20 PwC Interview Questions and Answers

If you’re hoping to land a job at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), you need to be prepared to answer a range of questions, from behavioral questions that assess your ability to work in a team to technical questions that test your knowledge of accounting and auditing principles.

In this guide, we’ll provide sample answers to common PwC interview questions, so you can get an idea of what the interviewer is looking for and prepare your own thoughtful responses.

PwC Interview Process

The interview process at PwC is long, difficult, and overall not a great experience. It can take up to two months to hear back from the company after applying, and the interviews themselves are very challenging. Many of the questions are behavioral and require you to give specific examples from your past work experiences. The interviewer will also ask about your motivation for wanting to work at PwC and why you think you’re a good fit for the position. Overall, the interview process is very competitive and stressful, and it’s not uncommon for candidates to be rejected even after multiple rounds of interviews.

1. Why are you interested in working at PwC?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the company and its values. It also gives you a chance to talk about what attracted you to this role in particular. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific that drew you to PwC. You might also want to discuss how your skills would benefit the organization.

Example: “I am interested in working at PwC because of the innovative work you do here. I have always been impressed by the way you use technology to solve problems and create new solutions. I think my background in computer science makes me well-suited to contribute to these efforts. I’m excited to bring my creativity and problem-solving skills to your team.”

2. What is your experience with audit and assurance work?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it to a new role. When answering, consider what skills you have that are relevant to this position.

Example: “I’ve worked in audit and assurance for five years now, so I’m familiar with all aspects of the process. In my last job, I was responsible for auditing financial statements, which included reviewing company records and comparing them to federal regulations. I also performed internal audits on our accounting systems and procedures. These tasks helped me develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills.”

3. How would you handle a difficult client situation?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with challenging clients. Use examples from past experiences where you helped a client solve a problem or worked through conflict to show how you can handle similar situations in the future.

Example: “In my current role, I have a client who is very demanding when it comes to his accounting needs. He often calls me multiple times per week asking for updates on projects that are already complete. I’ve learned to be patient with him because he’s not aware of our processes and procedures. Instead of getting frustrated, I explain to him why we do things a certain way and offer to send him weekly reports so he has access to all of his information.”

4. Describe how you would conduct an audit.

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the audit process and how you would apply it in the workplace. When answering this question, be sure to include all steps of the audit process and explain each one thoroughly.

Example: “I would start by identifying the client’s business model and its objectives. Then I would perform an initial assessment of the company’s financial statements and other documents. After that, I would examine the company’s internal controls and evaluate whether they are effective. Next, I would review the company’s accounting records and compare them with the financial statements. Finally, I would issue my report.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to use critical thinking skills.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give an example of a time when you used critical thinking skills to solve a problem or challenge that helped achieve a positive outcome.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with a team where we had to come up with solutions for a client’s financial issues. The client had many different assets, including stocks, bonds and real estate properties. We were tasked with finding ways to help the client maximize their profits while also reducing their risk. Using critical thinking skills, I came up with a plan to diversify the client’s portfolio by investing in several different types of assets. This strategy allowed the client to reduce their risk while still making money.”

6. Can you tell me about your experience preparing tax returns for individuals and businesses?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your experience with preparing tax returns and how you approach this task. Use examples from past jobs to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities in this area.

Example: “In my last position as a senior accountant at an accounting firm, I helped prepare individual tax returns for clients who were self-employed or small business owners. This included helping them understand their tax obligations and filing state and federal tax forms. For businesses, I prepared financial statements that they used to file taxes and determine their tax liability. I also reviewed client records to ensure accuracy and completeness.”

7. If hired, what do you hope to gain from working at PwC?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have done your research on PwC and understand what it offers its employees. You can use this question as a way to express your interest in working for the company, but also how you hope to grow professionally if hired.

Example: “I am excited about the possibility of joining PwC because I know it’s a great place to learn new skills and advance my career. As someone who has been looking for a job with more responsibility, I think PwC would be a good fit for me. I’m eager to work with a team of professionals who are committed to providing quality service to their clients.”

8. What do you know about our company culture?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your research skills and determine whether you are truly interested in working at PwC. Your answer should include specific details about the company’s culture, including its values, goals and how it treats its employees.

Example: “I know that PwC has an open-door policy where anyone can approach their manager with questions or concerns. I also know that the company offers many opportunities for professional development through training programs and mentorships. Finally, I know that PwC places a lot of importance on diversity and inclusion.”

9. Are you familiar with the IFRS standards?

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting standards that companies use to report their financial information. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the IFRS and how it relates to PwC’s own GAAP standards. In your answer, try to show that you understand the differences between these two sets of standards and can apply them appropriately in your work.

Example: “I am familiar with the IFRS standards, although I haven’t had much experience applying them in my previous roles. However, I did take an introductory course on IFRS when I was studying for my CPA certification, so I do remember some of the key differences between IFRS and GAAP standards. For example, under IFRS, companies must report all assets at fair market value while they only need to list liabilities at book value under GAAP.”

10. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “I am extremely organized and detail-oriented. I also have excellent communication skills and enjoy working with others. My weakness is that sometimes I work too hard and don’t take enough time for myself. I’m always looking for ways to balance my work life and personal life.”

11. Do you have any relevant certifications or licenses?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any certifications or licenses that are relevant to the position. If they ask this question, it’s important to let them know about your credentials and how they can benefit their company.

Example: “I do have a CPA license, which allows me to perform audits for companies. I also have my bachelor’s degree in accounting, which has prepared me for many of the tasks involved with being an accountant.”

12. Would you say that you are detail oriented?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can perform your job duties. Detail orientation is an important skill for accountants because they must be able to accurately record financial transactions and maintain accurate records. Your answer should show the interviewer that you are detail oriented, but also highlight any skills or experiences that make you even more detail-oriented than you already are.

Example: “I would definitely say I am detail oriented. In my previous role as an accountant, I was responsible for recording all of our company’s financial transactions. This included everything from payroll to sales. Because of this responsibility, I became very familiar with the company’s accounting software and learned how to use it efficiently. I believe these skills have made me even more detail-oriented.”

13. Have you ever worked on a team project? How did it go?

This question is an opportunity to show your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. Teamwork is a crucial skill for accounting professionals, so employers want to know that you can collaborate effectively. In your answer, explain how you worked well with others in the past and what made it successful.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant at a small business, I was part of a team that helped develop new financial software. The project took several months, but we were able to successfully create a program that streamlined our company’s finances. We all contributed ideas and feedback throughout the process, which led to a more efficient system overall.”

14. As an associate, how would you address employee performance issues?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to manage employees and provide constructive feedback. Use examples from past experiences where you helped an employee improve their performance or behavior, and highlight the steps you took to ensure they were successful in future projects.

Example: “In my last role as a senior accountant, I had one of my team members who was consistently late to meetings and client calls. At first, I tried to give them positive reinforcement for their work, but after several weeks, it became clear that they weren’t improving their behavior. So, I scheduled a meeting with them to discuss their progress and how we could support each other moving forward. They apologized for their behavior and committed to being on time going forward. We also discussed ways they could be more productive during the day so they would have enough time to complete all their tasks.”

15. When dealing with clients, how important do you think communication is?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you prioritize your client’s needs and whether you have experience communicating with clients. Use examples from past experiences to show that you value communication and are willing to put in extra effort to ensure your clients feel heard.

Example: “Communication is one of my top priorities when working with clients because it allows me to understand their concerns and provide them with solutions. In my last role, I had a client who was concerned about the amount of money they were spending on their accounting services. After talking with them, we determined that they could save money by outsourcing some of their bookkeeping tasks to an outside company. They were very happy with this solution.”

16. We place a strong emphasis on innovation here at PwC. Give an example of when you were innovative in a previous role.

This question is an opportunity to show your potential employer that you are a creative problem solver. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how your innovation helped the company or organization achieve its goals.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our clients were having trouble finding us online. We had several websites and social media accounts but they weren’t easy for people to find. I created a plan to consolidate all of our digital marketing into one website with a strong SEO strategy. This allowed us to attract more customers and increase revenue.”

17. What are some of the things you look for in a company?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are looking for more than just a paycheck. It also shows them what your values and goals are in terms of work, which can be helpful if they have any connections at other companies. When answering this question, it’s important to focus on things like company culture, opportunities for growth and development and how much you enjoy working with the people around you.

Example: “I look for a company that has a strong mission statement and a positive company culture. I want to feel valued as an employee and know that my opinions matter. I also look for a company that offers plenty of opportunities for professional development and advancement. I’m always looking for ways to learn new skills and grow as a person.”

18. What interests you most about this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your interests and motivations. They want to know if you are passionate about the job, which can be a good indicator of how well you will perform in the role. When answering this question, make sure to emphasize what attracted you to this specific position. You can also include any skills or experiences that led you to apply for this role.

Example: “I am most interested in working with clients on their accounting needs. I have several years of experience as an accountant, so I feel confident in my abilities to help businesses manage their finances. I would love to use my expertise to help companies achieve their goals.”

19. When was the last time you took a risk? Did it pay off?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and how you approach challenges. It also helps them understand your risk-taking ability, which is important for this role. When answering this question, think of a time when you took a risk that paid off.

Example: “When I was in college, I decided to take an extra class during my spring semester. This meant taking on more work than usual, but it helped me graduate early. While it was challenging to balance all of my classes, I managed to do well in all of them. My hard work paid off, and I graduated with honors.”

20. Explain the differences between GAAP and IFRS.

The Global Accounting Standards Board (or GASB) is responsible for creating accounting standards in the United States. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (or FASB) creates financial reporting standards. IFRS stands for International Financial Reporting Standards, and GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. These are two different sets of accounting principles that companies use to report their financial information.

Example: “GAAP refers to the set of rules used by U.S. public companies to prepare their financial statements according to generally accepted accounting principles. IFRS refers to the set of rules used by international organizations to prepare their financial statements. In the U.S., private companies can choose whether or not they want to follow GAAP. Public companies must follow GAAP.”