30 EY Interview Questions & Answers
Table of Contents
- 1. Adaptability Questions
- 2. Behavioral Questions
- 3. Career Goals Questions
- 4. Communication Questions
- 5. Competency Questions
- 6. Discovery Questions
- 7. Experience Questions
- 8. Leadership Questions
- 9. Motivation Questions
- 10. Problem Solving Questions
- 11. Scenario Based Questions
- 12. Stress Questions
- 13. Teamwork Questions
- 14. Trust Questions
Adaptability
1. What software programs do you use in your current work and how adaptable would you say that you are in learning and using new programs?
How to Answer
As a software engineer or data analyst for EY, you will likely have deep experience using various tools that make you more proficient in your work. Dig into your past experiences and speak openly about the different industry-relevant analysis and design tools you've used. Above all, make sure that your interviewer understands that you are proficient in using these tools and are open to learning new tools.
EY is looking for enthusiastic leaders who are open to learning alongside the industry. Even if you don't consider yourself a software expert, emphasize your willingness to learn and master new skills. If you're already connected with any data scientists at EY, it would be helpful to speak with them about the tools they use most frequently on the job before the interview. Bring up those specific tools to your interviewer to highlight your preparation and motivation to succeed at EY.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role as a senior analyst at (XYZ) firm, I use Microsoft Excel, Capital IQ, SAP, and various BI tools daily. In addition, I'm currently learning Python. I consider myself proficient in all of these tools and am especially quick in Microsoft Excel, which, from my understanding, is used frequently in this role at EY. I'm a quick learner, too, and am open to learning any new tools that are unique to EY to be successful in this role."
2nd Answer Example
"As a computer junkie in my spare time, I have a wide array of experience with many of the different types of financial and risk analysis software. I'm a big fan of the MATLAB program because of its ability to build my own algorithms and customize the data analysis within the program. With my firm recently moving to an Oracle platform, I've become very familiar with Oracle Crystal Ball over the last two years and really like its ability to visualize forecasts."
Adaptability
2. If hired to this role here at EY, what do you see as one initial hurdle you will have to overcome in your first weeks on the job?
How to Answer
Your interviewer wants to know that you will proactively respond to challenges right off the bat. As EY's values describe a work culture of 'people with energy, enthusiasm, and the courage to lead,' demonstrate to your interviewer that you will be a good cultural fit by emphasizing that you approach challenges head-on. Further, your interviewer wants to ensure you have the formal training needed to be successful on the job or if you'll need support to fill in training gaps. Similar to the 'greatest weakness' question, the key to answering this question is to point out a potential challenge and then share your plan for how you will overcome that challenge.
If you can think of one off the top of your head, share with your interviewer an example of when you were confronted with a challenge at a new job and how you responded to this adversity.
1st Answer Example
"Understanding that my role here at EY would have me working with the entire advisory staff, the first hurdle would be getting to know everyone on that team and showcasing the skills that I could bring to their work. From my understanding, I would be working with team members from all over the country, and I foresee it being a possible challenge to build relationships with colleagues and stakeholders without meeting them face-to-face. If hired for the job, I would hope to get involved from day one by setting up virtual meetings with various members of the advisory staff and listening to what the most pressing challenges are for the team at the moment."
Behavioral
3. Describe your approach to learning new skills.
How to Answer
As a global leader in the accounting and consulting field, EY is looking to hire lifelong learners who are open to expanding their skillset. Demonstrate to your interviewer that you are a curious and eager professional who will fit into EY's team culture. Some hiring managers will be willing to hire you even if you don't match all of the requisites in the position description, so long as you demonstrate an eagerness to learn and deep motivation to succeed.
1st Answer Example
"I like to stay at the top of my game with continuous learning opportunities, conferences, mentoring and networking opportunities, and training to stay on top of the latest emerging technology. Learning new skills keeps me engaged and motivated on the job. One of the reasons why I am drawn to EY, in particular, is the emphasis that you have placed on providing great training and growth opportunities for your leaders. I approach learning something new by diving into it completely and asking questions so that I can learn as much as I can."
2nd Answer Example
"I believe that the most critical component of learning new skills is entering with the mindset that mistakes and failure are OK, as they mean that I'm pushing myself to grow outside of my comfort zone. For example, I'm teaching myself to code right now, which has been fun and exciting but also a huge challenge. I carve out time each week to focus on developing this new skill and don't give up when I don't understand something. This new skill has been a huge asset to me in my current position, and I'm looking to expand on it in this role. Can you tell me more about the opportunities that will be available to me for continuous learning here at EY?"
