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§ Private Profile · Chicago, IL, USA
Management and technology consulting for large enterprises, focused on strategy, IT, and operations.
Key people at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting.
Based in Chicago, Illinois, Arthur Andersen Business Consulting was the management and technology advisory division of the historic accounting firm, providing strategic planning and IT implementation services to large enterprises. Prior to its dissolution, the consulting practice generated over $1 billion in annual revenue, while its parent organization reached $9.3 billion in total revenue and employed more than 85,000 people across 84 countries in 2001. The firm served major corporate clients such as Ford Motor Company, Enron, and WorldCom before the parent company collapsed amid highly publicized auditing scandals in 2002. Following the earlier spin-off of its original consulting wing into Accenture, the remaining regional consulting practices were eventually sold off to competitors including KPMG Consulting. The broader parent professional services firm was originally founded in 1913 by Arthur Andersen and Clarence DeLany.
Key people at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting.
Arthur Andersen Business Consulting was a division of Arthur Andersen LLP, a major professional services firm historically known for accounting, auditing, tax, and consulting services. The consulting arm focused on providing management consulting, business planning, and strategic guidance, particularly targeting emerging and small businesses to help them grow and access financing. This group aimed to support startups and new ventures with tailored business plans and introductions to investor networks, anticipating long-term client relationships as these businesses matured[2].
Founded in 1913 by Arthur E. Andersen, the firm initially concentrated on auditing and accounting but expanded over decades to include consulting services. By the 1980s and 1990s, consulting became a highly profitable segment, eventually surpassing auditing revenues. The consulting division offered integrated business transformation, technology, and management consulting services. However, tensions between auditing and consulting arms led to a split in 1989, with the consulting division becoming Andersen Consulting (later Accenture). The original Arthur Andersen LLP faced decline after the early 2000s Enron scandal, but the consulting legacy influenced the broader professional services landscape[1][3][6][7].
Arthur Andersen Business Consulting rode the wave of increasing demand for integrated consulting services that combined accounting, technology, and strategic business advice. The timing coincided with the rise of startups and emerging businesses in the late 20th century, requiring sophisticated planning and financing strategies. Their consulting practice helped bridge the gap between traditional accounting firms and the evolving needs of tech-driven and entrepreneurial ecosystems. The eventual spin-off of Andersen Consulting (Accenture) marked a shift toward specialized global consulting firms focused on technology and management transformation[2][6][7].
While Arthur Andersen LLP as a firm dissolved following the early 2000s scandals, its consulting legacy persists through successor entities like Accenture and Andersen Global, which continue to innovate in tax, advisory, and consulting services globally. The focus on emerging businesses and technology-driven transformation remains highly relevant as startups and digital innovation continue to reshape industries. Future trends shaping this legacy include AI-driven business transformation, sustainability consulting, and integrated financial advisory services, maintaining the spirit of innovation and client-centric growth support that characterized Arthur Andersen Business Consulting[4][5].
In summary, Arthur Andersen Business Consulting was a pioneering consulting practice within a historic accounting firm that helped shape the professional services industry's approach to emerging businesses and technology-enabled transformation.
