The one-pool system is a structure where all consultants—say, 500 of them—belong to the same department. Its advantages include the ability to collaborate across industries and to develop deep expertise in specific areas.
There are also certifications that can give you an edge when joining a consulting firm that uses the one-pool system, so if you are considering a career in consulting, it may be worth pursuing relevant qualifications.
This article covers the merits and demerits of the one-pool system, venture consulting firms that use it, and certifications that can strengthen your job application.
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What Is the One-Pool System?
The one-pool system is a structure in which all consultants are assigned to the same department.
An increasing number of consulting firms have adopted this model. BayCurrent Consulting, Inc. is one of the most well-known examples and will be used here for illustration.
About BayCurrent Consulting, Inc.
Basic information about BayCurrent Consulting, Inc. is as follows.
| Company Name | BayCurrent Consulting, Inc. |
| Founded | March 25, 1998 |
| Address | 〒106-0041 Azabudai Hills Mori JP Tower, 1-3-1 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Phone | 03-5501-0151 |
| Consolidated Revenue | ¥148.3 billion (FY ending February 2026) |
| Consolidated Employees | 7,551 (as of April 2026) |
| Official Website | https://www.baycurrent.co.jp/ |
BayCurrent Consulting, Inc. operates across digital, strategy, technology, operations, and sustainability domains, delivering end-to-end solutions from system design through execution.
Two Reasons BayCurrent Consulting Adopted the One-Pool System
Here are the two primary reasons BayCurrent Consulting has implemented the one-pool system.
To Strengthen Consultants’ Expertise
The reason all consultants are placed in the same department is to develop highly specialized professionals.
You might wonder: “Wouldn’t it be better to divide people by industry or function to build deeper expertise?” Consider this analogy—just as Japanese professionals working abroad often gain a deeper appreciation of Japan’s unique characteristics, exposure to a wide range of industries and functions helps consultants better understand the differences and traits of each sector. Broad knowledge in areas like IT and marketing fosters a more objective perspective.
The belief is that a wide knowledge base ultimately accelerates the development of specific expertise—which is why the one-pool model is used.
To Better Serve Clients in Solving Their Challenges
Having consultants from diverse industries in the same department makes cross-industry collaboration easier and accelerates the generation of solutions. This is another key reason BayCurrent has adopted the one-pool model.
In recent years, cross-industry collaboration has grown significantly, and many clients are seeking business expansion beyond traditional boundaries.
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4 Advantages of the One-Pool System
What are the practical benefits of working under the one-pool system?
Here are four advantages you are likely to experience firsthand.
- You develop deep expertise in specific practice areas
- You gain experience across a wide variety of engagements
- You are better positioned to help clients solve their problems
- You can collaborate with consultants from other industries
You Develop Deep Expertise in Specific Practice Areas
Working under the one-pool system helps you build deep expertise in targeted practice areas.
Solving client problems requires more than narrow domain knowledge—it demands broad competencies, including areas like IT. When you decide to deepen your specialization, a well-rounded knowledge base across multiple industries will allow you to do so more efficiently.
You Gain Experience Across a Wide Variety of Engagements
In the one-pool system, everyone belongs to the same department and builds their career from there—which means you can work on projects spanning multiple domains.
This model is well-suited for those who want to accumulate diverse project experience and develop a wide range of expertise.
You Are Better Positioned to Help Clients Solve Their Problems
At firms using the one-pool system, collaboration with consultants from other industries is common, enabling you to develop knowledge across a broad range of sectors. The more knowledge you accumulate, the more precise and effective your client proposals become.
You Can Collaborate with Consultants from Other Industries
Consultants must analyze client challenges objectively, regardless of industry. By joining forces with consultants from different sectors, you can deliver higher-quality support and solutions.
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2 Drawbacks of the One-Pool System
Because the one-pool system involves rotating across industries rather than staying within one, it can feel like a drawback for those who already know which area they want to specialize in.
There are also the following additional downsides to the one-pool system:
Team Members and Managers Change with Every Project
In the one-pool system, everyone from analyst to partner belongs to the same department. Because team compositions change with each project, it is rare to work repeatedly with the same supervisor or colleagues.
For those who place high value on continuity in professional relationships, this can be a significant drawback.
You Cannot Choose Which Engagements You Work On
Project assignments are determined from the pool of engagements secured by the sales team.
Even if you want to work on an IT consulting engagement, you may be assigned elsewhere if that is the only available project. In fact, reviews from consulting professionals include comments such as “It’s hard to get assigned to the projects you actually want.”
It is also worth knowing in advance that even junior staff may be assigned to projects independently.
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Venture Consulting Firms Using the One-Pool System
Here are some venture consulting firms that have adopted the one-pool system and stand out for their appeal and unique characteristics.
