Secretariat Consulting Firm Profile: Careers, Salary, and Culture

Key Insights:

• Secretariat Consulting is a global firm with 600+ employees and 27 offices worldwide.
• The firm specializes in arbitration, forensic accounting, construction consulting, and economic damages analysis.
• Secretariat Consulting careers follow a clear path from Associate to Managing Director.
• Internships last 10 to 12 weeks, offering hands-on experience in litigation consulting and economic analysis.
• A typical Secretariat Consulting salary ranges from 80,000 to 100,000 dollars for entry-level Associates.

Secretariat Consulting is a global advisory and litigation consulting firm that helps organizations address complex disputes, economic challenges, and regulatory matters. With expertise spanning arbitration, forensic accounting, and economic damages analysis, Secretariat Consulting supports clients across industries such as construction, finance, healthcare, and energy.

In this article, we will explore the firm’s history, services, careers, salary, culture, and interview process to give you a complete understanding of Secretariat Consulting.

What does Secretariat Consulting do?

Secretariat Consulting provides expert advisory and litigation consulting services, specializing in arbitration, construction disputes, forensic accounting, and economic damages analysis. The firm helps law firms, corporations, and government agencies resolve high-stakes cases through data-driven insights, independent testimony, and technical expertise.

The scope of Secretariat’s work is broad, yet specialized in areas where legal, financial, and regulatory stakes are significant. Its consultants are often brought in to provide clarity and expert judgment in court cases, arbitration hearings, and corporate investigations.

Key areas of focus include:

• Arbitration and disputes: Supporting international arbitration with technical and economic expertise
• Construction consulting: Addressing project delays, cost overruns, and productivity analyses
• Forensic accounting: Uncovering financial irregularities and fraud in high-profile cases
• Economic damages: Assessing and quantifying damages in commercial disputes
• Expert testimony: Providing independent perspectives in litigation and regulatory matters

For clients, the value lies in Secretariat’s ability to combine technical knowledge with industry context. For example, in construction disputes, the firm applies engineering expertise alongside financial modeling to determine the true causes and costs of project delays. In economic damages cases, consultants use quantitative methods to provide defensible calculations that stand up in arbitration or court.

How big is Secretariat Consulting and where are its offices?

Secretariat Consulting is a global firm with more than 600 employees and 27 offices worldwide. Its headquarters is in Atlanta, Georgia, but its reach extends across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, allowing the firm to handle cross-border disputes and international arbitration cases effectively.

Key locations include:

• North America: Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Washington DC, New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, El Segundo
• Europe & Middle East: London, Paris, Dubai
• Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong
• Australia: Sydney

Having offices in major legal and financial hubs positions Secretariat Consulting close to its clients and regulatory authorities. This global footprint supports its ability to deploy teams quickly and provide expert advisory services wherever disputes or investigations arise.

What is the history of Secretariat Consulting?

Secretariat Consulting was founded in 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia, by Don Harvey, an expert in construction project management and dispute resolution. Since its founding, the firm has grown into a global leader in litigation consulting through organic expansion and a series of strategic acquisitions.

The firm’s journey includes several important milestones:

• 2008: Secretariat established with a focus on construction consulting and project delay analysis
• 2020: Acquisition of TDF, strengthening consulting capabilities
• 2021: Acquisition of Economists Incorporated, later rebranded as Secretariat Economists, expanding economic consulting services
• 2023: Acquisition of Intensity, LLC, enhancing expertise in financial and economic analysis

This history reflects how Secretariat built a strong reputation in arbitration, forensic accounting, and economic damages while diversifying across industries. The acquisitions not only expanded geographic reach but also added new service lines, making the firm competitive in high-stakes expert advisory work.

What are Secretariat Consulting’s main practice areas and industries?

Secretariat Consulting focuses on litigation consulting and expert advisory services across multiple practice areas, including arbitration, forensic accounting, construction consulting, and economic damages analysis. The firm also serves clients in industries such as construction, energy, financial services, healthcare, and technology.

Core Practice Areas

• Arbitration and disputes: Independent analysis and testimony in international arbitration
• Construction consulting: Delay, cost, and productivity analysis in major infrastructure projects
• Forensic accounting: Investigations into fraud, financial misconduct, and irregularities
• Economic damages: Quantification of damages in breach-of-contract and regulatory disputes
• Digital forensics: eDiscovery and data-driven investigations for litigation support
• Engineering sciences: Technical analysis of complex engineering and scientific issues

Key Industries Served

• Construction and infrastructure: Supporting contractors, developers, and owners in disputes
• Energy and natural resources: Advising on oil, gas, and renewable energy projects
• Financial services: Addressing banking, investment, and securities-related disputes
• Healthcare and life sciences: Supporting litigation involving compliance, damages, and intellectual property
• Technology and telecommunications: Handling disputes involving software, hardware, and data security

By combining subject matter expertise with sector-specific knowledge, Secretariat Consulting tailors its services to meet the unique needs of each client. This dual focus on practice areas and industries ensures that the firm remains relevant in high-stakes litigation and advisory work.

