How to Become A Management Consultant In South Africa

Management consultants help organizations to solve issues, create value, maximize growth and improve business performance.

What do you need to study to become a consultant?

Most employers require consultants to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting, business, finance, marketing, management or a similar area. Coursework should include statistics, communications, ethics, project management, accounting and leadership.

Why you should leave consulting?

Work-life balance is the most common reason for leaving consulting. Work at top management consulting firms is typically stressful and very intensive, with 60-80-hour work weeks – more than most positions in the market.

Why are management consultants paid so much?

High salaries have become the norm for consultants because they function as a signaling mechanism for companies: These may be young people, but they’re the most intelligent ones out there. From years two to five, expect to be promoted to senior consultant, engagement partner, or associate partner roles.

Below are tasks perform by A Management Consultant In South Africa

Research an organization’s processes, data, documents, background and current challenges they face to establish a better understanding of their specific needs.

Develop organizational objectives and create goals for consultancy project.

Draft reports from research and objectives that help organizational management gain and understanding of their position.

Identify specific solutions for organizational leadership and executive managers to implement as mechanisms to improve processes.

Design initiatives for the training and development of organizational teams to implement change.

Interface with management and executives respectfully and in a solution-oriented manner.

Observe and follow up with organizational changes over time to ensure consultancy protocols have helped leaders accomplish goals.

The benefits of becoming a management consultant in South Africa

Depending on your interests, work environment preferences and professional goals, becoming a management consultant may be a highly rewarding career full of growth opportunities. There are various benefits to becoming a management consultant, including the following:

Salary potential: On average, successful management consultants have the potential to earn high salaries. Some professional consultants earn six-figure salaries each year with the potential to earn more over time, meaning that consulting can be a highly lucrative career.

Travel: Since management consultants work with a variety of organizations in different locales, they often have to travel for work. For those who enjoy traveling, this can be a significant benefit. Management consultants are often able to experience new places and learn about different cultures through their work.

Fast-paced environment: Management consulting is a fast-paced, somewhat unpredictable career path full of variety. In consultancy, it’s rare that you’ll find yourself sitting behind a desk performing similar tasks on a day-to-day basis. For those who thrive in high-stakes environments and find continual change exciting, consultancy can be a great career choice.

Below is How to Become A Management Consultant In South Africa

Earn your bachelor’s degree

Most management consultants start their career journeys by earning a bachelor’s degree in a field related to business or the type of consulting they are interested in. Therefore, the first step you should take toward becoming a management consultant is enrolling in a four-year degree program at a college or university.

Seek experience through internship opportunities

While enrolled in your degree program, you should consider seeking hands-on consulting experience through internship opportunities, fellowships or part-time work. These opportunities will provide you with vital experiential knowledge about the field of management consulting and help you better understand the role of a consultant as you advance in your career.

Consider earning a master’s degree or a professional certification

While bachelor’s degrees typically qualify candidates to begin their professional careers in management consulting, some candidates choose to pursue advanced degrees or professional certifications that can help them hone high-level skills.

Since management consulting is a competitive field, it can be beneficial for candidates to legitimize themselves by earning certificates or master’s degrees in business administration or related fields not only can this education help you develop expertise as a management consultant, but it can give you a significant advantage on the job market.

Search for employment opportunities

After developing your skills through a four-year degree program, experiential learning opportunities and other potential professional development moves, you should begin your search for employment as a management consultant. Consultancy firms will actively recruit candidates from universities or those who perform highly in summer internship roles.

How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course

National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course

Each institution has its own entry requirements.


What to Study

Degree: Various BCom degrees such as: Management and Industrial Psychology

Management and Data Processing

Management and Economics

Management and Statistics

Management, Economy and Education Management Accountancy and Finance Management Science – most universities

Diploma: N.Dip: Management or Management Practice – CPUT, CUT, DUT, VUT, UNISA.

What qualifications do I need to be a management consultant In South Africa?

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from a top institution.

Well-developed core consulting skills of research, analysis, presentation, and attention to detail.

Aptitude to grasp new concepts and effectively produce results.

Exceptional problem-solving skills – an analytical, innovative, and creative mindset.

How long does it take to become a management consultant In South Africa?

It usually requires the equivalent of a graduate degree and seven years of experience or an undergraduate degree and 10 years of direct consulting experience.

Are management consultants in demand in South Africa?

South Africa remains one of the strongest economies in the African continent with robust business and industrial activities across many sectors such as e-Commerce, media & entertainment and mining, among others, all of which are driving demand for strategic consulting services.

Are management consultants happy In South Africa?

Consultants are about average in terms of happiness. At Career Explorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, consultants rate their career happiness 3.2 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 50% of careers.

How hard is it to get into management consulting In South Africa?

Consulting is the most popular career path for MBA students, and consulting jobs are extremely competitive. This means there are a lot of very hard-working people competing to get some very prestigious jobs. The biggest problem is that most candidates are working very hard to get a job they know almost nothing about.

Why are management consultants paid so much In South Africa?

High salaries have become the norm for consultants because they function as a signaling mechanism for companies: These may be young people, but they’re the most intelligent ones out there. From years two to five, expect to be promoted to senior consultant, engagement partner, or associate partner roles.

Is management consulting intellectually stimulating In South Africa?

Generally, management consultants find there is substantial breadth in the work they do in consulting firms. This translates to consulting work that is intellectually stimulating and exciting

What do you need to study to become a consultant In South Africa?

Most employers require consultants to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a major in accounting, business, finance, marketing, management or a similar area. Coursework should include statistics, communications, ethics, project management, accounting and leadership.

Do you need a degree to be a management consultant In South Africa?

No specific academic requirements exist for management consultants, but nearly all employers require at least a college degree in a related field. Employers generally prefer candidates who majored in one of the following areas: business, economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science, and logic.