Ankura Consulting: Complete Firm Overview, Careers, and Culture

If you’re exploring consulting firms that combine analytical rigor with a collaborative approach, Ankura Consulting is worth your attention. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Ankura Consulting has quickly grown into a global advisory firm known for its expertise in risk management, restructuring, and strategy. The firm attracts candidates seeking diverse career paths, strong mentorship, and meaningful impact. Whether you’re curious about Ankura’s services, salary structure, or interview process, this guide will help you understand what makes the firm unique.

TL;DR – What You Need to Know

Ankura Consulting is a global advisory firm specializing in risk management, restructuring, and strategy, offering diverse career opportunities and a collaborative, values-driven culture.

• Founded in 2014, Ankura Consulting has grown to 1,800 employees across 35 offices under CEO Kevin Lavin.
• The firm provides services in restructuring, litigation, forensics, cybersecurity, and strategic advisory across multiple global industries.
• Ankura careers and internships offer hands-on experience, professional growth, and exposure to complex consulting projects.
• The firm’s culture emphasizes collaboration, integrity, and continuous learning through its core values and inclusive environment.
• Ankura salaries are competitive within mid-tier consulting, with clear progression and strong exit opportunities for consultants.

What Is Ankura Consulting Known For?

Ankura Consulting is known for its expertise in risk management, restructuring, and strategic advisory services that help organizations protect, create, and recover value. The firm applies its trademark Collaborative Lateral Thinking approach to solve complex challenges across industries and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Founded in 2014, Ankura Consulting has positioned itself as a multidisciplinary consulting firm that bridges financial, operational, and strategic advisory. The company brings together experts from diverse backgrounds including finance, law, engineering, and technology to provide data-driven solutions tailored to client needs.

Ankura’s core mission focuses on three pillars:

• Protecting value through risk management, compliance, and crisis response
• Creating value through business transformation, innovation, and growth strategies
• Recovering value through restructuring, dispute resolution, and performance improvement

This client-centered approach allows Ankura to adapt quickly in volatile markets and deliver strategic insights across global sectors. Its consulting model prioritizes collaboration and agility, making it a strong alternative for professionals seeking both impact and continuous learning.

Key Facts and History of Ankura Consulting

Ankura Consulting was founded in 2014 by Roger D. Carlile in Dallas, Texas, and has since grown into a global advisory firm headquartered in Washington, DC. The firm has expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions, expert hires, and investment from Madison Dearborn Partners, solidifying its presence across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions.

Today, Ankura Consulting employs more than 1,800 professionals across 35 offices in over 100 countries. Its leadership team, led by CEO Kevin Lavin, has guided the firm’s evolution into a trusted partner for clients navigating financial, operational, and reputational challenges.

Key facts about Ankura Consulting:

• Headquarters: Washington, DC
• Founder: Roger D. Carlile
• CEO: Kevin Lavin
• Founded: 2014
• Employees: ~1,800
• Global Offices: 35
• Estimated Revenue: Approximately $600 million

Ankura’s story reflects a young yet ambitious consulting firm that combines entrepreneurial energy with deep subject-matter expertise. Its rapid growth underscores how mid-sized consultancies can compete globally by delivering specialized advisory solutions rooted in data, collaboration, and innovation.

What Services and Industries Does Ankura Specialize In?

Ankura Consulting provides expert advisory services across restructuring, litigation support, forensics, data analytics, cybersecurity, and geopolitical risk. The firm’s broad service offering allows clients to navigate crises, improve performance, and plan for sustainable growth across diverse industries.

Core Practice Areas:

• Corporate restructuring and turnaround advisory
• Dispute and litigation consulting
• Forensic accounting and investigations
• Risk and crisis management
• Cybersecurity and digital transformation advisory
• Strategy and management consulting

Industries Served:

• Healthcare and life sciences
• Financial services and real estate
• Energy, utilities, and natural resources
• Technology, media, and telecommunications
• Manufacturing and industrials
• Public sector and government

Ankura’s multidisciplinary teams combine technical precision with strategic insight, helping clients achieve stability and long-term performance improvement even in volatile markets.

Inside Ankura’s Careers and Internship Opportunities

Ankura offers consulting professionals and students a dynamic environment focused on learning, collaboration, and real-world impact. The firm hires across diverse functions including management consulting, forensics, and data analytics.

Internship Program: Ankura’s internship program provides undergraduate students with hands-on consulting experience through exposure to live projects. Interns work alongside consultants, analyzing data, building financial models, and developing client presentations. The program also includes mentorship, networking events, and professional skills training.

Full-Time Careers: Entry-level consultants and associates at Ankura work in teams that emphasize problem-solving and innovation. The firm values adaptability, critical thinking, and collaboration across its global offices. Ankura’s career development framework supports structured learning and cross-functional exposure, preparing consultants for advancement within or beyond the firm.

Ankura Career Path and Exit Opportunities

The Ankura career path mirrors most major consulting firms, offering structured progression and diverse post-consulting opportunities.