What is the revenue of Secretariat Consulting?

Secretariat Consulting generates estimated annual revenue of about 300 million dollars, reflecting its strong position in the expert advisory and litigation consulting market. This figure highlights the firm’s steady growth over the past decade and its ability to compete with larger players in specialized consulting niches.

The firm’s revenue base comes from a diverse mix of services and industries. High-demand areas such as arbitration, forensic accounting, and economic damages analysis drive consistent client engagements, while geographic expansion has widened its market.

Key drivers of Secretariat Consulting’s revenue growth include:

• Strategic acquisitions: Expanding service lines in economic consulting and financial analysis
• Global presence: Leveraging 27 offices to win cross-border cases and international clients
• Industry diversity: Serving construction, energy, financial services, and healthcare sectors

This financial scale positions Secretariat as a recognized leader in high-stakes advisory services, even though it operates with fewer employees than consulting giants like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.

What careers are available at Secretariat Consulting?

Secretariat Consulting careers include roles such as Associate, Senior Associate, Manager, Director, and Managing Director, offering professionals opportunities to work on complex litigation and economic consulting cases. The career path is structured but flexible, with advancement based on performance, leadership, and client impact.

For entry-level professionals, Associate positions often involve research, data analysis, and supporting senior experts in arbitration and forensic accounting projects. As consultants gain experience, they move into roles with greater client responsibility and leadership expectations.

Typical career progression at Secretariat includes:

• Associate: Entry-level role focused on analysis, modeling, and research
• Senior Associate: Expanded client-facing responsibilities and mentorship of junior staff
• Manager: Leads teams, manages projects, and interacts directly with clients
• Director: Provides strategic oversight, expert testimony, and business development
• Managing Director: Senior leadership role shaping firm strategy and client relationships

Secretariat careers are attractive to candidates who enjoy technical problem-solving and working in high-stakes environments. While the firm does not enforce an “up or out” policy, professionals are encouraged to grow through mentorship, project variety, and cross-industry exposure.

What internships does Secretariat Consulting offer?

Secretariat Consulting internships are typically summer programs lasting 10 to 12 weeks, designed for undergraduate and MBA students interested in litigation consulting and economic analysis. Interns work alongside experienced consultants, gaining hands-on exposure to arbitration, construction consulting, and forensic accounting projects.

The program provides valuable professional development by blending technical training with real-world case experience. Interns often contribute to research, data modeling, and report preparation for high-stakes client matters.

Key features of Secretariat Consulting internships include:

• Duration: 10 to 12 weeks, usually during the summer
• Target schools: Top universities with strong economics, engineering, and business programs
• Exposure: Involvement in arbitration, forensic accounting, and damages analysis projects
• Mentorship: Guidance from senior consultants to accelerate learning
• Career impact: Opportunity to convert internships into full-time Associate roles

These internships serve as a gateway for students to explore consulting careers while building specialized expertise. Strong candidates from both target and non-target schools are encouraged to apply, especially those with quantitative or analytical backgrounds.

How much is a Secretariat Consulting salary?

A typical Secretariat Consulting salary ranges from 80,000 to 100,000 dollars annually for entry-level Associates, with higher compensation for more senior roles. Managers and Senior Associates often earn between 120,000 and 170,000 dollars, while Directors and Managing Directors receive six-figure packages that may include bonuses, profit sharing, or equity incentives.

Salary at Secretariat Consulting is competitive within the expert advisory and litigation consulting market, though it is generally lower than compensation offered by McKinsey, BCG, or Bain. Still, benefits such as retirement contributions, annual performance bonuses, and healthcare coverage add significant value to overall compensation.

Approximate salary ranges include:

• Associate: 80,000 to 100,000 dollars, plus a 10 to 20% bonus
• Senior Associate/Manager: 120,000 to 170,000 dollars, with higher bonus potential
• Director: 175,000 to 220,000 dollars, often including business development incentives
• Managing Director: High six-figure earnings, sometimes with equity participation

Compensation is often adjusted for cost of living across different offices. Regular performance reviews and promotions help employees increase earnings steadily, while bonuses reward high-impact contributions.

What is the culture like at Secretariat Consulting?

The culture at Secretariat Consulting is described as collaborative, intellectually rigorous, and supportive of professional development. Employees highlight mentorship, teamwork, and exposure to high-stakes projects as key aspects of the work environment, while also noting that deadlines can bring long hours during litigation peaks.