User-Submitted Answer
"One of the important reasons that I am very much inclined to the company, in particular, is the emphasis they give on providing great training and learning opportunities for the latest and emerging technologies. Learning new skills keeps me engaged and motivated in the job. I will love to participate in conferences, and training sessions conducted within the organization. I would be more than happy to leverage the knowledge base platform of the company for video tutorials so that I can understand the subject from scratch. I will also love to leverage my newly learned skill in solving real-time business problems and prefer to get it reviewed by my senior colleagues and subject matter experts."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
It sounds like you enjoy learning and embracing new opportunities to develop and grow, which is awesome. I suggest personalizing this response a little more to show the specific skills and new content that you're hoping to acquire.
Behavioral
4. The day-to-day life at EY can be hectic and stressful at times. If hired for this role, how would you keep yourself motivated when working with stressed colleagues and pushy clients?
How to Answer
Many roles at EY require you to think and act quickly in a fast-paced environment. As a result, you will likely deal with colleagues and clients who are stressed out, overwhelmed, or working under tight deadlines. Your interviewer wants to know that you will be able to work effectively in that kind of environment. Discuss a time when you've thrived in a high-pressure and fast-paced environment like this in the past, highlighting the personality traits that have contributed to your success in these types of situations.
1st Answer Example
"Being a person that thrives in a fast-paced work environment, I'm confident in my ability to handle stressed colleagues and clients. As you can see from my resume, I've spent the last two years in the investment banking industry, where my team handled an enormous workload and worked under incredibly tight deadlines all of the time. Realizing that someone else's stress wasn't directed at me was the key to maintaining personal health and balance on the job. Furthermore, I learned to use tight deadlines as motivation to work as efficiently as possible."
Behavioral
5. Describe a time you made a meaningful contribution to a team.
How to Answer
Your answer to this question should give the interviewer a sense of how you operate in a team and what they can expect your contributions to be. Not only do you want to demonstrate that you're a solid team player who is easy to work with, but you also want to make clear that you get stuff done. No one wants to work with a passive team member who lets their responsibilities fall onto others. Give your interviewer a specific example of a team scenario in which your work made a tangible difference.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, I worked with a team of five on a long-term client project. A problem that I noticed we had run into on previous client projects was that there was often a delay in putting the team's ideas into action. Sometimes, certain initiatives even fell through the cracks completely, which I found frustrating as I wanted to make sure we were delivering the best possible work to the client. For this long-term client project, I prioritized research and input a new project management software that allowed us to track our ideas and put measurable deadlines on them. We had great results and have continued to use this software for each subsequent client project."
Career Goals
6. How have you worked to develop yourself professionally throughout your career?
How to Answer
As a Big Four accounting firm, EY knows that its employees' professional growth is vital to remaining at the forefront of their industry. For this question, your interviewer is looking to ensure that your professional values match the values of EY. Use this question as an opportunity to highlight the many ways that you have taken the initiative to continuously improve professionally. Highlight any continuing education you have completed, any societies or groups you belong to, and publications you read regularly. All of these serve as great examples of your drive to grow professionally.
1st Answer Example
"I am a firm believer in being a lifelong learner in my work as a data analyst. As technology has changed over time, it is critical to keep myself up to date with the latest technological advancements within data. Just in the past year, I've participated in both the Data Fest and Data Summit national conferences. I stay up to date on industry news through an annual subscription to (XYZ) publication. Also, I recently decided to join an online networking group within the industry to learn from my peers about challenges they've encountered and strategies they've developed to overcome them."
Communication
7. Discuss how you approach explaining complex ideas in simple terms.
How to Answer
A crucial part of customer service is ensuring that you can make complex information digestible for your clients. After all, that's why clients hire professionals as the expert! Your interviewer wants to hear that you have developed solid strategies to translate financial or business jargon into easy-to-understand terms for clients whose knowledge is likely less specialized in these areas. In your answer, describe your communication style and, if you can, provide an example of a time you explained a complex idea in simple terms with good results.
Remember, this skill also translates to interpersonal work on a team. Your ability to communicate your ideas clearly and simply impacts how well you work with others.
1st Answer Example
"I strive for a straightforward and concise communication style with clients and colleagues. In my previous work as a financial advisor, I focused on listening to my clients and their most pressing financial needs and goals. I made an effort to echo their language and avoid esoteric ideas that I knew wouldn't be relevant to what they needed to hear. Above all, I ensure that my tone is never patronizing towards clients or colleagues. I often learn something new from those who I work with and place great value on hearing their input."
