Big 4 Accounting Firms Interview Questions

The Big 4 Accounting Firms and the Interview Process

The Big 4 accounting firms refer to Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG. These firms provide accounting, auditing, consulting, tax, corporate finance, and technology services to large corporations, governments, and other organizations around the world. Landing a job with one of the Big 4 is considered highly prestigious and can set you on the path for long-term career advancement and success. However, the interview process is notoriously rigorous and these firms only accept ~5% of applicants. Understanding the types of questions you’ll face and how to best prepare can give you a competitive edge.

Big 4 Interview Guides

Behavioral Interview Questions

Many of the Big 4 interview questions will focus on behavioral and situational examples. You should expect to be asked behavioral questions like:

Tell me about a time you showed strong leadership skills.
Describe a situation where you solved a difficult problem. What was the outcome?
Give an example of when you went above and beyond expectations to get a job done.
Tell me about a time you wish you had handled a situation differently with a colleague. What did you learn?

Take time to prepare detailed stories that showcase your skills and abilities. Be sure to describe the situation, actions you took, and the positive results. The goal of behavioral questions is to ensure that you will be a good team player, can communicate effectively, can handle yourself infront of clients, and are a good cultural fit.

Technical & Accounting Interview Questions

Depending on the position you are interviewing for, you may also face technical questions to assess your knowledge, such as:

Walk me through the 3 financial statements – What are the key differences?
What metrics would you look at to determine a company’s financial health?
What GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) standards apply to revenue recognition?
How does depreciation impact the different financial statements?

Brush up on accounting terminology, finance concepts, accounting standards, etc. Practice responding to technical interview questions like these to prepare. Technical questions are more common for experienced hires and consulting interviews.

Case Study Interview Questions

Case study questions have become a trademark of Big 4 interviews. You’ll be presented with a business scenario and asked to analyze it on the spot. The case will be tailored to the specific type of role that you are interviewing for. Some examples include:

Our client is considering expansion – how would you advise them on identifying new target markets?
This company’s margins are shrinking year-over-year – what could be causing this trend?
We’ve been asked to provide consulting on a potential merger between two retail chains – outline your approach.
You have been asked to analyze the financials of a manufacturing business and identify any potential EBITDA adjustments. Walk through your approach and identified adjustments.

There are many case study resources online. Here are a few examples:

Financial Due Diligence / Transaction Advisory Cases
Strategy Consulting Cases

Brainteasers

You may encounter seemingly abstract brainteaser questions to evaluate your critical thinking and ability to think outside the box. To be honest, we at Big4Interivews.com are not fans of these types of questions. We do not believe these questions are truly representative of a candidates ability to think critically. However, to help you prepare in case you have an interviewer who askes these questions, here are some examples:

Estimate how many gas stations there are in the state of California.
Our client needs to transport 3,000 pounds of strawberries while keeping costs under $1,000. What solutions would you propose?
Why are manhole covers round rather than square?
What is the sum of the numbers one to 100?
A doctor’s son’s father was not a doctor. How is this possible?

While these questions seem random, they have a purpose in gauging problem-solving abilities. Clarify any assumptions, think through your methodology, and explain your rationale out loud. The final number may matter less than your thought process.

Preparation is Key

With diligent preparation, you can feel confident tackling Big 4 interview questions and conveying why you are the ideal accounting fit for the job. Research the position and practice articulating relevant skills and experience from your background. Review technical concepts you may need to discuss. Polish your storytelling for behavioral question responses. Bolster your analytical skills for case studies. And get ready to think on your feet for brainteasers. With the right interview mindset, you’ll be primed for success in landing your next big opportunity.

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