KPMG

Applications, Interviews & Assessments

"Two rounds – initial interview, then partner interview and assessment day. The assessment day involved two individual computer based scenarios to complete within a time limit, a partner interview including a short presentation on a company of your choice, and a group exercise.” -- Auditor, Entry Level, London
"Two rounds of interviews (after two online tests) followed by an e-tray exercise.” -- Auditor, Entry Level
"The process consists of an online application, online tests, 1st round competency interview and a final assessment day. Most of the questions are fairly similar to a standard interview, the first round is all about your experiences and the assessment day is about what you can do and what you want to do with your future.” -- Auditor, Entry level, London
"Application is followed by online testing, then an interview, then a day long assessment centre. All interview questions are competency based, asking questions about your team working skills, times when you've worked to your own initiative, etc.” – Finance, Midlevel, London
"The process was excellent. Very well organised and very professional.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Manchester
"There is an online application, then numerical and verbal online tests. There is then a manager interview to find out about you key competencies and skills, and then finally an assessment day including computer based tests, a group exercise, and a partner interview plus presentation. However there is a chance you will be fast-tracked to the assessment day skipping the manager interview. The computer test is based on how you priorities and time-manage jobs and includes writing a reply to some emails to check spelling, grammar and language use. The group exercise looks at team skills and getting across your ideas. And the partner interview looks at how you will fit into the firm, and presentation skills.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Leeds
"Really hard to get in, but worth the stress” – Tax Analyst, Midlevel, Aberdeen
"Initially there is an online application (you need a 2.1 degree or relevant experience) followed by some psychometric tests. Successful applicants then get a first interview at their preferred office – the questions are based on the psychometric tests and will require you to give examples from your life – e.g. when have you worked well in a team, have you managed any projects? Following first interview there is then an assessment centre containing an e-mail tray exercise (this was time pressured), a group exercise (work together, don't dominate, but don't say nothing!) and a partner interview in which you also have to prepare a ten min presentation on how you could improve a chosen business and what issues they face.” -- Tax, Experienced, Preston
"I applied in my final year at university. I needed a 2:1 to get the job but there is no need for this to be in a certain subject. I was fast tracked and just had one day of interviews. This involved an electronic test (involving responding to e-mails), a group exercise and a presentation/interview with a partner. I was called the same day and offered a job.” -- Auditor, Midlevel, Reading

"Three rounds. First round is an online assessment, second is an interview and then lastly an assessment centre and a partner interview. Questions: why do you wish to work for KPMG? What do you expect to be doing on a day to day basis within the firm?” -- Auditor, Midlevel, London
"As in any other interview, be prepared and try to put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. What does he or she really want to know about yourself and your experience?” – Project Manager, Midlevel, London
"Online aptitude test, followed by first round competency interview. Then an assessment day including a case study e-assessment, a group discussion and a partner interview.” – Transactions services, Midlevel, London
"Interview consisted of application form, online tests (numerical and English), then an initial HR interview, followed by a group activity, online interactive in tray exercise, and then a partner interview where we had to prepare a presentation. Some interview questions include...why choose KPMG? Give me a situation where you worked in a team. What do you expect to be doing as an auditor on a day to day basis?” --Auditor, Entry Level, Birmingham
"Initially I had to fill in an online application form. Once I had submitted this I was then informed that I had made it through to the next stage and had to complete an online test. After I had passed the online test, I had 2 further interviews with a manager and a partner and an assessment centre.” -- Tax, Entry level, Bristol
"Application process: 1) Online application which is quite long and takes a while to fill out. The questions are generally competency based and some are business focused. 2) Online tests numeracy and literacy. 3) 1st round interview: this is generally competency based questions where you have to think of examples from past experiences. 4) Assessment day which comprises of e tray exercises, group exercise, and a presentation to a partner followed by an interview with him which looks at the competency areas a bit further.” – Junior Accountant, Entry level, Birmingham
"Rigorous interview process with several rounds of testing.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Reading
"An absolute dream come true to work for such a prestigious firm. Just one round for me, combining the interview and a group day.” -- Tax, Entry level, Cardiff
"The recruitment process began with the online application, followed by the maths and English tests. I was then invited to an interview with a senior manager at the office I applied to. Subsequently I was invited to an assessment centre day at the Birmingham office. This took the form of an E-tray exercise, a group presentation, a lunch with current graduates on the scheme, and an interview and presentation to a Partner within the department.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Leicester

