PwC Associate Interview Questions & Experience Guide

Interview Preparation
,
1

PwC Associate Interview Questions & Experience Guide

2

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: I was approached by the company and interviewed in October 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked: None explicitly mentioned. The focus was on reviewing my resume.

  • Your Approach: Kept my resume crisp and to the point, ensuring it made a strong impression quickly.

  • Outcome: Passed this round.

  • Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. Asked about my life journey, work experience, education, and family.
    2. Grammatical exercises (fill in the blanks and identifying correct/incorrect sentences).

  • Your Approach: Answered honestly about my background and tried my best with the grammar tasks, though they felt unusual.

  • Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied, but later, HR informed me I was not selected.

Interview Preparation Tips:

  • Ensure your resume is concise and impactful.
  • Be prepared for unexpected questions or tasks, even if they seem unrelated to the role.

Conclusion:
My experience with PwC was quite mixed. While the interviewer gave positive feedback, the HR team later rejected me, citing the need for a “better candidate.” This inconsistency was frustrating. I advise future candidates to clarify expectations and feedback clearly during the process.

3

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in October 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: Scenario-based questions related to Azure Data Engineering, along with SQL questions.
    • Your Approach: Focused on explaining my experience with Azure Data Engineering and answered SQL questions based on my knowledge.
    • Outcome: Passed this round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round (Managerial Round):

    • Questions Asked: More about understanding my skill set and less technical.
    • Your Approach: Discussed my projects and skills in detail.
    • Outcome: Passed this round.

  • Round 3 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked: Normal HR discussion, including package negotiation.
    • Your Approach: Kept the conversation professional and transparent.
    • Outcome: Passed this round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Prepare for scenario-based questions if you work with Cloud ETL tools like Azure, GCP, or AWS.
  • Focus on SQL as it is a common topic in technical rounds.
  • Be ready to discuss your projects and experiences in detail.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with my experience. I would advise future candidates to thoroughly prepare for scenario-based questions and be confident while discussing their projects. The HR round was straightforward, so clarity about your expectations is key.

4

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Location not specified]

Application Process: [Application process details not provided]

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Why do you want to change jobs?
    • Why do you want to join PwC?

  • Your Approach: [Candidate did not specify their approach]

  • Outcome: [Outcome not specified]

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Experience in internal auditing & internal controls.
    • Procure-to-pay process, its risks, and mitigation strategies.

  • Your Approach: [Candidate did not specify their approach]

  • Outcome: [Outcome not specified]

  • Round 3 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Current salary expectations?
    • When can you join?

  • Your Approach: [Candidate did not specify their approach]

  • Outcome: [Outcome not specified]

Preparation Tips:

  • Stay confident during the interview. PwC looks for confidence in candidates.

Conclusion:
[Overall experience summary not provided]

5

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via campus placement in December 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - One-on-one Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. HR questions about CV and job description.
      2. Guesstimate - viewership about the World Cup match.
    • Your Approach:
      • For the HR questions, I focused on aligning my CV with the job description and highlighted relevant experiences.
      • For the guesstimate, I broke down the problem into smaller parts (e.g., population, cricket popularity, match timing) to estimate viewership.
    • Outcome: Passed this round.

  • Round 2 - One-on-one Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Technical questions about accounting and finance.
      2. “Why this role? Why this company?”
    • Your Approach:
      • For technical questions, I relied on my coursework and practical knowledge of accounting principles.
      • For the “Why” questions, I connected my skills and career goals with PwC’s values and the role’s responsibilities.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared this round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic accounting and finance concepts.
  • Practice guesstimate problems to improve problem-solving skills.
  • Research the company thoroughly to answer “Why this company?” convincingly.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. I felt well-prepared for the technical and HR rounds. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing guesstimates and being clear about your career motivations.

6

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed before May 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. Just stick to your resume.
      2. SQL should be prepared well.
    • Your Approach: I focused on thoroughly explaining my resume and ensuring I was well-prepared for SQL-related questions.
    • Outcome: I passed this round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Make sure your resume is detailed and you can confidently discuss every point.
  • Brush up on SQL, as it is a key skill tested in the technical round.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was straightforward, and sticking to my resume and preparing SQL well helped me succeed. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on these two areas to ace the technical round.

7

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Location not specified]

Application Process: [Application process details not provided]

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - One-on-one Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Tell me about yourself.
    • Why do you want to join PwC?
    • What is PPM in CMMI?
    • How do you create a baseline?
    • Why didn’t you join the presentation last time?

