KPMG Interview Guide: Land Your Dream Job at the Big Four

Securing a consulting job at KPMG can offer an incredible opportunity to launch your career in a prestigious institution. However, the application and interview process is competitive due to the large number of applicants. So, you must prepare thoroughly and confidently demonstrate your suitability for the role to succeed.

As one of the "Big Four" professional services firms, along with Deloitte, EY, and PwC, KPMG is a top choice for a career in consulting. It operates in about 145 countries, employing over 273,000 professionals. The firm offers services in Audit, Tax, and Advisory, with consultants typically working in the advisory department.

This guide will prepare you for the rigorous recruitment process, giving you insights on what to expect, so you ace the interview and land your dream job.

What Does the KPMG Application Process Look Like?

Applying and interviewing for a consulting role at KPMG involves several stages and can take a few weeks to months. While the specific steps may vary by country, office, and specific practice, the process generally follows a similar structure.

Below are the key stages you can expect in the KPMG consulting recruitment process:

1. Fill the Online Application Form

The first stage of the application process happens online. You'll need to register with the KPMG Recruitment System using an email address and password when you find the role you'd like to apply for. The application form is accessible after registering.

The form includes sections for your resume, cover letter, personal details, work experience, and other required documents. If you're currently a student or have graduated in the past year, there’s an option to submit unofficial transcripts.

This step usually takes about 10-30 minutes, but it’s not timed. Before starting, consider choosing a role in a location where you envision building your life and career long-term. Carefully think about the consulting role that interests you most as you can’t interview for multiple roles in the firm simultaneously.

2. Testing and Online Assessments

Depending on the specific KPMG office and the consulting position, your second stage of the application might be an online assessment or pre-screen. These tests could include written English proficiency tests, numerical and verbal reasoning assessments, and case study exercises to evaluate your problem-solving and analytical skills. Some offices use game-based behavioral assessments, while others use more traditional aptitude tests covering numerical, verbal, and inductive reasoning.

3. First-Round Interview

If your initial application is successful, you’ll be invited to a first-round interview with a member of the KPMG recruitment team. You’ll be notified if you’re selected for this stage typically within two weeks of submitting your application or after the application deadline. This interview typically lasts 45 minutes and is mostly done as a live video interview in most offices.

The first round aims to assess your career motivation, personal qualities, technical skills, and communication skills. So you can expect fit questions, market-sizing questions, and a candidate-led case.

4. Second-Round Interviews

Should you perform well in the first-round interview, you’ll move on to the second and hopefully final live video interview. The final round involves a session with more senior business leaders than the first one.

You might also get a written case that requires a presentation and a Q&A panel with the managers at the end.

5. Offer of Employment

If you successfully complete the final-round interviews, you’ll receive an offer of employment from KPMG or an invitation to visit one of the offices in person. This often happens within two weeks of interviewing.

You’ll typically be expected to provide a decision on whether to accept the job offer within two working days.

How To Prepare for the KPMG Interview Process

If KPMG extends an invitation to an interview, you should do your best to show your potential to the recruiters and managers. That calls for thorough and adequate interview preparation.

Here’s how you can prepare to ace the KPMG’s interview process:

Understand the Strengths KPMG Seeks in Candidates

Knowing the strengths KPMG looks for in candidates can help you present yourself as a great fit for the role and firm. One of the primary qualities KPMG values is career motivation. They want to see that you're genuinely passionate about working with the firm, possess a clear understanding of the role and its requirements, and can articulate how your strengths align with the position.

Critical thinking is also highly valued at KPMG. You should be able to analyze complex information, view problems from various perspectives, and identify effective solutions. This analytical mindset is essential to manage the challenges that arise in consulting.

Resilience is a must, too. KPMG wants to see that you can stay positive and achieve results despite challenges and changes. Other values and skills you should demonstrate include drive, integrity, tech-savviness, effective communication, innovation, curiosity, and collaboration.

Familiarize Yourself with the KPMG Interview Process

Understand the different stages of the KPMG interview process, such as the initial screening, case interviews, and behavioral interviews. Check the exact process of the office location you're applying to. This will help you prepare for each step and know what to expect.

Practice Case Interviews

KPMG often uses case interviews to assess your problem-solving skills and analytical thinking during the video interviews. So, you need to get comfortable with market sizing questions and different case scenarios. It's also great to be ready for a presentation-style group interview, where you need to analyze a situation or data and create a deck in under an hour.

Conduct Mock Interviews with Peers

Conducting mock interviews can increase your chances of getting hired for a consulting role at KPMG. They allow you to practice for the different stages of the KPMG recruitment process, rehearse your responses, practice your body language, and get feedback on your performance.

With PrepLounge, you can practice case interviews with peers or professional coaches for more effective feedback and guidance. We also have a library of case interview questions that can allow you to practice with a variety of scenarios. This way, you can improve your problem-solving skills, communication abilities, and overall confidence for consulting interviews.

👉 Check out our meeting board to find like-minded peers to practice with right away.

Seek Coaching

Mock interviews are great. But if you want to increase your odds of succeeding at a KPMG interview even further, consider working with an experienced interview coach. Hiring a professional who has helped other candidates secure roles at top consulting firms can guarantee the best support throughout your preparation.

You can find a dedicated mentor on PrepLounge who can help you identify areas for improvement, provide feedback on your performance, and offer strategies for tackling specific types of case interviews. They can also help you develop your overall approach to consulting interviews, including how to structure your answers, communicate effectively, and demonstrate your skills and experiences.

👉 Get to know our coaches here.

Develop Compelling Answers to Behavioral Questions

Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, skills, and motivations. Practice answering common behavioral questions, such as "Tell me about a time when you had to overcome a challenge" or "How do you handle conflict in a team setting?"

Practice delivering your responses out loud, focusing on clear communication, conciseness, and confidence. Record yourself and review the recordings to identify areas of improvement.

Stay Up-to-Date on Industry Trends

Keep informed about the latest developments in the consulting and professional services industries. This will help you demonstrate your industry knowledge during the interview, if needed.

Prepare Questions to Ask the Interviewer

Have a list of thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer at the end. These could be questions about the role, firm, industry or anything else related. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Approach the interview process with a positive and enthusiastic mindset. Even if you make some errors in the process, show your ability to maintain a positive attitude and to frame difficulties constructively. This will help you come across as confident, engaged, and resilient during the interview.

Conclusion – Ace Your Interview at KPMG

KPMG recruitment specifics might vary slightly by office. But the core elements of the process, such as the online application, testing, interviews, and final offer, is consistent across different locations.

The most proven way to move on to the next stage of the KPMG recruitment process and eventually get a job offer is to prepare adequately. First, do your research on the firm including culture, service areas, KPMG competencies, values, competitors, and clients. You should also be able to articulate how your strengths align with the role you're applying for.

Whether you're seeking a career at KPMG in management consulting practice, strategy consulting, or another specialty as a consultant, we recommend doing mock interviews and working with expert coaches for best outcomes.