Ireland’s management consultancy firms have started wooing the country’s small pool of finance talent. They could have a battle on their hands.

Accenture is hiring. So are Deloitte, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers. Unsurprisingly, Gavin Maxwell, senior manager at Accenture, says Dublin is a candidate-driven market (ie, there are more jobs than candidates).

“New job opportunities are being created at the graduate entry level, but other opportunities are arising as experienced people move jobs,” he says.

Banking and financial services recruiter Yvonne Keily at Sigmar says there is a shortage of qualified management consultants with practical experience. “Companies will often look at candidates with similar core skills or relevant product knowledge. Given the fact that many consultancy projects are at the cutting edge, there will be a challenge in finding the necessary skill sets.”

With hot competition from other companies in the financial services sector, consulting firms are going all-out to stand out. “We understand that organisational culture, along with the type and variety of roles on offer to candidates, have become key differentiators in what is a very competitive market,” says Accenture’s Maxwell.

He adds, “Those progressive firms that listen to candidates and offer them the variety and diversity they seek are gaining competitive advantage in their pursuit of talent.”

Listening to candidates often seems to amount to promoting the work/life balance. But Keily says consultants are also prepared to offer a high degree of autonomy.

Pay is comparable with fund accounting roles, but it doesn’t match the upper echelons of investment banking. Graduates going into management consultancy can expect a basic of €28k to €32k, while mid-level roles command €45k to €55k, and senior jobs €70k to €100k – all plus bonuses and benefits.