PwC Associate Interview Questions & Experience Guide

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: I was approached by the company and interviewed in September 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening round)
    • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was well-formatted and aligned to make it easy for the recruiter to review.
    • Outcome: Passed to the next round.
  • Round 2 - One-on-one Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. What is materiality, audit risk, and assertions?
      2. IND AS 115, 116, and Income Tax Standard.
    • Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly by revising key auditing and financial reporting concepts. For the IND AS questions, I focused on understanding the standards and their practical applications.
    • Outcome: Successfully answered the questions and progressed further in the process.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on auditing and financial reporting topics.
  • Research the top 30 questions commonly asked by Big 4 firms to prepare effectively.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and I felt well-prepared for the questions asked. Ensuring my resume was polished and revising key concepts helped me perform well. For future candidates, I recommend focusing on auditing standards and practicing common interview questions.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Location not specified]

Application Process: I applied through campus placement before August 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: Basic school-level aptitude questions with a short timeline.
    • Your Approach: I focused on solving the questions quickly and accurately, prioritizing time management.
    • Outcome: Passed this round successfully.
  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: Mostly around subject matter expertise and points mentioned in my resume.
    • Your Approach: I ensured I was thorough with my resume and brushed up on key technical concepts relevant to the role.
    • Outcome: Cleared this round as well.
  • Round 3 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked: General HR questions (no specific details provided).
    • Your Approach: I kept my answers concise and professional, focusing on my strengths and alignment with the company’s values.
    • Outcome: No one was removed in this round, so it was more of a formality.
  • Round 4 - Behavioral Round:

    • Questions Asked: Random questions from the partner, unpredictable but generally easy to medium difficulty.
    • Your Approach: I stayed calm and answered honestly, ensuring my responses reflected my personality and problem-solving skills.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared this final round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be confident in what you speak—that’s the key.
  • Brush up on basic aptitude and technical concepts relevant to your resume.
  • Practice behavioral questions to articulate your thoughts clearly.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the key to success was confidence and clarity in communication. I would advise future candidates to thoroughly prepare their resumes and practice answering questions confidently. The behavioral round, though unpredictable, is manageable if you stay composed and authentic.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: The application process involved two interview rounds, starting with an online aptitude test followed by a one-on-one interview round.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: The online aptitude test included general aptitude questions covering quantitative, logical reasoning, and verbal ability.
    • Your Approach: I practiced with standard aptitude test materials and timed myself to improve speed and accuracy.
    • Outcome: Cleared the aptitude test and moved to the next round.
  • Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:

    • Questions Asked: The interview was resume-based, with questions about my past experiences, skills, and how they align with the role of an Associate.
    • Your Approach: I prepared by thoroughly reviewing my resume and being ready to explain my projects, roles, and learnings in detail. I also researched PwC’s core values and aligned my answers accordingly.
    • Outcome: The interview went well, and I received positive feedback on my clarity and confidence.

Preparation Tips:

  • Practice aptitude tests under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy.
  • Review your resume thoroughly and be prepared to discuss every detail.
  • Research the company’s values and culture to tailor your responses.

Conclusion:
The overall experience was smooth and well-structured. The aptitude test was challenging but manageable with practice. The interview was conversational, and the focus was on understanding my fit for the role. I would advise future candidates to focus on their resume and practice aptitude questions to perform well in both rounds.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: Not specified

Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in February 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      • Ind AS 115 recognition process.
    • Your Approach: Focused on explaining the recognition process under Ind AS 115, ensuring clarity and accuracy in the response.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Prepare all accounting standards and audit procedures thoroughly.
  • Stay updated with the latest amendments.
  • Gain practical exposure during articleship to enhance understanding.

Conclusion:
The interview was a good learning experience, and I realized the importance of being well-versed with accounting standards. For future candidates, I recommend focusing on practical applications of theoretical knowledge and staying updated with industry changes.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: [Not specified]

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked: Resume review by the recruiter.

