Big 4 interviews test firm-specific values, commercial awareness, and case study thinking. Our AI generates questions mapped to each firm's competency framework — and helps you craft answers that stand out from 10,000+ other applicants.
Covers Audit, Tax, Consulting, Deals, and Advisory roles.
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From job description to firm-specific preparation in three steps.
Include the role, service line, and competencies. AI identifies which firm values framework applies.
Receive competency questions mapped to Deloitte Shared Values, PwC Purpose & Values, EY Building a Better Working World, or KPMG Our Values.
Structure answers with quantified results and practise case study frameworks for assessment centres.
Competency, case study, and motivation questions from all four firms.
“Tell me about a time you acted with integrity when it would have been easier not to.”
Tip: All four firms test ethical judgement. Show a specific moment where you chose the right path — academic honesty, peer accountability, or raising a concern.
“Describe a time you delivered excellent service or exceeded someone's expectations.”
Tip: Part-time work examples shine here. Show anticipation of needs, follow-through, and measurable satisfaction.
“Walk me through how you would analyse a client's declining profitability.”
Tip: Structure is everything. Use a profitability framework (Revenue vs Costs), ask clarifying questions, and be hypothesis-driven.
“What recent market development could affect our clients, and why?”
Tip: Follow the FT, read the firm's research reports. Pick something specific — AI regulation, ESG reporting changes, or interest rate impacts on M&A.
“Give an example of working with someone whose approach was very different from yours.”
Tip: Show how you adapted your communication style and found common ground. Big 4 teams are diverse — adaptability is essential.
“Why have you chosen [Deloitte/PwC/EY/KPMG] specifically?”
Tip: Name the specific service line, recent project, or firm value that resonates. Reference an event, open day, or employee you spoke with.
“How would you explain a complex financial concept to a non-financial client?”
Tip: Demonstrate clarity and empathy. Pick a concept (e.g. depreciation, cash flow) and explain it simply without being condescending.
“A retail client's revenue is flat but costs are rising 8% year-on-year. Where would you start?”
Tip: Structure first: fixed vs variable costs, then drill into cost drivers. Ask about headcount, rent, supply chain. Always quantify your recommendations.
Data-driven problem solving from a part-time job — exactly what Big 4 assessors want.
“Describe a time you used data to solve a problem or make a decision.”
While working part-time at a campus coffee shop, I noticed we were consistently over-ordering pastries on Mondays and running out by Thursday — leading to both waste and lost revenue.
The manager asked me to investigate and propose a solution that reduced waste without cutting availability.
I exported three months of till data into a spreadsheet, broke sales down by day-of-week and product type, and identified a clear pattern: Monday demand was 40% lower than Thursday-Friday. I created a simple reorder template that adjusted quantities by day, accounting for term-time vs holiday periods. I presented my findings to the manager with a one-page chart showing projected savings.
Food waste dropped 35% in the first month, saving approximately £180/month. The manager implemented the template permanently and I was given a pay rise. Two other campus outlets adopted the same approach.
Why this works: This is a part-time job example — but it demonstrates data analysis, initiative, quantified impact, and stakeholder communication. Perfect for Big 4 analytical competency questions.
“The AI picked up on Deloitte's 'Shared Values' framework from my job description and generated questions I hadn't even considered. Two of them came up word-for-word at my assessment centre.”
Sophie L.
Accepted: Deloitte Audit Graduate, London
“I was applying to all four firms and struggling to differentiate my answers. ApplyArc helped me tailor each application to the specific firm's values — that's what made the difference.”
Raj P.
Accepted: PwC Consulting Graduate, Manchester
Big 4 firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) use structured competency interviews aligned to their own values frameworks. Deloitte tests against 'Shared Values' (integrity, outstanding value, commitment). PwC uses 'Purpose and Values'. EY focuses on 'Building a Better Working World'. KPMG uses 'Our Values'. Each firm also includes case studies or business scenario exercises — you'll be assessed on commercial awareness, analytical thinking, and client-facing communication skills.
A case study interview presents a business scenario (e.g. 'Your client, a mid-size retailer, has seen profits drop 15% over 2 years. What would you investigate?'). You're expected to structure your analysis (use frameworks like profitability trees or MECE), ask clarifying questions, interpret data if provided, and present a recommendation. Each firm formats this slightly differently — Deloitte often uses group case studies at assessment centres, while PwC tends towards individual case discussions.
The top questions include: 'Why this firm over the other three?', 'Tell me about a time you demonstrated integrity under pressure', 'Describe how you analysed data to solve a problem', 'Give an example of delivering excellent client service', and 'Walk me through a time you worked with people from different backgrounds'. Each maps to specific firm values — tailor your STAR answers accordingly.
Research each firm's specific values, recent deals/projects, and culture. Mention their specific service lines (Deloitte's Monitor strategy practice, PwC's Deals team, EY's Assurance innovation, KPMG's Deal Advisory). Reference recent news, reports, or events you've attended. Generic answers like 'You're a leading professional services firm' won't differentiate you from 10,000 other applicants.
ApplyArc's AI reads the specific Big 4 job description and identifies which values framework is being tested. It generates predicted competency questions mapped to that firm's framework, helps you structure STAR answers with quantified impact, and creates case study practice scenarios. It also generates smart questions to ask your interviewer that demonstrate genuine commercial awareness.
Generate firm-specific competency questions, practise case studies, and build STAR answers that differentiate you from 10,000+ applicants.