PKF first interview

This was a very laid back and friendly interview. They pretty much just went over my application form and asked a few questions here and there regarding my answers and my current job. They didn't specifically ask for any competencies either. Just be friendly, positive and let them see your personality.

I've got a first interview with PKF tommorrow morning, just wondering if anyone has anything to add to what Sokas said above? or Ben how did your interview go (if it's been) ?

I had my interview last week and think sokas' advice is exactly right. It was really laid back and just went through my application. I'm not sure how much preparation you can really do for it because I think its about letting your personality shine through. Just go in and be natural and be prepared to elaborate on your application and I think you should be fine. Good luck.
ps. Which office are you applying to?

I'm applying to Edinburgh mate, really liking the look of PKF

My interview went fine and at the end I was told I was going to be put forward to the next round of the application process. The interview lasted about an hour and we went through my application form and I was asked why I decided to go to my university and why I choose my degree subject. I was also asked how I thought the credit crunch would affect PKF and also to name three factors which made a successful business. The rest of the questions were quite predictable and are covered in the competency question section on the wikijob website. I'm not sure whether PKF have set questions they ask you though so it may just depend on the interviewer what you get asked. My interviewer just told me she wanted to get to know me etc. Good luck Chris it should be fine.

I thought my interview went well, guy was really nice actually, only lasted half an hour mind you so if your saying yours was an hour that can't be good for me

Also he never said at the end I was going forward, just said they'll let me know within a week!
What office did you apply to Ben? I'm quite scared now lol

I applied to their bham office. I wouldn't worry about not being told if you were going forward at the interview. I haven't heard back from them since my inteview which was about two weeks ago which is beginning to make me worry lol. I'm sure each office has there own style.

Just heard back from PKF there, been invited to a 2nd interview :D

Apparently it'll consist of a case study about leisure industry, any ideas what that could be about? and a partner interview :S

You heard back yet Ben?

lol no I haven't heard back yet. my interviewer said it might be a while until I heard anything but I'm beginning to worry now :s. Any info on the second interview would be good though. When is your interview Chris?

11th

Like I said there's a case study (any info or tips much appreciated) and a partner interview. You get all the stuff on the day for it though so I have no idea what to do!

hey chris how was your interview? i found out yesterday that my second interviews gona be on the 26th. just wondering if u could giv me any info on the case study. got one on the leisure industry and health clubs which i guess is the same as u had. how was the partner interview? what questions did you get asked etc and how long were u their for. if anyone else has any info that would also be great.

Hi Ben,

Well I had my partner interview yesterday, not sure if it's right or allowed? to tell you what it was but since I'm a nice guy I'll give a rough idea from what I remember

You go in, get 75 mins to prepare case study. It's on liesure industry, a health club chain, you have to basicly give 4 recommendations, make notes etc
Comment on strategy, weaknesses that sort of thing, all the info you need is given in the handbook I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Then the partner will interview you, can't say what your experience will be like because you're applying in B'ham so diff partner. The partner I met was quite nice really, didn't just throw q's at me he actually seemed to discuss things, asked me a belter though, "whats your 3 main weaknesses?" didn't expect that!

So yeah basicly you'll talk about your recommendations, things you've picked up from the case study for about 40 mins, then we went on to talk about me for the remainder of the time. BTW I was in there for 3 hours solid nearly lol, got chatting to him at end about ICAS exams and stuff he scared the life out of me.

Don't worry too much, PKF seem good, more open in interviews than I've heard of others, he'll focus on you to see if he thinks you would fit in to the office and if you have the commitment to pass ICAS or ICAEW exams, so basicly if your worth their investment.

You've got this far, just keep up the same thing and you should be fine, I should hear back in a couple of days

Thanks for writing that up. I've got the online tests to sit, so hopefully I'll be having your experiences quite soon too.

cheers for the info chris. sounds like it went well for you if the partner spent 3 hours talking to you. let me know if they make you an offer. would be good to know what sort of wage they offer. accountancy firms seem very secretive about hot much they pay graduate trainees lol.

That's the thing, I have no idea what the wage is, bottom line I suppose is people will say getting your CA is most important.

Thing is HBOS offer 24k and ICAS, so not sure what to do about that if I get to go to an assessment centre

Not that I'm all about money obv but 24k is a hell of a wage to start on

Well I got the letter through today that I was unsuccessful, don't know why mind you
Going to phone them on Monday and ask for feedback, really gutting tbh

o dear. im sorry to hear that. im suprised considering the partner talked to you for so long. would have thought that indicated you had done well. problem with accountancy graduate jobs is that ther is so much competition for them. on the bright side at least you've had practice at a partner interview so you'll know what to expect in the future and can improve on it. did they give you any feedback? good luck with your hbos application.

I phoned today but the woman dealing with my app said they haven't recieved feedback yet, or it's in the post.
She said she basicly just got an email saying 'reject the following candidates', which is a bit gutting.

Looking on the bright side though it was good experience in interviews, hopefully feedback won't be too bad when I get it back and I can use some of the experience I have gained in future interviews.

