Why FTI Consulting? 10 Reasons to Work There (2026)

Author: Taylor Warfield, Former Bain Manager and interviewer

Last Updated: April 6, 2026

 

Why FTI Consulting? FTI is the leading global expert firm for organizations facing crisis and transformation, with $3.7 billion in annual revenue and more than 8,100 employees in 32 countries. If you are considering a career at FTI, you are looking at one of the most respected specialty consulting firms in the world.

 

In this article, I will walk you through 10 specific reasons why FTI Consulting stands out, what each of its five segments does, the salary you can expect at every level, and exactly how to answer the "why FTI Consulting" interview question with confidence.

 

But first, a quick heads up:

 

McKinsey, BCG, Bain, and other top firms accept less than 1% of applicants every year. If you want to triple your chances of landing interviews and 8x your chances of passing them, watch my free 40-minute training.

 

What Is FTI Consulting?

 

FTI Consulting is an independent global business advisory firm headquartered in Washington, D.C. The firm was founded in 1982 as Forensic Technologies International and rebranded to FTI Consulting in 1998. It trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker FCN.

 

According to FTI's 2024 annual report, the firm generated record revenues of $3.7 billion, marking its ninth consecutive year of adjusted earnings per share growth. FTI employs more than 8,100 professionals across 32 countries and 85 cities worldwide.

 

FTI's client base includes 98 of the world's top 100 law firms, 83 of the Fortune 100 companies, and 82 of the top 100 private equity firms on the PEI 300 list. The firm's work spans some of the most high-profile matters in business history, from the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy to the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard merger.

 

What Are FTI Consulting's Five Practice Segments?

 

FTI Consulting is organized into five distinct business segments. Unlike generalist strategy firms where consultants rotate across functions, FTI's model lets you develop deep expertise in a specific domain from day one.

 

Segment

Focus Areas

Notable Work

Corporate Finance & Restructuring

Restructuring, turnaround management, M&A advisory, valuation, interim management

Lehman Brothers bankruptcy, PG&E restructuring, #1 U.S. restructuring advisor 17 years running (The Deal)

Forensic & Litigation Consulting

Forensic accounting, fraud investigation, dispute advisory, international arbitration

Wells Fargo fraud investigation, MLB steroid investigation

Economic Consulting (Compass Lexecon)

Antitrust analysis, securities litigation, M&A economics, regulatory proceedings, expert testimony

Microsoft/Activision merger approval, Competition Economics Firm of the Year (10th consecutive year)

Technology

E-discovery, data analytics, cybersecurity, information governance, AI-powered managed services

Supports litigation and regulatory matters for top global law firms

Strategic Communications

Financial communications, corporate reputation, public affairs, crisis communications

30+ years of advising management teams and boards worldwide

 

In addition, FTI launched FTI Delta in 2023, a dedicated strategy consulting practice within the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment. FTI Delta focuses on telecom, media, technology, and public sector strategy, giving the firm a growing presence in traditional management consulting.

 

The firm's Economic Consulting segment includes Compass Lexecon, widely considered one of the most prestigious economics consulting practices in the world. According to the Lexology Index, Compass Lexecon has been named Competition Economics Firm of the Year for 10 consecutive years.

 

Why Should You Work at FTI Consulting?

 

Here are 10 compelling reasons to consider building your career at FTI Consulting.

 

1. You Work on Headline-Making Engagements

 

FTI consultants do not work on routine projects. The firm is brought in for the most complex, high-stakes matters that shape entire industries. In my experience coaching hundreds of candidates, this is the single biggest draw for people choosing FTI over other firms.

 

Recent examples include providing expert testimony that helped Ed Sheeran win a copyright infringement case, supporting the economic analysis behind the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard merger (the largest tech merger in history), leading the forensic investigation at Wells Fargo that resulted in wide-ranging reforms, and advising PG&E through one of the most complex utility restructurings ever.

 

2. You Build Deep Expertise That Sets You Apart

 

Unlike generalist strategy firms where you might rotate between healthcare, retail, and tech projects every few months, FTI's specialist model lets you develop genuine subject matter expertise. According to Glassdoor reviews, employees frequently cite this depth of expertise as a key differentiator.

