20 Protiviti 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 Protiviti, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills, and your knowledge of the consulting industry. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work in a team environment, solve problems, and handle pressure.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample Protiviti interview questions and answers.

Protiviti Interview Process

The interview process at Protiviti is relatively long, taking about 3 weeks from start to finish. However, the interviews themselves are not too difficult, with most being behavioral or case study based. The overall experience is positive, with friendly interviewer and a smooth, transparent process.

1. Describe a time you had to deal with multiple priorities at once.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your ability to multitask, stay organized and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my current role as a senior internal auditor at a large financial institution, I have to balance multiple priorities every day. For example, one of my primary responsibilities is to ensure that all employees are following company policies and procedures. However, I also need to make sure they’re meeting their sales quotas and achieving customer satisfaction goals. In this case, I would first identify which task was more important than the other and then delegate or reassign any tasks that could be done by someone else.”

2. Tell me about a time where your client was not happy, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with clients. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you helped the client understand the situation and find solutions.

Example: “I once had a client who was unhappy because they felt like we were not giving them enough attention. I met with them in person to discuss their concerns and explain that our team was working on several projects at once. We also discussed ways we could improve communication between us so they would feel more informed about what we were doing.”

3. What is the most complex project you have worked on?

This question can help the interviewer understand your ability to handle a large project and how you managed it. When answering this question, try to describe the project in detail and explain what steps you took to complete it successfully.

Example: “The most complex project I have worked on was when my team had to audit an entire company’s financial records. This process involved looking at thousands of documents and comparing them with each other to ensure they were accurate. To make sure we completed our task within the time frame given, I organized my team into smaller groups that focused on different areas of the business. We then compared our findings to ensure accuracy.”

4. Why do you want to work for Protiviti?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. They want to know what you like about Protiviti and why you’re excited to work there. When preparing for this question, make sure you do some research on the company beforehand so that you can speak knowledgeably about them.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in working for an internal audit firm because I find it interesting how they help companies improve their processes. I think Protiviti would be a great place to start my career as an auditor because of its reputation for quality work.”

5. What are some of the challenges that you think a company like Protiviti face?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the company and how you can help them overcome challenges. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you think are some of the biggest issues that Protiviti may face as well as how you would approach solving those problems.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges that companies like Protiviti face is finding employees who have both technical skills and soft skills. I’ve worked in internal audit for five years now, so I know that having an understanding of financial statements is essential, but there are also many other soft skills that are necessary for success in this role. For example, communication and collaboration are two skills that I feel are often overlooked when hiring new employees.”

6. How would you go about developing and implementing a risk-based audit program?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of internal audit processes and procedures. Use examples from previous work experience or education to explain how you would develop and implement an effective risk-based audit program.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for developing and implementing the company’s annual internal audit plan. The first step in this process was to identify key risks that could affect the organization’s financial statements. After identifying these risks, I created a list of objectives and criteria for each risk. Then, I developed a detailed scope statement for each objective and criterion. Finally, I implemented the audit program by assigning specific tasks to team members.”

7. Do you have experience working in an Agile environment?

Agile is a software development methodology that emphasizes collaboration, communication and flexibility. It’s common for Protiviti to use Agile in their projects because it allows them to adapt quickly to changes and challenges. If you have experience working in an Agile environment, explain how your previous experiences helped you succeed.

Example: “I’ve worked in an Agile environment before, where I was part of the team responsible for developing new features on a website. We used Scrum as our Agile framework, which allowed us to work together as a team to develop solutions to problems we encountered during each sprint. This process made me more comfortable with change and taught me how to be flexible when unexpected obstacles arose.”

8. Have you ever been involved in a fraud investigation?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with fraud investigations and how you handled them. If you have no prior experience, you can talk about what you would do if you were ever involved in a fraud investigation.

Example: “I’ve never been directly involved in a fraud investigation, but I know that it’s important to be thorough when investigating any suspicious activity. In my last role as an internal auditor, I was tasked with reviewing our company’s financial records for accuracy. During this process, I noticed some discrepancies between the amount of money we had on hand and the amount of money we should have had based on sales. After reporting these findings to my supervisor, they informed me that there was a new employee who hadn’t yet learned how to properly record transactions.”

9. Would you be comfortable traveling extensively if needed?

Traveling is a common part of the job for Protiviti employees. The interviewer wants to know if you’re willing to travel and how much experience you have with it. If you don’t have any, they may want to know what your thoughts are on gaining some.

Example: “I’m very comfortable traveling extensively. In my last position, I was required to travel at least once per quarter. I enjoy getting to see new places and meeting new people. I find that I can be productive while traveling as long as I plan ahead and bring all of my necessary tools.”

10. What excites you about technology?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your interests. It also helps them determine if you’re a good fit for their company culture. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you have an interest in technology and how it can be used to solve problems.

