THE BIG FOUR ACCOUNTING FIRMS: Recruitment Process

Do you want an accounting job in Nigeria with any of the big 4 accounting firms?

Then you will love this guide.

The Big Four comprises of the world’s largest accounting firms. These firms provide a range of accounting and auditing services including external audit, taxation services, management and business consultancy, and risk assessment and control. They also provide career and development opportunities to accountants and auditors around the globe.

Deloitte, PwC, EY and KPMG make up the big four. The big four once belonged to a group called the big eight which reduced to the big six, then the big five and finally the big four. The Big Four was born after the fall of Arthur Andersen in 2002.

This article will focus on the application and interview process of the Big Four for graduate trainees and interns.

DELOITTE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, popularly known as just "Deloitte", was founded by William Deloitte in 1845. It is a UK-incorporated multinational professional services firm with operational headquarters in New York City, United States. Deloitte is the largest accounting firm in terms of revenue.

Applications are sent through their personal website. You can keep an eye on job vacancies at Deloitte on MyJobMag.
 

SELECTION PROCESS FOR AN INTERN AT DELOITTE

• Aptitude test: Candidates will be required to take an aptitude test that will be used to test their analytical skills.
• Interview: Candidates who passed the test will be invited for an interview at the company. Candidates will be asked about themselves, about the company and how well they fit into the company.
• Offer: Getting the job! Only candidates who are successful will be granted an offer.

SELECTION PROCESS FOR A GRADUATE TRAINEE AT DELOITTE

• Essay: Candidates will be required to write an essay on a particular topic in order to know the level of knowledge they have on that topic and their writing skills.
• GMAT: The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is a computer adaptive test intended to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and reading skills in written English.
• First round interview: This is usually done with one or two interviewers and is mostly behavioural. The interview is used by the company to know more about the candidate.
• Second round interview: Candidates that are successful after the first round of interview will move to the second round of interview. Related questions will be asked. It is also an avenue for the firm to see how much the candidate knows about their firm.
• Offer: This involves getting the job! Only candidates who are successful after the second rounds of interview will be given an offer

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS (PwC) RECRUITMENT PROCESS

PwC is the second largest accounting firm in terms of revenue. The company was formed by the merger of two large accounting firms – Price Waterhouse, and Coopers & Lybrand in 1998.

Applications are sent through their personal website. You can keep an eye on job vacancies at PwC on MyJobMag

SELECTION PROCESS FOR AN INTERN AT PwC

• Numerical and verbal reasoning test: This is used to know more about the candidate’s analytical skills.
• Verification of the test at their office: candidates will be asked to go to their office to verify the numerical and verbal reasoning test taken earlier on.
• Interview: Candidates who passed the test will be invited for an interview. Candidates will be asked about themselves, about the company and how well they fit into the company.
• Offer: This is getting the job! Only candidates who are successful with the interview will be given an offer.

SELECTION PROCESS FOR A GRADUATE TRAINEE AT PwC

• Online SHL: SHL is a psychometric test that is used to assess an individual’s maximum capability in a competency that has been identified as important for success in the role. For example numerical reasoning for a quantitative position. This test is usually done online
• Online personality test: This test is used to know some aspects of an individual’s character. It is used to know one’s strengths and talents.
• Verification test: a verification test will be done at their office.
• Panel interview: This involves having an interview with a group of interviewers.
• Assessment day: This is also an interview day and it usually comprises of more than one interview. Candidates may be grouped and asked to complete a given task, thereafter are invited for an interview with senior staffs.
• Offer: Candidates who are successful after the assessment day are given an offer.
   

ERNST & YOUNG (EY) RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Ernst & Whinney merged with Arthur Young to create Ernst & Young in 1989. Ernst & Young is a global organization of member firms in more than 150 countries. It employs people equipped with professional skills and values of integrity, respect, teamwork, enthusiasm, and motivation. These form the core values of Ernst & Young. Ernst & Young is the third largest accounting firm in terms of revenue.

Applications are sent through their personal website. You can keep an eye on job vacancies at Ernst & Young on MyJobMag

SELECTION PROCESS FOR AN INTERN AT ERNST & YOUNG

• Mathematics and English test (GMAT Standard): Candidates will be required to take a test comprising of Mathematics and English.
• Interview: Candidates who passed the test will be invited for an interview at the company. Candidates will be asked about themselves, about the company and how well they fit into the company.
• Offer: Getting the job! Only candidates who are successful will be granted an offer.

SELECTION PROCESS FOR A GRADUATE TRAINEE & YOUNG

• Aptitude test: Candidates will be required to take an aptitude test that will be used to test their analytical skills.
• Assessment day: This is an interview day and it usually comprises of more than one interview. Candidates may be grouped and asked to complete a given task, thereafter are invited for an interview with senior staffs.
• Offer: Getting the job!

KLYNVELD PEAT MARWICK GOERDELER (KPMG) RECRUITMENT PROCESS

KPMG is a global network of accounting firms providing audit, tax, advisory, special interest and industry-specific services. It employs approximately 189,000 professionals working together to provide quality service in 155 countries around the world. KPMG is the fourth largest accounting firm in terms of revenue.

Applications are sent through their personal website. You can keep an eye on job vacancies at KPMG on MyJobMag

SELECTION PROCESS FOR AN INTERN AT KPMG

• Essay writing: Candidates will be asked to write an essay. This essay will be used to determine the candidate’s level of knowledge on that topic and their writing skills.
• Interview: This could be done physically or via phone call. Candidates will be asked about themselves, about the company and how well they fit into the company.
• Offer: Getting the job!  Candidates who are successful with the interview are granted an offer.

SELECTION PROCESS FOR A GRADUATE TRAINEE AT KPMG

• Aptitude test: Candidates will be required to take an aptitude test in order to determine their level of analytical skills.
• Business awareness test: The test is used to access an individual’s behavioural competencies in line with KPMG’s skills and behaviour.
• Assessment Center: This usually involves three stages: Panel Interview, Group Work, and a presentation.
• Partner interview: Successful candidates will be invited for an interview with a senior member of KPMG
• Offer: Getting the job!

CONCLUSION

With the information above, an individual who intends to intern or get a fulltime offer with any of the Big Four firms would find this article invaluable as it contains relevant information needed for preparation. If you are a small business and looking to hire, then you may want to start with our hiring guide for small businesses

Staff Writer

This article was written and edited by a staff writer.