How Can You Add Value to Your Organization, Clients, and Build Out Your Consulting Career?
Graduating from college and landing that first job is an exciting milestone. If you’ve found yourself in the consulting industry, you have an opportunity to make an impact early in your career.
You’ll notice the order in the title: organization, clients, and then you. That’s intentional. In consulting, the individual comes third. There is no path to success in this field without first adding value to your organization and your clients.
To thrive in this environment, we find there are six essential skills that will jump-start your consulting career and keep you focused in the right direction:
• Industry and Regulatory Knowledge
Understanding how your clients operate is foundational. In the energy and utilities sector, this means becoming familiar with regulatory bodies such as FERC, RUS, NERC, and state commissions. Knowing the relevant standards—FERC for electric and gas, AWWA M1 for water, and WEF guidance for wastewater—builds your ability to serve clients effectively and anticipate industry changes. Joining associations such as APPA, NRECA, AGA, AWWA, and WEF will expand your insight. You should be fluent in these acronyms and what they represent.
Your rising career
• Analytical and Technical Skills
Clients expect data-backed, actionable insights. Proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and basic programming (e.g., Python or R) is essential for modeling, analysis, and communication. Familiarity with AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, NotebookLM, and Gemini can improve efficiency and sharpen your research and writing. Be willing to learn new tools on your own time—it pays off.
• Teamwork and Collaboration
Consulting is a team sport. The best outcomes come from collective effort. Focus on building trust, being dependable, and embracing a “we” not “I” mindset—showing humility, flexibility, and a genuine commitment to shared success.
• Communication and Presentation
Clear, concise communication is key. Whether writing reports or presenting to clients, your ability to distill complex issues into understandable insights builds credibility. Public speaking and presentations also help elevate your personal brand and bring visibility to your team.
• Project Management and Client Service
Consulting is fast-paced. Managing timelines, juggling priorities, and exceeding client expectations requires discipline, responsiveness, and strong organizational habits. These qualities make you a trusted, go-to team member.
• Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
Great consultants don’t just complete tasks—they help solve problems. Ask good questions, see the big picture, and align your work with your clients’ long-term goals.
It might sound formulaic, but this approach is a proven method for adding value to your clients and your firm—and for advancing your career. Focus on these areas, and you’ll become a contributor your clients rely on and your organization counts on.
About Russ Hissom - Article Author
Russ Hissom, CPA is a principal of Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists a firm that provides power and utility cost of service and rate studies, expert witness, and consulting services, and online/on-demand courses on accounting, rates, FERC/RUS construction accounting, financial analysis, and business process improvement services. Russ was a partner in a national accounting and consulting firm for 20 years. He works with electric investor-owned and public power utilities, electric cooperatives, broadband providers, and gas, water, and wastewater utilities. His goal is to share industry best practices to help your business perform effectively and efficiently and meet the challenges of the changing power and utilities industry.
Find out more about Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists here, or you can reach Russ at russ.hissom@uarsconsulting.com.
The material in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal or accounting advice provided by Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists, LLC. You should seek formal advice on this topic from your accounting or legal advisor.