2nd Answer Example
"To communicate effectively, I strive to convey the essence of an idea in simple terms rather than deep-diving into the details of more technical matters. I've found this to be an important component of humility within the industry. Furthermore, If I'm having trouble explaining a new concept in simple terminology, I've found that it usually means that I have more research to do myself. I place incredible value on continuous learning within the industry via publications, newsletters, podcasts, and conferences. Keeping myself educated allows me to explain complicated ideas in a way that makes sense to people outside of the industry."
User-Submitted Answer
"I would focus on listening to my audience and understanding their needs and goals and then make a straightforward and concise communication so that I can echo their language. I will always prefer to use charts and graphs to give high-level summaries for the convoluted backend details. Also, I will always ensure that I use a very polite and courteous tone and it is never patronizing towards clients."
Written by an Anonymous User
Our Professional Interview Coach
Stephanie Cafaro Reviewed the Above Answer
This is an excellent start! To make your answer even more compelling, I suggest weaving in a specific example. Can you think of a time when you broke down a complex idea simply? What was the situation? What was the outcome? Adding a specific example here will make your answer feel more impactful and memorable.
Communication
8. In this role here at EY, we will rely on you to conduct thorough presentations with clients. How would your rate your overall presentation skills and why would you give yourself that rating?
How to Answer
Solid communication and presentation skills are essential skills for most EY positions and are particularly important for the consulting division. To show your interviewer that you will have what it takes to get hired for this role, discuss your experience delivering meaningful presentations to a group. Emphasize the public speaking skills you've picked up through these experiences.
1st Answer Example
"Hopefully from this interview, you get the sense that I am a people-person by nature. In my current role, I deliver quarterly market snapshot presentations to our shareholders. I was asked to fill this role a few years back by our current director. He noticed that I felt at ease when working closely with clients and leading group training. I've always enjoyed public speaking and hope that if hired for this role with EY, I'd have the opportunity to continue creating and delivering presentations. Can you tell me a little more about the types of presentations required in this role?"
2nd Answer Example
"I pride myself on my ability to communicate clearly and effectively with my colleagues and my clients regularly. Specifically, I've collaborated with my colleagues on various consulting projects as well. As a result, I have gained deep experience in communicating strategic recommendations to other businesses. My high-level presentations are approachable and open. I strive for audience engagement and encourage listeners to ask questions throughout the presentation."
Competency
9. What are the top 3 skills you have acquired in your last role?
How to Answer
You have likely gained many valuable skills in your career, and your interviewer wants to hear about the skills that will be most relevant to a role at EY. Before the interview, make a list of the best skills you have developed in your most recent role. Make sure to include both hard and soft skills, then reflect on which are most relevant to this role and which provide the best examples to share with your interviewer.
1st Answer Example
"In the past few years, I was able to upgrade my education while still working full-time. The biggest skill I gained was my ability to multi-task as I worked the dual role of employee and student. I worked incredibly hard to balance these responsibilities and would bring this motivation to the role of an analyst. I also pride myself on my curiosity. Expanding the breadth of my knowledge is important to me, and I did that academically. My curiosity itself is a motivator for me, and my attitude toward learning keeps me humble and hungry. As for a third skill, I would say that I'm personable. I've always been a people person and work well with others. At my current job, I work with a team of six people. We've developed a top-notch strategy for communicating and divvying up tasks."
2nd Answer Example
"There are many skills I gained in my most recent position as I had a great training program and my boss was a strong mentor. If I had to choose three top skills, I would say that the biggest ones were effective multitasking, solid closing skills, and cold calling abilities."
Discovery
10. Tell me about a time you faced uncertainty. How did you handle it?
How to Answer
Ambiguity is an inevitable part of most jobs. Your interviewer wants to know that you are comfortable with uncertainty and can use solid logical reasoning skills to find the best path forward. While some employers are OK with answering every little question you might have, know that most places don't want to have to hold your hand through every project. Using a past experience as an example, demonstrate your ability to run with a situation even if you don't have each piece of the puzzle.
1st Answer Example
"I think that uncertainty keeps the job exciting, so I can assure you I'm comfortable not having every piece of information. Working for a tech startup a few years ago, each day presented new challenges and uncertainties that we had to tackle. Our first time onboarding a new client was particularly challenging, as we didn't already have precedents in place. I handled this uncertainty through diligent preparation in the weeks leading up to our kick-off call. I did extensive research on the client, made sure I was comfortable with our project management tools, and created various contingency plans. Overall, onboarding went great, and we developed a close relationship with this client filled with productive work together. Even though they were our first client and we had no blueprint to follow, I approached the situation by listening closely to the clients' pain points and developing subsequent deliverables to address each one."