Example: “I’m excited about technology because I believe it has the power to change the world. I’ve seen firsthand how it can improve efficiency and make processes more streamlined. In my last role, we implemented new software that helped us streamline our client onboarding process. This allowed us to provide better service to our clients while saving time and money.”

11. Can you tell us about a time when you had difficulty communicating a message to someone?

This question can help interviewers understand how you communicate with others and your ability to overcome challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had difficulty communicating something to someone and the steps you took to ensure that person understood what you were trying to say.

Example: “I once worked with an executive who was very busy but still wanted regular updates on our projects. I would send him emails every week or so about our progress, but he often responded asking for more details. After a few weeks of sending longer emails, I realized that he just needed more information than I was giving him in my initial updates. So, I started including more details in my weekly reports and eventually stopped getting requests for more information.”

12. Give an example of a difficult situation you encountered while providing consulting services. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges and adapt to new situations. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to communicate effectively and willingness to take on challenging projects.

Example: “When I first started working as a consultant for Protiviti, I was assigned to work with a client who had recently undergone a merger. The company’s leadership team was unsure of how to integrate their employees into one cohesive unit. I met with each department individually to learn more about their goals and objectives. Then, I created an employee onboarding program that helped merge the two companies together.”

13. Are there projects or experiences that you feel prepared you for a career in management consulting?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a passion for your career and are eager to learn more. You can use this question as an opportunity to discuss a project or experience that helped you develop skills that will be beneficial in this role.

Example: “I feel prepared for this position because of my previous work with Protiviti. I started out as an internal auditor, where I learned how to identify risks and implement solutions. Then, I became a senior internal auditor, where I was responsible for training junior auditors on best practices. Now, I’m ready to take on a management role.”

14. How important is interpersonal communication in consulting?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you view communication in a team setting. Use examples from your experience to explain how interpersonal communication is important and what it looks like when working with clients or colleagues.

Example: “Interpersonal communication is one of the most important skills for consultants because we work with many different types of people, including our clients and internal teams. I have found that effective communication helps me build relationships with my clients and colleagues, which makes it easier to get information and feedback from them. In my last role as a consultant, I used active listening techniques to make sure I understood my client’s needs and concerns. This helped me create solutions that met their expectations.”

15. How would you go about assessing a client’s internal controls?

This question is an opportunity to show your expertise in the field of internal controls and how you would apply them to a client’s business.

Example: “I would first assess whether or not the company has any existing internal control frameworks, such as ISO 27001 or COBIT. If they do, I will evaluate their current state and determine if there are any areas that need improvement. If the company does not have any internal control frameworks, I will develop one based on the client’s needs and implement it into their business.”

16. If hired by Protiviti, what goals do you have for your first year here?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the position and how you plan to contribute to the company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about what attracted you to the job in the first place. Consider mentioning any goals that align with those of the company.

Example: “I am excited to join Protiviti because I have always admired the work you do. In my first year here, I would like to learn as much as possible about internal auditing and business consulting. I also hope to help develop new processes within the organization that will make us more efficient and effective.”

17. What makes you stand out from other candidates applying for this position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have researched their company and are qualified for this role. You can answer this question by highlighting a skill or experience that matches what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I am highly organized, which I know is important to Protiviti because of how much time you spend working on client projects. In my last position, I was responsible for managing multiple projects at once, so I’m confident that I can handle the workload here as well. Another reason why I think I would be a good fit for this job is that I’ve worked with Protiviti before when I interned at another firm.”

18. Tell us about a time you overcame a setback.

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand how you respond to challenges. Use your answer to highlight a time when you faced a challenge, overcame it and what you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I was in college, I had an internship at a local accounting firm. One day, I accidentally deleted all of my client’s financial records. I panicked but then took a deep breath and started looking for them. After about two hours, I found the files on my desktop and restored them to their original location. The company never knew that anything happened, and I learned that mistakes happen and it’s important to stay calm and find solutions.”

19. What type of software development process do you use?

This question is a great way to show your technical skills and knowledge of the industry. When answering, it can be helpful to mention which software you use for each stage of development.

Example: “I have experience with Agile and Waterfall processes. I find that Agile works best when there are many people involved in the project or if there are frequent updates needed. For example, I worked on a project where we had to update the client frequently about our progress. In this case, Agile was more beneficial because we could deliver new information quickly. However, Waterfall is better for projects that require less communication between team members.”

20. Can you tell us about a time when you were challenged by a co-worker? How did you respond?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and whether you’re able to work with others. When answering, try to focus on your ability to collaborate with others and resolve issues.

Example: “In my last role as a financial analyst, I worked closely with the CFO to develop quarterly reports for our board of directors. One day, the CFO asked me to change some information in one of the reports before sending it out. I politely declined because I knew that changing the report would be misleading to the board members. The CFO was upset but understood why I couldn’t make the changes. We talked about other ways we could improve the report moving forward.”