20 Plante Moran Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And if you’re hoping to land a job at Plante Moran, a leading accounting and business advisory firm, you’ll need to know how to answer some specific interview questions.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Plante Moran interview questions, as well as tips on how to answer them. With this information in hand, you’ll be one step closer to acing your interview and landing the job you want.

Plante Moran Interview Process

The interview process at Plante Moran can vary depending on the position you are applying for, but generally speaking, it is a fairly lengthy process that includes multiple interviews. The difficulty of the interviews also varies depending on the position, but they are typically not too difficult. Overall, the experience is generally positive, with friendly staff and a smooth process.

1. What do you know about Plante Moran?

This question is a great way to test your research skills and show the interviewer that you are familiar with their company. Before your interview, make sure to read through the Plante Moran website and learn about the services they offer. You can also look up any news articles or press releases about the company to get an idea of what they’re working on.

Example: “I know that Plante Moran has been in business for over 100 years and has offices all across the country. I’ve also heard that they have some excellent internship programs and training courses for new employees.”

2. Why are you interested in working at Plante Moran?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your motivations for applying to their company. They may be looking for candidates who are passionate about accounting and business, so it’s important to show that you’re excited about this opportunity.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Plante Moran because I’ve always been fascinated by how businesses work. I love learning about new ways to improve processes and increase efficiency, which is why I decided to pursue a career as an accountant. I also think Plante Moran has a great reputation within the industry, and I would love to contribute to its success.”

3. How would your previous experiences prepare you for the position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and how it relates to the job you’re applying for. Use your answer to explain what skills, knowledge and experience you gained from previous positions that would help you succeed in this role.

Example: “Throughout my career as an accountant, I’ve worked with many small businesses like Plante Moran. In these roles, I learned how to work with clients who are just starting out and need a lot of guidance. This experience has taught me how to provide valuable advice while also encouraging clients to take risks and make decisions on their own.”

4. Describe a time when you had to show leadership, what did you do?

Plante Moran is looking for employees who can be leaders in their team. This question helps them determine if you have the skills to lead a group of people and manage projects effectively.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project with two other accountants. We were all new to the company, so we didn’t know each other very well. One day, one of the accountants asked me how to do something on our software program. I told her that I would help her later, but she insisted that I show her right then. I explained it to her as best as I could, but when we got back to work, she still wasn’t sure what to do. I had to take over her part of the project until she learned how to use the software.”

5. Tell me about how you handled a difficult situation with a client.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenging situations. Use examples from previous work experiences where you faced a difficult client or situation, and explain what steps you took to resolve the issue.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant at Smith & Associates Accounting Firm, I had a client who was unhappy with our services because they didn’t understand some of the financial information we provided them. I scheduled a meeting with the client to discuss their concerns and provide additional explanations for the numbers. The client understood after our conversation that there were no mistakes in our accounting and appreciated my willingness to meet with them.”

6. Do you have experience managing people?

Plante Moran is a large company that employs thousands of people. The interviewer wants to know if you have experience managing employees and how you would handle the responsibility of supervising others in your new role. Use examples from previous jobs where you managed teams or individuals, delegated tasks and responsibilities and helped your team members succeed.

Example: “I’ve had several management roles throughout my career, including leading a small team at my last job. I find it important to be approachable and available for questions and feedback. I also like to delegate tasks so everyone on the team feels involved and invested in their work. When there are challenges, I try to help my team members solve them themselves first before intervening.”

7. When was the last time that you were severely disappointed by a colleague and how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your conflict resolution skills. They want to know that you can work with others and resolve issues in a professional manner. In your answer, try to focus on the steps you took to solve the problem and highlight how it was resolved positively.

Example: “I once had a colleague who would frequently miss deadlines. I tried to be patient at first, but after several weeks of missed deadlines, I decided to talk to them about it. We met for lunch one day and discussed their situation. It turned out they were having some personal problems that were affecting their work. After talking through the issue, we came up with a plan to help them get back on track.”

8. Can you give an example of a project that you worked on that didn’t go well and how you handled it?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you respond to challenges and learn from them. They want to know that you can take responsibility for your actions, learn from the experience and move forward with a positive attitude.

Example: “I once had a client who was very particular about their financial records. I spent hours going through their files and making sure everything was in order before submitting my report. When they received it, they called me immediately to tell me there were mistakes. I went back over all of my work and found that I had missed one small detail. I apologized profusely and assured them that I would do anything to make things right. The client accepted my apology and agreed to let me resubmit the report.”

9. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you disagreed with a manager or supervisor? What happened?

Plante Moran wants to know that you can work well with others and are willing to voice your opinion. Your answer should show that you can disagree respectfully, but also accept the final decision of a supervisor or manager.