2nd Answer Example
"As I'm sure you and your team are well aware, last year was a particularly volatile one for the market. As a result, I dealt with uncertainty daily. Over time, I became quite comfortable with this uncertainty and communicated it effectively to my clients. I found that regular communication and well-thought-out plans for varying scenarios were the best way to deal with uncertainty. Further, I became comfortable with changing the course of action at a moment's notice depending on a client's risk tolerance and financial goals."
Experience
11. Among the common issues that are faced by data analysts in their work, which one or two problems do you feel really challenge analysts in the financial industry?
How to Answer
While the challenges faced by data analysts make for a long, generalized list, this question allows your interviewer to see your critical thinking skills within the financial services field. While there isn't necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question, make sure you can speak intelligently about your answer and provide ways to meet the challenges in your work with EY.
Staying up to date on the industry will be most helpful in being ready to tackle this question. That might mean reading a trusted news source that focuses on data, tech, and/or financial services for at least 15-20 minutes a day.
1st Answer Example
"From my two years of experience as a data analyst in the financial industry, the most common issues had to do with overlapping data and duplicate entries. But I've found the biggest hurdle to be the collection and implementation of real-time data. With markets continually changing, I've had to be diligent about updating reports for my advisors that I work closely with because what's valid one day may be out-of-date the next."
2nd Answer Example
"Having some very close contacts that are already working in the financial field in data analysis, I understand that manual data tracking can be a pain point due solely to the time needed for completion. Being highly educated in automated processes and utilizing machine-learning in other industries, I think the knowledge I could bring to the team here at EY would really help advance your data analysis practices within my first six months on the job."
Experience
12. In your experience as a Financial Analyst, what do you feel is the best metric to gauge a company's future stock performance?
How to Answer
As a financial analyst with EY, clients will rely on you to provide the best risk and reward opportunities to have the most successful investments. While there are many great metrics to use and no right answer for this question, your interviewer will be looking to hear that you are confident speaking technically about the industry and gauging future stock performance. The confidence that you project to your interviewer will carry over to your work with clients, and your interviewer will be keying in on this aspect of your answer.
1st Answer Example
"While there are many excellent metrics to consider for the future of a stock performance, the one that I weigh the most heavily is the price-earnings to growth ratio. I prefer the PEG ratio because it considers the expected growth rate where simple P/E calculation doesn't consider that. This calculation is specifically great when looking at a wide array of companies within an industry to level their playing field."
2nd Answer Example
"Having worked with various metrics like free cash flow, payout ratio, debt-to-equity, and price-to-sales, I've learned that all can be quite useful depending on the situation. In a recent economic downturn like we've had recently, I've relied heavily on the debt-to-equity measurement to measure future performance. As we've seen with many large retailers recently, a simple look into their debt would've shown the potential for disaster in their stock."
Experience
13. Here at EY, we strive for continuous delivery and continuous deployment with our software. Are you familiar with these processes in your current work?
How to Answer
In the industries in which EY operates, updates to the software are vital to end-users to stay at the forefront of their business. To ensure that updates happen as quickly and smoothly as possible, EY utilizes continuous delivery and continuous deployment for their customers. For this question, discuss what you know about these processes as a software architect, why they are important, and what experience you have with them.
Note that this question is most relevant to those applying to tech or engineering positions within EY.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, we utilize a 100% continuous deployment process with our end users when we roll out new changes to existing software. We use automated testing in our process to validate that code changes are correct and able to be deployed without issue. Once validated, changes are automatically rolled out to our end users. Having once been reliant on a continuous delivery system, I am very appreciative of working in an environment which uses continuous deployment as it negates any need for human intervention in the rollout."
2nd Answer Example
"In my current position, we've slowly grown from a continuous integration process to a continuous delivery process. I love the automated testing process when we are looking at rolling out new changes to existing software, and my role as the architect for our projects puts me in the driver's seat for sending out these changes. If hired for this role here at EY, I'd be very intrigued to learn more about the continuous deployment practices you already have in place."
Experience
14. Are you familiar with KYC and how it impacts our business at EY?
How to Answer
Prior to your interview, it is important to know and understand KYC principles if your role involves working with banking and capital markets clients. To start, KYC stands for Know Your Customer and refers to the steps taken by financial institutions to establish customer identity and understand the nature of the customer's activity to further assess money laundering risks with that customer. In your answer, highlight the important elements of a KYC program, like customer identification and ongoing monitoring. Overall, make sure your interviewer knows that you've done your homework on EY's KYC Program. While not all roles with EY will deal with KYC directly, the overall premise is an important concept to know within the financial services industry.