  • Your Approach: Ensured the resume was crisp and highlighted key skills and experiences.

  • Outcome: Passed the shortlist round.

  • Round 2 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: Standard aptitude questions similar to other companies.

  • Your Approach: Prepared using general aptitude resources and practiced time management.

  • Outcome: Cleared the aptitude test.

  • Round 3 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    • Introduce yourself.
    • Questions based on resume (e.g., object-oriented programming, main course subjects, programming languages mentioned).
  • Your Approach: Thoroughly reviewed resume and prepared to explain all technical aspects mentioned.

  • Outcome: Successfully answered all questions.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be thorough with your resume and confident in discussing every detail.
  • Practice standard aptitude questions to improve speed and accuracy.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the key to success was being well-prepared with my resume and technical knowledge. Confidence and clarity in responses played a significant role. For future candidates, focus on resume details and practice aptitude tests to ace the process.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: I applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in November 2022.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:

    • Questions Asked: N/A (Resume screening)
    • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was professional and highlighted relevant skills in finance, audit, and accounts.
    • Outcome: Shortlisted for the next round.
  • Round 2 - Group Discussion Round:

    • Questions Asked: All questions were based on accounts and audit definitions.
    • Your Approach: Actively participated, shared clear definitions, and supported my points with examples.
    • Outcome: Advanced to the next round.
  • Round 3 - One-on-one Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. All financial questions.
      2. Audit risk and audit materiality.
    • Your Approach: Answered confidently, providing detailed explanations and practical examples.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Focus on finance-related topics, especially audit and accounts.
  • Brush up on definitions and practical applications of financial concepts.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and focused on technical knowledge. Being well-prepared with financial concepts and definitions helped me perform well. For future candidates, I’d recommend thorough preparation in finance, audit, and accounts to ace the interview.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Delhi

Application Process: Applied via campus placement at The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Delhi, and was interviewed before December 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Questions Asked: None (resume screening round).
    • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was error-free and highlighted relevant skills and experiences.
    • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: All about transfer pricing.
    • Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly on transfer pricing concepts, including practical applications and recent updates.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round with confidence.
  • Round 3 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS).
    • Your Approach: Focused on understanding the fundamentals of BEPS, its implications, and global perspectives.
    • Outcome: Answered the question satisfactorily and advanced further.

Preparation Tips:

  • Stay clear on the specific domain you want to specialize in (e.g., transfer pricing, BEPS).
  • Ensure your resume is polished and free of errors.
  • Brush up on technical concepts relevant to the role.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role’s requirements. Being well-prepared on technical topics and having a clear understanding of my career goals helped me perform well. My advice to future candidates is to focus on clarity in their domain of interest and ensure thorough preparation for technical rounds.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Location not specified]

Application Process: I applied through campus placement and was interviewed before September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked: Questions on INDAS and auditing standards.
    • Your Approach: I focused on revising INDAS and auditing standards thoroughly to ensure I could answer any technical questions confidently.
    • Outcome: Passed this round successfully.
  • Round 2 - HR Round:

    • Questions Asked: Discussion about location preferences and package details.
    • Your Approach: I was honest about my location preferences and tried to negotiate the package based on industry standards.
    • Outcome: Cleared this round as well.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be thorough with IND-AS and Auditing standards. These are critical for the technical round.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth. I felt well-prepared for the technical round, which helped me clear it easily. For the HR round, being clear and confident about my expectations worked in my favor. My advice to future candidates is to focus on the technical aspects and be transparent during the HR discussion.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Location not provided]

Application Process: [Application process details not provided]

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Round:
    • Questions Asked:
      • OOPS concepts
      • Web development
    • Your Approach: Focused on explaining the fundamentals of OOPS and demonstrated basic web development knowledge.
    • Outcome: [Outcome not provided]

Preparation Tips:

  • Clear your fundamentals thoroughly to crack the interview easily.

