Deloitte S&O vs EY-Parthenon: Big 4 Strategy Compared
Updated January 2026·10 min read
Head-to-Head: Deloitte S&O vs EY-Parthenon
7/10
Interview Difficulty
7/10
6/10
Work-Life Balance
6/10
8/10
Compensation
8/10
7/10
Prestige
7/10
7/10
Exit Opportunities
8/10
Deloitte S&OEY-Parthenon
Quick Summary
Both Deloitte Strategy & Operations and EY-Parthenon are excellent consulting firms with strong reputations. Deloitte S&O is known for implementation interests, while EY-Parthenon excels at pe career focus. Your choice should depend on your career goals, preferred working style, and cultural fit.
Detailed Comparison: Deloitte S&O vs EY-Parthenon
| Category | Deloitte S&O | EY-Parthenon |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage | Organic strategy growth | Acquired Parthenon (2014) |
| Size | Larger practice | Smaller, more focused |
| Focus | Broad strategy + ops | PE, education, healthcare |
| Interview Process | Immersive, group cases | Candidate-led, PE flavor |
| Compensation | Big 4 strategy rates | Similar to Deloitte |
| PE Exits | Possible but less common | Stronger PE pipeline |
Key Takeaways
- Heritage: EY-P has boutique heritage
- Size: Deloitte bigger
- Focus: EY-P more specialized
- Interview Process: Different experiences
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Deloitte S&O if you...
- ✓Implementation interests
- ✓Broader strategy scope
- ✓Larger network preference
Choose EY-Parthenon if you...
- ✓PE career focus
- ✓Sector specialization (edu, healthcare)
- ✓Due diligence interest
Interview Process Comparison
Deloitte S&O Interview Process
- • Online assessment/screening
- • 2-3 rounds of case interviews
- • Behavioral/fit interviews
- • Final round with partners
EY-Parthenon Interview Process
- • Online assessment/screening
- • 2-3 rounds of case interviews
- • Behavioral/fit interviews
- • Final round with partners
Prepare for Both Deloitte S&O and EY-Parthenon
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Start PracticingFrequently Asked Questions
Deloitte S&O or EY-Parthenon for PE?
EY-Parthenon is stronger for PE exits. The Parthenon heritage and heavy due diligence focus create better PE pipelines. Deloitte S&O does PE work but it's not the core focus.
Which is more prestigious?
Roughly comparable. EY-Parthenon benefits from Parthenon boutique heritage. Deloitte S&O benefits from Deloitte's overall brand strength. Neither clearly dominates.
How do interviews compare?
Deloitte often includes group case exercises and the Immersive assessment. EY-Parthenon uses more traditional candidate-led cases with PE/investment flavor. Both assess similar skills differently.
Which has better work-life balance?
Similar. Both are demanding Big 4 strategy roles. Neither is dramatically better than the other on lifestyle. Individual team and engagement variation matters more.