KPMG Milkround interview

Barlett

So, I've got a KPMG interview coming up for their Graduate Programme. Just wondering what can I expect? Tough questions? Anyone know what the interview format will be like i.e. 1 or 2 interviews? Around how long does it go on for?

Alyosha

I assume you got an email from them? It has all the info. I am going for Tax and my "interview" is 3 and a half hours :eek:

Business Exercise for 80 minutes
Break for 10 minutes
1st interview for 45 minutes
Break for 10 minutes
2nd interview for 45 minutes.

A few days before all this there is a presentation/drinks reception. Presume will get some information at that.

irish.rugby.fan

My old man does a few interviews there.

Says he pretty much knows by the time interviewees reach him (second round of interviews) whether he's going to offer them the job or not.

Spends the first 10-15 minutes just making sure that the managers opinions from the first round are correct and will spend the next 20-25 mins selling you on KPMG.

Big changes this year. Numbers being hired is down 125, and competition for places and number of applications has increased massively, as alot of people who specialised in finance, and other areas where the job market has dried up in final year, are applying to accountancy firms.

Great tax practice in KPMG by the way, and thats not where the old man works BTW.

PWC will tell you they have the biggest tax practice, and that may be right in terms of numbers they employ but not in the more important figure of how much fees they do in a year.

ladystar66

yeah, the post above is right. they've pretty much made up their mind by the time the second interview comes round. i got asked some tough questions about auditing in my first interview, but to honest it's more of a test to see how you handle the questions rather than what you actually answer. they really just want to see intelligent, personable people who are willing to learn. know why you want the job and why they should pick you out of everyone.

Alyosha

Thanks for the replies, some handy information there. I have interviews lined up with KPMG and PWC at the moment, and hopefully with Deloitte and EY aswell.

Am just hoping for an offer, preferably with either of KPMG or PWC. Could be tight if numbers being hired are down considerably though! At a PWC presentation I attended they said that they recive around 1300 applicants each year :eek:

LightningBolt

If you do a forum search you'll see loads of threads offering advice from this time last year. Some great info and advice in them as well as insights from people who went through the process.

jph100

hi when did you guys get emails from them?

i still havent heard anything (good or bad) from them. maybe they start with one dept. and proceed to the others after?

thanks

Alyosha

I got an email on Saturday I think. I know plenty of people who haven't heard anything yet. I haven't heard from 2 of the 4. I think they get back to all the applicants this week. Although if I remember correctly EY said that they would be in touch within 2 weeks. And then the interviews themselves are starting week of Monday 10th.

Fruiti

Folks-Im a manager in a big 4 and spent nearly a day last week screening application forms. Applications are way up and places are way down so it's literally the best of the best being chosen for interview. So you need to make sure you differentiate yourself in your interview-and DON'T talk about college projects cos everyone mentions these in their application forms. Try and use something different. For my particular department (not audit), we received over 350 applications, we're interviewing 50 approx. with a view to offering 20 jobs. So if you get an interview, you're doing really well but you need to make sure you're really well prepared going in! Good luck!

thegaffer

I just got called to interview for PWC in the last 20 mins by email so they are clearly still sending out emails so I wouldn't worry about it just yet.

DirtyPikey

Anyone heard from deloittes??

Heard from kpmg for CRI, and Mazars

But nothing yet from PWC (CRI), deloitte, BDO or E&Y.....hopefully tomorrow eh!

ninty9er

Jeez...seems a lot of places slashed this year. Glad I'm an automatic 2nd rounder for BDO:D:D

I know from experience the "big" organisation doesn't suit me, so didn't apply to the Big 4.

Alyosha

DirtyPikey wrote: »

Anyone heard from deloittes??

Got a phone call from them this morning. Feckers woke me up. Same old spiel as PWC and KPMG, presentation next week and then interview the week after. Am happy enough to get the 3 interviews, would be delighted with an offer from any of them.

schumacher

does anyone know when the deloitte presentation is? They told me over the phone but cant remember and i need to know asap for sorting out other interviews!!

Mr. G.

schumacher wrote: »

does anyone know when the deloitte presentation is? They told me over the phone but cant remember and i need to know asap for sorting out other interviews!!

You may want to ring them yourself to double-check their schedule for presentations and interviews. That said, as far as I know their presentation will be held on 3 Nov 08. See the link attached:

http://www.tcd.ie/Careers/events/

Best wishes,

DirtyPikey

From what i heard deloittes did audit on tues, tax today and i presume others later in the week

Just heard from PWC - happy days!

tywy

Good luck to everyone doing the interviews!

