Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services, and outsourcing company. The company has over 200,000 employees (as of Sept' 2010), operates from over 200 locations in 52 countries and reported revenues of US$23.3 billion at the end of Aug 2008.
Accenture is one the largest consulting firms in the world (if not the largest) and is one of the largest computer services and software companies on the Fortune Global 500 list.
Accenture UK operates from London, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh.Candidates should think carefully about their intended career path before applying to Accenture as there are various possibilities available.
Unless you have specialist technical skills or experience, or a particular reason for wanting to start elsewhere, the Analyst Consulting Group may be the best place to start your Accenture career. The Analyst Consulting Group provides core consulting experience and opportunities to work across different industry groups and areas of specialisation within Accenture. This group is home to most new graduate entrants and a great place to start because it provides opportunities to learn about, and gain experience in, different areas of the business – all supported by training.
Find out more information about specific Accenture graduate schemes.Be prepared to discuss information on your application form at interview.
You should hear back from the Recruitment Team at Accenture within 10 working days of receiving your application.
TIP: Be detailed in your application. Make sure you include all your extra curricular activities to show that you are a skilled and well-rounded individual. Always check your application thoroughly before submitting it.The minimum entry requirements for graduate roles at Accenture are: 340 UCAS points at A Level (or equivalent if you studied outside the UK) and a 2.1 honours degree (any discipline) with some flexibility for very strong candidates. For example, if you do not meet these academic criteria but you have excellent experience, specific technical skills or could speak several languages, then you are very likely to be considered for interview. Accenture accept job applications throughout the year. Accenture also accept applications from candidates with GNVQ qualifications. Call the company helpline 0500 100189 for more information.
Graduate hires will need to be able to work in Accenture's London, Manchester, Edinburgh or Newcastle offices although the majority of the opportunities are based out of London. Full staff mobility is essential.
Candidates MUST have a strong interest in consulting, business and technology.
The company look for people with more than just excellent academic records (although this is important). Accenture favour individuals who are passionate about something outside their academic studies, highly motivated for success and with at least some level of work experience.
Your work experience does not need to be commercial or related to the work Accenture does. For example, teaching English in Brazil is good experience.
Accenture offer 8-week summer placements in July/August for penultimate year students expecting a 2:1 or better.
The selection process starts with a 45-minute interview with a member of the Recruitment Team or a Manager from Consulting. This interview will take place at Accenture's London office or via a telephone interview, if requested.
TIP: Before attending your interview find out EXACTLY what Accenture does and what you will be doing if you are successfully offered a job here.
TIP: Prepare to be asked to name Accenture's competitors and clients and a case or two they have been working on recently from both within Accenture's recruitment brochure and elsewhere.
You are likely to be asked about your long-term career plan and motivation, about your interest in IT, consulting and business, and several competency based questions.
Competency based questions are likely asses your:
-Decision making skills
-Innovation and ability to work with uncertain parameters
-Persuasive skills
-Adaptability and flexibility
Additionally, you will be given a mini case study to test your logic and problem-solving skills. These case studies may be within one of the following areas: Strategy, Communications and High Tech, Supply Chain and Customer Relationship Management.
Your interviewer will want you to provide recent examples of interpersonal skills such as communication and initiative. Also, you will be thoroughly questioned about your motivation for this role. You interviewer will want to be certain that you have researched your career options and can show your commitment to a career in business and IT.
You will find out if your interview was successful within 10 working days of your interview taking place. If you have any questions in the meantime, you can call the Accenture recruitment helpline on 0500 100189.
If you pass the initial interview stage you will be invited to attend a half-day assessment centre, once again at the London office. Typically, six to ten candidates attend each assessment.
The half-day assessment centre will be made up of the following:You will also get the chance to meet some of the people who work at Accenture.
Click here to take a practice In Tray exercise
The third round assessment is for those potentially suitable for a strategy or SITE (strategic IT Effectiveness) position and consists of two interviews.
You will be likely to discuss where you might fit best within Accenture and he or she will answer any further questions you may have about the company and your job.
Your interviewer will be looking for evidence of your ability to think logically and laterally within and ‘around’ the problem, your capacity to prioritise and to suggest solutions and action plans where relevant. The case study interview is intensive and you will have to think on your feet.
Throughout the two sessions you will be assessed on a number of criteria, including your problem-solving skills and initiative, as well as your level of career focus and interest in strategy.
You will be informed of the outcome of your interview by e-mail within 10 working days, so make sure the company has your email address and that you check it regularly!
Once you've joined Accenture, you will gain access to a special "Waiting Room" site. This is designed to help you transition smoothly and easily into the company. It provides you with a central source of information with everything you need to know as a new starter, including contacts for help and advice, a guide to company technology, a 'Who's Who' guide and a helpful jargon buster.
Accenture’s dress policy is smart business casual. This means that staff wear tailored trousers or a skirt, a shirt with collar or a smart top/blouse (for women). When you meet your interviewer, he or she may not be wearing a suit.
Candidates are not required to wear a suit (although they are not discouraged from doing so) but must be smartly dressed. There is more information regarding dress code in the General interview advice section.
The budget for first round and second round interviews is £120. If you are likely to spend more than this on travel you may be able to claim a slightly larger amount but you will need to confirm this by replying to your Invitation Email and confirming with HR that it is acceptable to do so.
TIP: Try to meet a member of staff from Accenture at a graduate recruitment fair before you make your online application as they will be able to provide you with useful hints and tips for applying.
Accenture offers a number of internships and placements that are designed to give you an insider's view of the company life. You can find more information here.
You can also join a selection of clubs and societies, many of which are subsidised by the company.
Consulting work can take you all over the country (literally anywhere, as you will often be working at client offices) and beyond. You may frequently find yourself working in a location far from your home office.
There are now seven options available for some employees, to allow greater control over how and where work gets done. These are: flexible hours, home working, compressed working, revised home/office/client site ratio, part-time working, job sharing and outcome-only working.