Procurement Market Intelligence Report
Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services
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Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services Global Overview
Definition
Summary
Merger and acquisition (M&A) consulting services help improve the odds of a successful M&A transaction through the development of strategies. These services assist all types of organizations interested in purchasing or selling companies or operating units to grow, shrink, diversify and gain competitive advantages within their industries, among other reasons. Key buyers include manufacturers, financial institutions, and technology companies.
This Report Includes:
- Merger Consulting Services
- Acquisition Consulting Services
Not in this Report:
- Other Management Consulting Services
- M&A Brokerage Services
Global Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services Procurement Trends
Discover the top international trends affecting procurement in the global Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services market.
Warning Trends
Fed lowers rates for the first time in 2025
- On September 17, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to lower interest rates to a target range of 4.0% to 4.25%, down 0.25% from the rate it had been holding since November of last year.
- Despite indications at the start of the year that steady reductions to the relatively high 4.25% to 4.5% rate were on the horizon, the Fed held off on rate cuts for much of the year due to concerns that the combination of higher tariffs and a reduction in borrowing costs could cause rebounding inflation.
- The September cut to Fed interest rates signals a shift in this strategy, indicating that the Fed now considers weakening employment figures a greater threat than inflation. As a result, FOMC officials have also signaled that two additional rate cuts are likely before the end of the year in an effort to fight unemployment and stimulate the economy.
- Declining Fed funds rates will provide relief to borrowers by lowering the market interest rates for consumer and business loans. This reduction in the cost of borrowing will reduce the cost of many banking and financial services, and may spur increases in demand across the economy.
Neutral
GSA memo asks agencies to review consulting contracts
- The General Services Administration (GSA) recently issued a memorandum asking government agencies to review their consulting contracts with the ten highest-paid firms. The ten firms are Accenture PLC (Accenture Federal Services), Booz Allen Hamilton Inc., CGI Group Inc. (CGI Federal), Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (Deloitte Consulting), General Dynamics Corporation (General Dynamics IT), Guidehouse Inc., Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. (HII Mission Technologies), International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Leidos Holdings, Inc., and Science Applications International Corporation, Inc. (SAIC).
- The memo states that agencies are strongly encouraged to cut non-essential consulting contracts, providing a list of those intended to be terminated by March 7, 2025. By April 19, 2025, agencies must submit their reviews of non-GSA consulting service contracts.
- According to the GSA, the ten consulting firms identified are set to receive $65.0 billion in fees in 2025. The Department of Defense (DoD) has stated its intention to terminate or descope contracts non-essential to the DoD’s purposes; some of the largest market players with high-value DoD contracts include Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Accenture.
- According to the Government Accountability Office, in the fiscal year 2023, government agencies spent $478.0 billion on services, with the DoD accounting for $230.0 billion and non-defense agencies accounting for the rest. The DoD spent $21.3 billion on support, professional, and engineering and technical services, while non-defense agencies spent $21.4 billion on professional services, which includes consulting, training, and support services.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initially cancelled 875 contracts (amounting to around $2.0 billion) but has currently paused efforts. However, contract terminations across most agencies are expected to continue.
Global Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services Market - Suppliers by Region
| Country/Region | Number of Suppliers |
|---|---|
| #1 China | 52,510 |
| #2 Europe | 48,600 |
| #3 United States | 37,320 |
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2
Geography Drilldown - US
Average Cost of Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services
United States
2026 Market Pricing$100.00 to $XXX.XX
per consultant per hourAverage Price
Prices in the Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services market range from $100.00 to $XXX.XX, depending on Consultant Experience, Breadth of Services, Organizational Complexity and Geographic Location. For example, lower prices are associated with Analyst or junior consultant ($100 to $200 per consultant per hour), whereas higher prices are associated with Director or principal consultant ($400 to $700 per consultant per hour).
Need the scoop on international price trends?
Between our Europe and Canada collections, we provide price data for 350 markets so you can instantly compare prices across borders. Or, use our custom research services for intel on prices in any region across the globe.
Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services Category Price Trends
Pricing trends are indicated by the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during a set period of time. For the Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services market, prices in the US have grown 1.1% from 2022 to 2025. Subscribers can access price trend forecasts, price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data. Learn more
United States (2022-2025)
United States (2025-2028)
Compound Annual Growth Rate
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Price trend forecasts are available to subscribers, along with price driver projections and forward-looking cost structure data.