I did them last year and I'm starting with Deloitte in September... got offered KPMG and PWC as well, the interviews aren't too difficult as long as you know what you want to say, make sure you're well prepared. As was said before if you are personable, can get a 2.1 in any degree (I'm an engineer) and get across that you know what you're on about in the interview you should be fine. Also they love anything different. I did a lot of travelling the summer before my interviews, went to a few unusual places, they liked talking about that and all the organising it took etc. Make yourself stand out and be remembered I suppose.

Hope this helps, if not - forget I said anything after good luck :P

shewasoctober

Like others have said, don't focus on your academics. The 2.1 is important, but they want to know you and what you offer. I have a degree in Literature and am now working in a Big 4, though I didn't go through the big milkround (came through the mini-milkround in the Spring). It's about selling yourself and being very personable. Your academics got you the interview. Now, you need to get you the job.

Best of luck!

jph100

shewasoctober wrote: »

am now working in a Big 4, though I didn't go through the big milkround (came through the mini-milkround in the Spring).

hi whats the mini-milkround?

defiantshrimp

jph100 wrote: »

hi whats the mini-milkround?

I'm pretty sure it is a second round of recruiting later in the year for any unfilled positions.

shewasoctober

defiantshrimp wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it is a second round of recruiting later in the year for any unfilled positions.

Yep, that's it. Because this milk-round is usually for unfilled positions, they usually only have positions left in Audit, mostly FS. It's where they recruite the most.

zamur

Hey all!

I had an interview in PWC today, so here’s what to know!

When you go to PWC you sit in the lobby, then you get brought upstairs to the 7th floor and wait in a waiting room where your photo is taken. You sit there and chat until your interviewer comes to get you! When you go into the room where you are being interviewed, the interviewers introduce themselves and tell you about themselves i.e. the depts they work in etc.

They have your online application printed out and this is the basis of the interview! They pretty much just talk you through it and ask you questions on it, so make sure you know your application and be aware of any questions that you think they may ask you based on what is on your application. They will ask you stuff like how you perform in teams and what position you like, how you get your point of view across.

They go back as far as school so be prepared! They also ask you about the accounting exams or (tax if that’s the area your applying for) so be very aware of the exams, any exemptions you may be eligible for, any courses e.g. the PDA that you should maybe consider. Really do research these courses - the Macc in Smurfit and the PDA in DIT and DCU.

Know your strengths and weaknesses and try not to be too cocky!

Have questions prepared for them

Try and remember their names - they don't have name badges on.

Accept their offer for a drink of water - You will be surprised, but you do need it - all that talking does dry your mouth out!

Overall just know your application off really really well, be aware of any questions they could ask you based off your details on your application, know your strengths and weaknesses, be very aware of the ACA qualification and the exams and postgrad courses, be really really aware of the position you are applying for and where it can lead you in 2,3,4,5 etc years time and what amount of movement between departments it allows you.

The time flies and it really is grand, just put in the preparation beforehand!

Alyosha

Thanks for the advice Zamur. Am going for Tax with PWC next Wednesday.Have 2 other interviews before then so will hopefully go ok. Or rather it better, because I think it's the firm I most want to work for...!

defiantshrimp

I had a PwC on Tuesday and a Deloitte interview today.

My PwC interview was more or less the same as zamur's. Questions around my application, how i prepared for exams, got involved in college life and why I wanted to do the PDA in DCU. Both interviewers were really friendly and it was quite relaxed. A few questions about the general business climate to put me on the spot, but nothing too difficult to deal with. I got a very good impression of the firm from it.

Deloitte was similar, a bit more probing and in depth I thought. I did an internship in a different field so they probed my motivations for wanting to do Audit. A few compentency questions and general questions about the business climate and the challenges a professional services firm faces. Again it was quite relaxed, though less so than PwC. Also got a very good impression of the firm from the partner and manager in interviewed with.

clearya

Alyosha wrote: »

Thanks for the advice Zamur. Am going for Tax with PWC next Wednesday.Have 2 other interviews before then so will hopefully go ok. Or rather it better, because I think it's the firm I most want to work for...!

In my pwc interview 1 of them sat at the long end of the table and the other right across from me..don't know if they were testing my eye-contact with both party skills! but deffo remember to pay attention to the person who doesn't ask the question. They will pick bits from your cv about your jobs and ask you about the challenges, they will ask you about a business news item you're read, and I was also asked about what i thought of the financial crisis. Also a business person you admire. And hw you would balance your interests with your job...And i was asked about my final year project.. and you should ask questions in the end, i asked the guy about accounting, the girl was from HR, and i think she was VERY bored for 10 minutes! lol

clearya

zamur wrote: »

Hey all!

I had an interview in PWC today, so here’s what to know!

When you go to PWC you sit in the lobby, then you get brought upstairs to the 7th floor and wait in a waiting room where your photo is taken. You sit there and chat until your interviewer comes to get you! When you go into the room where you are being interviewed, the interviewers introduce themselves and tell you about themselves i.e. the depts they work in etc.

