Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates (CRA) is a leading global consulting firm specializing in economic, financial, and management consulting services. The firm advises clients on economic and financial matters pertaining to litigation and regulatory proceedings, and guides corporations through critical business strategy and performance-related issues. Its two main service lines—economic consulting and management consulting—are delivered by practice groups that focus on specific areas of expertise or industries.

CRA’s client base includes major law firms, corporations, and governments. The firm is known for providing independent economic and financial analysis behind litigation matters, helping businesses address strategy and operational issues, and advising governments on the economic impact of policies and regulations. Its practice groups span areas such as antitrust and competition economics, energy, forensic services, life sciences, risk and investigations, and cyber and forensic technology consulting.

The firm’s Forensic Services practice supports companies’ commitment to integrity by assisting them and their counsel in independently responding to allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct, and non-compliance. CRA is noted for deploying cross-trained teams of forensic professionals, providing accounting and forensic services as well as cybercrime investigation services to clients.

In its Energy practice, CRA professionals conduct electricity, oil, and gas market analysis; economic assessments of policies and regulations; expert reports and testimony for energy-based litigation; commercial strategy development; merger, acquisition, and divestment planning; and market potential assessments for renewable and unconventional energy technologies. These engagements serve corporate and asset management clients making significant strategic and operational decisions.

Charles River Associates was founded in 1965, and the company reports that it has delivered thoughtful, effective advice backed by research and real-world experience since that time. As its name suggests, the firm started near the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, where it maintains its headquarters today. CRA has offices throughout the world and recruits at several schools in the US and UK.

CRA describes an intellectually curious, collegial, and academically rigorous environment in which to build a career. It characterizes its workplace as supportive and entrepreneurial, with learning, resourcefulness, and integrity central to its culture. People development is described as core to who the firm is, supported by robust learning and growth programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs. Training begins with research and analysis skill building and continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague.

CRA offers a comprehensive total rewards program that includes a benefits package, wellness programming supporting physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being, and in-house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers. The firm also states that it creates a work environment enabling colleagues to benefit from being together in the office for career growth, mentorship, and inclusivity, while recognizing the benefits of periodic remote work; it currently expects individuals to spend at least three to four days a week working in the office, with specific days determined in coordination with the practice or team. CRA identifies itself as an equal opportunity employer.