Since 2018, we've been surveying Big 4 grads across Australia and New Zealand about the questions they were asked in their interviews. Here are the most common questions based on 1300+ survey responses.
My short and long term goals, my passion and hobbies – Graduate @ PwC
Questions related to: my interest in my chosen area, extracurricular activities. – Graduate @ EY
What are my hobbies and other interests (volunteering)? – Graduate @ Deloitte
About my background (why I studied what I did and where I did it etc.) and about my interests outside uni (sport, travel, hobbies etc.) – Graduate @ KPMG
Check out our best advice for answering personal questions in an accounting interview.
I was ... asked how much I knew about the firm and why I chose and wanted to work at *this* firm, and not another.– Graduate @ KPMG
Why did you choose EY? – Graduate @ EY
Why PwC? – Graduate @ PwC
Why Deloitte as compared to other Big 4? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Check out our best advice for answering why you want to join a specific accounting firm..
Why consulting? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Why are you interested in joining the firm and this team? – Graduate @ EY
I was asked questions about ... why I want to work in audit – Graduate @ PwC
Why do you want to work in tax? – Graduate @ KPMG
Learn how to respond to questions that ask about your interest in a service line.
Explain a piece of work / projects that you've done in your studies or at work that demonstrate an ability in this area of work? – Graduate @ KPMG
What skills would you provide to the team? – Graduate @ EY
How my current skills would translate into the audit room – Graduate @ PwC
How my previous experience is relevant for this role – Graduate @ Deloitte
Learn how to talk about your skills & show they're relevant.
I was asked what I though an auditor was. – Graduate @ KPMG
Why this role? What do you think it does?– Graduate @ EY
What was our understanding of assurance and what we perceived would be our role at the firm if we were hired. – Graduate @ PwC
Video interview: What do you know about the job you're applying for? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Check out our best tips for answering knowledge-based questions like these.
What are your greatest strengths? What are your greatest weaknesses? – Graduate @ KPMG
Biggest weakness – Graduate @ EY
What are your areas of strength/weakness? – Graduate @ PwC
What are your three best strengths and two weaknesses? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Learn how to answer the strengths & weaknesses question in an accounting interview.
Can you describe an instance where you had to work under significant pressure? – Graduate @ KPMG
Can you think of a time when you had a lot of projects due at once and how you dealt with it? – Graduate @ EY
Tell me about a time when you had to deliver an outcome under pressure. – Graduate @ Deloitte
Describe a time when you work under pressure and how you have dealt with it – Graduate @ PwC
What was an example of workplace conflict and how did you resolve it? – Graduate @ KPMG
I was asked to describe times when I worked in a team, times when I had to deal with a difficult person. – Graduate @ EY
How do you handle conflict with others? – Graduate @ PwC
How i handle conflict – Graduate @ Deloitte
Learn how to best answer interview questions about conflict.
I was asked what challenges I have faced and overcome that may assist me in my role. – Graduate @ KPMG
Describe a time you have been challenged and how you overcame it? – Graduate @ EY
I was asked to shed light on difficult situations I had overcome ... instances where I had to use my problem solving skills – Graduate @ PwC
Can you describe a time when you faced a challenge in the workplace and how you overcame this? – Graduate @ Deloitte
See how to answer questions like this.
can you give an example where you have shown leadership or management qualities to solve a problem? – Graduate @ KPMG
Time you led a team out of difficulty – Graduate @ PwC
I was asked behavioural questions which included ... Describe a time you have demonstrated teamwork and leadership? – Graduate @ EY
Most, if not all, questions asked to draw upon real life experiences and how they related to potentially working at Deloitte e.g. times when you exhibited leadership and were trusted by colleagues and employers – Graduate @ Deloitte
Here's how you can answer questions on leadership.
Talk us through a time you've had group members not pull their weight. How do you deal with difficult team members? – Graduate @ KPMG
Questions surrounding the demonstration of collaboration and leadership through professional and educational endeavours. – Graduate @ EY
Varies depending on interviewer. A focus is on working in different teams. – Graduate @ PwC
How well do I work in a team? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Here's how to talk about your leadership skills in an interview.