It's beginning to look like I'll need to wait until I have my degree

Hi...how did your online tests go? i've got to complete mine too and wondered (if you've taken them already) if there are any exchange rate or inflation questions?Because really dont know how to work these out. Am fine with the rest of it, but dont want to come to do the numerical test for real and get a shock!Please help!!Thank you

Is there anymore information that you could make available...about the case study

hmmm, let's see what I can remember from the day.

After arriving and meeting with the others from the assessment day you get taken to a room to do the online tests. The first test is either a paper based verbal test OR a paper based maths test, this depends on which one is picked from the pile on that day - you have 20 minutes to answer as many of the questions as possible. It is exactly the same style as the one you did online, the only difference is that you do it from a booklet. I would advise you to take a watch/ stopwatch.

After that you move straight on to the case study, I think it was 75 minutes - which I thought would be a long time but I ended up being quite pushed for time. Work quickly but carefully through the material. It's on the leisure industry, you are told that in advance in order to prepare some information to help you...I really don't think that helps much a) because there was very little I could find on the leisure industry b) you don't really have the time to make any information you found relevant c) the information you need is in front of you, you just need to extract it and then expand it.
You have to answer four objectives, strengths, weaknesses, make 4 recommendations and something else, all hand written and you are marked on spelling/punctuation/grammar.

Next you are collected by 2 partners/managers to have an interview - this lasts between 1hour - 1hour 20 depending on who you get. The first half of the interview they ask questions about everything you have just prepared notes on, this was tough. The second half they ask questions about your application form, why pkf, why not the big 4, why the icas, what is the icas etc. The second half was more relaxed.

After that you have a tour of the office and lunch with some of the trainees and the interviewers also came to lunch.

I came out of the interview thinking it had gone terribly but I was called on the way home and recieved an offer. I was told that I was given a hard time on the case study interview because they were trying to catch me out - so don't think it's gone badly just because the questions are tricky. You are obviously able to take a few minutes to think and respond to each question, so don't rush into your answers.

Hiya
I have the second stage of the PKF interview coming up and your information is really useful!!
Just wondered if you could tell me the starting salary? Thanks

The offer I got was £18000 but it would be more for London I imagine. To be honest other accountancy firms do offer more, which is partly why I turned PKF down, but the qualification you get is the most important thing and the wage will go up significantly once qualified.

Thanks really appreciate that info

Hi all,

you guys are probably not reading any of this anymore but i thought i would try my luck.

Ben could you give you experience of the two interviews, as you must have done the right things to be given an offer.

any help is great thanks.

Hi Craig,

My interviews were quite a long time ago now so I'm not really sure if I can add anything I haven't already said above. basically in the first interview my interviewer went through my application form and asked me relatively standard competency questions. for example why I choose my degree subject, why I'm applying to PKF etc. She also asked me to name 3 factors that made a successful business and how the credit crunch would effect PKF. It was quite a relaxed interview, more of a chat to be honest. Just try and show that your life and education has led to you wanting to become an accountant and how it will help you succeed at it.

In the second interview you will have to do a case study activity about a health club. This will entail written responses to some questions and a partner will also ask you questions on it. You get 75 mins to prepare. The partner will also ask you some competency questions. I got asked what work I expected to be doing in my first year. don't try and make out you will be advising clients etc. You will be doing far more basic work than that and training.

Good luck. I hope the info I've given will help.

Thanks Ben thats great, im don't feel as nervous to know its more informal.

i'm not sure how useful this will be as my PKF interviews were a little while ago. but for what it's worth I can confirm the 1st interview was incredibly relaxed, surprisingly so even. There's nothing specific in terms of the questions that I can remember, except for 'what are your weaknesses?' which threw me slightly.

The first part of the second interview is about assessing risks and giving recommendations to a case study. My advice would be to search the internet for an audit file for a plc leisure company (failing that, any company) - a quick look at this will help you prepare for the types of things you should be looking for. Use your common sense as well and stay calm - you should have plenty of time to complete. After this you will have another interview which is very similar to the 1st in terms of style. Be prepared to have some knowledge about ICAS and the study/exams involved.

hey guys i have my PKF first interview next wednesday and its reallly important as Ive been really unlucky so far!!!!!!!!!

is there any additional information that anyone could give me, the posts above have been a great help!!!!!!

its for a january 2010 vacancy

Thanks

Best of luck Monica, i just made an application for January 2010 entry too. Can anyone just confirm to to me that you dont receive an email confirmation about the application submission?

Can I ask what offices you guys have applied to? and did you apply through the bulletin board at PKF careers site?

Just so I know I'm not missing anything!

hey wongus there is no email reply to say that they recieved your application. hope that helps

chris, i applied last october but for some reason they sent me the online tests to do and i never got them so when i finally got round to doing them it they gave me an interview for january 2010 in the Leeds office so im not sure. But they are starting to recruit again soon for next year.

