PwC

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) is one of the world's largest professional services company, formed in 1998 from a merger between Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand.
The firm employs 17,000 people in the UK and has about 800 UK partners.

PwC has four main lines of service:

Approximately 50% of the firm's revenue comes from assurance.

Graduate Available

[Edit] PwC hires approximately 1,200 graduates each year. Areas that students and graduates can apply to join are:

For entry onto a graduate scheme at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a minimum of a 2.1 in any degree specialism is required, for most schemes.

Work permit students can apply to PwC, but places are limited so early application is advised.

Academic Requirements

[Edit] PwC require a 2.1 degree in any subject area.
Applicants also need to meet the minimum number of UCAS points / tariff (A-Levels) for the area they have applied to:

Now see - PwC Interview Questions (PricewaterhouseCoopers).

PwC Audit & Assurance

Audit & Assurance is the largest graduate scheme offered by PwC.

Audit Industry Sectors within PwC

[Edit] Graduates joining at the Associate level have a choice of what industry sector they would like to work in, but must make this choice before joining. The sectors are:
  • I&IM - Insurance & Investment Management
  • B&CM - Banking & Capital Markets
  • TICE-Energy - Technology, Information Communication, Entertainment and Energy
  • CIPS - Consumer Industrial Products and Services

NB. Graduates applying to join the London office will be offered the choice of LTT and LMT instead of TICE and CIPS:

  • LTT - London Top Tier (large companies / FTSE 100)
  • LMT - London Mid Tier (smaller companies / FTSE 250).

In financial services audit and in the hours are usually longer and the work more technical and less varied than in other sectors. When making your choice, you will be committing for the duration of your training contract. It helps to have an idea which sector you would like to join and why prior to your interview.

Training

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The training is for ICAEW ACA. Accounting college is attended full time for period of approximately six weeks at a time. Independent study is required in the evenings and weekends.

Applicant Requirements

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The standard applicant will have a 2.1 in any degree from any university. Intake is approximately 50% finance/business/economics related subjects, and 50% other.

Contract Details

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Your training contract with PwC will be for three years. You will be expected to study in evenings and weekends towards the ACA exams. You are not paid or rewarded for study time at the weekends, however you will attend college and you are paid to do so. Your college fees will also be paid for.

You are required to pass all your exams. The pass mark is 50 or 55% depending on the module. Results between 45% and 54% are permitted one resit, at the expense of the individual. Results below 45% and failed resits will result in immediate dismissal.

Overtime Arrangements

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As part of the contract, you will be required to work overtime on demand. Audit work is seasonal and busy season is usually January - March. You may find yourself working a lot of hours during this period, especially on financial services clients in London.

Travel Requirements

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As most of the work will be performed at clients, you will be required to travel considerably. All your expenses will be reimbursed. For London auditors working in financial services, you may well be required to stay in hotels around the country for weeks at a time, returning only at weekends.

For more information about PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) visit the WikiJob forums.

PwC Internships

There are several different types of internships and placements available at PwC:

  • PwC Insight Internship & International Internship
  • PwC Graduate Placement
  • PwC Business Placement
  • PwC Insight Academy
  • PwC Insight Days

PwC Insight Internship & International Internship

PwC's Insight internship programmes provide high-calibre, penultimate-year undergraduates with an opportunity to experience work and life at PwC, offering an insight into the firm's business and culture. Internships take place over the summer for eight weeks in locations across the UK. Students who take part in the internship successfully may be offered a position to join the firm upon graduation.

PwC also offer a number of opportunities to take part in an International Internship, whereby students will spend part of their internship in the UK and part in an overseas location (for example Spain, Italy, US, Australia, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, Malta, Ireland, China or Hong Kong).

With both of the above programmes early application is encouraged to ensure you secure your first choice location.

PwC offer internships in the following work areas:

PwC Graduate Placement

PwC Graduate Placements provide an opportunity for candidates to spend at least six months in the business, before leaving for a few months to pursue another interest and, assuming all went well during your placement, returning to join PwC in a full-time capacity the following year.