  • Your Approach:

    • For “Tell me about yourself,” I gave a concise summary of my background and relevant experience.
    • For “Why PwC,” I highlighted my interest in the company’s values and growth opportunities.
    • For technical questions like PPM and baseline, I explained my understanding clearly.
    • For the last question, I provided a genuine reason for missing the presentation.

  • Outcome: [Outcome not specified]

Preparation Tips:

  • Give genuine answers during the interview.
  • Be prepared to discuss your background, motivation for joining the company, and any technical aspects relevant to the role.

Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward, focusing on both behavioral and technical aspects. Being honest and clear in responses worked well. Future candidates should ensure they understand the basics of the role and the company.

8

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: Not specified

Application Process: Applied via the company website in July 2024.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Pandas data frame manipulation questions, including changing the value of a cell based on certain conditions.
    • Difference between iloc and loc with an example.
    • Guesstimate: Number of airplanes that take off and land at Mumbai airport.
    • Case Study: A retailer client is losing revenue; analyze the cause of the decline.

  • Your Approach:

    • For the Pandas questions, I demonstrated my knowledge of data manipulation and indexing.
    • For the guesstimate, I used logical assumptions and calculations to estimate the number of flights.
    • For the case study, I analyzed potential factors like market trends, competition, and operational inefficiencies.

  • Outcome: Advanced to the next round.

  • Round 2 - Case Study Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • A case study statement with a large dataset was provided, containing 6 sub-problems. I was expected to analyze the data, make assumptions, and propose solutions.

  • Your Approach:

    • Used Python and SQL for data analysis.
    • Created a Power BI dashboard to visualize findings.
    • Developed strategies for each sub-problem.

  • Outcome: Completed the case study within the 3-day deadline and advanced to the next round.

  • Round 3 - Case Study Round (Senior Manager):

  • Questions Asked:

    • Detailed discussion about my work experience, projects, and domain-specific knowledge.
    • Thorough examination of the case study solutions, including data analysis code (SQL, Python) and visualization.

  • Your Approach:

    • Explained my thought process and assumptions clearly.
    • Defended my solutions with data-backed reasoning.

  • Outcome: Rejected, with feedback that the reasons were unclear.

Preparation Tips:

  • Topics to prepare: Python, PySpark, SQL, Power BI.
  • Tip for others: Be cautious with the case study rounds; they can be time-consuming and may not always lead to a fair outcome.

Conclusion:
The interview process was rigorous, especially the case study rounds, which required significant effort. While I performed well technically, the final decision seemed arbitrary. My advice is to prepare thoroughly but also be aware of the potential for unexpected outcomes.

9

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: I applied via a recruitment consultant and was interviewed in October 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
    • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and focused on relevant skills and experiences.
    • Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: Detailed questions about my past project experience, including the framework and architecture of my last project. Also, questions related to my technological background.
    • Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly by revisiting my past projects and brushing up on technical concepts.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

  • Round 3 - Behavioral Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      • General behavioral questions assessing fit for the organization.
      • “Tell me one instance in your last project where you were appreciated by the client for your work.”
    • Your Approach: Answered honestly and provided specific examples to showcase my teamwork and problem-solving skills.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round.

  • Round 4 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked: Salary discussion and general HR-related questions.
    • Your Approach: Researched salary benchmarks and was transparent about my expectations.
    • Outcome: Final offer discussion.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus heavily on the technical round as it is the most critical. The behavioral and HR rounds are more about cultural fit.
  • Revisit past projects and be ready to explain them in detail.
  • Practice behavioral questions with real-life examples.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the interviewers were friendly. Preparing well for the technical round was key to my success. For future candidates, I’d advise thorough preparation for technical questions and being genuine in the behavioral round.

10

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in February 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:

    • Outcome: My resume was shortlisted for further rounds.

  • Round 2 - Case Study Round:

    • Questions Asked: Basic auditing and accounting knowledge was tested.
    • Outcome: I cleared this round by demonstrating my understanding of the fundamentals.

  • Round 3 - One-on-one Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. If your concepts are clear, you will have no problem with the interview.
      2. What is an adverse opinion and a qualified opinion? How to check payables and receivables?
      3. Questions about calculating DTA (Deferred Tax Assets) and DTL (Deferred Tax Liabilities).
    • Your Approach: I answered confidently, ensuring my concepts were clear and well-explained.
    • Outcome: I successfully cleared this round as well.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on auditing, taxation, and accounting topics.
  • Be confident and stay calm during the interview. Even if you can’t answer one question, don’t panic.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and I felt well-prepared. My advice to future candidates is to ensure their basics are strong and to maintain confidence throughout the process.