Explore how each firm approaches client problem-solving and what kind of working environment they have built for their consultants.
Rise Consulting Group
- Strong presence in retail/services, telecom/IT, and advertising-related engagements
- Interviews with senior leadership are conducted before project assignments
- A career development program called “RISE COMPASS” supports employees in realizing their career goals
Rise Consulting Group has no divisions organized by industry, function, or solution type—every consultant can participate in any project. Engagements tend to be concentrated in retail/services, telecom/IT, and advertising, and client organizations range from industry-leading companies to startups.
The firm is distinguished by the presence of professionals who have accumulated extensive experience at top-tier consulting firms.
The type of candidate the firm seeks includes:
- Someone who can independently determine what needs to be done to fulfill the mission of “building a happy future together” and put in the effort to make it happen
- Someone with initiative, leadership, and sound judgment
- Someone who values teamwork and can embrace different cultures and perspectives
Rise Consulting Group places a strong emphasis on maximizing and developing each employee’s potential. To that end, the firm has established “RISE COMPASS,” a program that clarifies each employee’s career path along with the skills and experiences required, with company-wide support to help them get there. Prior to project assignments, consultants have the opportunity to meet with senior leadership to discuss their skills, experience, and professional aspirations.
The firm also maintains a high consultant utilization rate through its proprietary consulting methodology and strong client relationships. Its unique approach helps sustain a competitive edge in the market.
Rise Consulting Group maintains high client satisfaction, strong work-life balance for its people, and competitive compensation—positioning it as a firm that is reshaping how consulting work is done.
Vision Consulting
- Front-line employees are given meaningful autonomy
- GOLD-ranked in the White Company Certification Program; average overtime is approximately 20 hours per month
- A 360-degree evaluation system ensures that top performers and high-ability employees are recognized
Vision Consulting is a specialized consulting firm focused on two service areas:
- Strategy, IT, and operational consulting
- New business development and systems integration
Founded in February 2014, this venture firm has offices in Los Angeles and Singapore and is expanding rapidly.
At large consulting firms, decisions about internal processes and management direction often require extensive approval processes and time-consuming stakeholder alignment. At Vision Consulting, however, front-line employees hold a meaningful degree of autonomy, enabling them to act proactively and with speed.
Another defining characteristic of Vision Consulting is a deeply ingrained culture that discourages overtime. With most employees working efficiently, the firm has achieved an average of approximately 20 hours of overtime per month—an exceptional work-life balance by consulting industry standards. The health and high morale of its employees are seen as key drivers of the firm’s growth.
Vision Consulting uses the following three-part evaluation framework for its employees:
- Quantitative evaluation based on utilization rate and revenue (profit margin)
- Qualitative evaluation across six consultant competency categories (e.g., problem-solving ability, communication skills)
- Qualitative evaluation based on feedback from the individual, their manager, HR, and clients
These three elements are assessed holistically to determine each employee’s performance rating. The system is designed so that employees who genuinely deliver results and demonstrate strong capability are the ones who get recognized and promoted. This creates an environment where high performers can thrive, making it easy for many employees to feel a strong sense of purpose and stay motivated.
NorthSand
- Actively pursues new business development, not just consulting
- Recognized as a “Great Place to Work” for seven consecutive years (2018–2024)
- Robust employee benefits that extend to consultants’ families
NorthSand is a consulting firm specializing in digital, business, and IT consulting.
To challenge the perception that “consultants are just commentators,” NorthSand goes beyond advisory work—it actually conceives and commercializes products and services that the world needs. Its commitment to supporting new graduates in taking on challenges across a wide range of industries and themes, without limiting their potential, is one of the reasons it attracts strong interest from job seekers.
The firm’s consultants come from diverse backgrounds, including major firms such as PwC Japan Group and Accenture, as well as systems integrators and operating companies. Its supportive, comfortable working environment has earned it recognition as a “Great Place to Work” for seven consecutive years (2018–2024).
Another distinctive feature is the “Quest System”—a unique program in which employees can apply for internal roles that contribute to company operations, regardless of their department. It is a popular initiative that reflects the firm’s respect for employee initiative and entrepreneurial spirit, and spots typically fill up within minutes of being posted.
In most companies—consulting or otherwise—it is nearly impossible for employees to be directly involved in shaping the firm’s management or internal systems. NorthSand’s Quest System creates an environment where employees can actually help build the company.
The firm also treats employees’ families as valued members of its community. For example, it sends a school backpack (randoseru) to employees’ children upon their entry into elementary school, and family members are welcome to join company trips.
Dirbato
- Consultants can pursue new business development alongside their client work
- Internal business competitions are open to all employees regardless of department
Dirbato was founded in October 2018. The name “Dirbato” is a blend of “Digital” and the musical term “tempo rubato” (meaning “free time”), giving rise to the meaning: “to freely harness new technologies and create a new world.”