I was asked a lot of questions about how I would practically deal with certain situations in the workplace. For instance, if I had to deal with conflict with a client or with a colleague. – Graduate @ KPMG
scenario situations - 'what would you do if...' – Graduate @ EY
How would you tackle a project on the "effect of bullying"? – Graduate @ PwC
If you had to step out of a meeting with a CEO for an emergency, how would you handle to situation? – Graduate @ Deloitte
At least based on the responses we received, it seems that KPMG, PwC and Deloitte are more interested than EY in making sure you're a good fit for the firm and they're a good fit for you. Here are some questions they ask to assess this.
Why I think I would suit audit – Graduate @ KPMG
What makes me a good fit for PwC – Graduate @ PwC
Why would you be good for Deloitte and why would Deloitte be good for you? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Why KPMG, what you want out of your job. – Graduate @ KPMG
What I wanted to get out of working at PwC – Graduate @ PwC
Why work for Deloitte? What do you want to achieve at Deloitte?– Graduate @ Deloitte
where do I want to take this role in the future – Graduate @ KPMG
About ... what I wanted in my career – Graduate @ PwC
Where do you see yourself in five years time? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Here's how to answer questions like this at an accounting & advisory interview.
What do you do to achieve something? What is your biggest achievement – Graduate @ KPMG
What is an achievement you are proud of? – Graduate @ PwC
What is your greatest achievement? It was more getting to know each other then proper interview questions – Graduate @ Deloitte
Give me an example where you failed and what you learnt. – Graduate @ KPMG
Questions regarding my ambitions, my achievement and most importantly my failures. – Graduate @ PwC
Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how did you deal with it? – Graduate @ Deloitte
Here's how to talk about your failures in an accounting interview.
Behavioural questions e.g. how do you respond to criticism – Graduate @ KPMG
Whether I have asked for feedback before and to talk about a time I did – Graduate @ PwC
Give an example of a time you ... accepted/asked for feedback.– Graduate @ Deloitte
Give me an example demonstrating good time-management skills. – Graduate @ KPMG
how do you prioritise your work – Graduate @ PwC
How I managed uni and part-time jobs – Graduate @ Deloitte
I would really encourage students to think broadly around their experiences and use examples from across sport, extra-curricular, work experience, and not feel that they just have to talk about their university studies. – Helen Bobbitt, KPMG's graduate talent acquisition manager
Notably, while almost all accounting firms claim to value integrity, KPMG was the only one out of the Big 4 which asked questions about it.
I was asked why I wanted to join KPMG, when I had displayed initiative and integrity, an example of when I demonstrated ethics and how I felt about receiving feedback.
I was asked about ... how I would respond if a senior member asked me to breach integrity.
How I resolve mistakes at work, maintain integrity.
Ethical questions, Personality questions, Leadership questions
Describe a time you have stood up for something you believe in.
How do you respond to diversity?
question about diversity ... on why it is important
1. Introduce yourself 2. How do your values align to the service line you want to apply for 3. Question about diversity
How I felt about diversity and inclusion.
In general, KPMG and PwC asked more questions about their firms' values.
How do your values align to the service line you want to apply for
What made me choose this company? Why this division? What values do you align with?
Video interview: - why you want to work from KPMG/the role - question on one of the core values of KPMG
The majority of questions are behavioral based that focus on the values of the company.
When have you shown leadership? Or innovation?
Please describe a time that you were innovative, and what you achieved from your innovation.
Some of the questions asked revolved around problem solving, teamwork and innovation.
