Top 25 PWC Interview Questions and Answers in 2024

Editorial Team

PWC Interview Questions and Answers

PWC, fully known as PricewaterhouseCoopers, is made up of two firms that offer international professional services. It is one of the most lucrative places for new graduates, which explains why it is always in high demand. PWC falls under the Big Four accounting firms, with the other three being KPMG, Deloitte, and EY.

This article will look at some of the questions you should expect in your upcoming PWC Interview to increase your chances of landing the job or internship position you have applied for. Keep in mind that such firms require more than just your experience. You will have to show them that you are a proper fit. Take a look at the following questions:

8 Tips to Prepare for a PWC Interview

Preparing for a PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) interview involves a combination of technical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and understanding of the company’s values. Here are eight key items to focus on:

PwC Interview Preparation

Focus Area Details Tips
Company Research Understanding PwC’s Values and Culture Research PwC’s mission, values, recent projects, and company culture. Showcase alignment of values and discuss how you contribute to the positive culture.
Industry Knowledge Staying Updated on Industry Trends Stay informed about the latest trends and challenges in the industry PwC operates in. Demonstrate awareness of industry changes and discuss their potential impact on PwC’s clients.
Technical Competence Technical Skills Relevant to the Position Brush up on technical skills relevant to the job, such as accounting principles, audit procedures, tax regulations, or consulting methodologies. Be prepared to discuss specific projects or experiences applying these skills.
Behavioral Questions Demonstrating Soft Skills Prepare for common behavioral questions by reflecting on past experiences that demonstrate teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and adaptability. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses.
Case Interviews Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills Practice solving case studies to showcase your ability to analyze complex business problems and develop strategic solutions. Clearly communicate your thought process and involve the interviewer in your problem-solving approach.
Client Interaction Client Communication and Relationship Building Highlight experiences where you successfully interacted with clients or stakeholders, demonstrating effective communication and relationship-building skills. Emphasize your ability to understand client needs and deliver value through your services.
Global Perspective Global Business Awareness PwC operates globally, so be aware of international business trends, economic factors, and cultural considerations. Discuss how your global perspective can contribute to PwC’s ability to serve diverse clients.
Current Events Staying Informed on Current Affairs Stay updated on current events, especially those relevant to the business world, finance, and technology. Being informed about the latest news can help you engage in discussions and demonstrate your awareness of the broader business environment.

Remember to tailor your responses to align with PwC’s values and the specific requirements of the role you are interviewing for. Additionally, practice mock interviews with a friend or mentor to gain confidence and receive feedback.

Top 25 PWC Interview Questions and Answers

Here are the top 25 PWC interview questions, along with a sample answer for each question.

1. What Do You Know About Us?

PWC or PricewaterhouseCoopers is a collection of two firms that offer international professional services. It is considered the second largest professional services network worldwide. You are also one of the big four accounting firms in the world, alongside Deloitte, KPMG, and EY. PwC resulted from a merger between Coopers and Lybrand and Price Waterhouse, with the name PwC coming up in 2010 for rebranding purposes.

2. Why PWC?

PWC is one of the world’s biggest accounting firms; therefore, working here will boost my career. I have always wanted to work here since I finished my accounting degree. PWC focuses on skill acquisition and career advancement, which I currently need. I would also like to learn from your more than capable team lessons that will propel me to success in my accounting career.

3. Can You Do Fieldwork?

Yes. I am pretty flexible, and therefore, I can handle fieldwork exceedingly well. In my former job, I did lots of fieldwork that I came to enjoy. I don’t mind balancing working in the office and the field, given that I have experience with both.

4. Why Should We Give You This Position?

I am passionate about accounting and spent several years obtaining relevant experience for this position. Additionally, I did a 3-months internship with you shortly after graduating from school, which exposed me to your processes and culture, meaning that I won’t be starting from zero. I am also a first learner and therefore won’t have any problem learning and getting used to your new processes or workplace changes. Lastly, I am an excellent team player, an important attribute at PWC.

5. Would You Mind Relocating To Another Part Of The Country If You Get This Job?

I don’t have a problem moving if I get an opportunity to work in any of your offices. I have been hoping for such an opportunity and can’t miss it. However, I’d ask for a few days to make arrangements and get my things in order back and home so that I can relocate smoothly. I have also been thinking of changing states or localities, so a role that requires me to relocate is highly welcome. I am looking forward to such.

