Topace111, thank you for your insight!!

Haha seriously dunno what I want to do in my future. All I know is, I want to do is finish CPA/ICAA/ICAEW. If I start in tax, I don't mind just staying in tax lor...

Frankly, my choice right now is either pwc tax or small/mid-tier firm in audit. I prefer big4 experience actually, unless audit is much much better than tax.

BTW, anyone heard of WMS in pwc? Wondering if anyone knows exactly what they do.

Heyoo! I recently went to Deloitte and PwC's assessment centres and I thought I'll share my experiences that some of you may find helpful.

PwC:

I originally applied for Audit, but I was first sent for International Tax instead because of my Business Law major. But after the interview with the Tax partner I decided that as interesting IT is, I told the partner I'd rather stick with Audit and we both mutually agreed, after which she recommended to the HR that I'm put through to Audit instead.

Anyway, I'm assuming that the test for both are the same since I only had to do it once. It includes an essay, mathematical questions and something else (sue me, it was over a month ago.) Nothing out of the ordinary, pretty easy stuff.

Tax interview was really informative, involved quite a lot of the partner telling me what the division is all about. But then it's quite a small and new team, at that time they only had 8(?) people in the team, and involves a lot more than just tax. Interview was really relaxed and more about getting to know me as a person. I had a blast.

Audit interview was more structured probably due to the time limit; for the Tax interview I was probably the only one interviewed for the day, Audit had five candidates waiting by the time I was done. The interviewer pretty much said, "Why should I choose you over the others outside? Sell yourself to me. I'll give you 10 minutes." This is where I have to warn people, anything you claim on your application will probably be brought up. But if everything you've claimed are true, then it's your time to shine because every positive attribute you will need to back it up with an experience, be it work, extracurricular, hobbies etc.

If you manage to fit yourself into the position you're a pretty safe bet. And oh, just be yourself. At first the interview was really serious, but by the end of it the both of us were laughing about stuff. Also, you may bring up money (I didn't) but it's best if you focus a lot more on training opportunities they have to offer; shows you're thinking long term.

Deloitte:

Testing was pretty much the similar to PwC, except there's no calculator allowed, but it was pretty easy. If you've passed UPSR you can do it in your head. The only difference being that it's focused a lot lot more on grammar and writing in general.

Group assessment was really easy as well, especially since I'd done the exact same thing in high school so I knew what to expect. An advice is to really analyse the situation. It's not about the solution, it's about getting to the solution. Speak up if you have something to contribute but don't dominate. The more sense that comes out of your mouth the more you stand out.

Interview... I never reached the interview stage. It basically goes from testing, group assessment, and if you had done ok in group, but the partners have doubts, you'll get an interview, if you had done really well you'll get an offer straight away.


I received an offer for both firms less than a week after each interview/assessment so I guess there's something there. And for the hopefuls I'll give some idea on what to expect when going through the application process for each firm:

1. PwC: by far the best of them all. My initial enquiries were replied within a day, the staff were really helpful and cheery. Even the receptionist at the lobby was really really friendly. If I had to pick a firm just for their helpfulness PwC would win in a heartbeat.
2. Deloitte: for some reason I had a feeling that they weren't so enthused about new applicants. The receptionists were downright rude at times, and the HR immediately assumed I will accepting their offer. Hell, they didn't even ask if I applied to any other firms. And they asked me the same question three times over a few weeks.
3. KPMG: applied at the same time as the two above over a month ago but only recently received an offer for an interview.

I didn't apply for EY because I keep getting directed to their online application page, but there's no opening, and I just couldn't be bothered to write another cover letter. But for those of you who might be interested I also applied for CIMB's programme. The HR is about on par with Deloitte, except replace "arrogance" with lethargy, but the receptionist is awesome.


I probably didn't go through my experiences as well as I could have and probably left some things out. If anyone has any questions just ask and I'll try to clarify as much as I feel comfortable (no questions about exact essay questions and the such.)

Hi guys. I am going for interview at KPMG on Monday for Audit. I am a fresh grad. I've read most of the posts here already.

So I'm just wondering is it just Verbal and Numerical evaluation and short essay for the assessment? After that Interview?

