20 Crowe Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique process. And while some questions may be universal, others will be specific to the company you’re interviewing with.

If you’re interviewing with Crowe, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the accounting and finance industry, as well as your knowledge of Crowe’s services and how you would approach a potential client.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Crowe interview questions and answers that you can use to develop your own responses.

Crowe Interview Process

The interview process at Crowe is generally quick and smooth. After applying, candidates can expect a phone call from HR followed by an IQ test and face-to-face interview. For internships, the interview process is more relaxed with questions focused on the company and the applicant’s interests. Audit associates can expect two interviews, one with a manager and one with a partner. Both are conversational with questions focusing on the applicant’s experience. Risk and compliance consultants may have a more negative experience, being left waiting for weeks with little to no contact from recruiters.

1. Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone that did not want your help.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to show that you are willing to work with others, even if they do not want your assistance.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was very adamant about doing everything on their own. They would often ignore my advice or suggestions for improvement, which made it difficult to provide them with quality service. I decided to meet with them in person to discuss our relationship and what I could do to better serve them. After this meeting, they agreed to let me assist them more and we were able to complete their tax return successfully.”

2. How do you manage multiple deadlines? What process would you take on getting the job done?

This question is a great way to assess your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you take when starting a new project or task.

Example: “I always start by creating a timeline of all my deadlines for each project I’m working on. Then, I create a list of all the tasks that need to be completed in order to meet those deadlines. Finally, I organize the tasks into smaller groups based on which ones are most important to get done first.”

3. Give an example of how you have worked effectively in a team environment.

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the accounting industry. Employers ask this question to see if you are a good team member and how you contribute to your team’s success. Use examples from previous work experiences where you helped your team complete projects or achieve goals.

Example: “In my last position, I was part of a small team that worked on completing client audits. My role was to help prepare financial statements for our clients while also ensuring they were accurate. In one instance, I noticed that some of the numbers we had entered into the system didn’t match up with what was reported by the company. After discussing it with my team members, we realized there was a mistake in the coding process. We fixed the error and completed the audit successfully.”

4. Do you consider yourself a detail oriented person? Why or why not?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you are detail oriented and can perform well in a role where attention to detail is important.

Example: “Yes, I consider myself a detail-oriented person because it’s one of my strengths. In my last position, I was responsible for ensuring all tax forms were filed correctly and on time. This required me to be very thorough when entering data into the company’s accounting software and double-checking calculations before submitting them to the IRS.”

5. What are some traits that make a successful auditor?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a professional and assess your qualifications for the role. Use examples from your experience that show how you’ve used these traits in your work.

Example: “A successful auditor needs to be detail-oriented, organized and able to think critically. I have always been passionate about accounting and finance, so I enjoy learning new things and finding ways to improve processes or systems. These skills helped me complete my undergraduate degree in three years while working full time.”

6. Describe a situation where you were able to use logic and critical thinking skills to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach problems and solve them. Use examples from your previous work experience to show that you are a problem solver who is able to use critical thinking skills to find solutions.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project with another team member when we realized there were some errors in our calculations. We decided to take a step back and look at the entire process of our calculations to ensure we had not made any mistakes along the way. After reviewing each step, we found that one of us had forgotten to include an important piece of information in our calculations. By taking a moment to review our work, we were able to correct the error and complete the project successfully.”

7. Are you comfortable working with confidential information?

Crowe U.K. works with confidential information, so the interviewer wants to make sure you can handle this responsibility. Show that you understand the importance of confidentiality and how you would keep information private.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working with confidential information. In my last role, I was responsible for maintaining client privacy at all times. I kept all documents in a secure location when not in use and never shared any sensitive information with anyone outside of the team. I also regularly updated clients on our progress.”

8. We value initiative, tell me about a time when you took initiative.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to take initiative. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a time when you took initiative in a challenging situation or helped someone else with their work.

Example: “In my last role as an auditor, I noticed that the company was missing some important documentation for one of its clients. This information would have been useful during our audit process, so I reached out to the client directly to ask if they had any additional documents we could use. They were happy to provide us with what we needed, which made the audit process much easier.”

9. In your opinion what is the most important skill for an auditor to have?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it. You should discuss a skill that you have, but also one that you would like to develop.

Example: “I believe communication skills are the most important for auditors because they allow us to effectively communicate with clients and other stakeholders. I am always striving to improve my communication skills so that I can be more effective in my work and provide clear explanations to those who need them.”

10. Would you be willing to travel up to 80%?

Crowe Global is a global company, and the interviewer may want to know if you’re willing to travel for work. If you are, they’ll likely ask about your experience with international travel.

Example: “I’m happy to travel internationally as needed. I’ve done so in my previous roles, and I enjoy learning about new cultures and customs. In fact, I find it exciting to visit different places and learn more about them.”

