“What major IT consulting firms actually exist?”
“How much will my salary change if I switch to IT consulting?”
Many people may have these kinds of questions.
IT consultants are specialists who use the power of IT to solve business management challenges. In recent years, driven by the push for DX (digital transformation), this career path has been attracting attention from business professionals seeking career advancement and salary growth.
In this article, we introduce 10 major IT consulting firms, clearly explaining the characteristics, strengths, and average salary of each. Additionally, we explain the job responsibilities of IT consultants and how to make a career change into this field.
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Top 10 Major IT Consulting Firms
Understanding the characteristics and strengths of each consulting firm is the first step in finding the right company for you. Some firms specialize exclusively in IT consulting, while others are general or think-tank-type firms with dedicated IT consulting divisions.
Look for a company that aligns with your career direction.
1. Nomura Research Institute (NRI)
Nomura Research Institute (NRI) is one of Japan’s leading think-tank-type major consulting firms.
Established as Japan’s first private integrated think tank, it has built a unique model that combines both consulting and IT solutions.
It is particularly strong in the financial and distribution industries, and is characterized by its ability to provide end-to-end support from strategy formulation to system development and operations.
While maintaining a calm, Japanese-style corporate culture, the firm is also expanding globally, making it well-suited for those who want to take their time developing deep expertise.
| Head Office | Otemachi Financial City Grand Cube, 1-9-2 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | April 1965 |
| Employees | 7,645 ※As of March 31, 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥13.21 million |
2. Accenture
Accenture is one of the world’s largest general consulting firms, operating on a global scale.
It covers a wide range of areas — including strategy and business transformation, marketing and customer experience improvement, cutting-edge technology adoption, and operational efficiency — providing comprehensive support for corporate transformation.
Its ability to leverage insights and technology implementation capabilities in coordination with offices around the world is unmatched in the industry, and there are opportunities for young professionals to get involved in large-scale projects early in their careers.
It is a challenging and rewarding environment for those who want to grow rapidly in a short period of time.
| Head Office | Akasaka Intercity AIR, 1-8-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | December 1995 |
| Employees | Approx. 28,000 ※As of September 1, 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥8.69 million |
3. BayCurrent
BayCurrent is a Japan-born major general consulting firm that continues to grow rapidly.
Rather than limiting itself to specific industries or domains, it adopts a one-pool system that allows consultants to participate in a wide variety of projects.
It handles everything from strategy formulation to execution support in an integrated manner, powerfully supporting clients’ DX initiatives.
The firm also has a performance-based evaluation system in place, making it attractive for those looking to achieve high income in a short period. It is well-suited for those who want to enhance their market value through diverse experiences.
| Head Office | Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, 1-3-1 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | March 1998 |
| Employees | 5,904 (consolidated) ※As of April 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥13.49 million |
4. PwC Consulting
PwC Consulting belongs to the PwC global network, one of the Big Four accounting firms, and holds a strong presence as a major general consulting firm.
Backed by deep knowledge in accounting and finance, it has particular strengths in M&A, business restructuring, and risk management, while also broadly supporting corporate transformation through IT.
Leveraging its international network capable of handling cross-border engagements, it handles a large number of global-scale projects. It is well-suited for those who want to challenge DX and digital fields on the foundation of financial and risk knowledge.
| Founded | January 1983 |
| Japan Office | Otemachi One Tower, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Employees | Approx. 5,130 ※As of June 30, 2024 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥10.06 million |
5. Sigmaxyz
Sigmaxyz is a firm with a distinctive presence among major IT consulting companies.
It supports corporate problem-solving centered on three axes of transformation: “DX (Digital Transformation),” “SX (Service Transformation),” and “MX (Management Transformation)”.
The firm offers robust new graduate training programs and learning programs, making it a rewarding environment for those with a strong drive to learn.
| Head Office | Toranomon Towers Office 9F, 4-1-28 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | October 2021 |
| Employees | 730 ※As of March 31, 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥12.07 million |
6. ABeam Consulting
ABeam Consulting is a Japan-born major IT consulting firm that belongs to the NEC Group and holds a strong presence both domestically and internationally.
It is particularly strong in its knowledge of and network in the Asian market, and has powerfully supported Japanese companies in their overseas expansion and global development.
Its track record in ERP implementation — particularly SAP — is among the best in the industry, and it is highly regarded in the field of core business process reform. The firm values teamwork and has a culture of sharing knowledge across the organization, making it well-suited for those who want to achieve results through collaboration.
| Head Office | Yaesu Central Tower, Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | April 1981 |
| Employees | 8,816 (consolidated) ※As of April 1, 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥8.30 million |
7. IBM Japan
IBM Japan is the Japanese subsidiary of the global IT giant IBM, offering a wide range of services as a major IT consulting firm.
It has a track record across diverse industries including finance, manufacturing, and the public sector, and has been driving large-scale DX initiatives. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as the AI tool “watsonx” and cloud services, its strength lies in its ability to provide end-to-end support from strategy formulation to system implementation and operations.