Tips & Advice for Graduates

"Have an answer for why you want to join KPMG over the other firms. Apply early – particularly if you want to work in London” -- Tax, Entry Level, London
"Swot up on the obvious questions (why the firm, why the position, etc.) then relax and be yourself.” -- Tax Analyst, Entry level, London
"Be chatty and polite. Brush up on business knowledge. Know why you want to do what you are applying for. Practice numerical and verbal reasoning tests.” -- Tax, Entry Level, London
"KPMG is looking for driven, hard working and friendly people in general.” -- Tax Accountant, Entry level, London
"Have a good understanding of business; think through answers to the sort of questions you would be likely to be asked. Prepare well, and have some questions yourself prepared to ask your interviewer. Keep up to date with the business news.” -- Tax Analyst, Entry Level, London
"The company looks to hire team players and people that want to fulfil the most out of themselves. If you are from university, you don't necessarily have to have done an Accountancy qualification to apply.” -- Auditor, Midlevel, Birmingham
"Prepare competency based answers and make sure you have an awareness of what is going on in the business world.” -- Tax, Entry Level, Edinburgh
"There is a huge emphasis especially at the interview on the 'person'. The interviewer wants to see how you can build relationships quickly and how you will fit into the department team. University discipline does not hold a massive pull. The staff I have a wide range of degrees ranging from Chemistry to Music.” -- Audit, Intern, Manchester
"Be prepared, practise the online tests provided.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Reading
"The best tip I can give is to do your homework. Prove to the interviewer that you are generally interested in the job and show to them that you have put some effort in for the interview.” -- Auditor, Entry Level, Leicester
"Research the job. Emphasise team and organisational skills.” -- Tax Accountant, Entry Level, St. Albans

"Know your skills and what you need to improve on. Know the job you are applying for.” -- Junior Accountant, Entry Level, London
"I think the company looks for rounded candidates; people who have a strong academic background, as well as those who have other interests.” -- Auditor, Experienced, London
"Do your research into the market and what services in particular KPMG offers. Be prepared to talk in depth about one company and how KPMG could help it.” -- Transaction Services, Intern, London
"Need to demonstrate adequate business knowledge. Also be good at problem solving and have demonstrated these skills. Degrees in the arts are as welcome as science/maths degrees.” -- Auditor, Midlevel, London
"You have to be good at maths and writing formal mail, etc. Also, showing your enthusiasm is probably most important to differentiate you from others.” – Tax Analyst, Intern, Birmingham
"Know if the company you have chosen to present on is a client of the firm. You must have a 2:1 or 1:1 degree to apply. Be confident.” -- Tax, Entry Level, Bristol
"As an accountant you need a good degree from a good university to ensure that you will be able to complete the professional qualification. Also due to the nature of the job – interacting with clients on a daily basis, you need all the relevant soft skills such as communication and team work.” -- Auditor, Entry Level, Leeds
"Prepare in advance and try to relax on the day. Do not reel off pre-rehearsed speeches as it will sound contrived.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Reading
"Research the company and read-up on current business affairs. Careers motivation and business focus are tested extensively in the interview stages.” -- Entry level, Newcastle
"Some business exposure is very important so that you can give examples of experience, outside of academia, where you have demonstrated certain qualities.” -- Tax, Entry level, Cardiff

