Big Four Alumni Build Boutique Consulting Rivals for Startups

Some experienced workers from the Big Four accounting firms are starting smaller consulting companies.

These companies want to advise startups, private-equity firms and venture-capital firms.

Many of the new partners previously worked in auditing.

Some audit workers want to move into consulting because auditing can create conflicts of interest.

The boutique firms say they can hire these partners without offering much more pay.

Instead, they offer ownership in the company through equity.

That equity can stay invested even after a partner leaves.

This gives experienced workers another reason to join the smaller consulting firms.