Interviewing at Mazars? You’ve come to the right place.
Mazars is one of the world’s leading audit, accounting, and consulting firms. With over 40,000 professionals across 90 countries, they are a major player in the industry.
Landing a job at Mazars is competitive. You’ll need to showcase your skills, experience, and fit for the role during the interview process.
This in-depth guide covers the top 25 Mazars interview questions you’re likely to face. It provides sample answers and tips to help you craft winning responses
Let’s get started!
Overview of Mazars Interviews
The Mazars interview process typically involves
- Initial phone screening with a recruiter
- Online assessment testing your numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning skills
- Video interview focused on competencies and motivations
- Final round interviews including case studies, technical questions, and management assessments
Throughout the process, Mazars looks for candidates who:
- Have strong technical abilities
- Communicate clearly
- Collaborate effectively
- Are motivated to grow their careers
- Align with Mazars’ values of responsibility, integrity, and team spirit
Preparation is key. Let’s look at the common Mazars interview questions and how to answer them impressively.
25 Common Mazars Interview Questions and Answers
1. Why are you interested in working at Mazars?
This is a chance to demonstrate your fit for the company and role. Research Mazars and highlight shared values or aspects that excite you. Show enthusiasm for the position.
Sample Answer: I’m attracted to Mazars for several reasons. First, your global reach and impressive list of clients is exciting. I’d love the opportunity to work with companies at the forefront of their industries. Additionally, Mazars’ commitment to ethics and integrity mirrors my own values – it’s one of the reasons I chose to pursue this career. The position itself is a great fit as it leverages my auditing skills while allowing me to expand into advisory services. I’m motivated to continue growing in this field and see Mazars as the ideal place to make that happen.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Share strengths relevant to the role like attention to detail, communication, or analytical thinking. Choose non-critical weaknesses and discuss how you’re improving.
Sample Answer: A key strength I bring is my meticulous attention to detail. In auditing, even small errors can have big implications, so my careful approach ensures accuracy. However, no one is perfect. Early in my career, I struggled with nerves during client presentations. Joining Toastmasters and volunteering to lead auditing training helped me become a confident public speaker. I continue seeking opportunities to improve.
3. Why do you want to be an auditor?
Demonstrate your interest in the profession. Share what excites you about auditing and how your skills and values align.
Sample Answer: I’m fascinated by how auditing blends objective analysis with strategic consultancy. As an auditor, I can leverage my numerical abilities while also interacting with clients to understand their business needs. Auditing appeals to me because I have a passion for upholding ethics. Ensuring transparency and compliance is so important, and I want to make that impact. This role will allow me to constantly learn and develop while making a difference.
4. How would you evaluate the internal controls at a company?
Walk through your risk-based approach to assessing internal controls. Discuss documentation, testing methods, and how you’d report issues.
Sample Answer: My process would start by reviewing existing documentation around policies, procedures, and controls to gain a baseline understanding. I’d use methods like flowcharting to visualize how transactions are processed through the system. This helps identify risks like lack of segregation of duties. I would conduct inquiries and observations to validate that controls are working as intended. From there, I’d design tests using sampling techniques to evaluate control effectiveness. If deficiencies arose, I’d quantify the severity and likelihood of misstatement. My findings would be reported to management alongside pragmatic recommendations to enhance internal controls.
5. You notice an accounting error that materially impacts the financial statements. What are the next steps?
Show your grasp of proper protocol. Emphasize documentation, ethical handling, and client partnerships.
Sample Answer: First, I would discretely document the error and gather evidence regarding details like the accounts, periods, and transactions impacted. My next step is to report this to my engagement manager and audit partner so we can discuss an appropriate response. It’s crucial that we remain objective and handle this ethically by not prematurely accusing any wrongdoing. As auditors, our responsibility is to report material misstatements, not determine motive. I would schedule a meeting with management to make them aware of the issue in a constructive manner. We would then work together to determine corrective actions like restatement of financials. Throughout the process, I would be transparent with regulators and uphold the public interest.
6. How do you stay up to date on accounting standards and practices?
Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning. Mention the resources you use and how you put them into practice.
Sample Answer: Staying current is crucial in this rapidly changing field, so I dedicate time each week to learning. I read industry publications, take CPE courses, and attend trainings to ensure I’m up to date on evolving standards like revenue recognition, lease accounting and cybersecurity auditing. I also leverage resources like the AICPA’s Audit and Accounting Guide which consolidates key GAAP requirements. Within my team, we discuss how new standards impact our clients and implement improved audit procedures. I apply my knowledge by enhancing documentation, adjusting testing, and advising clients regarding relevant changes. These efforts help me improve continuously.
7. How would you go about planning an audit engagement?
Walk through the key phases. Emphasize risk assessment, understanding objectives, resource planning, and tailoring the approach.
Sample Answer: The first step is to understand the entity and its business objectives. This provides context for the risks auditors should focus on. Next, I’d work with management to clarify the scope and objectives of the audit. With an initial risk assessment complete, I can start planning the timing, staffing needs, resource allocations and audit tests. Testing priorities would be based on identified risk areas. Throughout, I’d ensure open communication with the client to discuss issues promptly. The result is a tailored, risk-focused engagement plan that provides the appropriate level of assurance.
8. Tell me about a time you delivered excellent client service. What did you do and what was the outcome?
Share a story highlighting your client relationship skills. Discuss how you identified needs, provided value, and delivered positive results.
Sample Answer: During an audit, the client asked for guidance regarding revenue recognition for complex SaaS contracts. I conducted additional research into the latest standards, then summarized key considerations in a memo. I proactively walked their accounting team through my findings, explaining how it impacted their financials. The client appreciated this initiative, which forged a stronger working relationship. They valued getting ahead of potential compliance issues. In the end, the audit progressed smoothly and they retained us for several advisory projects. By taking extra time to meet their needs, I delivered excellent service.
9. Describe a time you made an error during an audit. How did you handle it?
Auditors do make mistakes occasionally. Share a lesson learned from an error you made. Demonstrate accountability, problem-solving, and growth.
Sample Answer: Early in my auditing career, I was reviewing a client’s loan amortization schedule and did not catch an incorrect formula in their model. Fortunately, the manager identified this during the review process before the audit was finalized. I immediately took accountability for the oversight when he pointed it out. To prevent similar errors going forward, I asked to shadow him during the next review of a complex model. I also volunteered to take additional training on analytical procedures. I learned just how critical thorough reviews are, even when under time pressure. It was a valuable lesson in quality control that ultimately made me a better auditor.
10. What experience do you have using data analytics in an audit?
Highlight your knowledge of relevant tools and how you’ve used them to extract and analyze data. Discuss the insights and efficiencies gained.
Sample Answer: Throughout my auditing experience, I’ve used data analytics tools like ACL, IDEA, and Tableau which have been tremendously valuable. For example, I worked on an accounts payable audit where we extracted large volumes of invoice data. Using IDEA, I was able to quickly analyze for duplicate payments and filter for high-risk transactions. These insights allowed us to recommend controls improvement to management. Data analytics enhanced efficiency by automating these tests versus manual sampling. Advanced analytics like trend analysis and continuous monitoring also provide invaluable insights not apparent through traditional testing alone. Used properly, they strengthen the quality of any audit engagement.
11. How would you handle a team member who refused to admit their mistakes?
Demonstrate your conflict resolution abilities. Share how you would have a constructive dialogue and reach a positive outcome.
Sample Answer: If faced with this situation, I would first speak to them one-on
