30 Accenture Interview Questions (with Answers)

1.

What is the most challenging client issue you have faced this year? How did you overcome the situation?

When the interviewer can understand your significant client pain points, and how you overcame them, they can see the level of responsibilities you currently have. This question, if responded to correctly, also gives you the opportunity to help the interviewer picture you in their role with Accenture. Walk the interviewer through your client situation, and share with them how you overcame the hurdle with professionalism and poise.

Rachelle's Answer

"I recently had a client who wanted to control every aspect of my work, as opposed to being open to the process. He was very hands-on, which is great; however, not receptive to change. I held a one-on-one meeting with him to discuss the situation head-on. Professionally, I let him know that if he disallowed my process, he would not get the return for which he was seeking. The client apologized for the controlling behavior and, from that point, gave me the room to work that I needed."

Rachelle's Answer

"The most challenging client profile is, for certain, the defensive client. I am sure you know the type. The client who argues everything and refuses to look at the hard data, while bringing emotion into every conversation and process. When this occurs, I firmly yet professionally remind the client that past behavior will yield past results. I ask them to revisit why they hired me, or my firm. Then, I have them recommit to our process before I proceed."

2.

How would you make Accenture more profitable?

You work with your clients to help them scale and see more success and profitability. Now, how would you help Accenture to do the same? The interviewer is not looking for you to reinvent their entire organization; however, they are looking for one or two simple ways they could improve. Perhaps, during your application and interview process, you saw some room for opportunity and growth.

Rachelle's Answer

"I look forward to helping Accenture be more profitable every day. During my application process, I conducted a lot of research on your organization. I noticed one area of opportunity being your social media presence. A strong presence on Instagram, for instance, can draw users to your website, creating more opportunity to educate potential clients."

Rachelle's Answer

"I specialize in workforce optimization, so I always see room for opportunity in that realm. When I applied to Accenture online I saw some areas where the application process could be streamlined, saving time and frustration. I would be happy to walk you through my ideas."

3.

Have you ever supervised or trained junior consultants?

The interviewer would like to know more about the level of leadership responsibility you bring. Discuss if you have formally, or informally trained any other consultants throughout your career. If you have supervised or trained junior consultants, discuss how many, what your process was, and the tools and resources you used. If you have not managed or trained other consultants, that is okay too! Discuss the ways that you encourage and help your fellow employees, even if you do not have a formal leadership role.

Rachelle's Answer

"I have not been asked to train any other consultants in my career formally; however, I do make it a habit of taking our firms' newer consultants under my wing to ensure they are off to a successful start. I will share with them some tools and resources that I find helpful, and remind them that my door is open whenever they have a question. I am very open to formal leadership opportunities should those arise with Accenture."

Rachelle's Answer

"Throughout my career, I have trained over 25 new consultants. And, in my current role, I oversee the activities of 5 junior consultants. Strategic leadership and effective management are strengths of mine that I look forward to bringing to Accenture."

4.

How would you explain the management consulting industry to someone who is unfamiliar?

Management consulting can be one of those career paths where people who meet you say, 'What exactly is it that you do?' It's best if you have a one to two sentence elevator pitch on what management consulting means to you! Having this pitch prepared, and memorized, will assist you in answering those 'What do you do for a living?'questions while also helping you sound confident and clear when discussing your career path. Use this pitch when you tell the interviewer how you explain the management consulting industry to someone who is unfamiliar.

Rachelle's Answer

"Management consulting is best described as a group of people who help business answer tough questions surrounding their operations, strategy, and profits."

Rachelle's Answer

"I explain management consultants as people who help businesses to clarify their operations and strategy. We help businesses of all kinds max out their profitability."

5.

What steps do you take when researching a new market or industry?

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Accenture Interview Questions

What is the most challenging client issue you have faced this year? How did you overcome the situation?

Accenture Interview Questions

What is the most challenging client issue you have faced this year? How did you overcome the situation?

How would you make Accenture more profitable?

Have you ever supervised or trained junior consultants?

How would you explain the management consulting industry to someone who is unfamiliar?

What steps do you take when researching a new market or industry?

How do you manage the lifecycle of your projects, ensuring on-time deliverables, and deadlines?

Do you consider yourself a persuasive person?

How do you react when your team misses a deadline?

What have you done in the last few months to strengthen your professional network?

In consulting, much of your growth will come from feedback on client projects. How do you accept and implement feedback?

Accenture works with clients across many industries. Which of our clients' industries interests you the most?

At Accenture we use leading-edge technology. Which management tools have you used in your career?

In your opinion, what makes you a great problem solver?

In your opinion, why do companies need consultants?

As a management consultant, who is your ideal client?

Who are our clients at Accenture?

How do you keep up to date on the changes in our industry, from regulations to tech?

Who are the biggest competitors of Accenture, and how do we stand out from the rest?

Our best consultants continually grow and learn. What have you done to expand your knowledge in the past three months?

How do you exercise logic?

How do you learn the company culture of a new client, when taking on their project?

How do you prioritize multiple projects when they all seem equally important?

What do you believe is the most important service we offer at Accenture?

What do you think makes a good management consultant?

What will be the greatest challenges faced in this job? How will you overcome these challenges?

What do you believe are the most critical KPIs for a management consulting firm to consider?

What are the components of a successful, and effective, presentation?

How does a career in management consulting fulfill and satisfy you?

How can Accenture motivate you?

Tell me about a time that you had to collaborate with a colleague with whom you did not see eye-to-eye. How did you ensure that you got along well enough to make it a success?