Conclusion:
[Conclusion not provided]

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: I was approached by the company for this role, and the interview process took place before September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

    • Questions Asked: None (resume-based shortlisting).
    • Your Approach: Ensured my resume was concise and highlighted relevant skills and experiences. Avoided including unnecessary personal details like photos, gender, age, or address.
    • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
  • Round 2 - One-on-One Interview:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Ind-AS 115, Revenue recognition.
      2. Audit assertions at different levels.
    • Your Approach: Focused on explaining the concepts clearly and providing practical examples where applicable. For Ind-AS 115, I discussed the key principles of revenue recognition under the standard. For audit assertions, I differentiated between assertions at the financial statement level and the assertion level for individual transactions.
    • Outcome: The interview went well, and I was able to articulate my understanding of the topics.

Preparation Tips:

  • Prepare your resume meticulously, ensuring it is professional and free of unnecessary personal details.
  • Focus on key accounting standards like Ind-AS 115 and 116, as well as audit concepts such as materiality and audit assertions.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role’s requirements. I would advise future candidates to thoroughly review accounting standards and audit principles, as these are critical for the Associate role at PwC.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in December 2020.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. What are the types of policy transactions in Guidewire Policy Center?
      2. What are the LOBs (Lines of Business) you have worked on? Explain any one LOB.
      3. What are the types of rewrite and renewal transactions?
      4. What is out-of-sequence in Policy Center?
      5. Who are the competitors for Guidewire?
      6. What is the latest Guidewire version?
      7. What are agile ceremonies?
      8. Under what conditions is underwriter approval required?
      9. Describe the defect process.
      10. What project management tool have you used?
      11. How do you transfer multiple policies from one agent to another?
      12. What is integration testing?
    • Your Approach: Focused on providing clear and confident answers based on hands-on experience. For topics I was unsure about, I mentioned my willingness to learn and provided related insights.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
  • Round 2 - Behavioral Interview 1:

    • Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
    • Your Approach: [Details not provided]
    • Outcome: [Details not provided]
  • Round 3 - Behavioral Interview 2:

    • Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
    • Your Approach: [Details not provided]
    • Outcome: [Details not provided]

(Note: The candidate mentioned 5 interview rounds, but details for the remaining rounds were not provided.)

Preparation Tips:

  • Be well-prepared for your introduction, focusing on the technology and projects relevant to the job role.
  • Answer confidently, even if you’re unsure about a topic—mention your willingness to learn.
  • Avoid theoretical answers; emphasize hands-on experience.
  • Ask insightful questions about the role, team, and project during the interview.
  • For HR rounds, inquire about salary, leave policies, and onboarding processes, but avoid discussing pay in technical rounds.
  • Research standard pay for the role and negotiate wisely based on your skills and interview performance.

Conclusion:
The interview process was thorough, with a strong emphasis on technical knowledge and behavioral fit. Preparing well for both technical and behavioral rounds was key. I recommend future candidates to focus on practical experience and confident communication. Also, researching the company and role beforehand can give you an edge.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via referral in June 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:

    • Questions Asked:
      • Ind AS (Indian Accounting Standards)
      • CARO (Companies Auditor’s Report Order)
      • SA (Standards on Auditing)
      • Section 143 of the Companies Act
      • Amendments in the Companies Act
    • Your Approach: Focused on explaining the concepts clearly and providing practical examples where applicable.
    • Outcome: Passed to the next round.
  • Round 2 - HR Interview:

    • Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
    • Your Approach: Maintained confidence and clarity while answering questions about my background and fit for the role.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
  • Round 3 - [Round Type Not Specified]:

    • Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
    • Your Approach: [Details not provided]
    • Outcome: [Details not provided]

Preparation Tips:

  • Be confident during the interview.
  • Thoroughly review your CV and be prepared to discuss it in detail.
  • Believe in yourself and stay positive.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was challenging but rewarding. Confidence and a clear understanding of technical concepts were key. Future candidates should focus on mastering the fundamentals of accounting standards and auditing practices, as well as presenting themselves confidently.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via Naukri.com and was interviewed in April 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:

    • Questions Asked: General technical questions about Java, JDBC, MySQL, and cloud technologies. Also, “What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your life?”
    • Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly on Java, JDBC, and MySQL concepts. For the personal challenge question, reflected on a real-life obstacle and how I overcame it.
    • Outcome: Successfully cleared the round.
  • Round 2 - Aptitude Test:

    • Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
    • Your Approach: Focused on logical reasoning and quantitative aptitude.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round.
  • Round 3 - Interview:

    • Questions Asked: [Details not provided]
    • Your Approach: Stayed confident and answered questions clearly.
    • Outcome: Cleared the round.

Preparation Tips:

  • Be patient; persistence is key to success.
  • Brush up on Java, JDBC, MySQL, and cloud technologies.
  • Practice aptitude and logical reasoning questions.

Conclusion:
The interview process was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the job role. Reflecting on personal challenges was a unique aspect. For future candidates, focus on technical skills and stay calm during the interview.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Location not specified]

Application Process: I applied via a referral and was interviewed in September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:
    • Questions Asked:
      • How do you value a company?
    • Your Approach: I answered this question based on my basic finance knowledge, focusing on key valuation methods like DCF, comparable company analysis, and precedent transactions.
    • Outcome: I passed this round and moved forward in the process.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic finance concepts, especially valuation methods. The question was straightforward, so a solid understanding of fundamentals is sufficient.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was smooth, and the question was manageable with basic finance knowledge. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on core finance principles and being confident in your answers.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: [Not specified]

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked: Proper alignment and formatting of the resume were emphasized.

  • Your Approach: Ensured the resume was well-structured and aligned to make it easy for the recruiter to read.

  • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. “Is artificial intelligence going to be the reason for unemployment?” Support or disrupt the statement by giving your opinion.
    2. Are you ready to relocate to any place in India?
  • Your Approach:

    • For the AI question, provided a balanced view, discussing both the potential for job displacement and the creation of new opportunities.
    • For the relocation question, expressed flexibility and willingness to adapt to the company’s requirements.
  • Outcome: [Not specified]

Preparation Tips:

  • Ensure a strong command over your discipline.
  • Be prepared to discuss trending topics like AI and its impact on employment.
  • Practice answering relocation-related questions confidently.

Conclusion:
The interview process was straightforward. Having a well-prepared resume and being articulate about your opinions on relevant topics can make a significant difference. Future candidates should focus on clarity in communication and adaptability.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: I applied for the role through a referral in June 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. Tell me about yourself.
      2. What is the materiality level?
    • Your Approach:
      • For the first question, I gave a concise overview of my background, skills, and why I was interested in the role.
      • For the second question, I explained the concept of materiality in auditing and its significance in financial reporting.
    • Outcome: The round went well, and I was able to answer the questions confidently.

Preparation Tips:

  • Brush up on basic accounting and auditing concepts, especially materiality.
  • Practice structuring your “Tell me about yourself” response to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
  • Read about PwC’s core services and values to align your answers with the company’s expectations.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview was a good learning experience. I felt prepared, but I could have researched more about PwC’s recent projects to add depth to my answers. For future candidates, focus on clarity and confidence in your responses, and don’t forget to tailor your answers to the company’s culture and requirements.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: Mumbai

Application Process: I applied via campus placement at The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Mumbai, and was interviewed before October 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist:

  • Questions Asked: None (Resume-based shortlisting)

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

  • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.

  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

  • Questions Asked:

    1. Questions related to CARO (Companies Auditor’s Report Order) and IND AS (Indian Accounting Standards).
    2. Questions about tax audits and the latest amendments.
  • Your Approach: Focused on explaining the concepts clearly and mentioned the latest updates I was aware of.

  • Outcome: The round went well, and I was able to answer the questions confidently.

