What Does a KPMG Advisory Associate Do?

KPMG is a global professional services firm that provides audit, tax, and advisory services to clients in various industries. KPMG has offices in more than 150 countries and employs over 200,000 people.

An Advisory Associate at KPMG is responsible for providing strategic advice and guidance to clients on a variety of topics, such as financial management, risk management, and operational efficiency. They work closely with clients to identify areas of improvement and develop solutions to help them reach their goals. Advisory Associates must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

KPMG Advisory Associate Job Duties

A KPMG Advisory Associate typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Assist in the development of client deliverables, including presentations, reports, and other documents
• Participate in client meetings to understand their needs and provide solutions
• Analyze data from various sources to identify trends and insights
• Develop financial models for clients to help them make informed decisions
• Research industry best practices and develop recommendations for clients
• Assist with project management tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, and resource allocation
• Prepare and review audit work papers and ensure accuracy of all documentation
• Monitor progress on projects and report any issues or risks to senior team members
• Collaborate with colleagues across different departments to ensure successful completion of projects
• Provide support to senior team members during client engagements
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant regulations and standards
• Stay abreast of current market trends and developments in the industry

KPMG Advisory Associate Salary

The salary for an Advisory Associate at KPMG is determined by a variety of factors, including the individual’s experience, qualifications, and performance. Additionally, the location of the job, the size of the team, and the specific industry in which the job is located can all affect the salary of an Advisory Associate. KPMG also takes into account the current market conditions and the competitive landscape when determining the salary of an Advisory Associate.

• Median Annual Salary: $77,598 ($37.31/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $100,100 ($48.13/hour)

KPMG Advisory Associate Job Requirements

To be hired as an Advisory Associate at KPMG, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field. Additionally, applicants must have at least one year of professional experience in a related field. Knowledge of financial analysis, accounting, and auditing principles is also required.

KPMG also requires applicants to have strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work independently and in a team environment. Applicants must also be able to work with a variety of software programs, including Microsoft Office and other financial analysis tools.

Finally, applicants must be willing to travel as needed and must be able to pass a background check. KPMG also encourages applicants to pursue professional certifications, such as the CPA or CFA, to further their career.

KPMG Advisory Associate Skills

KPMG Advisory Associate employees need the following skills in order to be successful:

Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory compliance is the ability to understand and adhere to the rules and regulations of a business or organization. As an advisory associate, you may be responsible for ensuring compliance with regulations and laws. This can include ensuring that a company has the proper licenses and permits, ensuring that they are following the law and maintaining compliance with any regulations that may affect their business.

Business Advisory: Business advisory skills are the ability to understand a company’s goals and objectives and provide solutions to help them achieve those goals. As an advisory associate, you may work with clients to develop strategies for improving their business. For example, you may work with a company to develop a marketing plan to increase sales or help them develop a budget for a new project.

Client Relationship Development: As an advisory associate, you may work with clients on a daily basis. Developing strong relationships with clients can help you build trust and encourage them to continue working with KPMG. You can develop client relationships by listening to their needs, asking them questions and providing them with helpful information.

Professionalism: Professionalism is the ability to act in a way that is respectful and courteous to others. As an associate, you may work with senior staff members and clients, so it’s important to be professional in your interactions with them. This can help you build trust and maintain positive relationships with others.

Financial Analysis & Reporting: Financial analysis and reporting is the ability to interpret financial data and present it in a meaningful way. This is an important skill for an advisory associate to have, as they may be responsible for creating financial reports for clients. This skill can also help them understand the financial data they are analyzing to help their clients make informed decisions.

KPMG Advisory Associate Work Environment

KPMG Advisory Associates typically work in an office environment, although travel to client sites is often required. Associates typically work 40-50 hours per week, with occasional overtime required to meet deadlines. Associates are expected to be able to work independently and in teams, and must be able to handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Associates must also be able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Associates must also be able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, and must be able to think critically and solve problems. Associates must also be able to work with a variety of software programs and databases.

KPMG Advisory Associate Trends

Here are three trends influencing how KPMG Advisory Associate employees work.

Commissions are dying a slow death

The traditional commission-based model of sales is slowly being replaced by a more modern approach. KPMG Advisory Associates are now expected to focus on customer relationships and provide value-added services, rather than just selling products. This shift in the way businesses operate has been driven by the need for greater transparency and accountability.