PwC Business Placement

PwC Business Placements are open to students who have a sandwich element to their degree. During a Business Placement you will work alongside graduate trainees and experienced professionals on everyday projects. Business Placements are available in Assurance and Tax.

The 11-month business placements commences in August and September, with opportunities available at PwC offices across the UK. You may also start a six-month placement in February (in London).

Candidates from any degree discipline can apply for placements, but you will need to demonstrate a good academic record and show how you have used your initiative and strong teamwork skills to guarantee a position. You should also have conducted plenty of research into the area of PwC you'd like to join.

PwC Insight Academy

The PwC Insight Academy is a three-day residential training programme designed for first year undergraduates. It is envisaged that those who are successful on the Insight Academy will fast track through to places on PwC Internships or International Internships or Business Placements. You'll need to be a first year undergraduate with 280 UCAS points (or equivalent) to apply.

Insight Days

PwC Insight Days are company "open days" for sixth form students, undergraduate students and graduates to find out more about the company.

For more information about PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) visit the WikiJob forums!

PwC Interview Questions

Graduate Application Process

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(Also see interview questions and answers about PwC interviews on the WikiJob forums)The process for applying to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) is as follows:

Find jobs in accountancy - click here

Application Preparation

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Before starting your application you should also read the PwC wesbite's hints and tips section and company information about the firm's selection process.

PwC Online Application

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The online application form comprises sections on personal information, academic achievement, career motivation, and demonstration of key personality traits such as teamwork.

The application will be referred to in both interviews. Make sure you retain a copy for your records.

Improve your job applications, CV and cover letters - click here

Psychometric Test

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PwC use an online psychometric test to find out more details about each candidate's personality. You can take a practice version of this test here

PwC Application Questions

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Business and Client Service

  • "Please provide us with your understanding of the services offered by the firm and in particular, the work undertaken in your chosen line of service (maximum 150 words)."
  • "PwC is passionate about providing our clients with exceptional services that contribute to their business success. From a business perspective, if you were to join PwC, which organisation would be your ideal client and what services do you think PwC would be providing to enhance the organisation’s continued business success (maximum 150 words)? Please note the organisation does not have to be a current client of PwC."

Tips for answering this question:

This question requires you to demonstrate:
  • An understanding of what makes a good business.
  • An understanding of the services PwC offers to clients and how PwC helps clients improve their performance.

It is better to select a business you are familiar with to answer these questions, such as a high-street store. Online businesses such as Google, Facebook and internet gaming websites make poor examples to use as they are generally less well understood by older generations and their business model is still young and developing. Avoid discussing any technical types of business such as insurance or banking. If possible, select a business that is not a client of PwC as you may be interviewed by someone who knows a lot more about them than you do.

Examples of services PwC could offer to clients might include:

Take a practice course to prepare for difficult interview questions from employers in your industry - click here.

PwC Online Test

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Candidate's will typically be invited to take PwC's online test within two days of their online application.

The online test is comprised of three parts:

The reasoning tests are designed by SHL.

You will see practice questions before each section enabling you to familiarise yourself with the style of question asked. You will require a calculator, some paper and a pencil.

The diagrammatic reasoning is a short test requiring you to infer solutions using logic. The problems are of a visual nature.

The test is timed so you must apportion time correctly to each question. If you do not understand a question or cannot complete it in time, you should choose one answer and move on. You will not be able to return to previous questions.

‘’’you can perform better at SHL tests with practice - try these SHL simulator questions’’’

First Interview

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(also see general interview advice and competency based questions)

Your first interview will be a competency based interview conducted by a PwC Manager or Senior Manager from the line of service to which you've applied. It will last approximately 45 minutes. The interview will focus specifically on your application form and previous experiences.

