Question 1

Why do you want to work at KPMG specifically, and what do you know about our values?

Accepted Answer

I am drawn to KPMG because of its strong commitment to integrity, excellence, courage, together, and for better. These values align closely with my own professional principles and the way I approach my work. In my previous role at an accounting firm, I consistently prioritized ethical decision-making and transparency in all client interactions. When I encountered a situation where a client requested aggressive tax positioning that bordered on non-compliance, I had the courage to push back and recommend a more responsible approach that still achieved their financial goals. KPMG's emphasis on working together and making a positive impact resonates with me. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to a firm that values both professional excellence and making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.

Question 2

Tell me about a time when you demonstrated integrity in a professional setting.

Accepted Answer

During an audit engagement at my previous firm, I discovered a discrepancy in a client's financial statements that the client's management had overlooked. The adjustment was material enough to affect the overall financial picture, but flagging it would create additional work and potentially strain the client relationship. Despite the pressure to keep things moving smoothly, I documented the finding thoroughly and brought it to the attention of both the engagement manager and the client's CFO. I presented the issue clearly, explained its implications, and recommended the appropriate corrective action. The client ultimately appreciated our diligence, as correcting the issue early prevented a much larger problem during their regulatory review. This experience reinforced my belief that maintaining integrity, even when it is uncomfortable, is essential to building long-term trust with clients.

Question 3

Describe a situation where you had to work under tight deadlines. How did you manage your time?

Accepted Answer

During busy season at my previous firm, I was assigned to three concurrent audit engagements with overlapping deadlines. Each engagement had different complexities and required careful attention to detail. I knew I needed a structured approach to deliver quality work on time. I started by mapping out all critical milestones and deadlines across the three engagements and created a detailed work plan with daily priorities. I communicated proactively with each engagement team about my availability and potential bottlenecks, so we could coordinate effectively. I also identified tasks that could be front-loaded and completed those first to build a buffer for unexpected issues. When one engagement encountered a complex revenue recognition issue, I had enough flexibility in my schedule to dedicate additional time without compromising the other two. All three engagements were completed on time and passed review with minimal revision. This experience taught me the importance of proactive planning, clear communication, and building contingency time into tight schedules.

Question 4

How do you handle situations where you disagree with a supervisor or senior colleague?

Accepted Answer

In a previous engagement, I disagreed with a senior associate's approach to testing a client's internal controls. I believed the sampling methodology they proposed would not provide sufficient coverage given the complexity of the client's operations. Rather than challenging them publicly, I requested a brief one-on-one conversation. I came prepared with specific examples from the client's processes that illustrated my concerns and proposed an alternative approach that I believed would be more effective while remaining efficient. The senior associate appreciated that I raised the issue constructively and with supporting evidence. After discussing both approaches, we agreed on a modified methodology that incorporated elements of both perspectives. The engagement manager later noted the thoroughness of our testing approach during the review. This taught me that having the courage to speak up, combined with a respectful and well-prepared approach, leads to better outcomes for the team and the client.

Question 5

Give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client or stakeholder.

Accepted Answer

While working on a tax compliance engagement, the client mentioned they were considering expanding operations into a new state but were unsure about the tax implications. This was outside the scope of our current engagement, but I recognized an opportunity to provide additional value. I took the initiative to research the relevant state tax obligations, including income tax nexus rules, sales tax requirements, and available incentives. I compiled a brief summary and shared it with the engagement partner, who then offered a complimentary consultation with our state and local tax team. The client was impressed by our proactive approach, which ultimately led to an expanded engagement for our SALT practice. This experience reinforced for me that going beyond the immediate task to understand a client's broader needs builds lasting relationships and creates value for both the client and the firm.

Question 6

Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new quickly to complete a task.

Accepted Answer

I was assigned to an audit engagement in the healthcare industry, which was a sector I had limited prior experience with. The engagement required understanding complex revenue recognition rules specific to healthcare providers, including contractual adjustments with insurance companies and government payers. I immediately immersed myself in the relevant accounting standards and industry-specific guidance. I also reached out to colleagues in our healthcare practice for informal knowledge-sharing sessions and studied prior-year workpapers to understand how these concepts had been applied previously. Within two weeks, I was comfortable enough with the industry nuances to independently perform testing on the client's net patient revenue and identify areas that required further investigation. My team lead commended me for ramping up quickly and contributing meaningfully to the engagement. This experience taught me the importance of being resourceful, leveraging the expertise of those around me, and approaching unfamiliar situations with a growth mindset.

