Are you an experienced accountant, eager to join one of the Big Four firms? You’re likely aware that the interview process can be daunting, and likely have a few questions about what to expect. The key to acing your interview is to be prepared. To help you get ready, we’ve put together a list of the most commonly asked Big Four interview questions, along with suggested answers. With this PDF guide, you can get a better understanding of the types of questions you may be asked, as well as how to answer them effectively. After reading through the guide, you’ll be more confident and prepared for your Big Four interview. So, what are you waiting for? Arm yourself with knowledge and download this PDF guide to help you succeed in your Big Four interview.
BIG 4 ACCOUNTING FIRM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS! (PWC, DELOITTE, EY & KPMG Interview Questions!)
General Big 4 interview questions
Hiring managers inquire about the Big 4 candidates generally to determine whether they might fit the company’s culture. You can discuss your interests, driving forces, and strengths using the answers to these questions. Examples of common inquiries a hiring manager might ask are as follows:
What’s the difference between accounts receivable and deferred revenue?
This simple interview query tests a candidate’s understanding of words that some people might conflate. As a candidate going through an interview for an internship or entry-level position, you’ll probably be asked this question. Clearly define each term in your response to highlight how they differ.
The sum of money that clients owe a business after the latter has already delivered the good or service is known as accounts receivable. Customers’ payments for goods or services they haven’t yet received are referred to as “deferred revenue.” Deferred revenue is a liability, whereas accounts receivable is an asset. “.
Describe a time when you helped a company reduce its operating costs.
This inquiry may be asked by a hiring manager to gauge your resourcefulness and initiative. They might also want to know how you can help future clients by doing something similar. Think about describing the circumstance and the actions you took to reduce the business’ operating costs.
Example: “I used to work at a hospital as an accountant. They tracked patient records and financial information using a variety of software. During a software audit, I found that various departments had subscribed to various programs with similar features. I spearheaded a project to upgrade the software and get rid of any unnecessary ones for the business. I calculated the company would experience 10% savings, and I informed the chief financial officer of my findings. “.
What to Expect During Your Interview With One of the ‘Big 4’ Accounting Firms (KPMG, Deloitte, PwC and EY)
Interviews are conducted by the “BIG 4” accounting firms of KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, and EY for a variety of positions, including consulting positions, managers, associates, computer programmers, auditors, project managers, directors, and human resources specialists. We strongly advise you to prepare your responses to the interview questions in advance if you have a scheduled appointment to attend a job interview with one of the Big 4 Accounting firms. It’s crucial to keep in mind that your responses should sound professional, be supported by ample evidence, and appeal favorably to the interview panel. In essence, you must convey to the interview panel what they want to hear. To help you succeed in your interview, we have compiled 30 “BIG 4” Account Firm Interview Questions & Answers.
Interviews with KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, or EY will be formal in style, have a minimum of two interview panelists, and include behavioral, research-based, and motivational interview questions. The behavioral-type questions will primarily focus on the skills needed to fulfill the role to the required standard. Make sure you offer solid, evidence-based responses to these challenging interview questions that demonstrate your capacity to succeed in the position.
Make sure you DOWNLOAD a copy of our 30 “BIG 4” INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GUIDE to ensure you receive the highest scores possible during your interview with either KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, or EY.
Benefits of this guide include:
5 TIPS FOR PASSING AN INTERVIEW WITH ANY OF THE ‘BIG 4’ ACCOUNTING FIRMS (KPMG, DELOITTE, PwC, EY)
TIP #1: Well in advance of your interview, prepare your responses to the interview questions. Then, put them into practice to make sure your speech sounds polished, sincere, and most importantly, distinctive. We have given you 30 well-thought-out responses to the typical interview queries used by KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, and EY.
TIP NUMBER 2: You will undoubtedly be asked during the interview why you selected their accounting firm over the other two or three major players. Prepare a response to this question that focuses on their history, core principles, and, most importantly, their mission.
Remember that the “Big Four” Accounting Firms only hire the best applicants, so it’s crucial that you say things in your interview that set you apart from the competition. The interview panel is very knowledgeable, so they have probably already heard all the typical or standard responses to the interview questions. We’ll give you high-scoring responses so you can stand out from the competition!
TIP #4: A series of behavioral/situational interview questions will be posed to you in order to gauge how well you perform under pressure. Make sure to use the STAR technique to support your evidence-based responses when responding to questions of this kind. To ensure you receive the highest possible marks during your interview, every single question in our thorough guide has been specifically written using the format: SITUATION, TASK, ACTION, and RESULT.
Of course, it would be remiss of us to say that all you need to do to pass your interview with any of the BIG 4 Accounting Firms is to show up and recite the answers! TIP NUMBER 5 – Of course, it would be remiss of us to say that all you need to do is turn up and recite the answers! It is also important that you develop a positive and confident mindset in preparation for your interview, and one way to do this is to conduct a mock interview using the interview questions
You can start practicing right away by downloading a copy of our 30 “BIG 4” ACCOUNTING FIRM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS guide from this page. (KPMG, DELOITTE, PwC, EY)
KPMG, DELOITTE, PwC, and EY ‘BIG 4’ ACCOUNTING FIRM INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS WORKBOOK
Many of the behavioral interview questions will draw on prior experiences (for instance, “Tell me about a time you had to deal with challenging team members”). One of the benefits of preparing interview answers is that they provide a comprehensive list of many of these kinds of experiences.
If they ask you a question for which you weren’t specifically prepared, you might still be able to discuss other pertinent experiences that are currently fresh in your mind. Having something “scripted” to fall back on in case you freeze is also a good idea. It’s much preferable to have something pre-made than to feel awkward while contemplating (a suitable) example to use.
The truth is that these interviews are more about evaluating your ability to respond to questions, professionalism, communication skills, and ultimately whether you would be enjoyable to work with.
By doing this, you can practice how fluid your responses sound and become less anxious before the actual test.
You can best prepare for your interview by researching the most typical Big 4 interview questions and practicing them beforehand. Making a list of potential topics and practicing the interview questions is crucial because it helps you sound more professional, feel more at ease, and appear more qualified for the position at the company.
FAQ
What are the questions asked in Big 4 interview?
Describe a time when you showed leadership. These are just a few examples of general Big 4 interview questions that a hiring manager might ask: How do you feel about multitasking. How do you handle work-related stress?.
How do I pass a Big 4 interview?
- 1) Be confident. …
- 2) Be humble. …
- 3) Be direct about what you want. …
- 4) Develop and practice your interview answers. …
- 5) Research everything about the office. …
- 6) Enroll in all of the interviews and practice rounds you can find.
- 7) Always have questions prepared to ask at the end.
- 8) Send a thank you card.
How do you introduce yourself in a Big 4 interview?
Tell Me About You For instance, you could discuss your progression from college to your current position and what drives you. They are curious as to what brought you from your previous location and why you are now seated in front of them. This is the ideal time to explain why you are interested in the position.
What are the 5 hardest interview questions and answers?
- Tell Me About Yourself. …
- Tell me about a time when you failed or made a mistake, and how you handled it.
- Describe a time when you had to deal with a challenging coworker and what you did.
- Why did you leave your last job? …
- Why do you want this job?