 

Whether you join restructuring, forensic accounting, economic consulting, or strategic communications, you become a true expert in your domain. This depth of knowledge is what makes FTI consultants highly sought after by private equity firms, investment banks, and corporations.

 

3. FTI Has a Global Footprint with Real International Exposure

 

FTI operates across 32 countries and 85 cities. According to FTI's financial disclosures, about 65% of the firm's revenue comes from North America, 28% from EMEA, and 6% from Asia and Australia. This means you have real opportunities to work on cross-border engagements early in your career.

 

4. The Firm Is Growing Rapidly

 

FTI generated record revenues of $3.7 billion in 2024, a 6% increase over the prior year. The firm has delivered nine consecutive years of adjusted earnings per share growth. In Q3 2025, FTI posted record quarterly revenues in both its Corporate Finance & Restructuring and Forensic and Litigation Consulting segments.

 

A growing firm means more opportunities for promotion, more interesting projects, and more investment in employee development. Based on FTI's 2025 guidance, the firm expects revenues between $3.66 billion and $3.81 billion.

 

5. You Get Strong Career Progression and Mentorship

 

FTI follows a clearly defined career path. Promotions are largely performance-based rather than time-based, meaning strong performers can advance faster than at many peer firms.

 

The standard career progression at FTI Consulting is:

 

  • Consultant

 

  • Senior Consultant

 

  • Director

 

  • Senior Director

 

  • Managing Director

 

  • Senior Managing Director

 

FTI also invests in professional development through FTI University orientation, on-the-job mentorship, and sponsorship of certifications like the CIRA (Certified Insolvency and Restructuring Advisor) and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner).

 

6. Salary and Compensation Are Competitive

 

FTI Consulting offers competitive compensation that varies by segment, location, and level. Based on data from Glassdoor, Levels.fyi, and FTI's own job postings, here are estimated salary ranges:

 

Level

Estimated Base Salary

Estimated Total Comp (with Bonus)

Intern

$60,000 - $65,000 (annualized)

$60,000 - $69,000

Consultant (Entry Level)

$73,000 - $95,000

$80,000 - $110,000

Senior Consultant

$90,000 - $130,000

$100,000 - $150,000

Director

$130,000 - $175,000

$150,000 - $210,000

Senior Director

$170,000 - $220,000

$200,000 - $280,000

Managing Director

$220,000 - $260,000+

$280,000 - $400,000+

 

According to Glassdoor, FTI Consulting employees rated their compensation and benefits 3.7 out of 5 stars. Compensation also includes performance bonuses (typically 10% to 20% of base), signing bonuses for some roles, health insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off.

 

7. Exit Opportunities Are Excellent

 

FTI Consulting is widely regarded as one of the best launching pads for careers in finance and advisory. Having coached hundreds of candidates at various firms, I can tell you that FTI alumni are highly recruited.

 

Common exit opportunities after FTI Consulting include:

 

  • Private equity (operations and turnaround): PE firms actively recruit from FTI's restructuring practice for portfolio operations roles.

 

  • Investment banking (restructuring): FTI's Corporate Finance & Restructuring experience translates directly to RX banking roles.

 

  • Credit and distressed debt funds: FTI alumni often move into distressed investing and special situations funds.

 

  • Corporate strategy and development: Many FTI consultants take in-house strategy roles at major corporations.

 

  • MBA programs: FTI experience strengthens MBA applications, and many consultants pursue top programs after 2 to 3 years.

 

  • Other consulting firms: Some FTI consultants move to MBB, Big 4, or other specialty firms.

 

According to LinkedIn data, approximately 20% of FTI alumni transition to buy-side finance roles within three years of starting full-time.

 

8. The Culture Prioritizes Diversity and Inclusion

 

Under CEO Steven Gunby (who joined in 2014), FTI built its culture around the "I CARE" values: Integrity, Creativity, Achievement, Respect, and Empathy. The firm supports more than eight employee resource groups (ERGs).