1st Answer Example
"Over the recent years, my work as a financial advisor has moved towards greater online work, and as a result, I'm careful to take steps in customer identification. Even though I regularly interact with my clients, I must have clients confirm personal information over the phone before discussing details with them. This personal info can include full names, date of birth, address, and social security number. Because money laundering and identity theft have become so prevalent in the past ten years, I take these important steps in my work very seriously."
2nd Answer Example
"I'm familiar with the Know Your Customer ethical guidelines in financial advising and have received extensive formal training surrounding it. When opening new accounts for clients and maintaining them down the road, it's essential to keep records of facts on each customer and know if any other people have the authority to act on the customer's behalf regarding their finances, per KYC Rule 2090. I love the fact that the KYC standards have helped build robust client profiles within our systems, allowing me and my team to better serve our clients."
Leadership
15. Tell me about a time you stepped up as a leader.
How to Answer
In this question, your interviewer is looking to hear that you can point to a specific example that demonstrates your solid leadership skills. Before the interviewer, brainstorm times in the past where you did more than what was expected of you to contribute to the overall success of a project. You'll get bonus points from the interviewer if you can tie this example back to the leadership qualities you'll bring to the role you're interviewing for.
1st Answer Example
"A few months into my current position, my boss tasked me with managing a team of three interns. As we were piloting a new intern program, we did not yet have any experience coordinating a team of interns. As a result, I started from ground zero to design the intern program and lead this team through a nine-week program. I diligently planned each week of the program so that each intern would have a fantastic professional development experience. I checked in on their progress with twice-weekly check-in meetings with each intern. At the end of the program, the interns rated their job satisfaction at a 9.5/10. Through this experience, I learned that I love leading a team of people and mentoring more junior employees. I would hope to work up to a managerial position here at EY with time."
Leadership
16. Here at EY, we are expecting someone with strong leadership skills to take this role. How would you describe your management style?
How to Answer
You can expect to get at least one question about your leadership abilities during your interview. Prior to your interview, reflect on your leadership style and skills you have developed over the years. Regardless of which role you're applying to, your interviewer wants to hear that you have taken on leadership responsibilities in previous roles and have the capacity to grow with EY. Your answer can touch on how these traits would fit into EY's mission, emphasizing growth and embracing change.
1st Answer Example
"My overall management style centers on building a positive team atmosphere. I'm a firm believer that each person and role brings a specific skill set to the overall goals and purpose of a team. As such, I promote a team-based atmosphere by clarifying everyone's role on the team, keeping every person's objectives clear, rewarding great performers on the team, and holding people accountable for their actions. If hired for this role at EY, you can be assured that I would bring this team-focused leadership style to the table for each project."
2nd Answer Example
"I think flexibility is crucial for a leader, being able to change the plan of attack as new variables arise. And I think it is vital to foster professional growth within my team. By knowing my team's strengths and being clear about our goals, we always meet our objectives."
Motivation
17. Why do you want to work for EY?
How to Answer
You can expect to get some form of this question during the interview. The key to giving a smooth, meaningful response is to prepare what you want to focus on in your answer beforehand. Jot down the top three reasons why you want a career at EY, focusing on your personal and professional goals and why your skillset makes you a perfect fit. Make sure your answer isn't just about what EY can do for you; rather, ensure you also emphasize why your experiences and skills make you a valuable asset to EY.
1st Answer Example
"I've had my eye on this role with EY for a long time, and I'm at a point in my career where I've built up a skill set in management consulting and emerging technology that aligns well with XYZ team. What's most important to me is that my professional and personal values align with EY's mission of building a better working world. I feel confident that I would be a solid addition to the team and would feel honored to pursue what is without a doubt my dream career here at EY."
Problem Solving
18. If you noticed that a company's balance sheet was showing increased amounts of accounts receivables, what future impacts to that company would you consider to be feasible?
How to Answer
At the root of this question, your interview will be looking to hear that you understand how the different lines on a company's balance sheet are related to each other. In your answer, be sure to point out your understanding of this as your job as an accountant with Ernst and Young will rely on your ability to do so.
Note that this question is most relevant for those applying to work in the EY accounting division.
1st Answer Example
"An organization's lines on a balance sheet all have an impact on other lines. If I were made aware of an increase in accounts receivable for an organization, I would note that cash flow could be directly impacted and give a higher chance that the organization didn't have enough money to operate. As well, the reduced value of assets is a real possibility for that organization."
