Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Provide Consultation and Advice to Others Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Working Life

Business consultants help businesses and organisations to solve problems, improve efficiency and manage changes to the way they work. Work will involve heloping clients with a wide range of business areas, for example such as planning and strategy, finance, productivity, marketing and IT. 

Projects can vary depending on the type of business, but you may typically:

• meet clients to discuss what they need
• carry out research to gain an understanding of the client’s business
• interview managers, staff and customers
• collect and analyse data, and prepare reports
• identify and investigate issues, and plan how to tackle them
• highlight areas for improvement
• create computer models to test possible business solutions
• present recommendations to the client
• agree a course of action with the client
• provide ongoing support to the client to put recommendations into place 

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Document findings of study and prepare recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, or organisational changes.
• Interview personnel and conduct on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used.
• Analyse data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
• Plan study of work problems and procedures, such as organisational change, communications, information flow, integrated production methods, inventory control, or cost analysis.
• Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.
• Gather and organise information on problems or procedures.
• Prepare manuals and train workers in use of new forms, reports, procedures or equipment, according to organisational policy.
• Review forms and reports and confer with management and users about format, distribution, and purpose, identifying problems and improvements.
• Develop and implement records management program for filing, protection, and retrieval of records, and assure compliance with program.
• Design, evaluate, recommend, and approve changes of forms and reports.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Business Consultants offer particular expertise in their role. A minimum of an undergraduate degree in business management, project management and finance is required. In order to gain membership to the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors a post graduate course in business and related disciplines is required. Many business consultancy roles deem experience of Crystal reports or MS SQL server as very beneficial.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business admin, project, supervisory management.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: business management, sales, marketing, commerce, psychology.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples:  Lean Sigma Management, Accounting, Financial Services, Sales.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: business management, commerce, psychology.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: agile business analysis, business administration, business management, business, executive coaching, management consultancy, strategic management, planning, business, innovation management, e-commerce, marketing, management, cloud computing, commerce, digital marketing, innovation and social enterprise, strategy.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €55k - €100k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Payscale / Brightwater / Clark / Morgan McKinley / Lincoln / Osborne

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Management consultants; Business analysts; Business and financial project management professionals.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average growth for this occupation was strong; this is in part related to changes in the LFS methodology in 2017, although employment levels have also been increasing annually since then. Over 700 new employment permits were issued in 2021 for roles including risk/business analysts and project managers.

The ICT sector accounted for over a third of permits issued, although the numbers employed in this occupation in the ICT sector are small. The number of advertised vacancies in the OVATE data increased by 39%, albeit from a small base. While no shortages are evident, the skills in demand as highlighted by the Spotlight on Skills data in the introduction above (e.g. relationship management, critical thinking etc) would be of relevance for these occupations.

• Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers (IMCA)

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