KPMG Analyst Role: Comprehensive Preparation Guide
KPMG is a global professional services network offering audit, tax, and advisory services. To succeed in securing an analyst position, a structured preparation strategy is essential. This guide covers Online Assessments (OA) and Interview Rounds, along with resources and actionable tips to ace each stage of KPMG’s hiring process for analyst roles.
1. Overview of KPMG’s Hiring Process
For an analyst role at KPMG, the typical recruitment process consists of the following stages:
- Online Assessment (OA): Includes aptitude tests, verbal and numerical reasoning, and situational judgment tests (SJT).
- Technical Round: This includes questions related to your field of expertise, primarily focusing on problem-solving, financial modeling, and basic technical questions.
- Case Study/Case Interview: Here, you’ll solve real-world business problems or analyze financial data, showing your thought process and solution strategy.
- HR Round: This evaluates your cultural fit, soft skills, and motivation for joining KPMG.
2. Online Assessment (OA) Preparation
The Online Assessment for KPMG typically focuses on:
- Numerical Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Situational Judgment (SJT)
A. Numerical Reasoning
This section assesses your ability to understand and analyze numerical data presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
- Key Topics:
- Percentages, ratios, fractions
- Profit & loss, interest calculations
- Basic statistics (mean, median, mode)
- Data interpretation from charts and graphs
- Preparation Strategy:
- Practice under timed conditions to enhance speed and accuracy.
- Solve questions that require quick interpretation of data sets, percentages, and comparisons.
- Resources:
- JobTestPrep and AssessmentDay provide practice tests for KPMG-style numerical reasoning questions.
- GMAT Data Sufficiency questions are a good way to practice interpreting and analyzing data in a timed manner.
B. Verbal Reasoning
This section tests your ability to understand written information and evaluate arguments.
- Key Topics:
- Reading comprehension
- True/False/Can’t Say statements based on given text
- Critical reasoning
- Preparation Strategy:
- Read business articles from reputed sources like The Economist or Harvard Business Review to get used to comprehending large chunks of information quickly.
- Focus on identifying the main idea of a passage, assumptions, and logical conclusions.
- Resources:
- VerbalReasoningTest.org offers practice tailored to KPMG’s test style.
- SHL and Cubiks provide practice questions similar to those used by KPMG.
C. Situational Judgment Test (SJT)
In SJTs, you are presented with real-world scenarios and asked how you would behave in each situation.
- Key Focus: Demonstrating KPMG’s core values — Integrity, Excellence, and Courage.
- Preparation Strategy:
- Understand KPMG’s core competencies such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and customer focus.
- When answering, align your responses with KPMG’s values, showing that you can handle difficult decisions ethically and with a client-first mindset.
- Resources:
- Use AssessmentDay’s SJT prep tests.
- Glassdoor and The Balance Careers offer insights into KPMG’s core values and how to reflect them in your responses.
3. Technical Round Preparation
In this round, KPMG will test your technical and analytical skills, focusing on:
A. Financial Knowledge
For an analyst position, especially in advisory or audit roles, expect questions around:
- Financial Ratios: Understand how to calculate and interpret profitability, liquidity, and solvency ratios.
- Financial Statements: Be ready to explain how financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement) are interconnected.
- Example Questions:
- How would you calculate a company’s EBITDA and why is it important?
- What does a debt-to-equity ratio indicate about a company?
B. Problem-Solving & Logical Reasoning
- Analytical questions may involve solving business problems with data.
- Example: “A company’s sales have dropped by 10% in the last quarter. What steps would you take to identify the cause?”
- Resources:
- Corporate Finance Institute (CFI): Offers great financial modeling and technical finance tutorials.
- WallStreetMojo: Provides real-world finance-related questions and cases for practice.
C. Excel & Data Analysis
You might be tested on your proficiency with tools like Excel or Tableau for data analysis:
- Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, financial modeling, and scenario analysis are key areas to review.
- Be prepared to analyze a dataset and draw conclusions.
4. Case Study & Guesstimates Round
This is a key part of KPMG’s selection process, where you demonstrate your ability to analyze and solve real-world business problems.
A. Case Study Preparation
KPMG’s case studies often focus on:
- Business advisory or financial analysis problems.
- Example: “A client is facing a significant drop in market share. How would you help them improve their position?”
- Strategy:
- Structure your answer logically: Problem Identification → Hypothesis → Analysis → Solution.
- Use business frameworks like SWOT Analysis, PESTLE Analysis, or Porter’s Five Forces.
- Quantify your recommendations wherever possible (e.g., “Implementing this strategy could result in a 15% increase in revenue”).
- Practice Resources:
- Victor Cheng’s Case Interview Secrets for understanding frameworks and improving structured thinking.
- PrepLounge or CaseCoach to practice live case interviews.
B. Guesstimates
KPMG may also include guesstimate questions to assess your analytical and logical thinking.
- Approach:
- Break the problem into manageable components.
- Estimate values based on logical assumptions and explain your reasoning clearly.
- Example: “Estimate the number of bank ATMs in London.”
- Start with London’s population, assume a reasonable percentage uses ATMs, and estimate the number of ATMs needed based on usage frequency.
- Practice Resources:
- CaseCoach and Vault offer guesstimate preparation exercises.
- Regular practice with basic questions like estimating market sizes or product sales will help you refine your approach.
5. HR Round (Behavioral & Cultural Fit)
The HR interview at KPMG focuses on your alignment with the company’s values and your motivation for joining.
A. Common Behavioral Questions
KPMG’s HR round will typically include:
- “Tell me about a time you worked on a team project.”
- “Describe a situation where you had to resolve a conflict.”
Use the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses. Emphasize collaboration, ethical decision-making, and leadership.
B. KPMG Values & Competencies
KPMG places significant emphasis on its values:
- Integrity: Be honest in your approach and answers.
- Excellence: Show your commitment to delivering quality work.
- Courage: Demonstrate your ability to take risks and innovate.
Be prepared to discuss how your values align with KPMG’s and give examples that reflect your experience.
C. Questions to Ask the Interviewer
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in KPMG’s work culture and growth opportunities:
- “What growth opportunities does KPMG provide for analysts?”
- “How does KPMG support its employees in maintaining a work-life balance?”
6. Additional Resources and Mock Practice
- Mock Interviews: Use platforms like InterviewBuddy or Pramp for peer-reviewed interview practice.
- Networking: Connect with KPMG employees on LinkedIn to understand the firm’s work culture better and seek advice.
- Practice Platforms:
- JobTestPrep: Great for KPMG-specific test preparation.
- Glassdoor: Provides insights and previous interview questions from KPMG candidates.
- CasePrepZone: Helps with case study and guesstimate practice.
Conclusion
The key to cracking KPMG’s analyst recruitment process is a blend of aptitude mastery, financial acumen, business problem-solving skills, and strong alignment with KPMG’s core values. Prepare thoroughly for each stage, and make sure to practice regularly using mock tests and interviews.
Best of luck on your journey to securing the analyst role at KPMG!