I'd be looking to apply again for Edinburgh or Glasgow, just to double check, is the bulletin board still showing '2009 closed' for most of the offices with you?

it still shows as closed yeh only guilford is open!!! good luck! have u any more to say on the first interview! anything on the second? also which tests did you have to do on second interview?!?!?!?

Not much more to say I don't think, it was a long time ago mind you

But I went through the 2 interviews and never got the job and I'm reapplying, so I definetly have a positive impression of the firm, they were very welcoming and professional (Edinburgh office)

The first interview was very relaxed, more of a chat than other interviews I'd been to, some competency q's but nothing massively out of line with what you may have experienced before.

The partner interview was difficult in terms of getting ready for the case study, just be ready to back up any suggestions you make and be confident when your putitng them across and justifying things. Most likely the partner will know more about the sector than you so don't try to outwit them or anything, just be confident.
In terms of the actual interview again I felt this was very realxed, they're trying to get to know you as a person and if you would fit in and be worth the time and money it takes for them to train you, are you committed and will you pass the exams and stick with them.
Some competency q's obviously, I was asked what are your 3 main weaknesses! Which at the time, I hadn't had much interview experience so it was a bit of a shock lol

I can't remember 100% but I'm sure my partner interview went on for about 1 3/4 hours or something! and I enjoyed it, so I was totally gutted when I got the unsuccessful letter through.

But as I said, I'm going to reapply this year again, most likely for the same office because I was very impressed with the whole process, I never got much feedback mind you...so not sure what I should do differently. Hoping for the best and good luck to you!

Bear in mind my experiences may differ form yours because it's a different office your going for etc, but I'd imagine it'll be similar.

ah thankyou for your help!!!
yeh im really liking the look of PKF!! so fingers crossed!

which tests did you have to sit on the second interview! thats my major weakness

Just the case study, looking over that for about an hour then giving recommendations/discussing with partner, no psychometric tests

o reali they say they will retest the online tests????

Must be that office, you know what to expect then if it's the SHL style ones

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replies and Chris your posts are exceptionally useful for anybody making an application. I applied to London for the 2010 CA placement. I actually received a confirmation today just before 5:00pm in regards to my application yesterday. Also yes, application was made through the bulletin board, where most positions are closed.

good luck hope it goes well for u!
im getiing nervous now

Don't be nervous, but at same time don't be so confident you might come across as cocky/arrogant. I think at the partner interview especially they are looking at you to see if you'll fit into the office, and if they'll be happy sending you out to speak to clients.

Although having said that, throughout my interviews/assessment centres last year I met a few people that I personally didn't see the benefit of, if you know what I mean. Really arrogant types that, personally I wouldn't want to send out to my clients. I think it's made me a bit pessimistic about the whole process, this isn't specific to PKF atall btw, there wasn't an assessment centre for PKF.

Just makes me think after I said my initial point there^, I've personally tried to be down to earth and respectful/polite etc, but I obviously haven't got a grad job yet. Makes me think maybe they are looking for the cocky type? Maybe in some places....who knows!

I hope PKF opens soon though for the rest of us! good luck and you'll be fine

hey guys just found out i got a second interview!!!!!

guys please helpppppp me!!! i really want this job!

Congratulations

If it's anything like my second interview last year then just follow the advice above^

You'll get about an hour to prepare for the case study, they may have changed the topic this year? who knows, but all the info you need will be in the booklet. Just be prepared to make suggestions and stick to them/back them up well.

Don't just say "oh well they could maybe put in a new lift" "why?" "so people dont have to walk...or something..." (I picked that out of the air) (but you get what I mean)

Have concrete reasons behind your suggestions, be confident and upbeat.

The thing I liked about PKF was I got the sense they were interested, actually talking to a person, rather than an HR (no offense) person.

Be ready for some competency Qs but I doubt there will be ALOT, it'll mainly be the partner finding out about you as a person, if you fit etc. Get up to speed on business knowledge, general stuff, whats going on in the world etc

I wish I could follow this advice myself btw lol maybe Id have a job

thanks so much for your help! dont worry ive beeen applying for a year now its very difficult

hi guys

I have a first round interview coming up for a CA placement in the London office. Does anyone have experience of an interview in their London office?

wongus- have you done a first round interview yet?

Thanks guys!

Hey Topcat, I have the same I think... well some lady from PKF phoned me up today but I couldn't speak so she's phoning tomorrow, does this mean she will ask me for an interview?

I just realised CA isn't the same as ACA though and I applied for CA! Is there much difference in getting a Scottish qualification than an "England and Wales" one?

Thanks

Hi James

If you think you did well on your online test, then i think you'll be invited to a first round interview. WIth regards to the difference between ACA and CA, i think the material covered is really similar and both are really respected qualifications!

btw did you apply for a january placement?

Yep I think I did apply for a Jan placement ... hehe , I've done so many that I can't even remember what I applied for and what month :S

It's for London like you as well..

Hey Top Cat, I am yet to have my interview. I got an email today telling me that the interviews are in the final stages for January 2010 start, and whether id would like to go for September instead. Have you had your interview yet?