2nd Answer Example
"In reality, an increase in amounts receivable can have both a positive and negative impact. In the short term, accounts receivables show up as current-period revenue and positively affect income statements. But over the long-term, a large increase in amounts receivable harms cash-flow for the company."
Problem Solving
19. Describe a time you had to deal with adversity while in a leadership position.
How to Answer
It's not easy serving in a leadership position, and EY wants to know that you can handle the stress that comes with it. As you brainstorm leadership experiences that you can point to during your interview, include challenges that you faced along the way. These challenges might have to do with pushback you received from colleagues, having to deliver unpopular news, or something completely different. Above all, demonstrate tolerance for adversity and emphasize the strategies you've developed to push through challenging situations while serving as a leader.
1st Answer Example
"A while back, I managed a team of ten individuals within our client services department. I learned quickly that there was quite a bit of animosity on the team, particularly between two team members who did not get along. This made it quite difficult to make progress on projects and also made for a hostile team environment. While this was a tough team to lead, I handled this challenge by meeting more regularly with each team member. As a leader, I place a high value on open communication, so I directly asked team members about the root causes of the various conflicts. From there, we developed strategies that sought to fix these challenges. Further, I strategically created smaller teams within the overall team for particular projects to ensure that team members worked in a pleasant environment suited to their professional strengths. After a few months, the team was running much more smoothly and with far less conflict."
Scenario Based
20. In working with financial data here at EY, what are the steps you would take in the data validation process?
How to Answer
Carefully interpreting financial data and ensuring its validity will be at the heart of what you do as an analyst or auditor at EY. Bad data in the financial industry can have a costly impact, and your job will be to ensure that doesn't happen. To answer this question, discuss the importance of data validation and your method for data screening and verification as part of the validation process. Include any programs that you have experience working with during the validation process.
1st Answer Example
"With any large analysis project that involves data validation, my first step is to create a detailed plan that defines the data to be validated and outlines the remaining steps. Next, I validate the information in the database and format the data. Finally, I'll take a small sample to make sure it meets the requirements of the project. I consider myself proficient in QuerySurge and Datameer but remain open to learning new programs here at EY. If given the opportunity, I'm excited to further hone my data validation skills by learning from the best in the industry."
2nd Answer Example
"Here at EY, your Financial Advisors rely on the most accurate and up-to-date data to present to clients, and I would take great pride in my job as a Data Analyst to provide the best data possible. To validate data, the two important steps I would take are data screening and data verification. I am very confident in working with algorithms that screen large sets of data for their accuracy. On top of that, I have worked with a few of the different data verification programs like Experian and Sage Intacct."
Scenario Based
21. What factors would you consider part as part of an organization's long-term liability?
How to Answer
First and foremost, make sure that you can define a long-term liability as obligations that are due beyond one year and will be paid off well into the future. Then, consider major factors like bonds, mortgages, leases, and other items that factor into an organization's long-term liability. Last, explain why the measurement of long-term liabilities is an important factor in considering the overall financial health of an organization.
Note that this question won't be relevant for all EY roles and is geared at those applying to roles within consulting or strategy. Regardless, questions like this will allow you to demonstrate your business acumen and education to your interviewer.
1st Answer Example
"While long-term liabilities aren't an immediate issue on a company's working capital, they can become an issue if long-term liabilities pile up too high for some organizations. While often overlooked, items like mortgages, fleet vehicle loans, and annuities can add up over time and are always items that I consider when looking at the overall health of an organization."
2nd Answer Example
"Long-term liabilities are an important component for measuring a firm's financial leverage. I always calculate a firm's ratio of long-term debt to assets and a ratio of long-term debt to current liabilities to get an assessment of a firm's overall financial health. Examples of long-term liabilities that I look at are long-term bonds, of course, as well as long-term loans, capital leases, and any credit line that's greater than one year."
Scenario Based
22. Tell me about a time where you had to analyze information in order to make a recommendation.
How to Answer
Your interviewer is looking to get a sense of the analytical and problem-solving skills you've developed in past roles and how you would apply these skills to a new role at EY. In your answer, focus on describing your attention to detail and sharp focus on data and statistics. Include an example that demonstrates your thought process when drawing conclusions from information. Give as much insight into your process to show you are capable of taking an analytical approach to problem-solving.
1st Answer Example
"I worked for a financial advisory firm last year and had a client who was looking for investment recommendations. I gathered data on the stocks they were interested in, sorting through trends and historical data to determine the most promising returns. Using in-house software, I plugged in various variables related to the client's age, target retirement, and risk tolerance, among others. I shared the various possible outcomes with my client, which allowed me to make a well-informed recommendation about the best stock options to meet his financial goals."
