# Best Management Consulting Firms in Austria (2026) > Compare the best management consulting firms in Austria in 2026. Top 7 ranked firms including McKinsey, BCG, PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte, and Horvath. Learn about consulting salaries, English-language roles, and the Austrian recruitment process. Updated: May 19 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/jobs/management-consulting Updated May 19 2026. **PwC Osterreich** runs the largest Big 4 footprint in Austria with more than **1,800 professionals** across audit, tax, and advisory, making it the top-ranked consulting employer in the country. **KPMG** follows with deep tax and transaction strength, while **AFRY Management Consulting Austria** is the leading engineering and energy consultancy and **M2P Consulting** specializes in aviation and transport strategy. **PMC GmbH** is the strongest local Austrian project management consultancy, and **EY Austria** and **Deloitte Austria** round out the Big 4 with financial services and digital transformation practices. Consulting is concentrated in Vienna and most senior roles require B2 German. ## Top 7 Best Management Consulting Firms in Austria Based on prestige, compensation, career development, English-language roles, and exit opportunities, here are the top 7 management consulting firms in Austria in 2026. Largest Big 4 ### 1. PwC Osterreich 5.0PricewaterhouseCoopers has the largest Big 4 footprint in Austria, with over 1,800 professionals across audit, tax, and advisory. PwC's Vienna-led Advisory practice covers deals, management consulting, risk assurance, and forensics for major Austrian corporates and international groups. Why we recommend it: Largest Big 4 platform in Austria with the broadest practice areas, strongest deals team, and clearest promotion track to Partner. Best for: Candidates seeking the largest Big 4 platform in Austria with strong audit, tax, and transaction advisory opportunities Pros - +Largest Big 4 headcount in Austria with broad practice areas - +Strong deals and transaction services team - +Clear promotion tracks from Consultant to Partner - +International mobility across PwC's global network Cons - −Most non-advisory roles require B2 German - −Base pay below MBB at equivalent levels - −Large-firm bureaucracy and slower project pace [Visit PwC Austria](https://www.pwc.at)Big 4 Tax ### 2. KPMG 4.7KPMG Austria is a leading Big 4 firm with around 1,600 professionals and particular strength in tax advisory and transaction services. Its Vienna office serves many DACH corporates and family businesses on complex cross-border mandates. Why we recommend it: Top-tier Austrian tax practice with complex international mandates and a structured Big 4 career path with strong work-life balance. Best for: Tax, transaction, and audit professionals looking for a structured Big 4 career path at a top-tier tax practice Pros - +Top-tier tax practice with complex international mandates - +Strong transaction advisory and M and A support services - +Solid training programs and internal tax academy - +Good work-life balance relative to MBB Cons - −Management consulting practice is smaller than PwC or Deloitte - −Salaries roughly 15 percent below MBB - −Most client work conducted in German [Visit KPMG Austria](https://www.kpmg.at)Best Engineering Consulting ### 3. AFRY Management Consulting Austria 4.5AFRY is a Swedish engineering and design company with an Austrian Management Consulting practice focused on energy, industry, and infrastructure. AFRY advises on power markets, hydrogen, grid planning, and heavy industry transformation across the DACH region. Why we recommend it: Leading Austrian engineering and energy consultancy with deep technical advisory in power, hydrogen, and industrial decarbonization. Best for: Consultants with engineering or energy-sector backgrounds who want deep technical advisory over generalist strategy Pros - +Leading engineering and energy consultancy in Austria - +Strong practice in power, hydrogen, and industrial decarbonization - +Access to AFRY's 19,000+ engineers across Europe - +Project work often combines strategy with technical depth Cons - −Narrower industry focus than Big 4 or MBB firms - −Engineering background typically required for senior roles - −Smaller Austrian footprint than the Big 4 [Visit AFRY](https://www.afry.com)Best for Aviation/Transport ### 4. M2P Consulting 4.3M2P Consulting is a Frankfurt-founded management consultancy with an Austrian presence specializing in transport, aviation, and mobility strategy. M2P advises airlines, airports, rail operators, and transport ministries on operations and digital transformation. Why we recommend it: Best Austrian consultancy for aviation and transport sector strategy with direct airline, airport, and rail operator client access. Best for: Consultants