Question 7

How do you prioritize competing demands from multiple engagement teams?

Accepted Answer

In my experience, clear and proactive communication is the key to managing competing demands. When I find myself pulled in multiple directions, I start by understanding the urgency and importance of each request, considering both deadlines and the impact on the overall engagement timeline. I then have honest conversations with each engagement team about my current workload and availability. I have found that most teams are understanding when you are transparent about your commitments, and they appreciate knowing upfront if there might be a delay rather than being surprised at the last minute. In one instance, I was asked to take on a new task for one engagement while already committed to a critical deliverable for another. I spoke with both managers, explained the situation, and we agreed on a realistic timeline that allowed me to deliver quality work on both without cutting corners. This approach has consistently helped me maintain strong relationships across teams while meeting my professional obligations.

Question 8

Describe a time when you identified a problem before anyone else noticed it.

Accepted Answer

While performing substantive testing on accounts receivable during an audit, I noticed an unusual pattern in the aging report. Several large invoices that appeared current had actually been re-issued with new dates, effectively resetting their aging. This was not immediately apparent because the system only showed the most recent invoice date. I dug deeper by cross-referencing the original invoice dates with payment history and customer correspondence. My analysis revealed that the re-dating practice was masking a potential collectibility issue with several key customers. I brought this to the attention of the engagement senior and manager with a clear summary of my findings. This led to additional procedures around the allowance for doubtful accounts and a conversation with the client's controller about improving their invoicing practices. The engagement partner acknowledged that catching this issue early prevented a potential audit quality concern and strengthened our overall risk assessment for the engagement.

Question 9

What does teamwork mean to you, and how have you contributed to a team's success?

Accepted Answer

To me, teamwork means leveraging each person's strengths to achieve a shared goal while supporting one another through challenges. It requires open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to put the team's needs above individual recognition. On a recent audit engagement, our team was under significant time pressure due to an accelerated filing deadline. I noticed that a newer team member was struggling with a complex testing area involving lease accounting. Rather than focusing solely on my own assignments, I set aside time each afternoon to walk through the concepts with them and review their workpapers. This investment paid off. The team member completed their work on time and with high quality, which kept the entire engagement on track. The experience reminded me that a team's success depends on everyone being willing to step up and help where needed, not just deliver on their individual assignments.

Question 10

How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work?

Accepted Answer

I have developed a systematic approach to maintaining accuracy in my work. First, I always make sure I understand the purpose and context of what I am working on before diving into the details. Understanding the big picture helps me recognize when something does not look right. I use checklists and templates to ensure completeness and consistency across my workpapers. Before finalizing any deliverable, I perform a self-review where I step away briefly and then come back with fresh eyes to check my work. I pay particular attention to cross-referencing figures, verifying formulas, and ensuring that my documentation tells a clear story. In one engagement, this approach helped me catch a formula error in a tax provision calculation that would have resulted in a material misstatement. Taking the extra time for a thorough self-review is always worth it and is a habit I continue to refine.

KPMG Interview Questions

Practice questions

Why do you want to work at KPMG specifically, and what do you know about our values?

Tell me about a time when you demonstrated integrity in a professional setting.

Describe a situation where you had to work under tight deadlines. How did you manage your time?

How do you handle situations where you disagree with a supervisor or senior colleague?

Give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client or stakeholder.

Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new quickly to complete a task.

How do you prioritize competing demands from multiple engagement teams?

Describe a time when you identified a problem before anyone else noticed it.

What does teamwork mean to you, and how have you contributed to a team's success?

How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work?

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Practice questions

Why do you want to work at KPMG specifically, and what do you know about our values?

Tell me about a time when you demonstrated integrity in a professional setting.

Describe a situation where you had to work under tight deadlines. How did you manage your time?

How do you handle situations where you disagree with a supervisor or senior colleague?

Give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client or stakeholder.

Tell me about a time when you had to learn something new quickly to complete a task.

How do you prioritize competing demands from multiple engagement teams?

Describe a time when you identified a problem before anyone else noticed it.

What does teamwork mean to you, and how have you contributed to a team's success?

How do you ensure accuracy and attention to detail in your work?

KPMG interview guide

Take the KPMG questions with you

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Practice with AI feedback for KPMG

Interview Sprint

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