PwC Cuts Number of Offices Offering Entry-Level Consulting Jobs

The Big Four firm is limiting new associate hires in the advisory division to 13 key US offices.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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PwC is reducing the number of US locations where entry-level consultants can start their careers with the firm. Previously, new advisory hires could join any of PwC's 72 US offices, but now they are limited to 13 key markets like New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. The move is part of PwC's broader push towards collaborative learning and upskilling its workforce for the AI-driven future of consulting work.

Why it matters

The consolidation of junior consultants into fewer offices reflects PwC's efforts to build a greater sense of community and encourage new recruits to grow together in their first two years. This shift comes as the Big Four firms face pressure to upskill their workforces to adapt to the rapid changes brought on by AI and technology in the consulting industry.

The details

PwC's chief people and inclusion officer, Yolanda Seals-Coffield, said the firm wants to "bring people together in a connected way" during new consultants' first couple of years. This is part of PwC's broader push towards collaborative learning and developing the mix of human and AI skills needed for the future of consulting work, which is increasingly focused on building, implementing, and maintaining tools for clients rather than traditional research-based projects.

  • In fall 2025, PwC limited advisory associate hiring to 13 US offices, down from 72 previously.

The players

Yolanda Seals-Coffield

Chief people and inclusion officer for PwC US.

PwC

One of the Big Four professional services firms, providing audit, tax, and advisory services.

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What they’re saying

“The idea is that we want to bring people together in a connected way for those first couple of years.”

— Yolanda Seals-Coffield, Chief people and inclusion officer (Business Insider)

What’s next

PwC continues to evaluate its hiring goals annually to account for business needs and considerations.

The takeaway

PwC's move to consolidate entry-level consulting hires into fewer offices reflects the firm's efforts to foster a greater sense of community and collaborative learning as it works to upskill its workforce for the AI-driven future of the consulting industry.