6. Do You Have Any Long-Term Goals?

Yes. I want to try management after some time. I always love challenging myself and going for things that seemed like a dream at the start of my career. I am currently invested in acquiring the relevant experience and skills to help me thrive when I decide to apply for a management position. I also intend to start a future mentorship program to sharpen young accountants’ skills and welcome them to the industry. I wouldn’t be here if not for mentorship, so I would like to return the favor to others.

7. Do You Have Any Strengths?

I have several positive qualities that I believe are my strengths. I am an excellent team player, an attribute I have developed since high school. I know how to work with others and collaborate on projects, which I know for a fact is needed here at PwC. I am also an excellent negotiator and helped my last workplace seal many amazing deals, which I’ll be glad to do here. Lastly, I have several interpersonal skills that come in handy in interacting with my colleagues, clients, and prospects. The latter also comes in handy during negotiations.

8. Do You Have Any Weaknesses That We Should Know?

Even though I won’t term it a weakness since I am working on it, I have always had a problem handling negative feedback, especially after giving my all on a project or situation. I believe it is because I am used to positive feedback; therefore, one negative one can easily throw me off. However, as I mentioned, I have been working on it, and the progress I have made is encouraging. I believe in constant self-improvement, so this won’t be an issue in time.

9. Can You Work Well Under Pressure?

Working for one of the biggest accounting firms in the world definitely comes with its pressures, which I can gladly handle. I have made it a norm to stay calm under pressure, as it gives me time to think about solutions and act on them. Pressure can also be caused by several things, including increased workload, which I have discovered should be responded to by proper prioritization of tasks. This entity also values teamwork, so I won’t have a hard time dealing with pressure. Lastly, I’d like to mention that pressure brings out the best in me.

10. What Is The Main Challenge That You Foresee In This Role?

From what I have read online and observed, PwC is lauded for one of the best working environments in the region. You value your employees and help them advance in their careers through skill acquisition and mentorship programs. I don’t, therefore, expect a challenge that would prove hard to solve, maybe just the pressure to perform that automatically comes with working on one of the big four accounting firms in the world. All in all, I am sure that I will handle any challenges well with the team’s help.

11. Where Do You See Yourself In The Next 5 Years?

I intend to be with you for a long time since PwC has always been my dream firm. Therefore, I’ll still be here in the next five years, maybe in a different position. At the moment, I am interested in acquiring hands-on skills that will come in handy in case a better opportunity at PwC arises. I am also ready to work hard and push myself to stay valuable to this organization and secure a longer stay with you.

12. Do You Have Any Strategies Or Mindset That Helped You Succeed In This Role?

I believe that one of the most important mindsets that one should have, regardless of position or career, is positivity. It comes in handy when making decisions and going about everyday work. I normally stay positive under pressure or in highly stressful situations, later handling them better than I thought. As for the right strategy, I find mastering and practicing calm is important. It also goes hand in hand with positivity. I wouldn’t have had a flourishing cater if not for the two.

13. Why Do You Believe You Are The Most Suited Among All The Candidates?

I have extensive accounting experience that will come in handy in this position. I have worked for several renowned accounting firms, including Deloitte, which has taught me what to expect in a firm of your magnitude. I also interned here shortly after college, gaining hands-on skills that have helped me succeed in this field. Interning here also ensured that I understand your processes better and won’t take long to get used to your processes or blend in.

14. How Do You Define Success?

I normally have targets that I set at the beginning of every job or task and are higher than the default targets of the organization. Therefore, I will only consider myself successful if I meet my set targets, regardless of whether I have met the workplace targets. This is because I love challenging myself and breaking personal records. My previous records define my success. It is only by breaking them that I consider myself an achiever. I am glad of the benefits of such an arrangement to my career.

15. Mention A Time You Failed In This Role And The Lesson You Learned

I have had my fair share of successes and failures in this job. However, I am glad I haven’t let the latter define me at any point. While working at an auditing firm at the beginning of my career, I lost an important client because of a lack of regular communication. I believed I had built a rapport with them, making them loyal clients. They got a better deal from a company that constantly reached out to them. Had we kept communicating regularly, we would have managed to keep the client. This lesson taught me the importance of keeping clients close through regular communication and incentives.

16. Do You Consider Yourself A Team Player?

Absolutely. I am confident that I am a team player, owing to my previous experiences and team working skills. I normally ensure that I do my part in projects and even leave or create some time to attend to those who may need help with their portions. I also have many interpersonal and people skills that help me interact well with my team members and stay useful. I know that PwC, one of the biggest accounting firms, values teamwork. I am willing to contribute positively to the current team’s success if given a chance.

