20 EY Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, every company has their own unique style. This can make preparing for an interview daunting, especially if you don’t know what to expect.

If you’re interviewing with Ernst & Young, you can rest assured that you’ll be asked questions that are specific to the company and the role you’re applying for. In this article, we’ll give you a taste of what you can expect with some sample EY interview questions.

EY Interview Process

The interview process at EY can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one written examination and one or more interviews. For some positions, like the Audit Senior position, there may be a video component to the interview as well. Overall, the interview process is designed to test your knowledge and skills in order to determine if you are a good fit for the company.

1. Why do you want to work at EY?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about EY that you admire or find interesting.

Example: “I want to work at EY because I am passionate about accounting and finance. In my last job, I worked with small businesses who were just starting out. It was rewarding to help them grow their business by providing accurate financial information. I think working at EY would allow me to use my skills in a more advanced setting while still helping small businesses succeed.”

2. What are some things that you would change about the firm?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to be critical and provide constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on areas that you would improve rather than things you would eliminate entirely.

Example: “I think Ernst & Young has an excellent reputation in the accounting industry, but I would like to see more diversity among its employees. I believe that having a diverse workforce leads to better solutions for clients and could help the firm attract new customers.”

3. How much travel do you expect from this role?

Travel is a common part of working in the accounting industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re aware of how much travel may be required and if it’s something you can handle. If you have experience with frequent travel, share that information. If not, explain what your expectations are for how often you’ll need to travel.

Example: “I’ve done some traveling for my previous positions, but I’m ready for more. In fact, I’m looking for an opportunity where I can get out of town at least once per month. I know EY has offices all over the country, so I think I’d enjoy getting to see different parts of the country while doing my job.”

4. Describe a time when you had to provide feedback to someone who was not receptive of it, how did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle difficult situations and your ability to communicate with others. Use examples from your experience where you had to give feedback that was not well received, but still managed to get through to the person.

Example: “I once worked with a client who was very defensive when receiving feedback. I knew this going into our meeting, so I prepared myself for it by having all of my facts ready and being as calm as possible. When he started getting defensive, I would pause and take a deep breath before continuing. This helped me stay composed and avoid an argument.”

5. Tell us about a recent project that you worked on and what your specific responsibilities were.

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience in your field and can apply it to their company. When answering this question, try to focus on what you learned from the project and how it helped you grow as a professional.

Example: “In my current role as an accountant at Smith & Associates, I was responsible for managing the financial records of several small businesses. One of these clients had recently started a new business venture and needed help with tracking inventory and sales. I worked closely with the client to create a system that would allow them to track all aspects of their business. This allowed me to learn more about accounting software and develop my skills.”

6. What is your favorite part about consulting?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your personality, but it’s also important to highlight the skills that make you qualified for the job.

Example: “My favorite part about consulting is helping clients find solutions to their problems. I enjoy being able to use my problem-solving skills to come up with innovative ways to address issues. In my last role, I helped a client who was struggling to meet its sales quotas. After some research, I found out that the company had an outdated marketing strategy. We developed a new plan that increased revenue by 20%.”

7. Tell me about an engagement where you had difficulty obtaining information from clients or team members. How did you overcome this issue?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges in your work and how you overcome them. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you are a problem solver who is willing to take on challenging tasks.

Example: “In my last role, I had an engagement where we were auditing a company’s financial records. The client was very protective of their information and would not provide us with any documentation or details about their business operations. We tried to negotiate with the client for more information but they refused to cooperate. Eventually, I met with the client again and explained that if they did not comply with our audit request, we would have to terminate our relationship. They agreed to give us access to some of their documents.”

8. What software have you used in your previous roles?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience using EY software. If you don’t, it can also show that you’re open to learning new systems and processes. When answering this question, be sure to mention a few programs you’ve used in your previous roles.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant at Smith & Company, I primarily used Microsoft Office for accounting purposes. However, I also learned how to use QuickBooks Online for invoicing and payroll management. In my current position as an accountant at Jones Accounting Firm, I use Sage 50cloud for financial reporting.”

9. If hired, what aspects of our culture resonates with you most?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the company’s culture and how it aligns with your own values. When answering, consider what you’ve learned about EY from its website or social media presence.

Example: “I noticed that EY has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. I believe this is important because it allows employees to bring their unique perspectives to the table. In my last role, we also had a focus on diversity and inclusion, which led to our hiring more diverse candidates than other firms in our industry. This helped us create a more inclusive work environment where everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas.”

10. Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “I once had a client who was very demanding when it came to his accounting needs. He would often call me at all hours of the day with questions about his finances, which made it difficult for me to balance my other clients’ books. I decided to meet with him in person to discuss his concerns. I explained that while I wanted to be as helpful as possible, I also needed to ensure I met the needs of my other clients. He understood and agreed to only contact me during business hours.”

