and makes the consultant's job easier by delivering exactly what was asked with a bit more insight than expected.

Key responsibilities

  • Gather data from client systems, public sources and research databases for the engagement.
  • Clean and structure data so it is ready for analysis, and check it for errors.
  • Build and update financial and operational models under the consultant's direction.
  • Run the analysis assigned and summarise the findings clearly for the consultant.
  • Prepare slides and exhibits that present the analysis accurately and cleanly.
  • Conduct secondary research on the market, competitors and the client's industry.
  • Support client interviews by preparing questions and writing up notes.
  • Fact check numbers and sources in deliverables before they go out.
  • Keep analysis files and data organised so the team can find and reuse them.
  • Ask clarifying questions before starting a task to avoid rework.

Requirements

  • Graduate or postgraduate in commerce, economics, engineering or management
  • Strong quantitative and Excel skills
  • An MBA or a data analysis certification is an advantage
  • Fresher or up to 2 years in analysis or research

KRAs and KPIs for a Consulting Analyst

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result areaHow to measure it
Analysis accuracyAnalysis and models delivered accurately with few errors found on review
TurnaroundAssigned tasks completed within the time the consultant sets
Data qualityData cleaned and validated before it is used in any analysis
Slide qualityExhibits built accurately and cleanly, usable with minimal edits
Research depthSecondary research returns relevant, well sourced insight on time
ReliabilityDeliverables fact checked so numbers hold up in client meetings

Skills and tools

Data analysisFinancial modellingMS ExcelMS PowerPointSecondary researchData cleaningAttention to detailSpeed with accuracyWillingness to learn

Tools used day to day: MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Research databases, Data analysis tools, Survey tools.

Reporting line and career path

ConsultantConsulting Analyst
Moves up from: Graduate Trainee, Business Analyst, Research Intern
Next roles: Consultant, Senior Consultant, Data Analyst

Interview questions for a Consulting Analyst

  1. How would you check a dataset for errors before you start analysing it?
  2. Build me a quick estimate: how many delivery riders does a city of two million need?
  3. Walk me through a model or analysis you built in college or a past job.
  4. You are given a vague task with a tight deadline. How do you start?
  5. How do you make sure a number on a slide is correct before it reaches the client?
  6. What sources would you use to research an industry you know nothing about?

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Frequently asked questions

What does a consulting analyst do?

A consulting analyst is the entry role in a consulting firm. They gather and clean data, build models, run analysis, research markets and build slides to support a consultant or manager on an engagement. It is where raw analytical skill becomes consulting craft. Analysts make the consultant's job easier by delivering accurate, well sourced work quickly.

What is the difference between a consulting analyst and a consultant?

A consulting analyst supports an engagement with research, data, modelling and slides under direction. A consultant owns a workstream, decides the analysis needed, runs client interviews and turns findings into recommendations. The analyst executes tasks; the consultant frames the problem and handles more of the client relationship.

How do you become a consulting analyst?

Most consulting analysts are graduates or postgraduates in commerce, economics, engineering or management with strong quantitative and Excel skills, either freshers or with up to two years of analysis or research experience. Firms test structured thinking, estimation and analytical ability in interviews. An MBA or a data analysis certification helps you stand out.