During your interview you will be assessed on core competencies PwC has decided are important for all employees to possess. These are:

Interview questions at PwC, just like the rest of the Big 4, are standardised. Graduate candidates are usually asked some of the following interview questions:

  • What do you consider to be your strengths?
  • What are your development areas?
  • Why do you want to leave your present job?
  • How do you structure your time at university ensuring you balance your personal life?
  • Tell me about a difficult experience at work and how you dealt with it.
  • What made you decide to join this Professional Services?
  • What do you know about our business?
  • Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
  • What are your major achievements to date?
  • What do you do in your spare time?
  • Describe how you see the role of a graduate at PwC?
  • What is the biggest mistake you have made? What did you learn from this mistake?
  • Tell me about a time when you have worked in a team? What was your role?
  • Have you applied for any other graduate jobs?
  • How does PwC add value to its clients?
  • How is PwC Assurance divided and in what division would you like to work? (see PwC Audit & Assurance)
  • Tell me what you know about the qualification which you will be studying?
  • Explain when you have been in a situation where you were working towards a deadline and the parameters have been changed? (i.e. you have been asked to deliver something slightly different)

This site gives some advice on tackling these questions. The questions are designed to be open ended and to allow you to talk freely about your achievements and goals.

Take a practice course to prepare for difficult competency based questions in your PwC interviews - click here.

In addition, you may well also be asked competency based questions which force you to demonstrate evidence of past experience relating to PwC's core competencies:
  • Give me 2 examples of when you have worked in a team to achieve a goal. (Teamwork)
  • Give me 2 examples of where you have had to lead a team. (Teamwork)
  • Give me 2 examples of where you have been in a situation of conflict, and explain how you choose to do the right thing.
  • Can you discuss any recent developments which have strongly affected PwC and the accounting industry? (Commercial Awareness)
  • What do you anticipate you will be doing in your first year at PwC?
  • What can you tell me about the (ACA) qualification to which you have applied?
  • What can you tell me about the line of work to which you have applied?
  • What do you think you will be doing in your first year at PwC?
  • Discuss a recent piece of financial news that has been in the press?

You should bear PwC's Global Core competencies in mind during your interviews as this is what you will be mainly tested on. At interview you must be able to give examples of how you have demonstrated these competencies in the past. You will be expected to give responses based on experiences within university years (work, education, extracurricular). School or College experiences are too far in the past.

Overall, the PwC interview will be more of a flowing conversation between interviewer and candidate. Although the interview is competency based, the examples you are asked for may be linked in with your application form or as part of a general discussion about yourself and your achievements. Generally speaking, this makes the interview easier and a more pleasant experience than interviews at other firms.

Take a practice course to prepare for competency based questions in your upcoming job interviews - click here.

Assessment Day

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Numerical & Diagrammatic Test

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The test is designed by SHL. This is a multiple choice test. You will require a calculator, pencil and eraser. These will be provided for you if you do not bring your own. If possible, try to bring a calculator you are familiar with.

The numerical test consists of 20 questions to be answered in 20 minutes. The questions are harder than those on the online test although the format is roughly the same.

The diagrammatic reasoning test consists of 40 questions in 20 minutes.

There will be extreme time pressure. You must apportion your time correctly and move on if you get stuck. Unlike the online test, this test will be extremely challenging, and you should prepare yourself for this. Candidates from a non-mathematical background may struggle with the math part of the test, and you should spend the time attempting the questions you are most likely to get correct.

The diagrammatic questions are also difficult, and will become more difficult as the test progresses.

Practice SHL style tests here.

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It is worthwhile practicing diagrammatic tests beforehand. Pages 7-23 of Professional Level Psychometric Tests book by Sam Al-Jajjoka may prove useful.

Do not be disheartened if you struggle during these tests. PwC hire a great number of people from artistic backgrounds and considers the entire application for every person in perspective.

You should read the information PwC have provided related to these tests prior to the assessment day. It can be found here.

Group Exercise

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There will be between three and six candidates who take part in the group exercise at along with two PwC observers in the room. You will be given some general information about a company and its situation. Additionally each person will receive some extra information particular to them explaining their role at the company. You will have 20 minutes to read the information and then 30 minutes to discuss it with the group. The group exercise requires you to communicate and discuss with other candidates all points of view, and to finally reach a conclusion. There is no presentation element.

You can practice group exercises online here


Make sure everybody speaks, watch time closely, expand on other people's points, and be persuasive. Consider that PwC might want to provide future consulting services to the firm they are advising in the case study.

