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BDO Stoy Hayward Interview Questions

BDO Stoy Hayward Interview Questions

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(see also BDO Stoy Hayward - application to offer and BDO Stoy Hayward working culture)

Application Process

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The application process for BDO Stoy Hayward consists of:

Online Application Form

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The BDO Stoy Hayward application form consists of three 250 word extended answer questions. Spend time considering your answers; do not use any flowery language or filler, spell check and re-draft as necessary and make sure your answers are direct, intelligent and most important of all, actually answer the questions.

Ask others to check your work. It is worth putting a lot of effort into your application. Even a small mistake at this stage could result in a rejection.

Online Tests

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The online test is the GTIOS psychometric test. The test is by SHL and involves a numerical test and a verbal reasoning test.

Verbal Reasoning

All the passages in the test are business related. There are 30 questions which you have 15 minutes to answer. You will need to work fast to complete the test and you should aim to finish within your allocated time.

Numerical

The numerical test consists of 21 questions with 21 minutes available. The difficulty of each question varies. The tests are not negatively marked; if you're running out of time it is worth guessing answers to questions you have not completed.

TIP: There will be several currency conversion questions within the numerical test. Make sure you prepare for currency conversion, before attempting the test.

First Interview

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Initially there is a 20 minute presentation by a member of human resources about BDO Stoy Hayward and its values. This does not form part of the assessment.

The first interview will then take place. It will last approximately 45 minutes and be with a manager from the line of service to which you have applied. It will begin by informally discussing your application form and any accomplishments and interests you have mentioned.

The second part of the interview will consists of competency based questions.

The competency based questions you are likely to be asked at interview are:

  • Tell me about a time when you took a risk.
  • Tell me about a time when you delegated.
  • Tell me about a time when you compiled a report/project for someone else to look at.
  • Tell me about a time you have had to work in a team.
  • Tell me about a time you have had negative criticism.

You will also be asked:

Assessment Centre

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The BDO Stoy Hayward assessment centre starts at 10am and finishes at about 5pm. There will be between six and twelve people at the assessment centre and your day will consist of:

Warm-Up Exercise

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The day begins with a quick ice-breaker session; all you have to do is talk to one other person in your group and find out their name, what uni they are studying at or studied at, what they are studying/studied, their "claim to fame" and their most embarrassing moment.

Then you have to stand up in front of the group and introduce the person you were speaking to. This is not assessed, but you do need to be confident and articulate. This will be the moment when you create the important first impression to everyone in the group, including your assessors.

Group Exercise

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After the introductions you will be split into two groups. One group will do the group exercise whilst the other does the SHL fast-track exercise.

The same case study is used regardless of area you applying for. A company (a well known high-street cafe chain) is 'failing'; you will be given information about the company and must form a strategy as a team.

There are two different proposals of how to expand/take the business forward and you have to decide on the advantages/disadvantages of each option, make a recommendation and say how BDO could help the client in doing all of this. Make sure you find out about the services BDO offers so you can talk effectively about this.

You will get 10 minutes at the start of the group exercise to read through the information pack yourself and make notes. You then have 50 minutes to discuss things as a group. Make sure you contribute to the discussion and be prepared to back up your opinions and defend your suggestions, if others at first disagree with them. Try to be confident and try to be the candidates in charge of your group's discussion.

SHL Fast Track Exercise

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This test involves six sets of cards. The first set is used as a practice that your assessor will guide you through. Each set is comprised of approximately 10 - 20 cards, each with information on them about different topics. For example the practice set of cards is about insurance groups for motor vehicles. For this set of cards, each individual card has the following details on it: person name, grade, milage, licence type, type of car.

In each set of cards, some cards will have spaces left blank on them and by using the information on the other cards you will have to deduce what the missing information/value is.

You are given 30 - 35 minutes to complete this exercise, but don't expect to finish all of it. As you progress the difficulty of each set of cards test gradually increases. The first test may be relatively straight forward, but later tests may prove difficult.

There is almost nothing you can do to prepare for this kind of aptitude/psychometric test although you can try similar practice SHL tests online.

Lunch

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Following the group exercise and SHL test you will be given an hour for lunch. You will be given the opportunity to meet with and talk to several current trainees. Be sure to ask them any questions you may have. They will not be assessing you and will be able to provide a much more realistic account of working life at BDO than your assessors and HR. Be sure to ask them about what they do on a day-to-day basis. You will be able to use this information during your face-to-face interviews later on in the afternoon.

Individual Presentation

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After lunch you will be asked to prepare a presentation relating to the group exercise you undertook in the morning. You will have an hour to do this. The information you were given in the morning will be given back to you, including any notes you made, to help you prepare. You will also be given a flip chart to write down your key points; make sure you use this, as it is very helpful. Split your time between preparing enough notes to make your presentation (60% of your time) and writing on the flip chart (40% of your time).

After your preparation hour you will give a one-on-one presentation to an assessor from the morning group exercise. You are given 30 minutes to give your presentation, although most people finish far sooner. Aim to speak for around 15 minutes. You will then be asked some general questions by the assessor and then finally for your assessment of how the group exercise went in the morning and what you would do differently if you were to do it again. Remember be constructive; don't criticise anyone directly.

Partner Interview

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The partner interview lasts for around 50 minutes. The style of your interview will depend on your specific interviewer, and can vary from relaxed and laid back, to high pressured and interrogational.

You will be asked about eight competency questions, and questions about why you want to work for BDO Stoy Hayward and why you want to be an accountant.

Your interviewer may ask you to justify yourself and your life choices. If this happens, stay calm and remain confident. Be prepared to defend yourself and your opinions, even if it your interviewer appears dismissive. It may be that you are being tested on your strength of character, determination and ability to argue your opinions convincingly.

Towards the end of the interview you will be given the chance to ask your own questions about BDO Stoy Hayward. You should aim to ask two to three interesting questions, if possible relating to subject matter discussed during your interview.

Now see - BDO Stoy Hayward Working Culture.

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