Top Consulting Firms in North America

As you’ve read in the article “The Top Consulting Firms In The World”, the consulting industry is enormous, and at the same time, it is fragmented as well. There are several top consulting firms located all across the globe, but in this article we will be looking specifically at the top consulting firms in North America only.

We’ve compiled our list of the top consulting firms in North America, based on industry rankings and employee feedback. So, read on to learn more about some of the most reputable firms out there in the North American region.

Top Consulting Firms in North America

We have divided our list of top consulting firms in North America into three segments; generalists, specialists, and hybrid players. In order to provide you with a better understanding of these top consulting firms, we shall go into some of their key details. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

The Generalist Players

First, we will examine the top consulting firms in North America that are considered to be generalists. Typically, these businesses are regarded as competent in a variety of areas, but not as experts in a particular expertise. In addition, because of the adaptability of their abilities, they are able to bridge talent gaps and satisfy immediate needs.

The following are firms that are regarded as the generalist players.

#1. McKinsey & Company

McKinsey & Company is an internationally recognized management consulting firm and part of the “MBB” category. The company was founded way back in 1926 in Chicago, USA, by Marvin Bower and James O. McKinsey, a professor at the University of Chicago.

Some of the company’s key competencies and capabilities include strategy and management, finance and risk, human capital, operations research, innovation and development, sales and marketing, and technology and digital.

This multinational management consulting firm has offices in over 65 countries and 135+ cities, and has an overall company size of well over 30,000 employees.

#2. Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group is an American management consulting company as well as a part of the “MBB” category of consulting firms. It is known as one of the largest firms across the globe and was founded by Bruce Henderson in 1963. Moreover, the firm has its headquarters in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States.

Also known as BCG, the firm specializes in a few capabilities such as strategy, marketing and sales, operations, consumer insight, corporate development, corporate finance, digital economy, globalization, growth, information technology, innovation, people & organization, post-merger integration, risk management, sustainability, and transformation.

In terms of revenue, the BCG is arguably one of the largest firms in the world, and currently, its company strength is approximately 21,000+ employees across all its offices.

#3. Bain & Company

Bain & Company is another American management consulting firm and also part of the “MBB” category of firms. It is one of the biggest consulting firms in the world and was established in the year 1973. Bill Bain, a former group vice president of Boston Consulting Group, and some of his associates, including Patrick F. Graham, are credited as the founding fathers of this firm.

Some of the capabilities that Bain is recognized to specialize in are; strategy, customer strategy & marketing, performance improvement, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, organization, results delivery, information technology, and corporate renewal.

At present, Bain & Company has a total strength of well over 13,000 employees across all of its offices around the globe.

#4. B2B Consulting & Training Services

B2B Consulting & Training Services is a consulting and training firm committed to assisting businesses in acquiring the business knowledge and skills necessary to be profitable and sustainable. This management consultancy was formed in the year 2012 by Gayle Newcomb. Moreover, the firm is located in Dyer, Indiana, United States.

This management consulting firm performs several capabilities including program development and management, strategic planning, contract compliance monitoring and reporting, on site and desk audits, change action monitoring, customized compliance system, diversity research and disparity studies, federal government contracting, business strategy and management, and project management.

B2B Consulting & Training Services has a team comprising of Gayle Newcomb (the founder and managing director), Joseph Newcomb (senior business developer), and Linda Kelly (senior consultant manager).

#5. L.E.K Consulting

L.E.K Consulting was established in the year 1983 as a global strategic consulting organisation. It has offices in London and Boston, while its headquarters are in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Three partners from Bain & Company, James Lawrence, Iain Evans, and Richard Koch are regarded as the co-founders of this consulting firm.

The firm specialises in a number of functional areas, including advanced analytics, mergers and acquisitions, operations and organisation, marketing and sales, and strategy.

Currently, L.E.K Consulting employs a workforce of well over 1400 employees worldwide across its 19 offices.

#6. Oliver Wyman

Oliver Wyman is a US-based management consulting firm. Alex Oliver and Bill Wyman, former partners at Booz Allen Hamilton, launched the business in New York City in 1984. The company’s headquarters are located in New York, United States.