They have your online application printed out and this is the basis of the interview! They pretty much just talk you through it and ask you questions on it, so make sure you know your application and be aware of any questions that you think they may ask you based on what is on your application. They will ask you stuff like how you perform in teams and what position you like, how you get your point of view across.

They go back as far as school so be prepared! They also ask you about the accounting exams or (tax if that’s the area your applying for) so be very aware of the exams, any exemptions you may be eligible for, any courses e.g. the PDA that you should maybe consider. Really do research these courses - the Macc in Smurfit and the PDA in DIT and DCU.

Know your strengths and weaknesses and try not to be too cocky!

Have questions prepared for them

Try and remember their names - they don't have name badges on.

Accept their offer for a drink of water - You will be surprised, but you do need it - all that talking does dry your mouth out!

Overall just know your application off really really well, be aware of any questions they could ask you based off your details on your application, know your strengths and weaknesses, be very aware of the ACA qualification and the exams and postgrad courses, be really really aware of the position you are applying for and where it can lead you in 2,3,4,5 etc years time and what amount of movement between departments it allows you.

The time flies and it really is grand, just put in the preparation beforehand!

lol, o god, my throat went completely dry in the first 5 mins and 1 of the interviewer's suggested I take a drink of water! For the rest of the interview I had a case of 'gravelly voice'! I hope they thought I had an infection or something! lol

I was asked about the industries they operate in..can't remember how but i said i was interested in working in the media industry, told her why, mentioned another area in advisory so that i could show my knowledge...i really have no idea what they thought of me, i did make em laugh a few times but my god, blank faces the whole way through and i tried not to look at their sheets when they were writing something down

Cathal1984

tywy wrote: »

Good luck to everyone doing the interviews!

I did them last year and I'm starting with Deloitte in September... got offered KPMG and PWC as well, the interviews aren't too difficult as long as you know what you want to say, make sure you're well prepared. As was said before if you are personable, can get a 2.1 in any degree (I'm an engineer) and get across that you know what you're on about in the interview you should be fine. Also they love anything different. I did a lot of travelling the summer before my interviews, went to a few unusual places, they liked talking about that and all the organising it took etc. Make yourself stand out and be remembered I suppose.

Hope this helps, if not - forget I said anything after good luck :P

hey tywy, i see that your backround is not orientated around accounting - similar to me as I'm a primary school teacher with 4 years experience with an honours degree 2.1 also. I've a question for u - do u have backround in business or knowledge/interest and how did you cope with questions specific to business/acc. in the interview. thanks

Cathal1984

defiantshrimp wrote: »

I had a PwC on Tuesday and a Deloitte interview today.

My PwC interview was more or less the same as zamur's. Questions around my application, how i prepared for exams, got involved in college life and why I wanted to do the PDA in DCU. Both interviewers were really friendly and it was quite relaxed. A few questions about the general business climate to put me on the spot, but nothing too difficult to deal with. I got a very good impression of the firm from it.

Deloitte was similar, a bit more probing and in depth I thought. I did an internship in a different field so they probed my motivations for wanting to do Audit. A few compentency questions and general questions about the business climate and the challenges a professional services firm faces. Again it was quite relaxed, though less so than PwC. Also got a very good impression of the firm from the partner and manager in interviewed with.

hey defiantshrimp, may i ask what you graduated as u r considering doin the PDA in DCU? also r u goin to take that option as I presume they'll sponsor it? do u have any backround in business or questions rooted in accountancy etc.

jj99

How quick do they get back to you?

tywy

Cathal1984 wrote: »

hey tywy, i see that your backround is not orientated around accounting - similar to me as I'm a primary school teacher with 4 years experience with an honours degree 2.1 also. I've a question for u - do u have backround in business or knowledge/interest and how did you cope with questions specific to business/acc. in the interview. thanks

I don't have a background in business at all. I didn't do accounting or business for the leaving cert even. I just made sure I'd read up on everything in the news. They didn't expect me to know loads about business and in the interview I was asked about sub prime lending thing in the states as it was in the news a lot this time last year. I answered saying, with my limited business knowledge this is what I've understood to have happened... blah dee blah... If I can be of anymore help, just PM or something.

tywy

jj99 wrote: »

How quick do they get back to you?

Sometimes that day, sometimes within a week... depends I think.

Newaglish

Generally if you're going to get the job, they will get back to you within two days; they may be delayed sometimes but it's usually within that time period

defiantshrimp

Cathal1984 wrote: »

hey defiantshrimp, may i ask what you graduated as u r considering doin the PDA in DCU? also r u goin to take that option as I presume they'll sponsor it? do u have any backround in business or questions rooted in accountancy etc.

