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Interview Process of EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC: What CA Students Need to Know

The Big 4—EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC—are dream destinations for CA students. These firms offer invaluable exposure to auditing, taxation, advisory, and consulting. However, their interview processes are rigorous and require strategic preparation.

Here’s a detailed guide to help CA students understand and excel at each stage of the recruitment process of the Big Four.

December 3, 2024

Overview of the Interview Process

1. Application Submission:

• Submit your resume via the company portal or through campus placements.

• Pro Tip: Tailor your resume to highlight relevant internships, articleship experiences, and technical skills like Excel, SAP, or audit tools. Like naukri.com etc

2. Aptitude/Online Assessment:

• Tests logical reasoning, numerical ability, and verbal communication.

• May include situational judgment or psychometric tests to evaluate your decision-making.

3. Group Discussion (Optional)

• Focuses on teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving.

4. HR/ Interview:

• Evaluates your personality, career goals, and cultural fit.

5. Technical Interview:

• Assesses accounting, auditing, and taxation knowledge.

6. Partner Round

The purpose of the partner interview is to make sure the candidate is a good fit for the company.

EY Interview Process

Stage 1: Online Test

• Key Areas: Numerical ability, logical reasoning, and English.

• Example: Analyze a balance sheet to calculate financial ratios within a time limit.

Stage 2: Technical Interview

• Questions are based on your resume and articleship experience.
• Examples:

• How do you audit inventory in a manufacturing company
• What is the difference between provision and contingent liability?

• Pro Tip: Be thorough with Ind AS, GST, and auditing standards. Here is a detailed comprehensive course on Internal and Statutory Audit for CA students and professionals.

Stage 3: HR/Partner Interview

• Focus on behavioral questions and situational scenarios.

• Example:

• Describe a time when you handled a conflict in your team during articleship.

• What are your long-term career goals?

Deloitte Interview Process

Stage 1: Aptitude Test

• Includes numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data interpretation.

• Example Question: Analyze a company’s revenue growth over five years and identify trends.

Stage 2: Group Discussion (Optional)

• Topics often revolve around current business trends.

• Example Topic: Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Auditing Practices.

• Pro Tip: Structure your points, avoid interrupting, and focus on logical arguments.

Stage 3: Technical Interview

• Covers IFRS, Ind AS, and real-life scenarios.

• Example Question:

• How would you conduct a risk assessment for a client in the retail sector?

• Explain the concept of transfer pricing with an example.

Stage 4: HR Interview

• Tests your alignment with Deloitte’s values and work culture.

• Example:

• Why Deloitte, and not other Big 4 firms?

KPMG Interview Process

Stage 1: Online Test

• Tests basic aptitude, accounting, and auditing knowledge.

• Example: Case study-based questions on revenue recognition policies.

Stage 2: Case Study or Group Exercise

• Involves analyzing business problems and presenting solutions.

• Example:

• Analyze the financial health of a company based on a given case study.

• Identify areas of risk in a client’s internal controls.

Stage 3: HR/Partner Interview

• Focuses on your aspirations and how they align with KPMG’s values.

• Pro Tip: Research KPMG’s recent projects to showcase your interest.

Stage 4: Technical Interview

• Be prepared to discuss practical challenges faced during your articleship.

• Example Question:

• What is your approach to auditing a company with multiple subsidiaries?

Stage 5: Partner Interview

• There are some preset questions – and usually a short presentation – but the interview itself is mainly reactive, based on the speaker’s comments, and at times can feel adversarial or combative.

• Example Question:

•What are your thoughts on the future of partnerships?

PwC Interview Process

Stage 1: Online Assessment

• Combination of aptitude and psychometric tests.

• Example Question: You’re given a scenario where a client’s books show discrepancies; what would be your approach?

Stage 2: Technical Interview

• Emphasis on practical auditing knowledge and client handling.

• Example Questions:

• How would you audit related party transactions?

• Explain how you would apply Ind AS 116 (Leases) in an audit.

Stage 3: Partner Interview

• A mix of technical and behavioral questions.

• Example:

• How do you handle deadlines when managing multiple clients?

• What are the emerging risks in the auditing profession?

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Quick Tips for Cracking Big 4 Interviews

1. Know Your Resume Inside-Out. You can refer the linked blog to build a winning resume for CA students.

• Be ready to explain every point, especially technical skills and articleship experiences.

2. Brush Up on Basics:

• Focus on Ind AS, GST, and auditing standards.

3. Practice Behavioral Questions:

• Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure answers.

4. Stay Updated:

• Read about industry trends like ESG reporting, forensic audits, and AI in auditing.

5. Mock Interviews:

• Practice with peers or mentors to build confidence.

Real-Life Example

A CA aspirant, Rohan, applied to Deloitte and emphasized his articleship experience auditing manufacturing companies. During his technical interview, he shared how he identified discrepancies in inventory valuations, which impressed the panel. In the HR round, he confidently articulated his career goal of specializing in forensic audits. His preparation and clarity landed him the role.

Also sharing a fun incident that happened with me during my interview session at PWC. Click on the Link.

Conclusion

Securing a role in the Big 4 for CA students requires preparation, confidence, and clarity. By understanding their interview processes and practicing relevant skills, you can stand out as a candidate. Remember, it’s not just about technical expertise but also your ability to communicate and fit into their dynamic culture. To improve your communication skills you can register for the 1:1 communication session and start speaking more confidently.

Reference Links:-

Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid During CA Articleship (and How to Overcome Them)

A Deep Dive into Auditing: Real-Life Challenges Faced During Articleship

Interview Process of EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC: What CA Students Need to Know

Overview of the Interview Process

EY Interview Process

Deloitte Interview Process

Stage 1: Aptitude Test

KPMG Interview Process

PwC Interview Process

Quick Tips for Cracking Big 4 Interviews

Real-Life Example

Conclusion

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