interested in aviation, airports, and transport sector strategy, with strong aviation-industry alumni networks Pros - +Focused practice in aviation, transport, and mobility - +Direct access to airline, airport, and rail operator clients - +Clear subject-matter expertise pathway - +International project exposure across Europe Cons - −Narrow industry focus limits cross-sector mobility - −Smaller brand recognition than Big 4 - −Heavy travel pattern for on-site airport and airline work [Visit M2P Consulting](https://www.m2p.com)Austrian PM Specialist ### 5. PMC GmbH 4.1PMC is a Vienna-based Austrian project management consultancy supporting clients across construction, infrastructure, energy, and public sector programs. PMC is a go-to partner for local Austrian corporates that need PMO, planning, and controlling support on complex programs. Why we recommend it: Strongest homegrown Austrian project management consultancy with deep local relationships and predictable travel patterns. Best for: Project managers and PMO specialists who want to work with Austrian corporates and public-sector clients close to home Pros - +Strong homegrown Austrian project management consultancy - +Deep local relationships with Austrian corporates and authorities - +Focused on real program delivery rather than pure strategy - +More predictable travel than DACH or European-wide firms Cons - −Primarily German-speaking working environment - −Limited international project staffing - −Smaller team than the Big 4 or MBB [Visit PMC GmbH](https://www.pmc.at)Big 4 Financial Services ### 6. EY Austria 4.0Ernst and Young Austria is a Big 4 firm with particular strength in financial services advisory, assurance, and technology consulting. EY's Vienna office is the CEE hub for regional banking and insurance engagements. Why we recommend it: Best Big 4 platform for financial services advisory and CEE regional banking, insurance, and fintech work. Best for: Financial services professionals and candidates interested in CEE regional advisory work Pros - +Strong financial services advisory and regulatory practice - +CEE hub role provides regional project opportunities - +Good exposure to banking, insurance, and fintech clients - +International mobility opportunities Cons - −Salaries trail PwC and KPMG at some levels - −Heavy regulatory focus may not suit generalists - −B2 German required for most Austrian client-facing roles [Visit EY Austria](https://www.ey.com)Big 4 Digital ### 7. Deloitte Austria 3.8Deloitte Austria is a Big 4 firm with particular strength in digital transformation, technology consulting, and cybersecurity. Deloitte's Vienna practice partners with major Austrian corporates on large-scale IT and operating model projects. Why we recommend it: Leading digital transformation and cloud practice in Austria with strong cybersecurity and large-scale program management engagements. Best for: Technology and digital transformation consultants seeking Big 4 scale with a tech tilt Pros - +Leading digital transformation and cloud practice - +Strong cybersecurity and risk advisory services - +Large-scale program management engagements - +Flexible hybrid working arrangements Cons - −Audit and tax practices are smaller than PwC and KPMG locally - −Project utilization targets can be demanding - −Salaries broadly in line with other Big 4 but below MBB [Visit Deloitte Austria](https://www.deloitte.com) ## How Does Consulting Recruitment Work in Austria? Consulting recruitment in Austria follows the global industry template, with local variations. Here is what to expect: - 1Application with CV, cover letter, and transcripts MBB and Big 4 firms expect a European-format CV (Lebenslauf) with photo, a tailored cover letter, university transcripts, and A-level or equivalent school grades. Target universities include WU Vienna, TU Wien, Uni Wien, INSEAD, LBS, and top US MBAs. - 2Online tests and problem-solving screen McKinsey uses the Solve (Imbellus) gamified assessment. BCG uses the Casey chatbot or Potential Test. Big 4 firms typically run numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning tests. Pass rates are roughly 30 to 50 percent at this stage. - 3Case interviews (2 to 3 rounds) First round is typically 2 back-to-back case interviews with associates or managers. Final round (held in the Vienna office) includes 3 cases with partners plus a fit interview. Cases follow the standard market sizing, profitability, and market-entry frameworks. Preparing with 30 to 50 practice cases is standard. - 4Offer and contract (Dienstvertrag) Successful candidates receive an offer within 1 to 2 weeks of final round. Austrian employment contracts specify base salary, bonus structure, probation period (usually 1 month), notice period, and Kollektivvertrag classification. See our [Austrian job platforms guide](/jobs/job-platforms) for