Partner Interview

[Edit] The PwC partner interview will focus principally on the following competencies:
Typical questions arising from these competencies would be:
  • Why do you want to work for PwC? Why PwC instead of another Big 4 firm?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years time? At PwC, in 5 years you can reasonably expect to finish 'Manager' position and be moving into managing staff and clients on your own.
  • What recent events have affected PwC and the accounting industry? (This would include the Sarbanes-Oxley Act).
  • What factors do you think are important to make a successful business?
  • If you were senior partner at PwC, what would keep you up at night?
  • Give me an example of a business you think is performing well/badly and explain why you think this is so?
  • If you had £1 million, how would you invest it?
  • Tell me about a time when you have had to motivate someone?
  • Tell me when you learnt something new?
  • Tell me about a time when you have to resolve a disagreement diplomatically.
  • What/where do you expected to be in 5 years?
  • If you met the CEO of M&S and were asked for advice from an auditory point of view, what would you say?
  • If you were unsuccessful with PwC what would you do?
  • Give two examples of when you've had to make and stick to a budget

This interview preparation course can help you get on to the graduate scheme at PwC

For further information about the interview questions and assessment process at PwC ask questions in the WikiJob interview discussion forum.

Also see - PwC Working Culture for information about working at PwC or visit the WikiJob forums to ask questions about PwC Interview Questions (PricewaterhouseCoopers).

PwC Working Culture

If you work for PricewaterhouseCoopers, please share your experiences of the company and company working culture on this page.

Holidays

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All employees receive 25 days statuatory holidays per annum. Arrangements for overtime vary depending on line of service. You can also "purchase" up to 5 additional days holiday through the benefits scheme.

Medical Benefit

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All employees receive complimentary private medical cover from AXA PPP. Employees are not required to pay any premium for this benefit, however they cannot exchange it for cash. Like all benefits, the employee must pay income tax on the benefit premium. This cover may be extended to family members, but at a price.

Company Car

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All transport to and from clients is paid for by the firm, regardless of the mode of transport used, but only in excess of your time traveling to client sites. Company cars are available to graduates on a lease basis, where a monthly lease is paid by the graduate to PwC's car leasing service. This includes all maintenance, parts, and insurance for any qualified driver. The only further cost to the employee is petrol. All miles driven in the course of business are reimbursed.

A wide variety of cars are available, including a Fiesta 1.0 and Mazda MX5.

Graduate Loans

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PwC provide an optional interest free loan to new graduates, arranged through HSBC or Natwest subject to approval by banks. The loan is repayable out of salary over 4 years, starting after 6 months. On leaving the firm, the balance becomes immediately payable.

Season Ticket Loans

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All PwC staff are entitled to an interest free loan of up to £3,000 per annum to purchase season travel tickets, for the purpose of commuting to work.

Cycle to Work Scheme

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PwC staff can obtain an interest free loan to cover the purchase of cycle equipment, where the employee agrees to use the equipment for the purpose of commuting.

PwC's Work in the Community

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PwC regards its social corporate responsibility with the highest regard. PwC has many schemes focussed on helping the community. Numerous social programs are promoted and are open to employees, ranging from tutoring, mentoring, teaching to fund raising.

PwC Pantomime

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Each year, PwC employees participate in a pantomime for the benefit of the children in the London area. Ace provides free tickets and transportation for the visiting children, and each year some 7000 children will come and see the show. The show is held in a West End theatre. There are opportunities for staff to become involved in all aspects of the production, including acting, directing, music, backstage and organisation.

Schools Mentoring

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Employees can participate in the firm's school mentoring program. This involves spending 1/2 a day a month mentoring students in schools in the London area. This may involve discussing career issues, business ideas, or helping to teach maths.

Carbon Footprint

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Although PwC's impact on the environment is small, it contributes annually to offset its carbon footprint. PwC encourages recycling of paper and plastic cups for all its employees.

Find out more by asking questions about PricewaterhouseCoopers on the WikiJob messageboard.