I am worried about the questions that will be asked during the interview. Do they ask a lot of technical questions or just general to get to know your presentation skills?

Do I need to bring anything specific besides certificates and copies of the certs?

Any idea who will be conducting the interview? Is it just one person or more? HR or the audit department?
Also, if I am lucky that I get this job, will I usually be recruited for the department that interviews me?

Sorry for so many questions. Just want to ace this interview.

This post has been edited by jmcsm: Nov 11 2010, 06:58 PM

Unless they have drastically changed the format, otherwise this should be the standard one (at least that's what I had):

You start off with verbal and numerical tests by Cubiks, then you will be asked to select a topic (usually 2 topics will be given) and write a short essay about it (don't need to write long stories because you will only be given 20minutes if I am not mistaken for that). After that, you will proceed to the interview stage, usually with the audit manager of the department. In my experience, usually Big4s interviewer would be the audit manager/director and quite uncommon for the HR to conduct the interview, except for interns or a very brief preliminary phone interview.

For fresh grad position, depending on the interviewer you get, but usually they won't ask too much on the technical side, in fact none of my interviewers ask on anything technical. They just want to ascertain whether you are fit for the role, heck the first few questions I had last time was 1)Can you work late, 2) Can you work on weekends, 3) Do you have your own transport etc.

And for KP, yes usually you will be in the same department if you do get the job.

Wow. Rude receptionists? Sorry to hear about your poor experience..

Thank you very much for your response.

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Added on November 14, 2010, 4:30 pmAnyone know what companies Audit K handles?

This post has been edited by jmcsm: Nov 14 2010, 04:30 PM

Transmile

Banks mainly, manufacturing companies

Guys,

I am quite indecisive between PWC and EY

Between this 2 , PWC EUMI and EY TCE, any comment or feedback about these 2 departments?

Thanks !

hi guys, I just received a call from pwc for the internship offer on dec 2010 this afternoon, and I was told that some formal document will be sent to my email as I will be require to fill up. However, I still haven't received any mail, and I am just wondering whether it normal for the HR department to take time to send the document to us, or should I call back to enquire?

thankyou:)

They do not necessarily have to e-mail it to you on the spot after putting down the phone. They still have other things to do like contacting the other interns. Give it a couple of days. Or if you really can't wait, there's no harm calling to enquire

oh I see, I am just too nervous for my first job I guess.haha.thankyou:)

I am currently an undergraduate final year student of UTAR in Bachelor of Accounting course. My current CGPA is 3.0above which is 2nd class upper honour degree and i have 1 more paper to go only until this december. I am really interested to get a job in BIG FOUR accounting firms. KPMG in penang did call for interview last month but they replied my that my application was not successful. PWC informed me that i was not shortlisted and they din even call me for interview. EY in penang also replied me by telling me that currently there is no suitable vacancy for me as an audit associate. They will keep my resume until there is a vacancy arise in near future, but i think the chance is very low lar... I really hope that someone can help me by recommending me into any one of the BIG FOUR in penang area. I will appreciate him/her very very much. Any1 who is able to help me pls reply me and i will send him my relevant information or resume. Thanks alot

This post has been edited by frenzydevil: Nov 18 2010, 10:08 PM

hi guys, I need some help here, anyone that know how to go to PWC by public transport??preferably using KTM?

PWC - Plaza 1 Sentral, beside KL Sentral, so take KTM, Monorail, Putra LRT also can reach there

thx u:)
If I taking ktm to kl central, then which direction should I head to the building. I am sorry, that I exactly have no idea, where is the building located. mind to give me more information?

Appreciate a lot:)

well if you come out from the main entrance, you will be able to see the Sooka Sentral food court. If you see it, means you are at the right place.

cross the pedestrian crossing, turn to your right and follow along the walkway, all the way to your end. cross another pedestrian crossing and walla, you've reached 1 Sentral.

a sanity check, when you're almost to the end of the walkway, Maxis's building should be on your left

ps: anything just pm thanatosswiftfire, he's working in PwC

Garfie, Karhoe,

thankyou for the information.
it will be really helpful:)

Guys, I want to ask about working in PWC EUMI, is it true that you that the client is so big that you might say, audit the NCA the entire year round? How to learn something if that's the case?

You'll then learn about NCA