broader hiring context. - 5Work visa for non-EU candidates Non-EU hires need a [Red-White-Red Card](/visa/work-visa), typically under the "Very Highly Qualified Workers" or "Skilled Workers in Shortage Occupations" category. MBB and Big 4 firms run in-house mobility teams to handle this in 6 to 8 weeks. ## What Salaries Do Austrian Consultants Earn? Consulting salaries in Austria are among the highest in the white-collar market. Figures below are gross per year, including 13th and 14th month, as of April 2026: - **MBB Analyst / Associate Consultant**: EUR 75,000 to 90,000 base + 10 to 20 percent bonus (McKinsey, BCG). - **MBB Associate (post-MBA)**: EUR 110,000 to 140,000 base + 20 to 40 percent bonus. - **Big 4 Consultant / Senior Consultant**: EUR 45,000 to 70,000 at PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte. - **Big 4 Manager**: EUR 80,000 to 110,000 + 10 to 15 percent bonus. - **Horvath / mid-tier consultant**: EUR 55,000 to 85,000 at consultant to manager level. - **Partner / Principal**: EUR 250,000 to 600,000+ total compensation at MBB; EUR 180,000 to 350,000 at Big 4. #### Austrian bonus taxation advantage Your 13th and 14th month salaries and a portion of performance bonuses are taxed at a reduced 6 percent rate (up to a cap of roughly EUR 12,000), versus marginal rates up to 55 percent on regular income. This makes Austrian consulting packages meaningfully more attractive on a net basis than equivalent gross pay in Germany or Switzerland. See our [income tax guide](/taxes/income-tax) for a full calculation. ## Which Firms Offer English-Language Roles in Austria? Not all Austrian consultancies hire in English. Here is the realistic picture by firm type: - **MBB (McKinsey, BCG)**: Fully bilingual. English is the working language, German is needed only for a subset of Austrian public-sector and Mittelstand clients. Vienna offices regularly staff expats on regional CEE/DACH teams. - **Big 4 (PwC, KPMG, EY, Deloitte)**: Mixed. International Tax, Transaction Services, IT Audit, and Forensics regularly operate in English. Audit, domestic Tax, and Management Consulting usually require B2 German given Austrian SME client mix. - **Horvath and mid-tier (Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger)**: Mostly German-speaking given DACH focus. Expect B2 or C1 German for consultant roles. - **Learning German in parallel**: Many expat consultants start with English-only roles and upskill to B2 within 12 to 24 months. See our [German language guide](/living/german-language) for accelerated learning paths. ### Key Terms to Know - **Kollektivvertrag IT / Unternehmensberatung**: The collective agreement for management consultants sets minimum salaries by experience. MBB and Big 4 pay well above the minimum. - **Dienstreise (business travel)**: Austrian consulting still involves heavy Monday to Thursday travel, especially for CEE project work. Expect per diems of EUR 26.40 per full day plus hotel reimbursement. - **Up-or-out**: MBB firms still operate up-or-out, meaning consultants who do not progress within 2 to 3 years at each level are counselled out. Big 4 is less strict. ## Entity References Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page: - [PwC ÖsterreichManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/pwc-osterreich) - [KPMG AustriaManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/kpmg-austria) - [AFRY Management Consulting AustriaManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/afry-management-consulting-austria) - [M2P ConsultingManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/m2p-consulting) - [PMC GmbHManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/pmc-gmbh) - [EY AustriaManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/ey-austria) - [Deloitte AustriaManagement Consulting in Austria](/facts/deloitte-austria) ## Official Sources - [WKO (Wirtschaftskammer): Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Fachverband Unternehmensberatung](https://www.wko.at) - [Arbeiterkammer: Austrian Chamber of Labour](https://www.arbeiterkammer.at) - [AMS (Arbeitsmarktservice): Austrian Public Employment Service](https://www.ams.at) - [BMAW: Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy](https://www.bmaw.gv.at) ## Related Guides [### Best Job Platforms in Austria Compare the top job portals for finding work in Austria](/jobs/job-platforms)[### Work Visa (RWR Card) How to get a Red-White-Red Card for working in Austria](/visa/work-visa)[### Income Tax in Austria Calculate your net salary from gross with 13th/14th month](/taxes/income-tax)[### Learning German German skills open up significantly more consulting opportunities](/living/german-language) --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/jobs/management-consulting Last updated: Updated: May 19 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.