Dirbato aims to be “Japan’s incubation firm”—raising the value of Japan’s technology professionals—through two core business lines: its technology consulting practice and its incubation business focused on new ventures.
Since its founding, Dirbato has maintained a deep focus on specialized domains, delivering high-quality services through the recruitment and development of expert talent. It also offers a unique career path that allows consultants to build toward independent entrepreneurship.
While most consulting firms expect consultants to dedicate 100% of their time to client projects, Dirbato allows 50% of time to be spent on consulting work and 50% on pursuing new business initiatives.
The consulting side sharpens your expertise and skills, while the new business side gives you the opportunity to ideate, develop, and scale new ventures from scratch. If a venture turns profitable, it may become a group company—and you could find yourself serving as a CxO.
The firm also holds regular internal business competitions, open to employees across all departments to pitch and propose new business ideas. Senior members and executives serve as mentors, offering guidance on business model vision and market scale.
Regrit Partners
- One of Japan’s fastest-growing consulting firms, with average annual growth exceeding 70%
- Recognized strength in IT consulting leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and RPA
Regrit Partners achieved ¥3 billion in revenue within five years of its founding in October 2017, making it one of Japan’s fastest-growing consulting firms with an average annual growth rate of 70%. The firm operates under the concept of “CxO Firm,” with the goal of producing 1,000 CxO-level executives.
At major consulting firms, career options are typically limited to “specializing in a specific industry × a specific service.” At Regrit Partners, however, consultants have the flexibility to both broaden and deepen their career paths.
The firm’s consulting approach is defined by two principles:
- Issue-driven (DX is not tied to any specific product or solution)
- Scopeless (everything necessary to achieve transformation is within scope)
As a full-service firm focused on embedding outcomes, building client capabilities, and enabling independent management, Regrit Partners serves a wide range of industries with comprehensive service offerings.
Since its founding, the firm has worked directly with major corporations on digital transformation initiatives—spanning business process reform and change management across front-office to back-office operations. It also provides IT implementation consulting that leverages cutting-edge technologies such as AI and RPA to drive transformation.
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Strategy Tech Consulting
- Strong sales and business development capabilities
- A lean, high-performance firm that operates with speed
Strategy Tech Consulting is a venture consulting firm founded in November 2019, specializing in two domains:
- Strategy (new business development, corporate governance, M&A, PMI)
- Digital (data utilization, 5G, AI, cybersecurity)
Beyond its core consulting business, the firm also operates a proprietary DX talent-matching platform (Contact EARTH matching) and a project placement service for freelance consultants, reflecting a broad and diversified business model.
The firm was founded by alumni of a major Japanese consulting firm, and many of its staff come from consulting backgrounds. This means they bring deep client relationships and proven know-how, which translates into strong sales capabilities. In fact, senior leadership regularly wins client engagements directly—and clients frequently describe the firm as “a venture consulting firm capable of delivering high-quality proposals.”
At Strategy Tech Consulting, front-line employees make quick decisions and set direction themselves. The lean team structure enables faster execution than most competitors, which has a meaningful impact on proposal quality and client deliverables.
True to its name, the firm places particular emphasis on strategy and digital (including technology) projects. Both the founding members and current team have extensive experience in these domains, enabling a consulting service that draws fully on the strengths of its people.
Beyond pure strategy or pure digital work, the firm’s ability to combine both—delivering integrated “strategy + digital” consulting—is a key differentiator.
Preparing for the Consulting Selection Process: A Guide for Career Changers
When transitioning into a consulting career, the three key areas of preparation are research, crafting your motivation for applying, and interview preparation. Of these, the most critical elements are demonstrating logical thinking and strong communication skills.
The following sections walk through important points for your motivation statement, application materials, interview performance, and overall selection strategy.
Research
In consulting firm interviews, the context behind your motivation matters just as much as the motivation itself.
As demand for consulting services grows, the range of clients expands—and so does the number of firms competing for that work. Use the information you gather to be ready to articulate clearly “why this firm specifically.”
Useful research methods include websites that cover the consulting industry broadly, the types of consulting firms, and specific roles within them. Use a variety of sources to build a thorough understanding of the sector.
From there, dig into each firm’s official website and related materials to understand where it sits within the broader consulting landscape.
Attending information sessions and seminars—or consulting a recruitment agent with up-to-date industry knowledge—can also be highly effective.
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Motivation Statement
Your motivation statement is a critical part of making the transition into consulting.
When writing it, dig as deep as possible and make it clear and compelling. A motivation grounded in specific research will carry greater weight. Articulating how your experience, qualifications, and skills make you a valuable contributor to the firm will also strengthen the uniqueness and persuasiveness of your case.
