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Charles River Associates

Engaged Employer

If you want to commit career suicide, then CRA is your company - Anonymous employee Charles River Associates Employee Review

1.0
Mar 23, 2009
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

I can't think of any reason to work there, unless you are lucky to work on a team led by a solid and well-reputed VP, with a steady inflow of cases.

Cons

- Clueless management, responsible for disastrous decisions concerning hiring and general strategic direction of the company - Many practices are not busy because of third-rate "rainmakers". If you work in a practice that depends on those "rainmakers" then you are in deep trouble (you won't be billable, you will be left alone trying to get jobs in other practices and your bonus will be a joke as it directly depends on utilization rate (despite management's official statements about how CRA values marketing/nonbillable activities at the end of the day it's only your billable utilization rate that matters) - Extremely low morale of junior and mid-level staff. No recognition for skilled employees - Very lousy, if any, feedback on project work by supervisors - If you are lucky to work on any project, they are usually dull and boring and not intellectually challenging (in a way, the type of cases CRA gets are a reflection of the VP that brings them: if you work for 3rd rate "revenue generators", expect to work on a 3rd rate assignment).

Explore other reviews about Charles River Associates

5.0
Jun 17, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

High compensation and interesting work

Cons

Long hours for some weeks

4.0
Jul 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great people, interesting work, autonomy in project choice after proving yourself

Cons

Pay is not competitive, upside for high performers is limited

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