I'm studying Economics and I did an internship in finance so I do have a business-type background I guess and they did ask a few questions like that. I have no exemptions so I reckoned the PDA is a a good way to get rid of CAP1 and set me up for CAP2 nicely. Yeah the firm pays for the PDA and your books, no living stipend though. PwC seem to be big fans of the PDA and MAcc.

Cathal1984

Guys, thanks for all the replies for my earlier questions but I just have a few more in relation to the mini-milkround! What is usually the closing date for application in spring? Also, it's looking likely that mini-milkround recruits will be down big time, considering the current economic turmoil and the fact that all the big firms have cut the number of their recruits substantially?Are most positions available in the mini-milkround in audit? What have opportunities been like in previous mini-milkrounds? Also, has anyone completed the PDA in DCU and what was the course like, if so? Thanks.

Alyosha

Well anyone any offers yet? Have had 3 interviews for Tax this week. Thought my KPMG one (well, two) went the best so hopeful of an offer from them in the next day or two.

schumacher

kpmg let u no by 24 hrs l8r!! PWC takes a day, well two for me and three for some friends!! Thats only if you got it!! Does anyone let u know when deloitte or grant thorton let you know? Did anyone have an interview with them and find out and how long was it after the interview?

Richie75

Going into the interviews, I was aware that KPMG and PWC were the larger of the Big 4, but Deloitte were the ones who impressed me in terms of their people and an enjoyable place to work.

Anybody have any thoughts on which one of the Big 4, they will go for if they get 4 offers?

eoin99

I've got offers in audit for KPMG, PWC & Deloitte.....honestly don't know which one to pick! Was leaning slightly towards Deloitte because of the people like the last poster said tho. Anyone else in a similar situation??

schumacher

i reckon il go for pwc!! got kpmg waitn 2 hear bak from deloitte!! dont know how long they take!! is it the same day or a few days anyone know?

lauramcp

how soon are people hearing back after their interviews?

eoin99

generally around 48hrs after the interview i've been contacted. not sure if its the same for everybody.

Richie75

One of my friends found out the day after his interview for two of his interviews, but he has a top CV.
I think its a case that most of them will offer the top people straight away and then guauge the rest of their canditates over a few days before making an offer. Given the current climate I'm sure they are afraid of making too many offers and having a whole bunch of us taking them up on their job offer.

An Citeog

Yeah, KPMG got back to me within 24 hours. I did the PWC interview yesterday but haven't heard anything back from them. Hopefully I'll get some good news in the next day or so!:)

schumacher

in response to ritchies post sorry cant quote they hardly offer more places to people than they have in d knowledge that some will refuse?

Richie75

Re making more offers, all the firms make more offers than they expect to get. This is on the basis that alot of people will get offers from more than one firm therefore they make more offers in order to get their numbers.

tywy

I got offered PWC, KPMG and Deloitte this time last year, I chose Deloitte cuz of the people. I'm doing a PG Dip in Accounting now, will be starting in Deloitte in Sept, w00t!

schumacher

re ritchie so what happens if more people take them up on their offers than expected? does that mean you would want to make up your mind asap?

Richie75

schumacher wrote: »

re ritchie so what happens if more people take them up on their offers than expected? does that mean you would want to make up your mind asap?

I can understand the theory behind it in that all the Big 4 should offer jobs to the same people, generally, and those people can only take one job. I would have thought that once they make an offer, it is binding, therefore as long as you respond by the date in the letter, you should be okay. Plus, thay all care about their reputations and it would look bad if they made an offer and then a few days letter retracted it.

Anyhow, I got my Deloitte offer so am more than happy to go with it. Its amazing how the small things help you make up your mind like the person in the lift on the way up noticing I was there for an interview and wishing me look and the personal letter from the interviewer.

Fo87

Gosh, Deloitte seem to have really got it right this year with regards to attracting us new graduate folk!

I too have this preconception that Deloitte are the kind of people you can have a good laugh with and aren't too stuffy. Is it me or do people who aren't from Dublin tend to lean more towards Deloitte?

I like the idea of PwC but I'm starting to think I wouldn't get on with everyone. Can anyone relay what the work environment is like in PwC, are people outgoing and generally easy to get on with?

Oh decisions, decisions.....

johny89

heard on the grape vine that pwc dont want to know unless ure from the right side of Dublin, being from the north i certainly felt i wouldnt fit in there

Newaglish

Re; the number of offers, they calculate an acceptance rate based on previous years and then offer based on that.

So for audit, the acceptance rate might be 60% - if they want to hire 120 people they will issue 200 offers.

Tax & advisory tend to have higher acceptance rates and therefore there would be less offers ie. 100 offers for 70-80 places.

If loads of people join one year, they'll hire them all and adjust the calculations for the next year.