Scenario Based
23. How would you define what working capital is for a company and what does its measurement mean?
How to Answer
In certain consulting and strategy roles with EY, you may be asked to help measure the working capital of organizations. In the definition you provide to your interviewer, ensure that you give them at least the basic definition of the calculation: current assets minus current liabilities. Then, talk about real situations in which you've used the measurement to make critical decisions in your past work. This will confirm with your interviewer that you have the ability to use the measurement in this job.
1st Answer Example
"In my current role, we measure working capital to gauge the ability of a company to pay off its debts quickly. In working with various industries, from retail to the public sector, determining a company's ability to do so based on calculation can differ greatly from industry to industry. To calculate, a range of line items from the company are used to take their current assets minus their current liabilities. In the retail industry, seasonal spikes in business create the need for much higher working capital, and if hired for this role, I have a great understanding of each industry's specific needs."
2nd Answer Example
"In a broad sense, working capital is found by subtracting an organization's current liabilities from their current assets. In my current role, I utilize a more focused calculation of adding accounts receivable plus inventory and then subtracting accounts payable. The more focused calculation gives a better idea of total working capital for organizations when trying to get a better overall picture of their health and efficiency when projecting out towards the future."
Scenario Based
24. As we work with clients on assessing potentials mergers and/or acquisitions, valuation is an important skill to possess. How would you go about placing a value on an organization for a client?
How to Answer
As you look to join the ranks at EY, this question allows your interviewer to see the depth of your technical skills and previous experience. For your answer, focus on your experience measuring cash flows, revenues, price/earnings ratios, and other factors to value a company. Another aspect to keep in mind when answering this question is the most common methods for valuing a particular industry. Be sure to tell your interviewer that the method you would use will depend on the industry.
1st Answer Example
"First and foremost, my valuation method would be strictly dependent on the business and industry that I was consulting in. The majority of my experience in mergers and acquisitions comes from the manufacturing industry. In manufacturing, I have used the discounted cash flow model to properly value small operations, and an important factor in this method was future forecasting. In each situation that I used this method, my clients saw significant growth and value in their purchases based on the work that I had done."
Stress
25. Think back over your career up to today and tell me about the most difficult day on the job you encountered. What made the day difficult and how did you handle that situation?
How to Answer
We've all had our share of difficult days on the job, and how we handle those days, in particular, can really make or break our success at a company. Think of a particular day that demonstrates your ability to handle adversity professionally without shutting down. An important piece of your answer should be discussing what lessons you learned from that particular day moving forward that you still carry with you to this day.
1st Answer Example
"It's funny that you ask this question because I can honestly say that my worst day on the job happened just a few weeks ago. Upon arriving to work in the morning, I quickly learned that our entire network was down, and we wouldn't be able to work within our CRM or other programs that day. Many of my coworkers were visibly upset and questioning how we would be able to do our jobs that day. Rather than joining the crowd and freaking out about the situation, I huddled our group to discuss solutions to the workday. We had found out that the network likely wouldn't be fully up and running until late afternoon. While some colleagues called it quits and went home, I helped brainstorm how we could keep our phone lines open, and my boss was very grateful for my efforts that day. Looking back, what made this the most difficult for me was seeing how others responded so negatively over an issue that we had no control over."
2nd Answer Example
"Early in my career, I had a day where my entire office came down with the flu, and I was left alone with the receptionist for the day. At first, the receptionist and I went about our business. After being flooded with calls and in-person visits to our office, we connected again to discuss a plan moving forward. We discussed what types of calls she could handle and which ones I would handle, and she triaged from there. I contacted my personal clients I had scheduled that day to reschedule, and we worked well from there. If I couldn't answer a question for a client of one of my colleagues, I ensured they knew that my colleague would follow up as soon as possible. Looking back, I learned that on days where you have to break routine as we did then, that it was important to make a plan as early as possible."
Teamwork
26. We pride ourselves on our interdepartmental teamwork here at EY. If hired for this role, what kind of team player could we expect you to be?
How to Answer
At a Big Four firm like EY, teamwork is one of the main keys to success. You can expect to work closely with an EY team, and many roles will also require you to liaise with other departments. In your answer, highlight themes of building trust, gaining respect, and being professionally prepared as part of a larger team. Don't hesitate to show flexibility in your ability to both lead others and be led by others, and use examples of times that you've done both.
1st Answer Example
"My current colleagues would tell you that I'm knowledgeable in my area of expertise and use this expertise to contribute to the larger team. In addition, I'm able to communicate effectively, take direction from others, and am always willing to help out other teams or divisions when necessary. I understand that I would be working very closely with the Advising staff here at EY, which I assume would involve some degree of interdepartmental coordination. I am eager to learn about new areas outside of my expertise to develop professionally, so I'm looking forward to this collaboration."