Career Levels at Ankura:

• Associate
• Senior Associate
• Consultant
• Senior Consultant
• Director
• Senior Director
• Managing Director

Promotion decisions are merit-based, reflecting performance, leadership, and client impact. Professionals gain exposure to complex, cross-border projects early in their careers.

Exit Opportunities: Ankura alumni often transition into roles in corporate strategy, private equity, venture capital, or other specialized advisory firms. The firm’s strong brand in restructuring and risk consulting makes its alumni particularly valuable in finance and operations leadership positions.

Understanding Ankura’s Culture and Core Values

Ankura’s culture emphasizes teamwork, learning, and ethical decision-making. The firm’s official values Put Others First, Leverage the Collective, Learn Every Day, Make It Happen, and Do the Right Thing guide every engagement and internal interaction.

Employees describe the culture as collaborative, inclusive, and fast-paced. Consultants are encouraged to share ideas, take ownership of their work, and learn continuously from diverse teams. Ankura’s “Collaborative Lateral Thinking” philosophy reflects its belief that innovation emerges through open dialogue and shared expertise.

This supportive environment appeals to candidates seeking meaningful impact, intellectual challenge, and professional growth in a culture that values both excellence and empathy.

Ankura Consulting Salary and Compensation Levels

Ankura Consulting salaries vary by level, reflecting role complexity, market, and performance. While not on par with MBB firms, Ankura offers competitive compensation within the mid-tier consulting range.

Approximate Total Compensation (Base + Bonus):

• Associate: $80,000
• Senior Associate: $107,000
• Consultant: $101,000
• Senior Consultant: $130,000
• Director: $254,000
• Senior Director: $309,000
• Managing Director: $359,000

Compensation growth is steady, and top performers receive merit-based bonuses and accelerated promotion opportunities. Combined with the firm’s collaborative culture and global exposure, Ankura offers strong value for professionals seeking both financial and career growth.

Ankura Interview Process and Hiring Insights

Ankura’s interview process is designed to assess analytical ability, teamwork, and cultural fit rather than technical case-solving alone.

Interview Format

• Round 1: Initial screening with a recruiter or mid-level manager (usually virtual)
• Round 2: Behavioral interviews with senior consultants or directors
• Round 3: Final interview with senior leadership or managing directors

Interview questions focus on problem-solving, communication, and examples of leadership under pressure. While Ankura does not emphasize case interviews as heavily as MBB firms, candidates are expected to demonstrate structured thinking and client-readiness.

Preparation Tips

• Understand Ankura’s practice areas and recent growth initiatives
• Be ready to discuss teamwork, adaptability, and motivation
• Highlight experiences that align with the firm’s collaborative values

Ankura’s Global Presence and Office Locations

Ankura operates in 35 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC, serving clients in more than 100 countries. Its geographic reach enables the firm to deliver cross-border solutions and maintain close relationships with multinational clients.

Key Global Offices:

• North America: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, Toronto
• Europe and Middle East: London, Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Riyadh
• Asia Pacific: Singapore, Mumbai, Sydney, Hong Kong, Shanghai

This broad presence allows Ankura to combine local insights with global expertise, ensuring clients receive tailored solutions aligned with regional challenges and regulations.

Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Impact at Ankura

Ankura Consulting demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through internal programs and community partnerships.

Key Initiatives:

• VOICE Council: A global diversity and inclusion council representing employees across offices
• Partnership with Her Justice: Supports legal aid and empowerment initiatives for women living in poverty
• Employee Resource Networks: Promote belonging and cultural exchange

These initiatives reflect Ankura’s belief that diverse perspectives drive innovation and better client outcomes. The firm’s DEI efforts also enhance its workplace culture, helping attract talent that values empathy, representation, and equity.

Is Ankura a Good Consulting Firm to Work For?

Ankura Consulting is a strong choice for professionals seeking a growing, people-focused firm that blends entrepreneurial culture with technical expertise. The firm offers meaningful client work, competitive pay, and a collaborative environment that encourages continuous learning.

While Ankura may not yet rival the global scale of MBB firms, it stands out for its inclusive culture, multidisciplinary services, and opportunities to make an early impact. For candidates looking to grow in restructuring, forensics, or strategic advisory, Ankura provides both challenge and long-term career value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Ankura Consulting do?
A: Ankura Consulting helps businesses solve complex financial and operational challenges through restructuring, forensics, and strategic advisory services that drive measurable results globally.

Q: Is Ankura a good consulting firm?
A: Ankura is regarded as a reputable consulting firm recognized for delivering reliable advisory services and results across restructuring, litigation, and strategic consulting domains.

Q: What is the mission statement of Ankura?
A: The mission of Ankura Consulting is to protect, create, and recover value for clients through expert-led collaboration, innovation, and data-driven problem-solving.

Q: How much does an Ankura Managing Director make?
A: An Ankura Consulting Managing Director earns around $359,000 annually, including base pay and performance-based bonuses.

Q: Who are Ankura’s main competitors?
A: Ankura’s main competitors include consulting and advisory firms such as FTI Consulting, AlixPartners, Deloitte, PwC, and Accenture.