Cost Analysis - Total Cost of Ownership for Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services
Total cost of ownership is Low in the Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services market. The average cost of ownership differs depending on the contract but generally includes costs negotiated before the contract begins, costs billed during the contract period and unforeseen costs. For example, unforeseen costs in the form of Delays may raise the total cost of ownership unexpectedly.
Billed During
Additional Fees
Unforeseen
Delays
Buyer Power in Procurement Negotiations
In 2026, buyer power amounts to -0.7 in the United States. Buyer power is most positively impacted by Recent Developments. It is most negatively impacted by Market Share Concentration. Subscribers can access details on eight other factors that impact buyer power. Learn more
United States
Buyer power forecasts: your glimpse into the future
Develop strategies for the upcoming year and identify unforeseen opportunities for buying now
- Actionable "Buy Now" and "Buy Later" insights
- Near-real-time updates to current and forecast Buyer Power Scores
- Methodology and weightings for Buyer Power Score Components
Supply Chain Risk
The average level of supply chain risk is assessed as Low, which has a positive impact on buyer power. The level of supply chain risk is affected by industry volatility, barriers to entry, competition, import penetration, regulation and industry financial risk. Buyers in this market can mitigate procurement and supply chain management risks by monitoring risk levels for individual first and second tier suppliers:
1st
Tier Suppliers
- Computer Manufacturers
- Software Publishers
- Commercial Leasing Firms
- Market Research Firms
2nd
Tier Suppliers
- Semiconductor & Circuit Manufacturers
- Data Processing & Hosting Service Providers
- Real Estate Sales & Brokerage Firms
Biggest Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services Suppliers in the US by Revenue
The largest Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services vendors by revenue in the US are Bain & Company, Inc., Bdo Usa, Llp and McKinsey & Company. Subscribers can sort and filter by market share concentration, profit level and other factors. Learn more
| Supplier | Operational Size | Headquarters | Number of Employees | Market Share (%) | Market Share Performance (3yr trend) | Total Revenue ($ million) | Profit Level (%) | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accenture Plc | International | DUBLIN | >10,000 | 15-20 | ||||
| Marsh & Mclennan Companies, Inc. | Global | NEW YORK | >10,000 | 20-25 | ||||
| Bain & Company, Inc. | Global | Boston, MA | >10,000 | 25+ | ||||
| Bdo Usa, Llp | Global | US | 25+ | |||||
| McKinsey & Company | Global | New York, NY | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| The Boston Consulting Group | Global | Boston, MA | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu | Global | London, UK | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| EY | Global | London, UK | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
| KPMG International Limited | Global | Amstelveen, NL | >10,000 | < 5 | ||||
Looking for a list of suppliers by country?
Subscribers can access vendor information on Canadian and European suppliers, too. We also offer custom research services to help with vendor sourcing anywhere in the world.
Profit Analysis
The average profit margin across vendors in the Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services market is 5.7% and steady. Profit levels shift depending on suppliers' spend on wages, purchases and overhead. The highest cost component for vendors is Wages. The cost trend for this component is falling, when considering movement between 2025 and 2026. To understand cost forecasts for 2027 and uncover the implications on profit, start your subscription. Learn more
Vendor & Supply Chain Analysis
The average vendor financial risk in this market is low because large consulting firms exhibit financial stability due to their diversified service offerings and established client networks, insulating them from fluctuations in demand. Financial stability ensures that the M&A consulting firm sustains the continuity of operations throughout the life of the contract, reducing the chance of unexpected service disruptions for buyers and resultantly aiding buyer power.
Market share concentration has been low in this market, with the majority of vendors being small businesses and the top four vendors accounting for less than 30.0% of market revenue. Low market share concentration aids buyer power because buyers have little difficulty leveraging the availability of multiple firms to negotiate more favorable rates for services.
The supply chain risk in this market is low because M&A consulting service providers rely on minimal physical inputs to provide services, thereby shielding them and buyers from service disruptions or price spikes related to tariffs or input shortages.
The United States is a net importer of computers, meaning it imports more computers than it exports. While lower manufacturing costs abroad drive down prices for imported computers, relying on imports can lead to potential shortages or price increases if there are supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, or global crises.