11

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via campus placement.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: Basic aptitude test covering quant, English, logical reasoning, and scenario-based questions.

  • Your Approach: Prepared using standard aptitude resources and practiced previous year’s questions.

  • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Can you talk about some Excel functions you know?

  • Your Approach: Listed commonly used Excel functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, PivotTables, and conditional formatting, and explained their applications.

  • Outcome: The interviewer seemed satisfied with the response.

Top Skills Recommended: Operations, Supply Chain, Data Management, ERP, System Integration, Business Strategy, Agile, Oracle.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic aptitude topics like quant, logical reasoning, and English.
  • Practice common Excel functions and be ready to explain their use cases.
  • Review the company’s core skills and align your answers accordingly.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and straightforward. The aptitude round was manageable with proper preparation, and the one-on-one round focused on practical skills like Excel. Future candidates should focus on both aptitude and technical skills relevant to the role.

12

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: I applied through a recruitment consultant and was interviewed in September 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)

  • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.

  • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. Screening questions about my background and fit for the role.
    2. Questions about my current compensation and current role.

  • Your Approach: Answered honestly and aligned my responses with the role’s requirements.

  • Outcome: Cleared the HR round and moved to the technical round.

  • Round 3 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. Detailed discussion about all my past projects.

  • Your Approach: Explained my projects clearly, focusing on my contributions, challenges faced, and outcomes.

  • Outcome: Successfully cleared the technical round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Keep your resume crisp and tailored to the role.
  • Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail, emphasizing your role and learnings.
  • Practice answering HR questions about compensation and role expectations honestly.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. I focused on presenting my skills and experiences clearly, which helped me succeed. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation on your resume and past projects, as these were key discussion points in my interview.

13

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via Campus Placement.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: Aptitude questions similar to CAT exam.

  • Your Approach: Prepared using standard aptitude resources and practiced previous CAT-level questions.

  • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - One-on-One Round:

  • Questions Asked: Technical and HR questions, which were straightforward.

  • Your Approach: Answered confidently, focusing on clarity and relevance. For HR questions, emphasized teamwork and adaptability.

  • Outcome: Performed well and received positive feedback.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on aptitude topics, especially those similar to CAT exams.
  • Be prepared for both technical and HR questions; keep answers concise and relevant.
  • Practice problem-solving under time constraints for the aptitude test.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth and well-structured. The aptitude round was challenging but manageable with proper preparation. The one-on-one round was more conversational, and being confident and clear helped. For future candidates, focus on aptitude and be ready for a mix of technical and HR questions.

14

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: The application was submitted through an online portal as part of the campus placement process.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. What is the difference between String and StringBuilder?
      2. Can you explain a use case for parameterized queries in Entity Framework?
    • Your Approach:
      • For the first question, I explained the immutability of String and the mutability of StringBuilder, along with performance implications.
      • For the second question, I discussed how parameterized queries help prevent SQL injection and improve query performance with examples.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on fundamental .NET concepts, especially C#.
  • Practice explaining technical concepts with real-world examples.
  • Review Entity Framework and database-related topics.

Conclusion:
The interview was straightforward, focusing on core technical knowledge. I felt confident in my answers, but I could have prepared more on advanced Entity Framework scenarios. For future candidates, I’d recommend practicing clear and concise explanations of technical concepts.

15

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: Not specified

Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in July 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Details: Proper alignment and formatting of the resume were crucial.
    • Outcome: My resume was shortlisted for further rounds.

  • Round 2 - One-on-one Round (4 Questions):

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Tell me something about yourself.
      2. Could you please explain your current roles and responsibilities in your existing role?
      3. What is your motivation to apply for this job role?
      4. What level of knowledge do you have about renewables?
    • Your Approach: I focused on aligning my experience and interests with the role, emphasizing my relevant skills and enthusiasm for the industry.
    • Outcome: I successfully advanced to the next round.

  • Round 3 - Case Study Round:

    • Task: Develop a financial model for an EV charging station, including all required assumptions.
    • Your Approach: I structured the model logically, considering factors like location, demand, and cost assumptions, and presented it clearly.
    • Outcome: My case study was well-received, and I moved to the final round.