Preparation Tips:

  • Read the latest amendments in Schedule III and the Finance Act to stay updated on recent changes.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth, and I felt well-prepared. I would advise future candidates to keep their resumes concise and stay updated with the latest amendments in accounting and auditing standards. Practicing technical questions beforehand also helps in answering confidently during the interview.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: [Not specified]

Application Process: Applied via Campus Placement in July 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Technical Interview:
    • Questions Asked:
      1. Why do we need to pay salary taxes and TDS on call centre both, why not only TDS on call centre as call centre TDS is only 2% only? Why?
      2. [Don’t remember the second question]
    • Your Approach: I tried to answer the first question to the best of my knowledge, but it made me nervous and confused.
    • Outcome: The interview didn’t go as well as I had hoped, likely due to my nervousness during the first question.

Preparation Tips:

  • First impressions should be confident and full of optimism. It gives the interviewer cues about your readiness.
  • Prepare thoroughly for technical questions to avoid getting nervous during the interview.

Conclusion:
Overall, the experience was a learning opportunity. I realized the importance of staying calm and confident during interviews. For future candidates, I’d advise thorough preparation and maintaining composure even if you encounter unexpected questions.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Location: (Not specified)

Application Process: Applied via campus placement at Narsee Monjee Institute Of Management Studies (NMIMS) before September 2021.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Aptitude Test:

  • Questions Asked: General aptitude questions.

  • Your Approach: Prepared using standard aptitude resources and practiced common aptitude topics.

  • Outcome: Cleared the round successfully.

  • Round 2 - Coding Test:

  • Questions Asked: Basic SQL queries.

  • Your Approach: Revised SQL fundamentals and practiced writing simple queries.

  • Outcome: Passed the coding test.

  • Round 3 - One-on-one Round:

  • Questions Asked: Questions about Windows security and some SQL queries.

  • Your Approach: Focused on explaining concepts clearly and demonstrated practical knowledge of SQL.

  • Outcome: Advanced to the next round.

  • Round 4 - HR Round:

  • Questions Asked: Preferences and interests.

  • Your Approach: Answered honestly and aligned my responses with the role and company culture.

  • Outcome: Received positive feedback and moved forward in the process.

Preparation Tips:

  • If you’re an IT student applying for a non-accounting role at an accounting firm, the process is relatively easier. Focus on your core IT skills and be prepared for general aptitude and SQL-related questions.

Conclusion:
The overall interview experience was smooth, and the questions were aligned with the role. Being thorough with SQL and basic IT concepts helped me clear the rounds. For future candidates, I’d recommend brushing up on SQL and being confident in your responses during the HR round.

Company Name: PwC

Position: Associate

Application Process: The application process began with a resume shortlist round, followed by a technical interview.

Interview Rounds:

  • Round 1 - Resume Shortlist Round:

    • Questions Asked: No specific questions were asked in this round. The focus was on reviewing the resume for relevant experience and qualifications.
    • Your Approach: Ensured the resume was concise, professional, and highlighted key experiences like articleship and technical skills. Avoided unnecessary personal details.
    • Outcome: Successfully shortlisted for the next round.
  • Round 2 - Technical Round:

    • Questions Asked:
      1. Detailed questions about articleship experience.
      2. Questions on Ind AS (Indian Accounting Standards) and audit-related topics.
    • Your Approach: Prepared thoroughly by revising articleship details and brushing up on Ind AS and audit concepts. Answered confidently with practical examples.
    • Outcome: The round went well, and feedback was positive.

Preparation Tips:

  • Confidence is key, especially for HR rounds.
  • Focus on technical skills like Business Process, Corporate Taxation, and SAP if relevant to the role.
  • Revise practical experiences like articleship and accounting standards thoroughly.

Conclusion:
Overall, the interview process was smooth and well-structured. Preparing in advance for technical questions and maintaining confidence during the interview helped. For future candidates, I’d recommend focusing on practical experiences and staying updated with industry standards like Ind AS.