It is well-suited for those who want to translate the latest technology into real-world business operations and lead corporate transformation.
| Head Office | Toranomon Hills Station Tower, 2-6-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | June 1937 |
| Employees | 300,000+ (consolidated) |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥9.12 million |
8. KPMG Consulting
KPMG Consulting is a member firm of KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms, and is also highly regarded as a major IT consulting firm.
The firm offers services centered on management, risk, and deal advisory, and has particular strengths in risk management, governance, and cybersecurity.
Its ability to provide highly credible consulting backed by the knowledge cultivated through auditing is a key differentiator. It is well-suited for those interested in cybersecurity and system risk management.
| Head Office | Otemachi Financial City South Tower, 1-9-7 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | July 2014 |
| Employees | 2,370 ※As of January 1, 2026 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥9.29 million |
9. Future Architect
Future Architect is an independent major IT consulting firm with strong technical capabilities.
In addition to consulting services such as strategy formulation and business process improvement in response to management challenges, its distinguishing feature is its ability to provide end-to-end support from the design and development to the implementation of fully operational systems.
The firm has an extensive track record in industries such as finance, distribution, and logistics, and has resolved client challenges from a practical level through the power of IT.
With a culture that embraces challenges, it is particularly suited for those with a strong drive to grow.
| Head Office | Art Village Osaki Central Tower, 1-2-2 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | November 1989 |
| Employees | 3,624 (consolidated) ※As of end of December 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥6.91 million |
10. Simplex
Simplex is a major IT consulting firm specializing in financial institutions.
It has a wealth of experience in highly specialized and reliability-critical areas such as trading systems and risk management systems.
Its strength lies in its in-house, end-to-end structure capable of handling everything from consulting and requirements definition to design, development, and operations and maintenance, and it provides solutions that are proficient in both IT and finance.
It is well-suited for those who want to leverage financial engineering and cutting-edge IT to directly contribute to clients’ businesses.
| Head Office | 1-23-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Founded | September 2016 |
| Employees | 1,119 ※As of March 31, 2025 |
| Average Annual Salary | Approx. ¥9.69 million |
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Characteristics and Strengths of Major IT Consulting Firms
The main characteristics of major IT consulting firms are the following three.
- They work with large corporations operating internationally and government agencies, allowing you to be involved in projects that have a major impact on society
- Ample financial resources are invested in the latest technology and talent development, enabling rapid growth alongside talented peers
- Past success stories are leveraged to deliver high-quality consulting
From these characteristics, major consulting firms are well-suited for those who want to build their capabilities quickly in a challenging environment.
On the other hand, for those who prioritize work-life balance or prefer to gradually deepen expertise in a specialized field, smaller firms may offer a more comfortable working environment.
What Is an IT Consultant? A Basic Overview
IT consultants are specialists who lead companies toward solutions to management challenges through IT.
Let’s take a look at the specific job responsibilities, required skills, and average salary.
Job Responsibilities of an IT Consultant
The work of an IT consultant is wide-ranging, but the main responsibilities are as follows.
- Issue Discovery & Current State Analysis: Organizing management challenges and identifying problems in business processes and systems
- IT Strategy Formulation: Designing a systems vision and developing an optimal IT investment plan
- Proposal & RFP Development Support: Preparing the necessary materials for vendor selection and supporting the evaluation process
- Implementation & Execution Phase Support: Managing progress and issues as PMO to bring systems into operation as planned
- Effectiveness Measurement & Improvement Proposals: Verifying post-implementation outcomes and advising on further efficiency improvements and growth strategies
A key characteristic of IT consultants is their ability to provide end-to-end support from upstream planning through post-implementation.
Skills Required for IT Consultants
Because IT consultants handle a wide range of duties from analyzing management challenges to proposing IT strategies and supporting improvements after implementation, a comprehensive skill set is required.
The main skills needed are as follows.
- Logical Thinking: The ability to organize complex problems and map out a path to resolution
- Communication Skills: The ability to build trust through interviews and presentations
- IT Knowledge & Expertise: Understanding of cutting-edge fields such as cloud, AI, and data analytics
- Management Skills: The ability to smoothly advance large-scale projects
- Domain Knowledge: The ability to grasp the characteristics and challenges of the client’s industry
These skills are indispensable for delivering results as an IT consultant, and need to be systematically developed through project experience.
Average Salary of IT Consultants
While there are variations by region and area of responsibility, the average annual salary for IT consultants is around ¥6 million.
Breaking it down by age group, it is approximately ¥5 million for those in their 20s, around ¥7.3 million for those in their 30s, and approaches ¥9 million for those over 40. However, it is not uncommon for young professionals in their 20s to 30s to earn over ¥10 million if they accumulate solid results.
