KPMG interview questions, and the process
KPMG US gives selected student applicants two live video interviews with business leaders, and most offer decisions come within two weeks. Prepare stories for its five values: integrity, excellence, courage, together and for better.
Updated
- Two live video interviews. With KPMG business leaders, after a short online application.
- Two applications at most. KPMG limits you to two active applications, and one interview track at a time.
- Five values. Integrity, excellence, courage, together and for better.
- Two weeks. Interview picks and offer decisions each typically take about two weeks.
- Pick your city carefully. Internships convert to full-time jobs in the same location.
What KPMG says it looks for
KPMG US doesn't publish a scorecard. Its careers site names its values and the skills it wants:
Integrity and excellence
We do what is right. We never stop learning and improving.
Courage
We think and act boldly.
Together, for better
We respect each other and draw strength from our differences. We do what matters.
Soft skills, not only technical ones
KPMG says to succeed you need communication, working with others, integrity and enthusiasm, shown through your attitude, interviewing and online presence.
From Why KPMG and KPMG early career.
How KPMG's student process runs
For US early career roles, as KPMG describes it. Details vary by office.
Apply, two video interviews, decision
Step 1
Choose a practice and a city
Audit, Tax, Advisory and more. KPMG strongly recommends applying where you want to build your life and career long term.
Step 2
Apply in about 10 minutes
With a resume and unofficial transcript. KPMG recruits on a rolling basis and limits you to two active applications.
Step 3
Two live video interviews
With business leaders, usually within one to two weeks of being picked. Interview picks typically come within two weeks of applying.
Step 4
Offer or office visit
Most decisions come within two weeks. You hear about an offer, or an invitation to visit an office and meet potential colleagues.
KPMG US does not publish its interview questions or a case format for students. You can't interview for several positions at once.
13 KPMG interview questions
Our own wording, built on KPMG's five values and the practice you apply to. Expect behavioral questions in both video interviews.
One per value5 questions
Each maps to one of the five values on KPMG's careers site.
Tell me about a time you did the right thing when it was the harder choice.
What a strong answer does
Integrity: we do what is right. Name the pressure, the choice and what it cost you. Example answer
Tell me about a time you got better at something through practice and feedback.
What a strong answer does
Excellence: we never stop learning and improving. Show the feedback and what you changed. Example answer
Tell me about a time you spoke up or tried something bold.
What a strong answer does
Courage: we think and act boldly. Say why it was a risk and what happened. Example answer
- “What would you have done if it had failed?”
Tell me about a time you worked with someone very different from you.
What a strong answer does
Together: we respect each other and draw strength from our differences. Show what their view added. Example answer
Tell me about something you did that mattered to other people.
What a strong answer does
For better: we do what matters. Choose an example with a real effect on someone. Example answer
The practice you chose4 questions
KPMG asks you to pick one role of greatest interest. Be ready to say why.
Why Audit (or Tax, or Advisory) at KPMG?
What a strong answer does
Tie the practice's work to a class, internship or project, and to someone at KPMG you spoke to. Example answer
Why this office?
What a strong answer does
KPMG converts interns to full-time roles in the same city. Show you plan to build a career there.
Where are you on the CPA path?
What a strong answer does
For Audit and Tax. New hires may be eligible for KPMG's CPA Incentive Program, so have a plan and a timeline.
Walk me through your resume.
What a strong answer does
Two minutes, ending on why this practice. Know every line well enough to go deeper. Example answer
How you work4 questions
Tell me about a time you had more work than you could finish on time.
What a strong answer does
Busy seasons are real. Show how you chose what came first and who you told. Example answer
Tell me about a time you found a mistake in someone else's work.
What a strong answer does
Check first, raise it with care and fix the process, not only the number. Example answer
Tell me about a time you had to learn something new quickly.
What a strong answer does
Name the skill, how you learned it and how you checked you had it right. Example answer
What questions do you have for us?
What a strong answer does
Ask the business leader about their work or the team. KPMG's office visit is the place for culture questions. Example answer
More to prepare with
Mistakes that cost KPMG candidates
Spreading applications thin
You get two active applications. Use them on the roles you want most.
Picking a city you'll want to leave
KPMG can't guarantee a location change after the internship.
Untested video setup
KPMG asks you to read the tech instructions, test with a friend and keep your device plugged in.
Interviewing from your phone
KPMG suggests a laptop or tablet, to avoid looking like you're on a call with a friend.
How to prepare for KPMG
Built on KPMG's own advice for its video interviews.
Before applying
Pick the practice and city
Use KPMG's degree matcher, and choose the office where you want to stay.
This week
One story per value
Five short stories, one for each of KPMG's values, from school, work or activities.
Before the video
Test the tech
Compatible browser, audio and video checked with a friend, notifications off.
On the day
Look into the camera
Professional clothes, a bright and tidy background, and speak clearly into the camera.
What KPMG offers students
From KPMG US's own early career page.
National Intern TrainingA week at KPMG Lakehouse
Interns spend a week in Lake Nona, Florida, with peers from across the country, and get a KPMG mentor.
KPMG: internshipsCPA Incentive ProgramReview courses and an award
For eligible hires, review courses and qualifying exam fees covered, and a $10,000 award for passing in the first year of employment.
KPMG: CPA supportOffice visitAfter the video interviews
Some candidates are invited to an office to meet potential colleagues before deciding.
KPMG: interview processTwo live interviews, practice them out loud
Soreno's AI interviewer asks behavioral questions one at a time, follows up when an answer goes vague and scores every answer. Free for 7 days.
Questions people ask
What is the KPMG interview process?
For US students: a short online application, then, if selected, two live video interviews with business leaders. After that you hear about an offer or an invitation to visit an office.
What questions does KPMG ask?
KPMG US doesn't publish them. Prepare behavioral stories for its five values and for why your chosen practice and office.
Does KPMG have a case interview?
KPMG US doesn't describe one for its early career process. It describes two live video interviews. Ask your recruiter what your interviews will cover.
How long does KPMG take to decide?
KPMG says interview picks typically come within two weeks of applying, interviews within one to two weeks after that, and most decisions within two weeks of interviewing.
How many KPMG roles can I apply to?
You can have at most two active applications, and you can't interview for several positions at the same time.
What are KPMG's values?
Integrity, excellence, courage, together and for better. KPMG says they guide its people to do what is right, keep learning, act boldly, draw strength from differences and do what matters.