 

These ERGs include the Women's Initiative Network (WIN), the Black Employee Network (BEN), the Hispanic/Latinx Organization for Leadership and Advancement (HOLA), FTI Consulting Pride Network, the Asian Diversity Network (ADN), the Race, Identity, Social and Equality (RISE) Network, and the Parents Network.

 

9. FTI Is Consistently Ranked Among the Best Firms

 

FTI Consulting has received numerous workplace and industry awards:

 

  • Named #1 U.S. Restructuring Advisor by The Deal for the 17th consecutive year

 

  • Recognized as one of the 50 Most Prestigious Consulting Firms in North America by Vault

 

  • Named to Forbes' list of America's Best Employers for Women and for New Graduates

 

  • Certified as a Great Place to Work in 11+ countries, including the U.S., UK, Germany, France, and Australia

 

  • Ranked among America's Most JUST Companies, placing in the top 20% of Russell 1000 companies

 

  • Named Best Firm to Work For by Consulting Magazine for six consecutive years

 

According to Great Place to Work data, 86% of FTI employees say it is a great place to work, significantly above the average for U.S. companies.

 

10. You Join a Publicly Traded, Financially Stable Firm

 

FTI trades on the NYSE (ticker: FCN) and has no debt outstanding as of its most recent reporting period. The firm reported $395 million in operating cash flow in 2024. This financial stability means you are joining a firm that can invest in its people, weather economic downturns, and continue growing.

 

For candidates who want the entrepreneurial energy of a specialty firm combined with the stability of a public company, FTI offers a rare combination.

 

How Does FTI Consulting Compare to Other Firms?

 

If you are considering FTI alongside other specialty consulting and advisory firms, here is how they compare:

 

Factor

FTI Consulting

Alvarez & Marsal

AlixPartners

Big 4 Advisory

Revenue

~$3.7B

~$3B+

~$2.5B+

Varies by firm

Employees

8,100+

9,000+

5,000+

50,000+ (advisory)

Key Strengths

Restructuring, forensics, economic consulting, strategic comms

Turnaround, interim management, performance improvement

Turnaround, disruption advisory, financial advisory

Breadth of services, brand recognition, audit relationships

Global Offices

32 countries

28+ countries

20+ countries

100+ countries

Public/Private

Public (NYSE: FCN)

Private

Private

Partnership

 

FTI's unique advantage is its breadth of expert-led practices under one roof. While Alvarez & Marsal and AlixPartners focus primarily on turnaround and restructuring, FTI also covers economic consulting, forensic investigations, technology, and strategic communications. For a deeper look at different types of consulting, check out our guide on what consultants actually do.

 

What Is the FTI Consulting Interview Process?

 

The FTI Consulting interview process typically has two rounds. According to Glassdoor data from over 900 interview reviews, the average hiring timeline is about 26 days.

 

Round 1: A single 30-minute virtual or phone interview focused on behavioral and fit questions. You will discuss your background, experiences, and motivation for joining FTI.

 

Round 2 (Super Day): Three to six back-to-back 30-minute interviews with team members at various levels. These interviews include a mix of case interviews and behavioral questions. Some Super Days also include a networking lunch or dinner.

 

Some roles (especially entry-level and analyst positions) also require an online assessment before the interviews begin. This may include numerical reasoning, verbal analysis, and a pre-recorded video interview through platforms like HireVue.

 

According to Glassdoor, candidates rate the FTI interview experience as 62% positive with a difficulty score of 2.82 out of 5. Acceptance rates for entry-level positions are estimated at 5% to 10%.

 

For a complete walkthrough of FTI's case interviews, behavioral questions, and sample cases, check out our detailed FTI Consulting interview guide.

 

FTI case interviews are candidate-led, meaning you will be expected to drive the direction of the case. If you want to learn case interviews quickly, my case interview course teaches you proven strategies that help you become a top 10% candidate in as little as 7 days.

 

How Do You Answer "Why FTI Consulting?" in an Interview?

 

"Why FTI Consulting?" is one of the most common behavioral interview questions you will face. Having coached hundreds of candidates through consulting interviews, I recommend structuring your answer with three specific, personal reasons.

 

Here is a framework you can use:

 

Step 1: Connect to the Specific Segment

 

Show that you know what FTI's segments do and explain why the segment you are applying to excites you. Be specific about the type of work, not just the segment name.