The consulting firm specializes in a number of areas, such as strategy consulting, management consulting, financial services consulting, global management consultancy, strategy, operations, risk management, organization transformation, actuarial consulting, healthcare, aviation, automotive, sustainability, and corporate finance.

Oliver Wyman has more than 60 offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, with a total workforce in excess of 5,000 employees.

#7. Bainbridge Consulting

Bainbridge Consulting is a global strategic and management consulting services company. The firm has provided unparalleled insights to the Fortune 1000 since its inception in 1975. Moreover, Bainbridge Consulting has its headquarters in California, USA.

The global strategic consulting firm performs a number of capabilities including strategies and solutions, customer intelligence, data analytics, market research, sales & marketing, research & development, operations, and more.

Bainbridge Consulting is spread all over the globe from California, New York, and Latin America, to Europe and Asia as well. It has a company strength of not more than 200 employees.

#8. USC Consulting Group

USC Consulting Group is a management consulting company that was formed way back in 1968. The firm has offices in the United States and Canada, and has its headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA.

The North American-based firm specializes in several capabilities including management consulting, operations, process improvement, supply chain management, operations management, and continuous improvement.

USC Consulting Group has a total company size of in excess of 150+ employees across its offices in North America.

The Specialist Players

Now, let’s examine the top consulting firms in North America that are recognized as specialists in this field. These consulting businesses are specialists in their respective fields. They are the consultants with expertise in project management, deliverables, and problem-solving.

The following are firms that are regarded as the specialist players.

#1. Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton is an American management and information technology consulting firm based in McLean, Virginia, in the Greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. On June 18, 1914, Edwin G. Booz, James L. Allen, and Carl L. Hamilton founded the company. Moreover, the company has its headquarters in Virginia, USA.

Since almost a century ago, the company has been at the forefront of strategy and technology. Other competencies of the organization include organization, change, process improvement, program management, human capital, Learning, communications, systems engineering and integration, public infrastructure, supply chain and logistics, and cybersecurity solutions.

At present, Booz Allen Hamilton has a workforce of well over 29,500 people across 80 offices throughout the world.

#2. Heidrick & Struggles

Heidrick & Struggles was established in the year 1953 as an international executive search agency. The company’s headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States. In addition, the corporation includes a consulting division that focuses on leadership and corporate culture development.

The international executive search agency provides a variety of services, including executive recruitment, leadership consulting, and culture shaping.

At present, Heidrick & Struggles has more than 1,600 employees in over 50 offices across 6 continents.

#3. Bangerter, Lund & Associates

Bangerter, Lund & Associates is a full-service accounting firm licensed in Utah, USA. The firm was formed way back in 1981 and offers a wide array of services for business owners, executives, and independent professionals. Moreover, the firm is very affordable, experienced, and friendly and ensures credibility and stability.

The North American firm specializes in a number of capabilities such as tax, audit, accounting services, and quickbooks services.

Bangerter, Lund & Associates has a total employee capacity ranging between 11 to 50 employees, as per LinkedIn.

#4. McConnell HR Consulting

McConnell HR Consulting is a boutique management consulting firm specializing in Human Resource outsourcing. The firm was incorporated in the year 2002 and has offices in Ottawa (Canada) and New York (United States) as well as in the Caribbean. Moreover, the consulting firm has its headquarters in Ottawa, Canada.

The HR consulting firm specializes in several capabilities such as human resource outsourcing, organizational design, HR strategy, compensation management, performance management, recruitment & selection, HR planning, career development, and strategy & structure.

Since McConnell HR Consulting is a boutique firm, their company size is relatively smaller than other firms and hence, their employee count ranges between 2 to 10 employees.

#5. Clear HR Consulting

Clear HR Consulting is a Vancouver-based human resource consulting company. The specialist firm has been delivering clear, practical, results-driven HR solutions to small and medium-sized businesses in the Metro Vancouver region since its inception in 2004.

The North American consulting firm specializes in a few capabilities such as human resources consulting, human resources solutions, leadership assessments, HR audit, and HR retainer.

Clear HR Consulting has a small company size of between 2 to 10 employees, as per LinkedIn.