Supplier Information
Accenture Plc
Accenture Plc is a public company operating internationally in the mining, information, professional, scientific and technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include mobile enterprise application platforms, claims management software,... Subscribe to learn more
Marsh & Mclennan Companies, Inc.
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. is an insurance and advisory services provider to commercial and consumer clients. It organizes its products into two segments: the Risk and Insurance Services segment, which delivers risk management activities, insurance, and reinsurance broking and services, and the Consulting... Subscribe to learn more
Bain & Company, Inc.
Bain & Company, Inc. is a private company operating globally in the mining and professional, scientific & technical services sectors. The company's offerings include oil & gas field consulting services, management consulting services, environmental, social & governance (esg) consulting services, supplier Subscribe to learn more
Bdo Usa, Llp
Bdo Usa, Llp is a private company operating globally in the professional, scientific & technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include business valuation services, merger & acquisition consulting services, e-discovery consulting... Subscribe to learn more
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a private company operating globally in the mining, finance & insurance, professional, scientific & technical services, administration, business support and waste management services and educational services sectors. The company's offerings include oil & gas field consulting services,... Subscribe to learn more
EY
EY is a private company operating globally in the mining, finance & insurance, professional, scientific & technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include oil & gas field consulting services, management consulting services, environmental,... Subscribe to learn more
KPMG International Limited
KPMG International Limited is a private company operating globally in the mining, finance & insurance, professional, scientific & technical services and administration, business support and waste management services sectors. The company's offerings include oil & gas field consulting services, management consulting... Subscribe to learn more
McKinsey & Company
McKinsey & Company is a private company operating globally in the mining and professional, scientific & technical services sectors. The company's offerings include oil & gas field consulting services, carbon management services, management consulting services, environmental, social & governance (esg) consulting... Subscribe to learn more
Pricewaterhousecoopers Llp
Pricewaterhousecoopers Llp is a private company operating globally in the finance & insurance, professional, scientific & technical services, administration, business support and waste management services and educational services sectors. The company's offerings include management consulting services, environmental,... Subscribe to learn more
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Procurement Management KPIs for the Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services Market
Managing vendor performance throughout the contract period is easier when tracking specific key performance indicators (KPIs). For example, buyers should monitor Billable Utilization and Customer Satisfaction (CSAT). Buyers may experience better performance throughout their contracts if they establish service level agreements (SLAs) based on Response Time and other factors.
| KPI | Level of Importance (1-5) | Measurements | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billable Utilization |
|
Total workable hours Total billable hours |
The billable utilization measures the share of workable hours spent on billable, project-related activities. Billable utilization is a reflection of the productivity of a consultant. |
| Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) |
|
Number of customer reviews Number of positive customer reviews |
Customer satisfaction represents customers’ overall satisfaction with a supplier Customer satisfaction can be used to evaluate a company’s reputation. |
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Questions to Ask During Procurement Negotiations
How can I gain leverage during negotiations?
Experience and Expertise
What is your renewal and repeat business rates for businesses in my field, and how does that compare to your overall rates?
How long have you provided M&A consulting services to your longest tenured client? Who are your five largest clients?
Competition
How do you attract new clients and retain existing clients?
How does your firm maintain a competitive edge over other M&A consulting service providers?
Quality Control
What checks and balances are in place to be sure that my project has received a thorough evaluation?
Who normally identifies errors when they occur?
The ultimate prep for procurement negotations
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Merger & Acquisition Consulting Services RFP Guidelines
What should my RFP include?
Organizational Overview
Buyers should give an overview of their organizations, including their industry, products and services offered, size and geographic location(s).
Buyers should explain why they wish to engage in mergers or acquisitions.
Statement Of Need
Buyers should describe the scope of work required (e.g. negotiation strategies, execution and integration plans, targeting acquirers or acquirees).
Buyers should outline any critical issues they face leading up to the M&A event.
Project Budget
Buyers should specify the budget for the contract, if relevant.
Buyers should state their preferred pricing model.
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Our Reports include:
- Opportunity assessment
- Market dynamics
- Recent developments
- Positive and warning trends
- Buyer power levers
- Price environment and market pricing
- Geographic wage rates
- Global market updates
- Total cost of ownership
- Cost structure benchmarks and analysis
- Supply chain and vendors
- Global supplier breakdown
- Market share concentration
- Regulation and business requirements
- Vendor management and KPIs
- Sourcing strategy guidance