11. Have you ever been asked to complete a task that you felt was below you? How did you react?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you react to challenges and whether you’re willing to take on tasks that may not be in your job description. Use examples from previous jobs where you were asked to complete a task outside of your normal responsibilities, but still managed to successfully accomplish it.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant, I was tasked with completing some financial reports for our clients. While this wasn’t part of my regular duties, I accepted the challenge because I knew it would help me learn more about the company’s finances. I completed the task by researching the information needed to create the report and then presenting it to my supervisor.”

12. Are you comfortable asking for help when needed?

This question is a good way to determine how you will fit in with the team. It’s important that everyone on the team can ask for help when they need it, and this question helps employers understand if you’re willing to do so. When answering this question, be sure to emphasize your willingness to collaborate with others.

Example: “I am very comfortable asking for help when I need it. In my last role, I was working on a project where I needed some advice from one of my colleagues. I asked her about the project and she helped me figure out what I needed to do next. She even offered to help me complete the project if I needed any additional assistance.”

13. Give an example of a situation where you had to solve a problem without clear guidelines. What steps did you take to resolve the issue?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you can use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it’s important to provide specific details about what steps you took to solve the issue and the results of those actions.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant, I had to resolve a situation where one of our clients was experiencing financial issues. The client didn’t have any clear guidelines on how to fix their problems, so I had to come up with some solutions myself. I met with the client to discuss their current financial standing and came up with several different ways they could improve their finances. After discussing these options with the client, we decided that selling off some assets would be the best solution for them.”

14. Have you ever taken on additional responsibilities outside of your job description? Why?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your work ethic and willingness to take on challenges. Use examples from previous roles that highlight your ability to adapt, learn new skills or take on more responsibilities when needed.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant, I was responsible for managing all financial reports and data entry. However, after working with our team for several months, I realized that some of my coworkers were having trouble understanding how to enter certain data into the system. So, I took it upon myself to create a training program where I could teach my coworkers how to use the accounting software. This helped me build relationships with my coworkers while also helping them improve their job performance.”

15. When working as a consultant, there will often be times when you don’t know the answer to something. What steps do you take to find the solution?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are willing to take initiative and learn new things. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time when you had to find an answer on your own and how you did so successfully.

Example: “When I first started working as a consultant, I didn’t know much about my client’s business or industry. However, I took the initiative to ask questions of my colleagues and do research online to learn more. As a result, I was able to provide better solutions for my clients.”

16. We are looking for people who can be flexible and adaptable to changing situations. Do you think you would fit well in that type of environment?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are adaptable and can adjust to new situations. It’s important to highlight your ability to be flexible in your answer, as it shows you’re willing to take on challenges and learn new things.

Example: “I think I would fit well in this type of environment because I am naturally flexible and adaptable. In my previous role, I was given many different tasks each day, so I had to quickly change my focus when needed. I also have experience working with teams where we all had to work together to solve problems or complete projects.”

17. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to go the extra mile for their clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a specific example from your previous job where you went above and beyond for a customer.

Example: “At my last job, I had a client who was looking for an accountant to help them with their taxes. They were having trouble finding someone they felt comfortable working with because they didn’t feel like any of the accountants they met understood their business or their goals. I took the time to learn more about their business and helped them understand how accounting services could benefit them.”

18. Give an example of a time when you faced a conflict while working on a team. How did you handle the situation?

When working in a team environment, it’s important to be able to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts. This question allows the interviewer to assess your conflict resolution skills and teamwork abilities. In your answer, provide an example of how you handled a conflict while working on a team and highlight your communication and problem-solving skills.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant, I was part of a large team that worked together to complete client projects. One day, one of my colleagues asked me for help with a project they were working on. When I looked at their work, I noticed some errors. I politely told them about the mistakes and offered to help fix them. They thanked me for my help and we both completed our tasks by the end of the day.”

19. Which professional development tools have you used previously?

EY offers a variety of professional development tools to help employees grow and learn. The interviewer wants to know which ones you’ve used in the past and how they helped you improve your skills. Show them that you’re willing to take advantage of these resources and use them to develop yourself as an employee.

Example: “In my previous role, I took advantage of our company’s learning management system. This platform allowed me to access training courses on topics like tax law and financial reporting. I also participated in monthly webinars with other employees where we discussed different aspects of accounting. These resources were very helpful for me because it gave me the opportunity to network with other professionals.”

20. Tell me about a time when you identified opportunities to improve efficiency within a process, and how you implemented them.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make improvements in a work environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you helped improve efficiency or saved time for your team.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our department was spending too much time on data entry. We were entering the same information into multiple systems, which slowed down our workflow. To solve this issue, I created a system where we could enter all of our data once and have it automatically populate in other systems. This streamlined our process and freed up time for us to focus on more important tasks.”