The 2025 Best Firms to Work For: CrossCountry Consulting

CONSULTING SERVICE LINES: specialized finance, operations and technology advisory services

CrossCountry Consulting is a leading provider of specialized finance, operations and technology advisory services. As a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, emerging growth market leaders, and private equity sponsors, the firm solves today’s most pressing challenges. It creates present and future enterprise value through accounting and risk, technology-enabled transformation and transaction solutions. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CrossCountry has employees across the United States and in strategic international locations.

CMAG: What characteristics and elements would you attribute to your firm’s inclusion as a Best Firm to Work For?

At CrossCountry Consulting, we set out with a bold vision: to be a distinctly different advisory firm built on our Core Values of Impact, Excellence, Collaboration and Energy, coupled with an unwavering commitment to creating a better experience for our clients, people and communities. We believe in the circular nature of our Better Experience model: when employees are engaged, motivated and happy, they deliver exceptional service that clients tangibly feel and value as a true differentiator.

Our authentic culture is at the heart of everything we do. Leadership actively invests in our people, fostering an environment where everyone is inspired to make an impact. By emphasizing teamwork, collaboration, enthusiasm, generosity and hard work, we’ve created an inclusive workplace that empowers our employees to thrive and grow. We prioritize work-life balance, recognizing that when employees achieve their personal and professional goals, it leads to outstanding client service.

To support this, we provide work aligned with employees’ interests and passions, alongside flexible, hybrid, and remote solutions that empower them to work in ways that best suit their lifestyles. Our coaching program, generous leave policies, wellness resources, and tailored benefits help employees focus on what matters most. At CrossCountry, our people are our greatest asset. By nurturing a culture that values their well-being, growth and contributions, we’ve built a firm that not only earns recognition as a best place to work, but also consistently delivers exceptional results for our clients and communities.

CMAG: Are there any specific programs or initiatives that contributed to you being included as a Best Firm?

CrossCountry Consulting’s inclusion as a Best Firm reflects our holistic approach to fostering a workplace where employees thrive both personally and professionally. We are committed to creating an environment where employees can work and live authentically. Our belonging efforts are guided by the IDEA of Belonging framework, which integrates Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility into every aspect of our culture, operations and business strategy.

This ensures inclusion is intentional, diversity is celebrated, equity is embedded in decision-making, and accessibility is prioritized. Our eight Community Resource Groups (CRGs) play a vital role in fostering connection, advocacy and leadership development. Representing diverse identities and experiences, these groups provide safe spaces for employees to connect and drive initiatives aligned with business priorities. With over 25% of employees actively involved, our CRGs exemplify our culture of engagement and allyship. We also invest heavily in employee growth and engagement. For example, our “Leading with Inclusion” training, designed for senior leaders, incorporates real client examples based on employee feedback.

Our learning and development programs, along with coaching initiatives, empower employees to reach their full potential. Employee engagement efforts focus on bringing teams together, listening to feedback and implementing meaningful changes. Through surveys and open forums such as Town Halls and our Leadership Advisory Council, an employee-led team connecting employees and leadership, we actively leverage insights to enhance our workplace. Our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program and partnership with Junior Achievement provides employees with opportunities to give back through mentoring, volunteering and educational initiatives. These efforts empower the next generation by supporting financial literacy, entrepreneurship and career readiness programs, further strengthening our culture of impact and service.

CMAG: In describing your firm, what would you say sets it apart from other consulting firms?

CrossCountry Consulting's Better Experience model aligns our vision with a sense of belonging and purpose for our people, guiding daily actions and long-term strategy. The firm amplifies its impact through growth by adding talent, investments, resources and expanding the platform.

To achieve these goals, we have established a clear top-down approach focused on vision, purpose and values, and strategy. In line with our commitment to a unique culture, leadership strives to be transparent, authentic and approachable while promoting work-life balance, exceptional client service and clear expectations. Employees are kept informed and engaged through regular firmwide and market town halls, which cover topics such as people celebrations, career growth, best practices, upcoming opportunities, team wins and business updates. These efforts ensure everyone feels aligned with the firm’s goals and values.

