Ernst & Young Application Process - Corporate Finance & Advisory (excluding BAS)
Application Process
[Edit] The application process consists of:- Online application form
- Online numerical reasoning & verbal reasoning test
- First interview
- Assessment centre including written numerical reasoning test
- Final Partner Interview
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Online Application Form
[Edit] You will need to submit:- Personal Details
- Career Preferences
- Your Strengths (Competency Questions listed below)
- Academic Results (GCSE, AS/A Level, and Degree including module grades)
- Responsibilities and Work Experience
- What was the last activity you completed that took you out of your comfort zone? (max 150 words)
- Describe a time when you have contributed to motivating a team? (max 150 words)
- Describe how you have applied something that you have learnt to make a practical difference. (max 150 words)
- Describe a situation where you took responsibility without being asked (max 150 words)
- Describe the last time you delivered a task that required sustained effort. (max 150 words)
Online Aptitude Test
[Edit]Applicants who have A-level Mathematics or significant mathematical content in their degree may progress straight to the first interview stage of the application process.
The online numerical & verbal reasoning test is the GTIOS psychometric test. Candidates are required to sit both tests.
Take a practice version of the Ernst & Young psychometric test - click here
Written Numerical Test
[Edit]If you are successful at completing the online application form and test, you will be asked to attend a numerical test in person at an E&Y office. You will be told if you have passed within 2-3 days.
The test is designed by SHL and consists of 35 questions in 30 minutes. The test is multiple choice, in a similar format to the online test, and you have a choice of five possible answers for each question.
You will be required to interpret data from tables and graphs, and typically there are 2-3 questions based upon each table or graph you are given.
It is unlikely you will finish the test, and the questions are challenging. Graduates with a mathematical background are sometimes exempted from the test.
Read more about Ernst & Young interviews on the WikiJob candidate interview forums.
First Interview
[Edit]The E&Y interview is a general interview with some competency based questions and will last approximately 50 minutes. This will be with a manager from the line of service to which you have applied.
Questions that you are likely to be asked in this interview include:- What motivates you?
- Why do you want to join audit/tax/advisory?
- Give an example of a time when you had to go out of your way to help someone.
- Do you need to be an expert at something in order to lead a team?
- Give an example of when you had to change the way you did something in order to solve a problem.
- Do you enjoy hard work
- Do you believe in talent or hard work
- Do you ask for more responsibility
- How do you manage risk
- Would a friend say you are organised?
- Do you plan your week
- Why tax?
- What have you done to follow up/learn about tax?
- Should there be more hours in the day?
- Tell me about your groups of friends?
- Do you talk to different groups of friends differently?
- Is there a company/brand you admire and if you could ask them some questions what would they be?
- Do you enjoy working in a team?
- Have you ever wanted to quit something?
- Have you ever put the needs of a team before your own?
- Have you ever done something differently second time around?
- Have you ever built a relationship with anyone?
- Do you prefer starting or finishing?
- When have you persuaded someone?
- Do you prefer quick action or careful planning?
- How do you know your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why would you be better than other people?
- How would a lecturer describe you?
- Would a friend say you are organised?
Assessment day
[Edit]Generally speaking the assessment days do not take place in busy season (January - March), so most assessment days will be from March onwards.
The assessment day consists of:- Partner interview (60 minutes)
- Report writing exercise (90 minutes)
- Group exercise case study (10-25 minutes)
Psychometric Success offer a printed guide to getting through Assessment Centres which is available to all WikiJob users - click here to download your copy now
Partner Interview
[Edit] The partner interview at E&Y is substantially more competency based than other firms. Expect similar questions that you had to field in your first interview, including:- Why Ernst & Young and not another Big 4 or a smaller firm?
- Why audit/tax/the line of service you have applied?
- What is audit/tax/the line of service you have applied?
- Give me an example of when you motivated someone.
- Give me an example of when you worked in a team.
- Give me an example of when you were a leader.
Report Writing Exercise
[Edit]You will have to sit a report writing session. You will be given information relating to a hotel, which has a subsidiary which it is considering selling. You will be required to think of the advantages and disadvantages of the hotel's divesture, and what services E&Y could provide or obtain through the divesture, should it take place.
