Almost every day, I get a question that sounds a little bit like this, “Big 4 Guru, what questions will I be asked in an interview with the Big 4 Accounting Firms?”
So to clear things up, here is an article that should help out! In my book, “The Interview” linked below. In the book, I go through, in detail over 15 questions that I have seen the big 4 ask, as well as the responses you should be giving. Here are a few examples of questions Big 4 Accounting Firms ask:
Here are a few examples of questions Big 4 Accounting Firms ask:
Tell me about yourself?
This is almost always the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a succinct and smooth when responding to this question. This written and memorized speech is your elevator pitch. Follow this format:
In conclusion, know where you want to work (first choice) and make the interviewer you speak with has the authority to place you in that area. As a general rule, the best place to *say* you want to work, is in the city where you are currently living. Most likely the recruiter is responsible for that city.
Before my interview with PwC, personally, I was discussing with a Big 4 alumnus the fact that I was considering both the New York City office as well as an office in a smaller city. “That’s good for you” he said, “if you want to cut your chance of getting the job in half.”
It turns out that my interviewer was only responsible for hiring for a handful of small regional offices and not the NYC office. If I said I was considering the NY office, he would have been unable to hire me. At best, I could have only hoped that he would forward my resume to another recruiter and start the whole interviewing process again. In conclusion, know where you want to work and make sure you are in front of the right interviewer. As a general rule, the best place to say you want to work, is in the city where you are in University. Typically, the recruiter is responsible for a city and has connections to get you in. Then, once you are an intern or starting full time and have the offers secured, you can ask to be moved to another office.
If you are actively pursuing other Big 4, regional companies, or small firms, keep this to yourself. While you are there, you are only interested in their firm. You may be tempted to bait the interviewer by appearing impressive that you have interviewed with some of the others, but they are more likely to take this as a sign that you are not committed.
This may very well be the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a succinct, confident response to this question. Write down your response to this question. This will be your “elevator pitch”. Follow this format:
This is usually the first question they ask. It is a good idea to have a confident response to this question as it is usually right out of the gates. Write a response that takes you 30 seconds to repeat and memorize. This will be your elevator pitch. Use the format below:
What year are you in University
What job/campus leadership roles are you currently in
What is your year in University
Why are you interested in working for this company
“My name is Joe Smith, and I’m originally from Hartford, Connecticut. I am a senior at the University of Connecticut and will be graduating with an accounting degree in May. I have been interested in accounting as far back as high school. I first wanted to be a doctor, so I took as many advanced placement science classes as possible. On a whim, I also signed up for a college-level accounting class.
Make sure the person you are interviewing with gets the right story from you, and they have jurisdiction over you choice of office. In conclusion, the recruiter is responsible for the city where he/she lives. So if you want to work somewhere else, get the offer locally first.
My goal is to work for Deloitte in the Hartford office after graduation. I have learned so much about Deloitte from the on campus meetings I’ve attended and speaking with (insert name), who was a past intern. I am very excited to be here today and have to the opportunity to speak with you.”
Mentioning someone else who already worked at the company associates you with that person. If your friends with, or even associated with that person, in their eyes, you are that much likely to fit in with their culture. Do not tell them you know the person, just display there is a relationship by casually mentioning they speak very highly of the firm and have given you a lot of insight into the company.
Before you start interviewing with the big 4 accounting firms (and other small firms and private companies), small firms, and private companies, make sure you’ve read my book which has been the book since ’08 and helped thousands of students get hired with the big 4 accounting firms (and other small firms and private companies), small firms, and private companies: Big 4 Accounting Firms Book of Secrets