11. If there was something wrong with an audit report how would you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to handle a challenging situation. You can use examples from previous experiences where you had to solve problems or make decisions under pressure.

Example: “I would first try to understand the issue by reading the report thoroughly. If I still couldn’t find the cause of the problem, I would contact my manager for guidance. Then, I would call the client to explain the situation and ask them if they have any additional information that could help me resolve it. After resolving the issue, I would write a new audit report.”

12. What are some financial statements and their purpose?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of accounting and financial statements. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list the purpose of each statement and how you would use them in your work as an accountant.

Example: “Financial statements are reports that provide information about a company’s finances. There are three primary financial statements that I use when working with clients. The balance sheet shows assets, liabilities and equity for a business or organization. The income statement provides details on revenue, expenses and net profit for a company. Finally, the cash flow statement analyzes the movement of money into and out of a business.”

13. Have you ever had any experience with fraud examination?

Crowe U.K. is looking for candidates with experience in fraud examination, so they ask this question to see if you have any relevant experience. If you do, share a story about how you handled the situation and what your role was. If you don’t have experience with fraud examination, explain that you are eager to learn more about it.

Example: “I’ve never had direct experience with fraud examination, but I am very interested in learning more about it. In my last position as an auditor, I noticed some discrepancies in our financial records. After investigating further, we found out that one of our employees was embezzling money from the company. We reported the incident to the police and fired the employee.”

14. When is the last time you had to deal with a difficult client?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether or not you have experience working with challenging clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to work with a difficult client and the steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my last position as an auditor for a large corporation, I worked with a very demanding client who was constantly changing his mind about what he wanted us to do. This made it hard to complete our audit in a timely manner, but I remained calm and explained that we would get everything done by the deadline. Eventually, the client understood and stopped being so demanding.”

15. How would you approach auditing a company’s inventory?

This question can help interviewers understand your audit process and how you apply it to specific situations. Use examples from past experiences auditing inventory or other aspects of a company’s financial records.

Example: “In my experience, the most important part of an inventory audit is ensuring that all items are accounted for. I would first review the company’s policies on what types of inventory they keep track of and when they record those assets. Then, I would examine the physical locations where the company stores its inventory and compare them with the list of assets in their system. If there are any discrepancies between the two, I would work with management to determine whether the missing items were lost or stolen.”

16. How are you at working under pressure?

This question can help an interviewer get a better sense of how you handle stress and pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to share a specific example from your past experience that shows you are capable of handling high-pressure situations.

Example: “In my last role as a tax accountant, I was responsible for completing all client returns by the deadline each year. This meant working under tight deadlines throughout the entire tax season. While this could have been stressful at times, I found ways to manage the pressure by prioritizing tasks and delegating work where possible. In the end, I always met the deadline and ensured clients received their refunds on time.”

17. What kind of strategies would you implement to get more clients?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any ideas for growing the company. Use your answer to highlight your marketing and sales skills, as well as your ability to generate leads and increase revenue.

Example: “I would start by creating a strategic plan that outlines my goals and objectives. Then I would create a budget based on those goals and objectives so I can implement effective strategies to get more clients. For example, I could use social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to reach new audiences and promote our services. I also think it’s important to provide excellent customer service to existing customers to encourage referrals.”

18. How do you plan to improve as an auditor over the next year?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have a plan for your professional development. They want to know that you’re committed to growing as an auditor and are willing to take on new responsibilities or challenges. In your answer, explain what steps you’ll take to improve your skills and knowledge in the next year.

Example: “I’m currently enrolled in a CPA certification program through my state’s board of accountancy. I’ve already passed two exams and am working toward passing the remaining three by the end of the year. I also plan to attend at least one conference per quarter to learn more about current tax laws and regulations.”

19. Are you familiar with different accounting standards such as GAAP?

The interviewer may ask you questions about accounting standards to see if you are familiar with the industry and how you would fit in. You can answer this question by explaining your knowledge of GAAP, or other accounting standards, and how it has helped you in previous roles.

Example: “I am very familiar with GAAP because I have used it for my entire career. In my last role, I was responsible for ensuring that all financial statements were prepared according to GAAP. This responsibility required me to understand the different rules and regulations of GAAP so I could ensure our company’s financial reports were accurate.”

20. What type of things will you look for if we asked you to perform a risk assessment?

This question is a great way to see how you apply your skills and knowledge in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of what you would do if asked to perform a risk assessment for Crowe U.K.

Example: “When performing a risk assessment, I will first look at the company’s financial statements and balance sheets. From there, I’ll analyze the company’s cash flow and liquidity ratios. After that, I’ll review any recent changes in the company’s operations or management team. Finally, I’ll examine the company’s current debt levels and compare them to industry standards.”