Advisory Associate, Management Consulting, Strategy & Innovation - Summer 2027 (Chicago, New York)

BDO USA, Llp; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 78,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

BDO USA, P.A. in Chicago offers an entry-level Management Consulting – Business Analyst role focused on business performance improvement. You’ll support planning, execution, and close-out across client engagements while gaining exposure to analytics, documentation, and client communications.

You will gather client data, develop initial deliverables, document requirements, and assist with meetings, reporting, and proposals. Travel up to 50% may be required as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Preferred focus in Finance, Accounting, Economics, MIS, or Industrial Engineering.
• Six months or more IT/Business Analyst related experience preferred.
• Data analytics/dashboarding experience with Power BI or any other tool, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Obtains information, documents, and data from clients to support engagement deliverables.
• Develops initial deliverables and/or solutions to client issues.
• Documents project requirements, with guidance and support of senior professionals.
• Assists with informational interviews and facilitation of meetings with clients during engagement process.
• Documents and analyzes client processes with guidance and direction from senior professionals.
• Performs project management and administrative support tasks.
• Supports the development and delivery of quality documentation.
• Assists with preparation of meeting agendas, handouts, and presentation materials.
• Documents client meetings and produces meeting summaries to present to clients.
• Leverages templates to prepare drafts of various reports, presentations, and documentation.
• Participates in special client projects, including events, strategic planning retreats, acquisition support, etc.
• Utilizes research tools, databases, and trade publications to develop an understanding of a client’s industry.
• Develops relationships with client personnel and management members.
• Assists with research for and drafting of proposals.
• Maintains all documentation and work papers associated with client engagements.
• Assist with administrative tasks, including scheduling, time entry, expense reporting, etc.
• Other duties, as required

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Teamwork

Analytical skills

Documentation

Research

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Deadline-driven

Travel capability

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Finance/Accounting/Economics/MIS/IE focus

Tools

Power BI

Microsoft Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Smartsheet

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Management Consulting (MC) – Entry Level Business Analyst is responsible for providing basic services to clients in the areas of business performance improvement. The Associate participates in various stages of business consulting engagements and assists with planning, execution, and close out.

Job Summary

The Management Consulting (MC) – Entry Level Business Analyst is responsible for providing basic services to clients in the areas of business performance improvement. The Associate participates in various stages of business consulting engagements and assists with planning, execution, and close out.

Job Duties

• Obtains information, documents, and data from clients to support engagement deliverables, as needed
• Develops initial deliverables and/or solutions to client issues
• Documents project requirements, with guidance and support of senior professionals
• Assists with informational interviews and facilitation of meetings with clients during engagement process
• Documents and analyzes client processes with guidance and direction from senior professionals
• Performs project management and administrative support tasks
• Supports the development and delivery of quality documentation
• Assists with preparation of meeting agendas, handouts, and presentation materials
• Documents client meetings and produces meeting summaries to present to clients
• Leverages templates to prepare drafts of various reports, presentations, and documentation
• Participates in special client projects, including events, strategic planning retreats, acquisition support, etc.
• Utilizes research tools, databases, and trade publications to develop an understanding of a client’s industry
• Develops relationships with client personnel and management members
• Assists with research for and drafting of proposals
• Maintains all documentation and work papers associated with client engagements
• Assist with administrative tasks, including scheduling, time entry, expense reporting, etc.
• Other duties, as required

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree, required
• Bachelor’s degree with a focus in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Management Information Systems, or Industrial Engineering, preferred

Experience

• Six (6) months or more of experience related to Business Analyst, Project Coordinator or Technical Analyst within an IT technology environment, preferred
• Prior internships within a Business Analyst, Project Coordinator, Consulting based or Technical Analyst role, preferred
• Data Analytics dashboarding experience with Power BI or any other tool, preferred

Software

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, required
• Smartsheet knowledge, preferred

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, specifically business and report writing
• Ability to work effectively within a team setting
• Strong analytical, documentation and research skills
• Solid organizational skills, with the ability to meet project deadlines with a focus on details
• Ability to successfully multi-task while working independently or within a group environment
• Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment, and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to travel 50% on average, as needed

Individual salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including but not limited to the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and geography.

California Range: $85,000 - $90,000

Colorado Range: $73,000 - $77,000

Illinois Range: $78,000 - $87,000

Maryland Range: $83,000 - $87,000

Massachusetts Range: $78,000 - $87,000

Minnesota Range: $70,000 - $74,000

New Jersey Range: $78,000 - $82,000

NYC/Long Island/Westchester Range: $78,000 - $87,000

Washington Range: $68,000 - $78,000

Washington DC Range: $83,000 - $87,000

About Us

At BDO, how we show up matters. We build strong relationships by supporting one another, our clients, and our communities with care, curiosity, and a commitment to helping one another grow and succeed. Here, you’ll find meaningful work, leaders invested in your success, and opportunities to build a career around what matters most to you.

Our purpose is to be the people our clients count on to grow with confidence and achieve what matters most. Our values guide how we bring that purpose to life each day. Together, they shape how we work with one another, serve our clients, and create meaningful impact.

BDO provides assurance, tax, and advisory services to clients across the U.S. and around the world. No matter your role, you’ll be part of a team helping clients navigate complexity and move forward with clarity.

As technology continues to shape how we work, BDO values the ability to apply generative and agentic AI solutions to develop work products, improve workflows and identify potential risks. Across our firm, we emphasize professional judgment in validating AI-generated outputs for accuracy, quality, and compliance.

We are proud to be an ESOP company, offering participants a stake in the firm’s success through beneficial ownership and a unique opportunity to enhance their financial well‑being. As a qualified retirement plan, the ESOP is a meaningful addition to our comprehensive compensation and Total Rewards benefits* offerings. It also reinforces an ownership mindset that strengthens our connection to one another, our clients, and the future we’re building together.

Learn more about our benefits: BDO Total Rewards encompass more than traditional benefits.

• Benefits may be subject to eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

"BDO USA, P.A. is an EO employer M/F/Veteran/Disability"