A few defining features of Secretariat’s culture include:

• Collaboration: Teams work closely across practice areas, allowing junior staff to learn directly from experts
• Mentorship: Structured programs connect Associates with senior consultants for guidance and career growth
• Learning environment: Early exposure to arbitration, forensic accounting, and damages analysis develops technical expertise quickly
• Diversity programs: Initiatives support underrepresented groups through mentorship and early career opportunities
• Recognition: The firm has been named one of the best places to work in consulting, reflecting employee satisfaction

Many employees and interns describe the atmosphere as welcoming, citing opportunities to connect with colleagues and engage in meaningful projects from the start. While client demands can mean extended hours, the culture emphasizes learning, teamwork, and impact, making Secretariat an attractive option for those pursuing consulting careers.

What is the interview process at Secretariat Consulting?

The interview process at Secretariat Consulting typically involves three to four stages over two to four weeks, including an initial screening, technical or case-style interviews, a quantitative assessment, and final round interviews with senior leaders. The process is designed to test analytical skills, technical expertise, and cultural fit.

Stages of the Interview

• Stage 1: Screening
    A recruiter or HR call evaluates resume alignment, basic qualifications, and communication skills.
• Stage 2: Technical or Case Interview
    Candidates solve quantitative problems, construction delay analyses, or damages calculations relevant to Secretariat’s practice areas.
• Stage 3: Quantitative Assessment
    Often Excel-based, this stage assesses skills in financial modeling, pivot tables, and interpreting data.
• Stage 4: Final Round
    Senior leaders assess executive presence, cultural fit, and ability to explain complex findings to clients or non-technical audiences.

Sample Interview Questions

• How would you estimate damages in a construction delay dispute?
• How do you clean and analyze a dataset with missing values?
• Tell me about a time you worked on a data-intensive project.
• How would you explain technical findings to a non-specialist audience?

This process emphasizes real-world problem-solving over traditional case interviews. Candidates should prepare for both technical rigor and behavioral evaluation, demonstrating strong communication skills alongside quantitative ability.

What are the exit opportunities from Secretariat Consulting?

Exit opportunities from Secretariat Consulting include roles in corporate strategy, private equity, investment banking, government agencies, and academic institutions. Professionals often leverage their expertise in litigation consulting, forensic accounting, and economic damages analysis to transition into leadership positions across industries.

Common Exit Paths

• Corporate strategy and operations: Applying problem-solving and analytical skills in internal consulting or strategic planning roles
• Private equity and investment banking: Using financial modeling and valuation experience to support investment decisions
• Government and regulatory agencies: Advising on compliance, investigations, and economic policy
• Academia and research: Pursuing teaching or research positions in economics, finance, or law

These opportunities highlight the versatility of skills gained at Secretariat. Exposure to arbitration, construction disputes, and high-stakes economic consulting equips consultants with a unique toolkit valued across multiple industries. Many professionals also pursue graduate studies, such as MBAs or law degrees, to expand their career options.

Is Secretariat Consulting a good job for aspiring consultants?

Secretariat Consulting is a good job for aspiring consultants who want to build expertise in litigation consulting, forensic accounting, and economic damages analysis. The firm offers competitive salaries, strong mentorship, and exposure to high-stakes cases, making it an attractive choice for those seeking impactful and intellectually challenging work.

For early-career professionals, Secretariat provides opportunities to gain technical skills and industry knowledge quickly. Its collaborative culture and global reach ensure exposure to diverse projects across construction, finance, and energy sectors.

However, candidates focused on generalist management consulting may find fewer strategy projects compared to firms like McKinsey, BCG, or Bain. Secretariat’s specialization means career paths are best suited for those who value expert testimony, data-driven analysis, and legal consulting.

Overall, Secretariat Consulting is well-regarded for combining professional development with meaningful client impact, positioning it as a strong career option for consultants seeking specialization in disputes and expert advisory services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who are the top 3 consulting firms?
A: The top 3 consulting firms are McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and Bain & Company, often called MBB. These firms set industry benchmarks that other firms like Secretariat Consulting measure against in building their firm profile.

Q: Is consulting a stressful career?
A: Consulting can be a stressful career due to demanding hours, complex client work, and frequent travel. However, firms like Secretariat Consulting emphasize collaboration and mentorship to balance workload with professional growth.

Q: How much bonus do consultants get?
A: Consultant bonuses vary by firm and level, but they often range from 10% to 30% of base salary. At firms like Secretariat Consulting, bonuses are performance-based and supplement a competitive salary package.

Q: How to become a consultant?
A: To become a consultant, candidates typically earn strong academic credentials, develop analytical and communication skills, and gain relevant internships. A consulting career path at firms like Secretariat Consulting often starts with analyst or associate roles.

Q: Which consulting firm pays the most?
A: Which consulting firm pays the most depends on level and geography, but MBB firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain usually top salary rankings. Still, Secretariat Consulting careers also offer competitive pay with clear growth opportunities.