Example: “I once disagreed with my manager about how we should handle an audit for one of our clients. I felt strongly that we needed to be more thorough in our analysis because it would have a significant impact on the client’s financial statements. My manager disagreed, saying that we had already spent enough time on the project and needed to move forward with the audit. In the end, I agreed to their decision, but made sure to document my disagreement so that I could learn from the experience.”

10. How would you deal with a co-worker who wasn’t pulling their weight?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to work with others and resolve conflicts. In your answer, try to show that you value teamwork and collaboration.

Example: “I would first talk to my co-worker about the issue and see if there was anything I could do to help them improve their performance. If they didn’t seem receptive to feedback or advice, I would speak to our manager about the situation. I believe it’s important to be honest and transparent when communicating with management so they know what’s going on in the office.”

11. How would you approach a colleague who is struggling to meet deadlines?

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to manage a team. Use examples from previous experiences where you helped a colleague or coworker meet deadlines, organized projects or helped someone complete tasks on time.

Example: “I would first ask my colleague what they need in order to meet their deadline. If they needed more resources, I would offer to help them find the information they were looking for or assist them with any additional tasks that may be holding them back. If they needed help prioritizing their workload, I would help them create an action plan so they could get through all of their tasks by the due date.”

12. Tell us about a long term goal that you set for yourself and how you went about completing it.

Interviewers ask this question to learn more about your ambition and how you plan for the future. They want to know that you have goals in place, but also that you’re willing to work hard to achieve them. When answering this question, make sure to include details of what your goal was, how you planned to reach it and any challenges you faced along the way.

Example: “I’ve always wanted to be a CPA, so I set out to complete my degree as quickly as possible. I knew that if I took extra classes during the summer, I could graduate early and start working toward my CPA certification sooner.”

13. What do you think makes someone successful as a tax professional?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a professional and understand your values. It’s important to show that you value hard work, integrity and communication skills in yourself and others.

Example: “I think someone is successful as a tax professional when they are able to communicate clearly with their clients about what services they offer and how those services can benefit them. I also believe it’s important for tax professionals to be honest with their clients about any potential issues or concerns regarding their taxes so they can make informed decisions.”

14. What can you tell me about our firm’s services?

Plante Moran is a large accounting firm that offers many services to its clients. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and what they offer. In your answer, try to list as many of their services as possible.

Example: “I’ve read about Plante Moran’s wide range of services including audit, tax, financial consulting and business advisory services. I think it would be beneficial for me to work at an organization like Plante Moran because I am passionate about helping businesses succeed. I believe my skills in finance and accounting can help companies achieve their goals.”

15. What is one thing you want to improve upon while working here?

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to improve and grow as an employee. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention something specific about the company or industry that you want to learn more about.

Example: “I would like to become more familiar with the accounting software used by Plante Moran. I have heard that it’s one of the most advanced systems in the industry, so I am eager to learn how to use it. I also think it will help me provide better service to my clients if I understand the system well.”

16. How would you describe your work style?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how it might fit in with their company culture. When you answer, try to be honest about what type of work style you have while also emphasizing any skills or traits that would make you a good fit for the job.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who likes to stay on top of my work. I prefer to plan out my day so that I can complete tasks efficiently and meet deadlines. While I enjoy working independently, I also like collaborating with others when solving problems. This helps me think through issues from different perspectives.”

17. If hired, what would be your approach to this job?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on the company and understand what they do. It’s also a chance for you to highlight any relevant skills or experiences that would help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve read about Plante Moran’s commitment to client service, which I think is important because it shows clients that we value their business. As someone who has worked in customer service before, I know how important it is to make sure every interaction with customers is positive. I’m excited to join Plante Moran because I feel like my experience can contribute to the firm’s success.”

18. Are you comfortable working with numbers?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate has experience with accounting and financial documents. It’s also an opportunity for you to see how they feel about working with numbers, which can be a large part of this role.

Example: “I have always been good at math, so I enjoy working with numbers. However, I find that it’s more important to understand what those numbers mean rather than just focusing on getting the right answer. In my last position, I was responsible for auditing company accounts and making sure all transactions were recorded correctly. I found that by understanding the purpose of each transaction, I could easily spot any errors.”

19. Give an example of a time when you took the initiative to complete a task without being asked.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your ability to take initiative, solve problems and complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant at a small business, I noticed that our company was missing some tax documents for one of our clients. The client had already filed their taxes with the IRS, so we couldn’t submit them again. However, I knew there were still several months left in the year, so I researched how to file an extension with the IRS. After submitting the paperwork, I notified the client of the situation and explained why they would have to wait longer than expected to receive their refund.”

20. What kind of traits do you look for in leaders?

This question can help the interviewer understand your leadership style and how you would approach a management role. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention traits that are important for leaders in accounting firms like communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “I look for leaders who have strong communication skills, as well as an ability to solve problems and delegate tasks effectively. I also think it’s important for leaders to have high attention to detail, so they can ensure their team members are completing work accurately.”