17. How Would You Solve Workplace Conflict?

Even though I normally strive to avoid workplace conflict, it can be pretty inevitable. Therefore, I am always ready to handle any that comes up during my interaction with team members. Over time, I have discovered that the best way of handling conflicts is dealing with them fast before they impede the group’s performance. Whenever I realize that I have been wronged or in the wrong, I will approach the other party so that we can work on a solution before it turns into resentment. I am glad that I have always managed to solve workplace conflicts properly.

18. You Have Applied For A Management Position. Can You Tell Us Some Ways You Intend To Motivate Your Subordinates Or Team?

Employee motivation is important as it is usually directly linked to success. Therefore, I normally ensure that I have a motivated team. Some proven ways of employee motivation include ensuring that they have everything they need to succeed in their jobs, listening to them, and allowing participation in issues that directly concern them, and a bit of extrinsic motivation, including offering incentives. All in all, a manager should blend intrinsic and extrinsic motivation when dealing with employees.

19. Would You Rather Be A Hard Worker Or A Smart Worker?

I believe in an infusion of both. A smart worker finds effective and efficient means of handling several tasks that ensure fast execution without compromising quality. However, a little bit of hard work is also needed after efficient and effective ways have been identified, as it helps in timely execution. I, therefore, normally blend hard and smart work when going about my roles, and so far, I am happy with the results.

20. Your Resume Shows That You Are Experienced In All Types Of Auditing. Can You Tell Us What Cross-Functional Audit Is?

Cross-functional auditing is important as it normally involves groups within the organization. Therefore, it occurs when select or other professional groups or teams within an organization conduct internal auditing to advance the organization. It has risen in popularity owing to its benefits. First, it helps organizations better understand their processes and performance. Other advantages include encouraging teamwork, helping employees build leadership skills, and saving the firm money that would have been used on external auditors.

21. We Value Cross-Functional Team Collaboration Here. Could You Please Tell Us The Advantages?

There are several advantages of cross-functional teams, which explain their popularity in the recent past. Such collaboration ensures an overflow of creative ideas, thus helping companies gain better insights, leading to more engaged employees, and helping develop management skills. It also comes in handy in breaking stereotypes and embracing workplace diversity, building team spirit, and improving the overall performance of the organization. All my cross-functional team collaboration experiences have been worthwhile.

22. As A Manager, How Will You Ensure That You Have A Collaborative Team?

When coming up with a team, I normally use the cross-functional collaboration test, which has several advantages. Therefore, setting up the team, I generally identify those with the best skill set and ensure that only the right ones are selected. Other best practices that I have come to appreciate include building ongoing relationships with stakeholders, investing in quality collaboration software, ensuring that goals are mutually supportive, and encouraging collaboration between several units. Thanks to these best practices, I have always worked with the best teams.

23. What’s Your Ideal Team?

I have lots of teamwork experience, given that I have been part of several teams. I can therefore identify a good and a poor performing team. An ideal team should have highly motivated members, clear priorities, and open-minded members. It is also important for all the team members to have no conflicting personal goals and observe adequate communication. Other mandatory requirements for an ideal team include holding accountability to ensure that missions are accomplished, support by management, and the ability to identify and work on mistakes expeditiously. I am glad I have been part of many such teams.

24. Can You Mention The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Proprietorships?

Proprietorships are normally personally owned; therefore, they come with several advantages and a fair share of disadvantages. They are normally easy to establish given that they lack any additional registration requirements as the owner’s legal identity serves the business; they are easier to operate since they are owned by a single person who takes care of everything and makes all the decisions and also, only the owner is entitled to the profits. Lastly, such business models enjoy more privacy as they are not scrutinized by the government or the public.

Disadvantages include unlimited liability, higher tax incidence, and difficulty in sourcing funds. All in all, the benefits still outweigh the disadvantages.

25. Mention Some Of The Advantages Of An Internal Audit

Internal audits are normally conducted to improve an organization’s operations. It, therefore, has several advantages that every entity should tap into. This type of auditing increases the organization’s accountability, allows the identification and remedy of deficiencies, thereby serving as an early warning system, shifts the organization from person independence to process independence, and improves an organization’s control environment. Lastly, it comes up with recommendations that can improve a company’s procedural efficiency and effectiveness.

Conclusion

PwC is one of the world’s biggest four accounting firms; therefore, you need to put in extra effort as you prepare for your upcoming interview. We hope that our questions will aid you in your preparation. We wish you all the best.