Why PwC, why this team, what interests you about the subject, current affairs questions, time you lead a time out of difficulty – Graduate @ PwC
Why PwC? Experiences in life/work to date and how they demonstrate X, current affairs, situational questions. – Graduate @ PwC
How do you keep informed with world affairs? – Graduate @ PwC
I was also asked where I source my news and to talk about an article I read recently. – Graduate @ PwC
It was very conversational rather than a list of questions. Some examples are: 1) What is your Passion? 2) Is there any current market issues that intrigues me? – Graduate @ PwC
Tell us about a commercial issue you're keeping up to date with – Graduate @ PwC
What do you see will be the future of work? – Graduate @ PwC
personal understanding of PwC values, and the future of assurance services – Graduate @ PwC
Tell me about a time when you had to adapt in order to cater for someone else's culture. – Graduate @ PwC
How I have handled working in a workplace with a diverse cultural background. – Graduate @ PwC
Question were tailored to determine if I will be a good fit in the already diverse community. – Graduate @ PwC
Tell us about a time you had conflict and it was a result of cultural differences? – Graduate @ PwC
What do I think of recent technological changes? – Graduate @ PwC
How you have used an emerging technology? – Graduate @ PwC
They asked about technologies and asked questions to get to know more of your personality. – Graduate @ PwC
What is a recent digital tool that you learnt? – Graduate @ PwC
One question was about how I utilise technology. – Graduate @ PwC
Questions in line with how my past experience align to the PwC purpose and values. – Graduate @ PwC
Describe a situation which displayed PwC values. – Graduate @ PwC
General questions regarding the business principles and values, what action you would take in certain situations and more technical questions aligned to the BU you are applying for. – Graduate @ PwC
General questions about hobbies at first, then how i can apply PwC's values – Graduate @ PwC
What are PwC's core values? – Graduate @ PwC
Quite a few grads also mentioned curveball questions.
Lots of information about me and what I liked to do, why I wanted to work at PwC as well as a few weird questions to through me off
The standard interview questions, then was thrown curveball questions based on my responses.
The online interview was obviously designed to catch people off guard, and prompted questions like 'describe your dream client' or gave an oddly specific scenario and asked you how you would deal with it.
We are looking for people that are naturally inquisitive and passionate about their future and show genuine interest in our business and our leaders. You will stand out if you have done thorough research around our business and client offerings. – Emma Taylor, the senior manager for national graduate talent acquisition @ Deloitte Australia advises
These questions assess a candidate's understanding of the broader industry challenges and trends, and how they align with Deloitte's future.
What do you think is the biggest challenge that the company will face in 5 years time?
What do I think are the biggest risks to the company.
What are some of the areas that are within Deloitte's focus in the near future?
What future obstacles and advantages could you see impact Deloitte Technology?
I was asked about- IT synergies that exist in merger and acquisition situations - stakeholder consideration in technology implementation and business restructuring
What do I like about technology?
Technology, Experience, Interests and Business related analysis.
What's the need for consulting companies and what's the benefit for our clients from us?
Case study question, What is your strategy to tackle this company's problem? 5min to prepare your presentation, 2min to present your ideas.
The case study asked a lot of business questions, such as how would you act in this situation.
We also surveyed grads on their best advice for dealing with the whole interview process. Here's were their top tips.
This one came up a lot. Being yourself benefits both you and the employer! If they like you, they like you. If they don't, you won't want to work there either.
It's all well and good if you can fake who you are and get the job - but you won’t enjoy working for the firm if you aren't yourself.
Be yourself. If you aren't seen to be a fit, it's good for you in the long run.
Just be yourself. Do not answer questions robotically and be honest with yourself and your interviewer.
Don't try to impress - it shows.
Prep for the interview by researching the company, understanding the role, and being ready to answer behavioral and technical questions.
Do your research, have real-life examples to support what you say.
Ensure you have a full understanding of the service line you are applying for."
Familiarise yourself with the companies values and align these to why you want to work for the company.
Be able to articulate why you want to work at this company.
Strong communication skills, being able to hold a conversation, and social intelligence are important. This includes the ability to be both self-assured and humble.
They want to hire people who they want to work with.
Be able to hold a conversation and engage in meaningful discussion.
Be personable. If you make it to the later stages of an interview process, they already know you're capable of doing the job.
I appreciated that they cared less about my marks, and more about myself and my skills as a team member.
Be a team player in group exercises.
Showing a willingness to learn and adapt is key. Employers don't expect interns and graduates to know much, but you do need to be open to training and feedback.
An eagerness to learn and acknowledgement that you are, after all, only a graduate, are extremely important!
Show willingness to learn and adapt as you progress throughout your career.
We hope this helps you prepare for your Big 4 interviews! And if you're still looking for accounting & advisory roles, check out:
All the best!