Your resume and work history should similarly be written to position you as someone who can make a meaningful contribution based on your professional background.
Interview Preparation
In addition to research and application materials, it is also effective to write out all the questions you might be asked and prepare answers in advance.
Since unexpected questions are common, make sure to practice with mock interviews as well. Friends or acquaintances can help, but working with a recruitment agent who specializes in consulting careers will give you more targeted preparation.
Consulting firm interviews frequently include case interviews, which require you to arrive at a logical conclusion based on a hypothesis and answer questions clearly and concisely. These are especially common for candidates without a consulting background, so case interview preparation is essential.
Preparing for reverse questions is also valuable. When asking your own questions, draw on the research you have done to craft questions that leave the interviewer thinking, “I’d enjoy working with this person.”
4 Certifications Worth Earning Before Breaking Into Consulting
Strictly speaking, there are no mandatory qualifications to become a consultant. However, holding relevant certifications can validate your capabilities, strengthen your application, and build client trust once you are working in the field.
The following certifications can give you an edge when transitioning into a consulting role:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant (SME Consultant)
- TOEIC
- MBA (Master of Business Administration)
Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
A CPA is an accounting specialist and a nationally recognized license with the exclusive right to perform statutory audits. Given their deep, broad expertise in accounting, finance, and corporate management, CPAs are highly valued by FAS firms and restructuring consultancies working on M&A and business turnarounds.
The exam consists of a multiple-choice “short-answer” component and a written “essay” component, both of which must be passed. Candidates must also complete at least two years of practical experience in audit or related work, either before or after passing the exam. Importantly, there are no prerequisites to sit for the CPA exam, making it accessible to anyone.
Small and Medium Enterprise Management Consultant (SME Consultant)
The SME Consultant designation is a nationally registered qualification established under the Small and Medium Enterprise Support Act. The curriculum is broad, covering economics, marketing, management strategy, finance and accounting, and business law. As a result, it is particularly advantageous for roles at firms specializing in SME management consulting or business succession advisory (FAS).
Studying for this qualification is a recommended way to build the foundational knowledge in people, assets, capital, and information that a management consultant needs—while also developing logical thinking skills. Given that the vast majority of Japanese businesses are SMEs, this is a domain with broad long-term potential, including the possibility of independent practice as a consultant.
TOEIC
TOEIC is a credential that demonstrates business English communication ability. It is valued for work with overseas clients and global corporations. For consultants, strong English proficiency can expand the range of available engagements and increase the likelihood of being assigned to high-profile projects. If you are targeting a foreign-affiliated consulting firm, aim for 800 or above.
While requirements vary by firm, most consulting practices include engagements where English is essential. Consultants who are not proficient in English are unlikely to be assigned to those projects.
Furthermore, hands-on experience working in English can raise your market value significantly, sometimes attracting offers from other firms with a larger proportion of English-language engagements. That said, English proficiency alone is not sufficient to secure a consulting position—you will also need to demonstrate the core skills and analytical thinking that consulting demands.
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
An MBA is one of the most recognized credentials in the consulting world, and is considered especially advantageous in the selection process for strategy consulting roles. Technically it is a degree rather than a license, and it involves a systematic and evidence-based study of a broad range of management topics as a practicing professional.
Earning an MBA requires completing a two-year business school program (known as a business school in the US and UK, or a master’s/professional degree program in Japan). Pursuing an MBA abroad provides not only management skills but also practical opportunities to develop business English in an immersive environment.
An MBA can be listed as your highest academic qualification on a resume. While it is possible to earn an MBA in Japan, graduates of globally recognized business schools are generally regarded more favorably in the job market.
An MBA sharpens foundational knowledge across a broad range of disciplines—corporate strategy, accounting, finance, marketing, and organizational behavior—and signals to employers that you have the foundational competencies required to step into a consulting role.
In practice, MBA holders tend to be disproportionately represented among those who transition into consulting on favorable terms.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the One-Pool System
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Summary
The one-pool system is a staffing model in which all consultants at a firm are assigned to the same department. It enables cross-industry collaboration and the development of deep domain expertise—but it also comes with trade-offs.
People make the move into consulting for many different reasons: to sharpen their skills, to increase their earnings, or to build toward a future where they work in a consulting-style capacity. If you have any hesitation about making the transition, starting with thorough research will give you the clarity you need to decide. While online resources can provide a solid foundation, a recruitment agent is your best source for current, detailed industry intelligence.
Some people avoid working with recruitment agents because they worry: “I have no consulting experience—they won’t introduce me to good firms.” In reality, the majority of people who transition into consulting do so without a consulting background.
Regardless of whether you have consulting experience, you are welcome to reach out and consult with a recruitment agent—so don’t hesitate to take that first step.
