New rankings reflect market shifts

Vault has just released its eighth annual management and strategy consulting rankings, which show some dramatic twists on last year's results. While the top-10 firms aren't even a little shocking (McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Bain and Booz & Company held on to the territory they claimed in the early days of these rankings), the remainder of the top 50 shows some real surprises. The most significant movement came from firms that specialize in business advisory and human resources—firms that saw a run on their business in these uncertain economic times. Business advisory and restructuring firm Alvarez & Marsal, for example, jumped an unprecedented 23 places from last year, coming in at No. 21, while other firms that saw significant improvement in their ranking include AlixPartners, FTI Consulting and niche HR players Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Aon Consulting Worldwide and Hay Group.

But for those of you more interested in a positive work experience than in the company logo on your messenger bag, you'll want to take a look at our Best to Work For rankings. We take into account a variety of factors—including work/life balance, travel, overall business outlook and diversity—to give you an inside look into the most employee-friendly firms in the industry. For the second year in a row, Bain & Company walked away with the title of Best Firm to Work For, followed closely by Trinity Partners, Gallup Consulting and Triage Consulting Group. Check out our individual quality of life rankings to see which firms really shine … according to the consultants themselves.