Consulting Consulting
Consulting Finance General
Login Sign up for free Sign up for free
Consulting Finance General
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Sign up for free
Login
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Back to overview
Anonymous A
on Mar 25, 2024
Global
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

Seeking Guidance to Strengthen Understanding of Accounting Concepts

Hello

I'm currently facing challenges with quantitative problems, particularly in understanding various accounting concepts such as the NPV formula, depreciation methods, breakeven analysis, and more. While I've learned the formulas using the Darden Casebook, I've realized there's much more nuance in real-world applications. For example, yesterday I was asked to calculate depreciation but wasn't aware whether it followed a straight-line method or another approach.

Could you please provide guidance on how I can deepen my understanding of these concepts and their practical applications?

Thank you.

5
1.1k
28
Write an answer
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Cristian
Coach
on Mar 25, 2024
#1 rated McKinsey Coach

You don't need a granular understanding of accounting concepts to pass consulting interviews (assuming that's your target). 

Actually, I put together all the terms you need to know in this article (based on all the interviews my candidates have had recently):

  • Expert Guide: The Must-Know Consulting Terms for Interviews

I would be very, very surprised if you get a question that doesn't relate to the ones in this list. 

And if you do, don't hesitate to ask the interviewer for the formula. You are not tested for your knowledge (unless you are applying for an expert role), but for your skills. 

Best,
Cristian

21
Contact coach
0 comments
Pedro
Coach
edited on Mar 25, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

Here's what you need to do in order to be prepared:

  • Keep doing cases. If there's a relevant concept, it will show up in a practice case. If you do a good ammount of cases, you'll get them all covered. To be honest, “practice” cases have many more “accounting” concepts than real cases. I don't know of anyone who asks for an NPV calculation, for example (but understanding the “time value of money” and risk-reward concept is tested occasionally).
  • If during the interview they ask for something you don't know… just ask what the concept is, and do your calculations based on that. 

P.S. I am a Darden alumn, and because of that I know particularly well the Darden MBA Case Book… it does a good job covering the concepts you may need to know.

14
Contact coach
1 comment
Anonymous A
on Mar 25, 2024
Hey
Thankyouu. Right now, I am doing cases from Darden Casebook and yes it's pretty good
Hagen
Coach
edited on Apr 10, 2024
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

  • First of all, in order to succeed in strategy consulting interviews, you really do not need to know the depths of accounting.
  • Moreover, however, I would highly advise you to be proficient in the majority of concepts listed in PrepLounge's Case Interview Basics in section “Useful Business Analysis Tools”.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

 

You can find the salary report of consulting firms in Germany here!

13
Contact coach
0 comments
Benjamin
Coach
on Mar 31, 2024
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

The consulting interview is NOT a test of your content knowledge, and a good interviewer will design a case that tests your ability to think, not to regurgitate a known formula. 

Especially if you are an undergraduate - there is zero expectations for you to know something like NPV. 

Please focus instead on the core skills and abilities - of which accounting is not included. 

I speak from experience as I was a History major :)

For more perspective on why you don't need accounting knowledge, you can check out my article: 

Breaking Into Consulting with a Liberal Arts Background

12
Contact coach
0 comments
Ian
Coach
on Mar 26, 2024
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Well, if you already understand that depreciation could either be straight-line or an alternate method, you're doing in right!

In general, as long as you have the following down, you should be ok:

  1. ROI
  2. Margin
  3. Markup
  4. % Change
  5. NPV (annuity + perpetuity)
  6. Breakeven (many scenarios)

Google is your friend, and practice with casebooks + peers!

11
Contact coach
0 comments
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Sign up for free to read all answers.
Yes, I would like to be informed about new content, exciting jobs, relevant events, and selected employers.
By creating an account, I confirm that I agree to PrepLounge's Terms of Use. Please read our Privacy Policy.
Sign up with
You already have an account? Log in here.
Similar Questions
Consulting
AI/ ChatGPT for Case Practice
7 hrs ago
Global
9
2.6k
Top answer by
figaloprepod
AI and ChatGPT are definitely game-changers for consulting prep! They’re great for structuring case frameworks, gener... (read entire answer)
AI and ChatGPT are definitely game-changers for consulting prep! They’re great for structuring case frameworks, generating potential interview questions, and even simulating cas... (read entire answer)
32
9 Answers
2.6k Views
+6
Consulting
unknown formulas
on Jul 25, 2024
Global
4
500+
Top answer by
Amanda
Coach
MIT Supply Chain Management | Operations Consulting | >10 Years' Experience
14
4 Answers
500+ Views
+1
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
on Apr 24, 2025
Global
5
4.8k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
45
5 Answers
4.8k Views
+2
Top Answer by
Cristian
Coach
#1 rated McKinsey Coach
To coach profile
Related Article
Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative and quantitative analysis are two basic methods in research and data analysis that are often used in different scientific disciplines. These two approaches require different methods in data collection and they have different goals. They allow researchers to gain comprehensive insights into complex phenomena. For example, a company can use the findings to better understand a target group with its needs, or one can evaluate their effectiveness. Thus, both qualitative analysis and quantitative analysis are important skills in business consulting.In this text, the importance and application of these methods will be highlighted. Since significance and representativeness, as well as the difference between causality and correlation, play an important role in assessing the quality and significance of research results, these terms will first be explained. Explantation of TermsIn statistics, the term "significance" refers to the importance or relevance of observations or differences in the data. Significance indicates whether the observed results in a study are likely due to true effects, or simply represent random variation. If a result is significant, it means that there is a low probability that it was caused by pure luck or chance.Example: Suppose a study is conducted to see if a new drug treatment improves the cure rate of a particular disease compared to the conventional treatment. After analyzing the data, it is found that the group receiving the new drug had a significantly higher cure rate than the group receiving the conventional treatment. This means that the differences in cure rates are not due to chance or luck, but are indicative of the true effect of the new drug.=> If you want a Case Study about the medical field, try out this one:
View article
Related Product
Path to Consulting Package
5.0
19 reviews
USD 1,395
USD 1,139
More information
Related Case
Expert case by
Francesco
Bain 1st Round Case – AirService [NEW]
4.7
9.2k times solved
Intermediate
Candidate-led
Open case
Similar Questions
Consulting
AI/ ChatGPT for Case Practice
7 hrs ago
32
9
2.6k
Consulting
unknown formulas
on Jul 25, 2024
14
4
500+
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
on Apr 24, 2025
45
5
4.8k
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Consulting and Finance Employers
  • RWE Consulting
  • Whiteshield Advisory
  • All Employers »
About PrepLounge
  • For Companies
  • For Universities
  • For Coaches
  • About Us
  • Career
  • FAQ
© 2012 PrepLounge
Our servers are powered by electricity from renewable sources.
  • Cookies & Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Imprint
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Submit feedback
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.
Close Close and keep on prepping
Questions or Feedback?
Select category
  • Select category
  • General Feedback
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Coaching
  • Technical Problems
  • Other
Your name
Your email address
Cancel