2nd Answer Example
"I prefer to work in an environment that promotes teamwork and collegiality. If I were fortunate enough to join the team here, I would love to eventually take on a leadership role on a team. I've learned to delegate work effectively and help train new employees on our mission and their roles in my current project manager position. I can also thrive in a role where I take direction from others."
Teamwork
27. If you joined the team here at EY, how would you build relationships with those that you would be working closely with?
How to Answer
For this question, your interviewer wants to hear that you'll be proactive about getting to know your colleagues and fitting into EY's culture. Use a personal approach to talk about how you have done this in the past and how you would do so if hired for this position. Discuss the importance of relationship-building and how your collaborative approach has helped you as a professional.
1st Answer Example
"From my first day on the job, I would take the time to break the ice with my colleagues by introducing myself and setting up an individual meeting with each person. In the past, I've done these meetings over lunch or in an office where I've had questions prepared for me to get to know the person both personally and professionally. I want to ask my colleagues what they expect from me and what I can expect from them. I've found that these conversations really help to open up doors for working with each other moving forward."
2nd Answer Example
"Being the new person on the job can be a very high-anxiety time for some people, but I love the opportunity to break the ice with my coworkers by making that first contact. I think it's important to get to know each other personally because we spend so much of our lives together in the workplace. Beyond that first ice-breaking conversation, I then focus on developing positive work relationships through demonstrating a consistent work ethic and helping others on my team to show that I am a true team player."
Trust
28. How do you believe your coworkers would describe you?
How to Answer
It's a straightforward question. The interviewer wants to get a better sense of your self-awareness about how others perceive you. Give an honest answer that relates to the work that this role requires.
Here are a few keywords to get you started brainstorming:
- Encouraging
- Caring
- Knowledgeable
- Reliable
- Focused
- Honest
- Assertive
- Tenacious
- Motivated
- Ambitious
- Conscientious
1st Answer Example
"My coworkers have told me that I'm a good listener and easy to collaborate with on projects. I believe that communication is key to success within any work project or relationship, which is why I've honed my listening abilities and assertiveness over the years. Coworkers have also described me as driven and motivated. I tackle projects head-on and set lofty but attainable goals for myself."
Trust
29. What is your greatest weakness?
How to Answer
This common interview question is an opportunity to demonstrate self-insight. Give an honest answer with a real weakness you have been focusing on and what plan you've put into place to work on it. Just make sure the weakness isn't a core competency of the EY job description. If it's an analyst role, revealing 'logical reasoning skills' as a weakness likely won't get you far. Reflect on traits you want to work on, but that won't affect overall job success.
Honesty and self-awareness are key for this question. Interviewers have heard it all and will see through phony attempts to present a trait as a weakness when it's not really a weakness.
1st Answer Example
"I've been working on finding my voice when meeting with upper-level management. While I know the ideas I bring to the table are valuable, I've always been on the more introverted side and struggle to put myself out there, especially when talking to people in positions of authority. So I have been working on feeling more confident when I pitch ideas in these meetings. This has been my primary area of focus for improvement in the last few months, and one of my colleagues even recently commented that he had noticed a difference in the frequency of my contributions."
2nd Answer Example
"I take a lot of pride in the work I do and often struggle to delegate tasks to other members of my team. Even though I trust my coworkers and know what fantastic work they do, I've gotten in the habit of seeing tasks through from start to finish. I got to a point where this was no longer feasible with the new responsibilities I had taken on, so I've been working on feeling more comfortable asking for help from my colleagues when I need it. While this weakness is still a work in progress for me, I've learned how important it is to communicate effectively with and rely on my team."
Trust
30. What is your greatest strength?
How to Answer
Demonstrate your self-awareness by pointing out a strength that you've honed over the years. Ideally, you'll discuss a skill that is directly relevant to the role at EY. Having a tangible example will strengthen your answer.
1st Answer Example
"My colleagues often comment on my communication skills. They appreciate that I'm true to my word and follow up with any questions if I'm not sure about something. I'm not afraid to ask clarifying questions and discuss next steps and deadlines to make sure everyone is on the same page."
2nd Answer Example
"I have been told by previous supervisors that I take the initiative in my work. I proactively work to sort out problems when they arise and work effectively in a team when necessary to fix an issue. During an end-of-year review with my boss last year, she commented on how much she appreciates the initiative and leadership I show when a stressful situation pops up."