 

Step 2: Reference the High-Profile Nature of the Work

 

Mention that FTI works on matters that shape industries and make headlines. If possible, reference a specific engagement that impressed you (without needing to know confidential details).

 

Step 3: Speak to the People or Culture

 

Mention something genuine about FTI's culture, values, or people you have met during the recruiting process. This shows you have done your homework beyond just reading the website.

 

Sample Answer for Corporate Finance & Restructuring

 

"I am drawn to FTI for three reasons. First, I am specifically interested in the Corporate Finance & Restructuring segment because I want to help companies navigate complex financial situations. The fact that FTI has been ranked the number one U.S. restructuring advisor for 17 consecutive years tells me this is the best place to build that expertise."

 

"Second, I am excited by the caliber of work FTI does. The firm's involvement in landmark matters like the PG&E restructuring shows that FTI consultants sit at the center of the most consequential business challenges in the world."

 

"Third, I was impressed by the people I met during the recruiting process. [Name of consultant] shared how the firm's meritocratic culture allowed her to take on significant responsibility early in her career, and that kind of environment is where I do my best work."

 

Sample Answer for Economic Consulting

 

"I want to work at FTI for three reasons. First, Compass Lexecon's reputation in economic consulting is unmatched. As someone with a strong quantitative background, I want to apply economic analysis to real disputes and regulatory matters, and Compass Lexecon has been named Competition Economics Firm of the Year for 10 straight years."

 

"Second, FTI gives me the chance to contribute to matters that have real consequences. The economic analysis behind the Microsoft and Activision merger approval is exactly the kind of work I find most intellectually stimulating."

 

"Third, I connected with several FTI consultants at a campus event and was struck by how collaborative and approachable they were. That culture of teamwork and respect aligns with how I like to work."

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

 

Do not give generic answers that could apply to any consulting firm. Saying "I want to work on interesting projects with smart people" does not differentiate FTI from dozens of other firms.

 

Also avoid focusing only on FTI's size or prestige without connecting it to your personal goals. Interviewers want to know why FTI is the right fit for you specifically.

 

For more help preparing for behavioral questions, see our complete guide on consulting behavioral interview questions.

 

If you want to be fully prepared for 98% of consulting fit interview questions in just a few hours, check out my fit interview course.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Is FTI Consulting a Good Company to Work For?

 

Yes. FTI Consulting holds Great Place to Work certification in 11+ countries, and 86% of employees say it is a great place to work. The firm has been named Best Firm to Work For by Consulting Magazine for six consecutive years and is ranked among Forbes' Best Employers for New Graduates. On Glassdoor, FTI has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 based on over 2,700 reviews.

 

Is FTI Consulting Hard to Get Into?

 

FTI Consulting is competitive. Acceptance rates for entry-level positions are estimated at 5% to 10%. According to Glassdoor, candidates rate the interview difficulty at 2.82 out of 5, which is moderate. The key to standing out is demonstrating strong analytical skills, genuine interest in a specific segment, and clear communication ability.

 

What GPA Do You Need for FTI Consulting?

 

FTI Consulting generally looks for candidates with a minimum 3.0 GPA, with many roles listing 3.5 or higher as preferred. However, leadership experience, relevant skills, and a strong interview performance can offset a lower GPA. The firm values well-rounded candidates who bring more than just academic credentials.

 

What Are the Exit Opportunities After FTI Consulting?

 

FTI alumni commonly exit into private equity (operations and turnaround groups), investment banking (restructuring), distressed debt and credit funds, corporate strategy roles, MBA programs, and other consulting firms. The specific exit path depends heavily on which segment you worked in. Corporate Finance & Restructuring consultants, for example, are especially well positioned for PE and IB restructuring roles.

 

How Much Does FTI Consulting Pay Entry-Level Consultants?

 

Based on FTI's job postings and Glassdoor data, entry-level consultants can expect a base salary between $73,000 and $95,000, with total compensation (including bonuses) reaching $80,000 to $110,000. Compensation varies by segment, location, and academic background. For a broader look at consulting compensation, explore our guide on the consulting career path.

 

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