Internships & Placements

"Internships are a good insight into what you can be doing on a normal day, there won't be any special treatment and you will get to experience the travelling, the auditing, the socials and all aspects of office life.” -- Auditor, Midlevel, London
"Internships are offered. They provide a very clear insight as to what you would be doing in your first year, as you assist a first year trainee whose job it is to guide you as you help him/her perform audit procedures.” -- Auditor, Entry level, London
"Yes, we do offer internships and summer positions. I am currently mentoring an intern who is with us for 6 weeks. He has just completed his second year of an Economics degree and is taking a paid internship. The main compensation is the experience gained from working in a high-pressure office environment as this adds considerably to any CV. The work, while not technical, is challenging and I have organised for our intern to attend meetings with clients and review accounts information. There are also many opportunities to socialise with the team and get to know their backgrounds and how they got into the profession.” -- Tax, Midlevel, London
"I got a summer internship and was offered a job at the end. This meant I had an ensured job after I left university. It also meant that I had a bit of an insight into the job I was going into. In general, work given to interns was varied and relatively interesting.” -- Auditor, Midlevel, London
"I had a brilliant time and ended up requesting to work in the same department. There were a bunch of us on the internship and I remember sitting outdoors in the Mailbox, sunny Sunday, having lunch with a few interns. My first client bought the team ice cream as it was a ridiculously hot day. My second client was an away job and I stayed in a hotel which made me pancakes for breakfast although it was not on the menu. The people were honest, open, friendly and most important, patient with coaching. Within the first two hours on-site, I was assigned tasks that put me in direct contact with the client, asking questions I about 85% understood. I remember frantically writing down everything the client said so I could bring it back to my senior to translate from finance speak into layman's term. I had to speak to the FD in a small firm. I felt supported, and also strangely proud to have been given the task. It was scary, exciting and fun. Saying “I learnt a lot" seems so cliché but you know what?! I learnt a lot." -- Auditor, Midlevel, Birmingham
"Yes, I am in the KPMG tax summer internship at the moment. Good socially, in the first week I was here I played hockey and football with fellow KPMG workers. The pay is good. But the work can get mundane, since you don’t have the knowledge to do the interesting stuff.” -- Tax Analyst, Intern, Birmingham
"If you are able to get an internship then you do not have to do the group exercise part of the interview process, feedback will be given to the partners based on the work done during the summer, they will make a decision whether to interview you and if so, then may offer you a job following your graduation.” -- Auditor, Entry Level, Leeds
"I am currently taking part in an internship for the company. The staff are very helpful and keen to pass work on to me. A lot of the work involves basic things related to your field, but not too technical or specific. There are cases where they rely on you to carry out much of the administration work. In completing an internship you have a much greater advantage in gaining a graduate position.” -- Tax, Intern, Leicester
"I did a summer internship and it was really valuable – I didn't really have a clue what sort of work tax accountancy involved, so from that point of view it was invaluable.” -- Tax, Midlevel, Reading

"The internship is excellent although it is very competitive. It allows you to make a better decision about what graduate role and department you would like to apply for. You are effectively treated as a graduate employee and the pay is good!” -- Auditor, Entry level, London
"Summer internships are a good insight into the company and are a good entry route for a graduate position.” -- Forensics, Entry Level, London
"Internships are very worthwhile and usually result in a job offer. Good exposure is obtained, and pay is good.” -- Entry Level, London
"Internships are available and give an advantage in that if you are considered a good intern you are offered a job. Interns generally go out to clients and perform tasks that you might usually perform as a first year, from checking financial statements, to admin tasks.” -- Auditor, Entry Level, London
"The firm does offer internships, as well as industrial placements for one year during university. I did an internship before taking up my graduate placement, and am also currently looking after our new interns who started this week. Normally the interns will be sent on jobs and so have some real audit experience. Obviously the level of work which is assigned to them will not be particularly challenging, and so will mainly involve checking accounts add up and excel work. There will also be the opportunity to do some basic audit testing on fixed assets, payroll and cash, as well as reviewing board minutes. Obtaining an internship is not necessary to then get a graduate job, but it does make the process easier.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Birmingham
"Internships and summer placements are very helpful for future applications and to advance quickly if successful, but are not necessary. The internship can be slow during the summer period but does give very good experience, particularly for high quality interns as more work will be handed down.” -- Auditor, Entry level, Birmingham
"This company does offer internships and I did one and had the best time. The work you do is very similar to what you would do in the first year so it is a good indication of if the job is right for you. You are really looked after and there is a lot of socialising. Generally (9 times out of 10) if you do the internship you will be offered a job at the end of it.” -- Tax, Entry level, Manchester
"KPMG offers internships at the majority of its offices. It is an experience I have thoroughly enjoyed so far and would recommend it to anybody thinking of a career in the finance sector. It gives you a massive feel for what the job would entail, and gives you a good idea if you can see yourself working there before you actually commit to any position.” -- Audit, Intern, Manchester
"I did an internship in Transaction Services before applying for a graduate place in Corporate Finance. It was amazing to have a job lined up before starting my final year at university. I was treated like a 'real employee' and got to work on high profile deals which were on the front page of the FT. Everyone was really friendly and answered questions, and it was a brilliant way of finding out if this was the career and the company for me. An internship is not essential for getting a job at KPMG but it is a brilliant opportunity, I learned a huge amount and it lined up a job earlier than everyone else which was invaluable!” -- Entry level, Edinburgh