Currently doing the last 4 professional papers of ACCA, would like to apply at Big 4 Malaysia, is excel skill or anything neccesary? Tips for the interview questions

Hello!

Congratulations on getting this far with ACCA. For Big 4 roles in Malaysia, technical accounting knowledge is important, but interviewers also look for practical skills that make you effective from day one. Excel is definitely useful, particularly for audit and advisory work, so having a good grasp of formulas, pivot tables, and basic data analysis will give you an edge. 

Communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to handle deadlines are equally important since much of the work involves coordinating with clients and colleagues.

For interview preparation, expect both technical and behavioral questions. You might be asked about IFRS standards, how to approach audit risks, or basic financial analysis. On the behavioral side, they’ll want to see how you handle challenges, work under pressure, and adapt to a team environment. 

Since you’ve been studying independently, you can frame that as evidence of self-motivation and resilience, while also emphasizing your eagerness to collaborate and learn in a professional setting. Showing humility, readiness to grow, and a clear motivation to apply your ACCA knowledge will help you stand out.

Great job getting this far! Passing all 9 ACCA papers with no exemptions shows real discipline. For Big 4 roles in Malaysia, you don’t need to be an Excel expert, but you should be comfortable with basics: formulas, VLOOKUP, pivot tables, etc. They’ll teach you more on the job.

For interviews, expect:

• Behavioral questions
• Motivation
• Maybe a few technical questions

Tip: Practice clear, confident answers—even with no work experience, your ACCA journey and self-study can be a great story of grit and focus. PrepLounge's Stress Questions tool can help with the first two types of questions, for the technical question you might wanna take a look at the Finance Interview Basics.

It's fantastic that you're so close to finishing your ACCA papers and are now ready to start your career. Honestly, studying all of those papers on your own at home shows a huge amount of discipline and grit, and that's exactly the kind of drive that firms like the Big 4 value. Don't let the lack of traditional experience get you down—your journey is your story, and it's a powerful one.

For your question about skills, yes, some comfort with Excel is definitely necessary. You don't need to be an expert on day one, but being familiar with basics like VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and common formulas will be expected and will make your life a lot easier. Beyond that, the Big 4 are looking for strong soft skills. They want to see that you're a good problem-solver, a fast learner, and can communicate well, especially since you'll be working in teams and with clients.

As for the interviews, you should be ready to talk about your unique path. When they ask a behavioral question like "Tell me about a challenging time," you can speak about the frustrations of studying alone and how you pushed through, demonstrating your resilience. Your ACCA knowledge is your strength for technical questions, so be ready to clearly explain key accounting concepts, financial statements, and valuation fundamentals. Frame your home-study experience as a demonstration of your self-motivation and ability to take ownership of your work. You've already proven you have what it takes to succeed, and that's what you need to show them. You've got this!

Hey!

For applying to a Big 4 in Malaysia, your ACCA progress is already a strong foundation, but practical skills like Excel, financial analysis, and familiarity with accounting software can make you stand out. Focus on demonstrating not just technical knowledge but also problem-solving, communication, and teamwork, as these are heavily assessed in interviews. Prepare for common questions on accounting standards, scenario-based judgments, and behavioral questions about handling challenges, meeting deadlines, or working in teams. Highlight your self-discipline and ability to study independently, framing it as a strength that shows resilience and motivation, and be ready to discuss how you’ll quickly apply your knowledge in a professional setting.