The background for these high compensation levels lies in the critical role IT consultants play directly tied to corporate management, the highly specialized expertise required, and a meritocratic system where performance directly translates to evaluation.
The ability to achieve a significant salary increase based on effort and track record is one of the great attractions of being an IT consultant.
3 Characteristics of People Suited for Major IT Consulting Firms
To deliver results at a major IT consulting firm, a specific mindset and attitude are essential, not just skills.
To successfully lead large-scale projects that touch the very core of a client’s business, the ability to perform under pressure is essential.
Here we introduce three representative characteristics of people who are well-suited for major IT consulting.
1. People Who Can Organize Things Logically
People who can stay calm and organized even in complex situations, and identify the root cause of a problem, are well-suited for major IT consulting.
For example, when sales are not growing, it is necessary to separately consider multiple potential factors — problems with the sales approach, weaknesses in the product strategy, system malfunctions, and so on.
People who can derive cause-and-effect relationships based on facts and data can not only present the right solutions, but also explain them to clients in a convincing way.
Logical thinking is the foundation for project success and an essential skill for consistently delivering results.
2. People Who Find Fulfillment in Problem-Solving
Those who are well-suited for major IT consulting are people who can approach difficulties with a positive attitude.
Clients often face challenges too complex to solve on their own, so a proactive attitude is essential. Those who can view tight deadlines and unexpected troubles as “an opportunity to grow once resolved” tend to produce better results.
Furthermore, those who can take the client’s success as their own satisfaction will be able to pursue results persistently even under pressure.
People with a positive, proactive attitude toward problem-solving are better positioned to build a long-term career in major IT consulting.
3. People With a Desire to Learn New Things
The IT industry evolves rapidly, and technologies such as cloud and AI advance in a short period of time. Furthermore, since the target industry differs from project to project, the flexibility to absorb new knowledge on each occasion is essential.
Those who maintain a constant eagerness to learn and can challenge new fields without hesitation are best suited for major IT consulting.
Those who make the effort to apply acquired knowledge to practical work and discuss it on equal terms with experts will be able to continue growing in any environment. The ability to enjoy learning is a great strength that allows you to keep producing results at a major IT consulting firm.
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How to Get a Job or Transfer to a Major IT Consulting Firm
Transferring to a major IT consulting firm is an attractive career path for many business professionals, but the selection bar is correspondingly high.
Strategic and systematic preparation is essential to land an offer.
Here we explain specific methods to succeed in your job search in three steps.
1. Organize Your Experience and Track Record, and Connect Them to Your Reason for Applying
When aiming for a major IT consulting firm, it is important to first accurately understand your own strengths and track record.
Those making a career change should look back on their past work history, while students should reflect on experiences gained through seminars, research, part-time jobs, and internships.
Identify in what situations you demonstrated logical thinking, problem-solving ability, communication skills, and IT knowledge, and clarify your skill set.
At the same time, objectively identifying the skills you lack and areas for improvement will also be useful for future learning plans. Use this inventory of your skills and background to build a compelling case in interviews and on paper.
2. Thoroughly Prepare for Interviews
To pass the selection process at a major IT consulting firm, preparing for case interviews and aptitude tests — in addition to standard interviews — is essential.
In case interviews, the ability to organize a given problem in a short time, clarify assumptions, form a hypothesis, and lead to a conclusion with specific numbers and examples is required.
Aptitude tests often include quantitative reasoning and logic problems, so practicing with workbooks to get familiar with the format is effective.
Additionally, understanding the latest IT trends such as cloud and AI will add specificity and depth to your answers and serve as supporting evidence for your motivation. By building up sufficient preparation, you will be able to approach the actual selection process with confidence.
3. Utilize a Specialized Recruitment Agent
The selection process at major IT consulting firms is highly competitive and also involves an information dimension. For this reason, utilizing a specialized consulting recruitment agent is effective not only for those making a career change, but also for students in job hunting.
Agents have access to non-public job openings, internal information about company culture, selection processes, and more — providing specific advice that you cannot obtain on your own.
Furthermore, since you can receive guidance on reviewing your resume and entry sheet, as well as case interview preparation, it is possible to increase your acceptance rate. Borrowing the expertise of specialists while getting your preparation in order is the smart way to efficiently advance through the selection process.
For those challenging the consulting industry for the first time in particular, this will provide great peace of mind.
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Frequently Asked Questions About IT Consultants
Here we answer frequently asked questions about IT consultants.
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Summary
In this article, we introduced the characteristics and strengths of 10 major IT consulting firms. While IT consulting offers the potential to increase your market value and salary, there is also a demanding side, including a performance-based culture and long working hours.
When aiming for a career change, it is important to organize how you can leverage your experience, clarify your motivation for applying, and then work on your selection preparation.
At ConsulNext.jp, we provide broad support from career counseling to document preparation and interview coaching, and we assist many people in making the transition to consulting firms. If you are considering a move to consulting, please make use of our services.