KPMG Advisory Associates must be able to understand their customers’ needs and develop solutions that meet those needs. They must also be able to identify opportunities for growth and create strategies to capitalize on them. As such, they must have an understanding of the latest trends in technology, data analytics, and customer service. Understanding these emerging trends will help KPMG Advisory Associates stay ahead of the competition and ensure their success in the future.

…and they’ll need to be fluent in technology themselves

As the world of business continues to evolve, KPMG Advisory Associates need to stay ahead of the curve. Technology is becoming increasingly important in the advisory space and associates must be able to understand and use it effectively. This means having a good understanding of data analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, and other emerging technologies.

KPMG Advisory Associates will also need to have strong communication skills as they work with clients to develop solutions that meet their needs. They’ll need to be able to explain complex concepts in simple terms and provide clear recommendations on how technology can help businesses reach their goals. As such, being up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in technology is essential for success in this role.

Human advisors and digital tools will work together…

As technology advances, the role of human advisors is changing. KPMG Advisory Associates are now expected to use digital tools and analytics to provide more accurate advice and insights for their clients. This shift towards a hybrid approach of human advisors and digital tools will help KPMG Advisory Associates stay ahead of the competition and better serve their clients.

KPMG Advisory Associates must be able to understand how to leverage data-driven insights from digital tools while still providing personalized advice that only humans can offer. They must also be comfortable with using new technologies such as AI and machine learning to make decisions quickly and accurately. By understanding this emerging trend, KPMG Advisory Associates will be well-positioned to succeed in the future of work.

Advancement Prospects

KPMG Advisory Associates typically start their careers in entry-level positions, such as a Consultant or Senior Consultant. As they gain experience and demonstrate their skills, they may be promoted to Manager or Senior Manager. With additional experience, they may be promoted to Director or Partner. As they move up the ranks, they will be responsible for more complex projects and will have more responsibility for the success of the projects. They may also be given the opportunity to lead teams and mentor junior associates.

Interview Questions

Here are five common KPMG Advisory Associate interview questions and answers.

1. What are some things that you think our firm can improve upon?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach challenges and whether you’re willing to offer constructive feedback. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on a few specific ideas that you have for improvement rather than listing many things.

Example: “I think one thing KPMG could improve upon is its communication with employees. I’ve noticed that sometimes there are changes in policies or procedures that aren’t communicated well to everyone. This can lead to confusion among staff members and may cause some people to feel like they aren’t being treated fairly. If I were hired, I would suggest implementing an employee newsletter that outlines any recent changes to company policy.”

2. Tell us about a time when you were working on a project in a team environment and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving and conflict resolution skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you were able to resolve the conflict successfully.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant, I was working on a project with two other accountants. One of them had been working on the project for several weeks before I started, so she knew more about the client than we did. She would often give us instructions without explaining why or how they related to our work. This made it difficult for me to understand what exactly I needed to do.

I approached her after one of these instances and asked if she could explain the instructions in more detail. She explained that she didn’t want to repeat herself too much because she wanted us to learn by doing. After hearing this, I offered to take notes during her meetings with the client so that she wouldn’t have to repeat herself as often. She agreed, and from then on, things went smoothly.”

3. Are you considering other positions at other companies?

This question is a way for employers to see if you are committed to their company. They want employees who will stay with the company and grow within it, so they ask this question to make sure you’re not looking at other companies while interviewing with them. If you are considering other positions, be honest about your intentions. Explain that you are interested in exploring all of your options before making a decision.

Example: “I am currently only looking at KPMG because I’m very interested in working here. I have heard great things about the company from my friends and family members who work here, and I would love to join the team. I know that I can learn a lot from this position and help the company succeed.”

4. Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team? Provide an example of when you worked well in a team setting.

This question can help the interviewer determine if you are a good fit for the KPMG culture. You should highlight your ability to work independently and as part of a team, depending on what is needed in the role.

Example: “I have experience working both independently and collaboratively. In my previous position, I worked with a small team that was responsible for developing financial models for clients. We each had our own responsibilities, but we also collaborated regularly to ensure we were all meeting client needs. When I first started at this company, I worked primarily independently until I became more comfortable with the job.”

5. Tell me about a time you successfully completed a task under pressure

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle stress and pressure. Use examples from your experience to highlight your ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant for a small business, I was responsible for completing monthly financial reports on time. One month, I had to complete two sets of financial reports—one for the company’s board of directors and one for shareholders. The shareholder report required more detailed information than the director report, so I worked late into the night to ensure both were completed by the deadline.”