#6. Vizient, Inc

Vizient, Inc is a management consulting company and USA’s largest health care performance improvement firm. It was founded way back in 1977 and has its headquarters in Irving, Texas, United States. Moreover, the firm has several subsidiaries such as Sg2, LLC, Provista LLC, Intalere, Inc., and more.

This privately held health care company performs many capabilities such as analytics, consulting, contracting, performance improvement, revenue cycle management, supply chain, and health care quality.

Vizient, Inc is a large management consulting and health care firm and hence, their company size is pretty large too. At present, the firm has a total employee count ranging between 1,000 to 5,000 employees, as per LinkedIn.

#7. Carr, Riggs, and Ingram LLC

Carr, Riggs, & Ingram LLC is one of the largest accounting firms in the United States. Currently, it is ranked as a top 20 accounting firm nationally. Moreover, the firm came into existence in the year 1997 with its headquarters in Southern Alabama, in the US.

There are a number of capabilities performed by the firm including business consulting, forensic accounting, IT audit and assurance, SEC compliance, service organization control (SOC) reports, tax, investment banking services, management consulting, and wealth management.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram is regarded as a key player in the professional industry and has a company size of around 2,000+ employees in total.

The Hybrid Players

Lastly, let us take a look at the top consulting firms in North America that provide business and IT services frequently. These companies are referred to as hybrid players. They provide solutions that are customized to the customer’s demands. Moreover, they provide a comprehensive variety of services, from planning to implementation.

The following are firms that are regarded as hybrid players.

#1. Gartner

Gartner is a management consulting and technological research company. The firm was founded by Gideon Gartner in the year 1979. Besides, the firm has its headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, in the United States. Moreover, the firm has a few subsidiaries including Capterra, The Corporate Executive Board Company, and more.

The IT company specializes in several areas including finance, human resources, customer service and support, legal and compliance, marketing, sales, and supply chain functions professional advice and tools.

Gartner has offices in many countries across the globe and presently has a total company strength of around 16,600 employees across all its offices.

#2. Bailey Brand Consulting

Bailey Brand Consulting is a strategic and marketing and branding consulting firm that provides a host of services to its clients. The firm was founded by Chris Bailey in the year 1985. Moreover, it has its headquarters in Pennsylvania, United States.

The firm boasts of a number of capabilities such as branding, brand strategy, innovation solutions, digital media, marketing, website development, product packaging, brand management, brand creation, and market insight.

The marketing and branding consulting firm has a total company size of between 50 to 200 employees in total.

#3. Huron Consulting Group

Huron Consulting Group, which is also simply known as Huron, is an American management consulting firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Gary E. Holdren is regarded to have founded the company in March, in the year 2002.

The core competencies of the management consulting firm include strategy, technology, operations, advisory, and analytics.

Currently, Huron consulting group has a global network consisting of more than 3,000 employees located in numerous countries all over the world.

#4. DXC Technology

DXC Technology is an American international IT service and consulting firm with headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, USA. The firm was founded in April in the year 2017. Moreover, it has several subsidiaries including Luxoft, Xchanging, CSC Computer Sciences Ltd, and more.

The IT and consulting firm provides a number of services and its capabilities include information technology services, consulting, cloud services, application management, analytics and engineering, IT outsourcing, insurance BPaas and BPO, security, and more.

DXC Technology is spread across 70+ countries and has a total employee count of in excess of 130,000+ employees across all its offices.

#5. Clarkston Consulting

Clarkston Consulting is a management and technology consulting firm that was founded in the year 1991. The firm has its headquarters in North Carolina, USA. Moreover, the consulting tech company has several subsidiaries including FoodLogiQ, Enlight Research, and Clarkson Consulting Health Informatics.

The North Carolina-based firm excels in several capabilities including business consulting, management consulting, IT strategy & execution, process excellence, people & organizational effectiveness, life sciences, consumer products, operations consulting, and SAP.

As per its Linked profile, Clarkston Consulting has a total company size of about 430+ employees.

Closing Thoughts

As most of you know, the consulting industry is evolving ever so quickly. And as you’ve read above, the top consulting firms in North America have had a big role to play in this regard.

In this article, we covered most of the region’s top consulting firms in North America, but we are not done yet. There are still more firms in the region that we will be adding to this list over the coming days or weeks, so stay tuned.