  • Round 4 - One-on-one Round (3 Questions):

    • Questions Asked:
      1. What is your expectation from this role?
      2. What skills do you think you bring to the table?
      3. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
    • Your Approach: I highlighted my career aspirations, how my skills align with the role, and my long-term goals within the company.
    • Outcome: The interview concluded positively.

Preparation Tips:

  • Thoroughly study the job requirements to understand how your skills and experience align with the role.
  • Practice explaining your career trajectory and motivations clearly.
  • For case studies, focus on logical structuring and clarity in your assumptions and calculations.

Conclusion:
The interview process was comprehensive but manageable. I ensured my responses were aligned with the role and demonstrated my enthusiasm and logical thinking. For future candidates, I recommend preparing thoroughly for case studies and being clear about how your background fits the job.

16

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via campus placement before May 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. What is your background?
      2. Why do you want to join this team?
      3. Technical questions about encryption, network stack, and relevant technologies.
    • Your Approach:
      • For the background question, I highlighted my academic and professional experiences relevant to the role.
      • For the team-fit question, I aligned my interests with the team’s goals and projects.
      • For the technical questions, I walked the interviewer through my thought process, even if I wasn’t entirely sure of the answers.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Stay calm during the interview.
  • Even if you don’t know the exact answer, explain your thought process clearly.

Conclusion:
The interview was a good learning experience. Being transparent about my thought process helped me connect with the interviewer. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects and practicing clear communication.

17

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kolkata

Application Process: Applied via campus placement at IIM Kolkata before June 2023.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. Explain p-value to a layman in common terms.
      2. How do SIR models differ from regular forecasting models, and what advantages/disadvantages do they provide?
    • Your Approach:
      • For the p-value question, I broke it down into simple terms, comparing it to the probability of observing a result by chance.
      • For the SIR models question, I explained the basic structure of SIR models, their use in epidemiology, and compared them to traditional forecasting models, highlighting their strengths and limitations.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on statistical concepts like p-values and forecasting models.
  • Practice explaining technical terms in simple, layman-friendly language.
  • Review case studies or examples where SIR models are applied.

Conclusion:
The interview was a great learning experience. I realized the importance of simplifying complex concepts for non-technical audiences. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on clarity and practical examples when answering such questions.

18

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: [Not specified]

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Assignment Round:

    • Questions Asked: Technical and aptitude test.
    • Your Approach: Prepared by revising core technical concepts and practicing aptitude questions.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. OOPs concepts in Java.
      2. Exception handling.
    • Your Approach: Explained OOPs principles (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction) with examples. For exception handling, discussed try-catch blocks, custom exceptions, and best practices.
    • Outcome: [Not specified]

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on English proficiency for the test.
  • Revise core Java concepts, especially OOPs and exception handling.
  • Practice aptitude questions to improve speed and accuracy.

Conclusion:
The interview process was structured and tested both technical and aptitude skills. Preparing well for Java concepts and practicing aptitude questions helped me perform better. Future candidates should focus on these areas to succeed in the PwC Associate interview process.

19

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via campus placement.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked:

    • The recruiters reviewed my resume to shortlist candidates.

  • Your Approach:

    • Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.

  • Outcome:

    • Successfully shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - One-on-one Interview:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. “Introduce yourself.”
    2. “Walk me through your resume.”

  • Your Approach:

    • Prepared a clear and confident self-introduction.
    • Explained my resume points in detail, focusing on key achievements and skills.

  • Outcome:

    • The interview went well, and I was able to articulate my experiences effectively.

Preparation Tips:

  • Keep your resume crisp and to the point. Recruiters often skim resumes quickly, so make sure yours stands out.
  • Be yourself and stay confident during the interview. Confidence can make a big difference.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and straightforward. Being well-prepared and confident helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on resume clarity and practicing self-introduction to make a strong first impression.

20

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: I was interviewed before July 2023. The application process details were not specified.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - One-on-one Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. Tell me about yourself.
      2. Job specification questions.
      3. Scenario-based questions.
    • Your Approach: For the “Tell me about yourself” question, I kept it concise and focused on my relevant experience and skills. For the job specification and scenario-based questions, I tried to align my answers with the role’s requirements and used practical examples to demonstrate my understanding.
    • Outcome: The outcome of this round was not specified.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be yourself.
  • Be honest.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was straightforward, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Being genuine and prepared with relevant examples helped me navigate the questions effectively. For future candidates, I’d recommend understanding the job specifications thoroughly and practicing scenario-based questions to build confidence.