By Joseph Fromer, Director, Landing Point Consulting
Consulting can be a valuable career path for professionals, but it is often a misunderstood career path. The reality is that consulting can offer professionals flexibility, competitive compensation, exposure to different projects, and in some cases, a direct path to a full-time opportunity. Understanding what consulting actually looks like can help candidates make more informed decisions about whether it is the right fit for their career.
In this video, Joseph Fromer, Director on Landing Point Consulting’s team, breaks down some of the most common myths and facts surrounding consulting opportunities.
Watch the Video
[Joseph Fromer, Director at Landing Point Consulting, breaks down common myths and facts about consulting opportunities.]
Key Takeaways
One common misconception is that companies only hire consultants when something has gone wrong. In reality, organizations bring in consultants for many different reasons. Companies experiencing growth, implementing new technology, managing large-scale projects, or navigating other business initiatives may turn to consultants for additional expertise and support.
For candidates, consulting can also create opportunities that extend beyond the initial assignment. Some positions are structured as contract-to-hire, providing a clear path toward a full-time role. In other cases, consultants may have the opportunity to be converted based on their performance, headcount approval, and the company’s budget and needs.
Another misconception is that CPAs are always required for accounting consulting roles. While a CPA can be a valuable credential, it is not necessarily a requirement for every consulting opportunity. The qualifications needed will ultimately depend on the specific position and project.
Compensation is another important consideration. Consulting professionals are typically paid a competitive hourly rate based on the equivalent base salary for a full-time role and a 40-hour work week. Depending on the needs of the position or project, consultants may also be eligible for overtime, creating additional earning potential.
One of the biggest myths is that moving into consulting means you have to stay in consulting forever. In many cases, consulting can actually serve as a bridge between opportunities. A professional may take on a consulting assignment while searching for a full-time position, gain additional experience through the engagement, or ultimately convert into a permanent role at the company where they are consulting.
Consulting assignments can last three, six, twelve, or more months, giving professionals the opportunity to build experience, demonstrate their capabilities, and evaluate what they want from their next career move. Whether the end goal is a full-time position with the consulting client or another company entirely, consulting can provide a valuable path forward.
Looking for a Consulting Opportunity?
Landing Point Consulting connects professionals with consulting opportunities across a range of industries and projects. Whether you are looking for a contract-to-hire opportunity or a bridge to your next full-time role, our team can help you navigate the consulting market and identify opportunities aligned with your career goals.
Transcript
Breaking Down Consulting Myths vs. Facts
Companies only hire consultants when something has gone wrong. Myth. Depending on the company, there are a variety of different reasons why they hire consultants. Whether they’re going through growth mode, there are technology initiatives, implementations, or different types of projects, these firms bring on consultants to help with that.
Consulting assignments can lead to full-time job offers. Fact. There are contract-to-hire opportunities where there’s a clear path for you to get to a full-time opportunity. Then there are consulting opportunities where, based on performance, headcount approval, and budgeting, there’s always an opportunity to get converted.
CPAs are required for accounting consulting roles. Myth. CPAs are valuable, but for consulting opportunities, they’re not necessarily required.
Consultants are often paid at a competitive hourly rate. Fact. We usually base it off the base salary and a 40-hour work week, so it’s very competitive with what we’re seeing on the market.
Many consulting engagements offer overtime opportunities. Fact. You’re always overtime eligible, depending on the needs of the position, the project, or the implementation.
Once you pivot into consulting, you have to stay there forever. A big myth. Consulting can be a bridge to a full-time opportunity, whether you’re moving from unemployment into a full-time role, converting at the firm where you’re consulting, or finding an opportunity somewhere else. Usually, within consulting, you’re there for three, six, twelve-plus months, and there’s always an opportunity to get converted.
About Joseph Fromer
Joseph Fromer is a Director on Landing Point’s Consulting team, where he specializes in Accounting & Finance, Investment Support, and Technology recruitment nationally, with a focus throughout the Tri-State area and Southern Florida. He partners closely with private equity firms, hedge funds, family offices, and other alternative investment managers to build high-impact interim, project-based, and full-time Operations and Accounting teams.
Notable searches include Fund Accounting and Operations Consultants for global investment managers, Controllers and Business Analysts for leading private equity and asset management firms, as well as Accounts Payable and Payroll Manager positions for venture capital firms and middle-market asset managers. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Providence College. Outside of work, Joseph enjoys traveling and cooking, and is a loyal supporter of the New York Yankees and the Providence College Friars.