The exercise is extremely time pressured. You should spend time planning your argument before you commence writing. You will be writing on paper, so ensure that you use correct grammar and spelling, and that your writing is clear and legible.
Group exercise
[Edit]- The 3 most beneficial advantages of the hotel's divesture
- 3 disadvantages of hotel's divesture
- What other information ought to be considered when examining the hotel's divesture.
You will only have a short time to reach a conclusion, so you must work quickly. The assessors will have no knowledge of the points made within the written exercise, so you are free to reiterate these during the group exercise. You will be assessed on how well you work as a team, and you should seek that everybody makes an equal contribution.
'You can practice group exercises online here’
National Tax Assessment day
[Edit]The tax division has its own assessment day, which differs from other service lines, although the bulk of the day is the same, the case study is not.
The tax assessment day consists of:- Partner interview (60 minutes)
- Case Study exercise (75 minutes)
- Group exercise of case study (30-40 minutes depending on the group size)
- Client preparation meeting (30 minutes with 10 minutes of preparation time)
Case Study Exercise
[Edit]You will have to sit a case study session. You will be given an information pack relating to a magazine publishing company. A partner from EY is due to meet with the CEO of the publishing company and has asked you to brief him on the main points for discussion. You will be required to write bullet points (on a laptop) of areas which you think are important, and questions you think the partner should raise with the client. You then need to identify the top three priorities from your bullet list, and your reasoning. Finally, you need to suggest some other areas in which EY could provide services to this company. You will be required to perform some simple debt to equity calculations, and some "effective tax rate" calculations and comment on them. The pack shows you how to do this, and it is not complicated at all.
A few things to note about the case study:
- Make sure you are very aware of EY's services, particularly within tax. There is mention of changing the way employees are paid, so human capital solutions is a good one to mention (as well as corporate tax planning etc).
- The UK group owns subsidiaries in Denmark and Switzerland, and at the back of the pack there are inland revenue rules VAT collection within EU states. Switzerland is NOT in the EU and so the rules stated do NOT apply to them.
- The UK group has a loan at preferential rates from the parent company. Read the "arm's length" guidelines at the back of your pack carefully, as this applies to this transaction.
Group Exercise
[Edit]The group exercise is based up on the same case study as the first exercise. You will be asked to sit in a group with other candidates and further prepare for the meeting between the partner and the client.
You are told that the three major principles which the partner wishes to discuss in the meeting are
- UK group's expansion
- The tax compliance issues
- The loans that the UK group has taken
You will also be required to discuss any other services within tax that EY could provide.
You will be required to work as a team and discuss the points within these categories.
You will be given a fresh printed copy of your written bullet points that you made during the first exercise. You will NOT be given the initial information pack for this exercise, so make sure you remember key points, or perhaps include them within your written bullet points so you can refer back to them,
The assessors will have no knowledge of the points made within the written exercise, so you are free to reiterate these during the group exercise. You will be assessed on how well you work as a team, and you should seek that everybody makes an equal contribution.
'You can practice group exercises online here’
Client preparation meeting
[Edit]This is a role play event. The partner has not had time to review your written notes, and would like you to brief him before he meets the client tomorrow. This exercise is held with a partner or a senior manager.
You will be paired off with a member from your group discussion and will have 10 minutes with each other to agree on points to raise with the partner. You can draw on the ideas raised within the group discussion. You will also need to propose an agenda for the partner's meeting with the client and suggest objectives for the meeting. Make sure you split the talking equally with your peer.
After the 10 minutes of preparation, the partner will walk in and begin the assessment stage. Be prepared to be questioned throughout - this is not a presentation, but a discussion.
Further Information
[Edit] For further information see:6 September 2010 - 4:46pm
Slickdada
pls I have assessment with E&Y for Advisory in Consulting on wednesday 8th,dats in 2days. pls i need tips, v anyone done d assessment recently? will I do numerical and verbal test again?
