Hello everyone. I have a question concerning the technical interview to join the m&a team of big 4. How is it structured? I'm I asked to solve a case. Or what exactly? How to prepare for it?

Hey there,

I went through the process myself at Deloitte Corporate Finance, and the technical interview is a mix of valuation, accounting, and sometimes a case, but more as a discussion than a full consulting-style case. They’ll test how well you understand financial statements, M&A concepts, and whether you are able to structure a problem.

Back in my interview, I got asked to walk through how I’d assess a company for acquisition, so what key metrics I’d look at, potential risks, and how I’d structure a simple LBO model. They’re not expecting perfection, but they want to see how you break down problems and explain your thinking.

To prepare, get your accounting and valuation fundamentals tight, practice structuring answers out loud, and be ready to talk about recent M&A deals with some insight. At the end of the day, they want analytical people who can handle the pressure. 

If you need any support with your preparation, feel free to reach out. I wish you much success!

Hi,

The technical interview for an M&A role typically includes questions on valuation methods (like DCF, comps, and precedent transactions), accounting concepts, and financial modeling. You may also face a case study, where you’ll analyze a potential deal or business scenario and provide recommendations. Expect to explain the deal structure and its impact on financial statements.

To prepare:

1. Review key financial concepts (valuation, accounting, and financial modeling).
2. Practice case studies and walk through financial models (especially DCF and LBOs).
3. Stay updated on recent M&A deals and be ready to discuss them.
4. Prepare for behavioral questions around problem-solving, teamwork, and initiative.

In short, focus on technical knowledge, case practice, and understanding how deals work in real life.

Hey Ilef, 

Thank you for your question and welcome to the community! ??

From what we’ve seen at PrepLounge, the technical interview for M&A at a Big 4 is usually a mix of accounting, valuation, and sometimes a short case (you can find plenty of practice cases in our case library).

In terms of preparation, we'd recommend starting with the basics and making sure your accounting and valuation knowledge is solid. Refresh your understanding of financial statements, DCF, and multiples first. 

Once you’ve got that down, practice with peers in mock interviews to refine your answers and get comfortable under pressure (you can generally find peers on the meeting board, but we must admit that our Finance community is still growing and not as active as our consulting community yet). 

If your budget allows it, coaching sessions can also be a great way to get expert feedback and fine-tune your approach The key is to not just memorize answers but to explain concepts clearly and think through problems logically.

We hope that helps and wish you much success für your upcoming interviews! Let us know how it went and if there is anything specific that would help in your preparation!