CrossCountry fosters a supportive environment that promotes work-life balance, exceptional client service and professional growth. Employees have access to leadership programs, external training, networking events and frequent lunch-and-learns to help them reach their full potential. Achievements are celebrated through quarterly Core Value Awards, bonus programs, and team and individual spotlights, creating a culture of recognition and appreciation. We value the unique experiences, capabilities, talents, and perspectives of our team members by fostering a culture of belonging.

Our initiatives celebrate authenticity, offer equitable opportunities, and embrace diverse perspectives among employees, clients, and stakeholders through thoughtful programs focused on building communities, giving back, raising awareness, providing training and setting measurable goals.

CMAG: Where your workforce is concerned, what would you say your priorities look like for the upcoming year and beyond?

As CrossCountry Consulting continues its trajectory of strategic growth, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for our clients, colleagues and the communities we serve. By expanding our capabilities and leading the way in the market, CrossCountry is well-positioned to provide even greater value to organizations navigating complex business challenges. In the coming years, we will deepen our impact by broadening our service offerings, entering new markets, and strengthening partnerships with leading technology providers, all of which will create additional opportunities for our employees.

Our ability to adapt and thrive, even in uncertain economic climates, highlights the agility, expertise and forward-thinking approach that sets us apart. Internally, we will continue to prioritize investments in our people. This includes providing opportunities for career advancement, skill development and upskilling in AI, while maintaining a meaningful work-life balance. As we grow, we remain committed to fostering a workplace where top talent is nurtured, diverse perspectives are valued, and employees feel supported in achieving their career aspirations.

CMAG: What opportunities do you see as the most promising?

By supporting CFOs and peer executives with differentiated, cross-service solutions and specialized skills, we will continue to deepen our impact across growth, midmarket, enterprise and private equity clients. Leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and deliver greater value to clients also remains a critical focus. By prioritizing innovative, technology-enabled solutions, we can stay ahead of industry trends and proactively meet evolving client needs.

AI technologies, in particular, present transformative opportunities to drive efficiency, innovation and competitive advantage. When implemented with a human-centered approach, AI not only enhances operational performance but can also improve the employee experience by enabling teams to focus on more strategic, high-impact work. Continuing to expand our presence across diverse markets and build a strong brand enables us to better serve clients while maintaining a balanced portfolio. With the recent hires of our highly accomplished California and Texas Market Leads, we are especially excited about our continued growth in the Southwest and West Coast.

Looking ahead, we will sustain our momentum by attracting and retaining outstanding professionals who align with our values and vision. By staying true to our purpose and putting people first, including clients, employees and the broader community, CrossCountry is shaping the future of consulting with a relentless focus on Impact, Excellence, Energy and Collaboration.

CMAG: What market forces do you see as the most challenging?

Rapid advancements in technology, particularly AI, are reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace. AI is one of the most transformative forces of our time, fundamentally redefining operating models, business strategies and organizational capabilities. The ability to adapt to this shift and lead in AI adoption will be a defining factor for success. While AI offers immense potential to drive innovation and efficiency, management teams must address the complexities of data, risk and organizational transformation. Success will require clear governance, accountability and a focus on long-term value.

At the same time, we recognize the ongoing challenges posed by fluctuating market conditions and potential economic slowdowns. Navigating these uncertainties requires agility and a focus on future-proofing businesses to remain resilient. Additionally, in any market, attracting and retaining top talent is essential. This can be achieved through fostering a strong culture and commitment to providing an exceptional employee experience.

CMAG: What impact do you think Best Firm to Work For honors will have on your employees? The firm overall? Clients?

Employee experience is at the core of CrossCountry Consulting’s ethos. Being recognized as one of Consulting Magazine’s Best Firms to Work For is an incredible honor. It represents the collective success and dedication of our team in delivering outstanding client service to achieve the desired outcomes and continued growth. The voice of our employees is essential for approachability, transparency and authenticity. Being named a Best Firm to Work For is a testament to our commitment to valuing the opinions of our employees and fostering open and transparent communication. This award also reaffirms CrossCountry’s commitment to our Core Values and unwavering dedication to creating a better experience for our clients, employees and communities.