PLS HEEEELP
29 September 2010 - 12:09am
sambosambruck
hey slick. Just wondering how your assesment went for advisory? What did you have to do? cheers
16 October 2010 - 6:03pm
me4i
Hello everyone,
I have a 1st interview with E&Y for Advisory in Consulting in 1 week time. Do you have any ide on the type of questions relevant for the september 2011 intake???? I'd kindly appreciate any kind of tips!
Thanks a lot in advance:):) And good luck to everyone!
5 March 2011 - 12:15am
veersays
How long does it take for E&Y after the final interview to get back if they decide to extend you an offer ? I have max 1-2 business days ? Has anyone waited longer ? Also do they sent you a rejection letter ?
29 September 2011 - 8:11am
colakyngo
Hi,
I agreed with you. Any way, your points of view make me thinking about some thing for my project.
Pls try to keep posting. Tks and best regards
Apart from that, you also can ref more resources at: http://freeinterviewquestions.net/free-interview-questions-for-financial-specialist-2
Best rgs
12 October 2011 - 10:00pm
tish21
How long does it usually take for EY to get back to you hearing people are hearing back on same day? Had my interview on monday and not heard back is that a bad sign or is it irrelevant?
12 October 2011 - 10:21pm
ando0819
Does anyone know if the graduate positions for Assurance(London) have been filled?
30 October 2011 - 6:21pm
Fiyin_Faajs
I had my first Interview last week and got a call in less than two hours that I passed.
31 October 2011 - 11:16am
syed2011
4 November 2011 - 2:54pm
felics
can anyone give me the link to EY travel expense.
They seemed to have hid it extremely well
21 November 2011 - 8:30pm
dilly21
Just thought I'd share my ey experience.
The first interview is nothing to worry about - just make sure you have loads of examples to the points on this website.
The assessment centre is fine - make sure you have figures for the project they tell you to research. Just make sure that your present in the conversation without being overbearing.
The partner interview was good. They ask you why you applied, what are your interest, strengths, what do people think of you, how would they describe you.
The whole process is fine - just make sure you know your stuff and are confident in why you're applying and confident in yourself.
Good luck
25 November 2011 - 9:10am
jimbob1
(new)
Assessment day. The format doesn't seem to have changed for a while. There is the company analysis, taking about 6 pages of data and text and turning it into a 2 page document. The group discussion (they seem impressed with figures, and some 'outside the box' qualitative issues) The phone call to Sam, make sure you praise him for certain things, not all negative. Provide him with ideas to help him manage his time.
Finally the tests are on paper, you can take your own calculator.
I got a phone call the next day, asking me to come back for a final partner interview.
Fingers crossed.
26 November 2011 - 12:49pm
EYapplicant
Hey jimbon1 :)
Congratulations and good luck with your final interview :)
I have applied for Direct Tax in EY and I have my first stage interview soon. As you have gone through most of the stages, could you tell me WHEN and HOW do they check the academic results (transcripts and other documentations) ?
Also, if anyone knows:
- how long does it usually take from the first interview to the AC?
- is the final partner interview taking place for everyone successful on the AC (because I've heard of cases where there wasn't any partner interview - just an offer after the AC)?
30 November 2011 - 12:56pm
tax
Jimbob1 I had my assessment centre yesterday, there were 7 of us there and I was the only one for tax....
they said they would call me within 24 hours (i.e. today) to let me know the outcome, currently sat gawping at my phone, what time did they call you do you remember?
and congrats on getting to partner interview, hope i can say the same by the end of the day!
30 November 2011 - 12:57pm
tax
i was told 20minutes after my first interview that id got through to AC, took them around 1 week to book my AC, so around 3 week wait from interview to AC.
yes if your successful at AC you get a partner interview, but not everyone has it on the same day i didn;t it depends if you applied to that same office and if the partner can fit you into their schedule
1 December 2011 - 12:07am
felics
did anyone have an AC on the 29th of Nov in London for EY? I was one of the people that attended that AC and just wanted to know if anyone was successful?
4 December 2011 - 3:08pm
tax
Nope sorry...but I had one the week before in Manchester, got a call back at 7pm the following day to let me know ive been successfull..
did you have your partner interview on the same day? What do they ask? i have it this week!
Did you get through AC?
4 December 2011 - 7:03pm
Fiyin_Faajs
Got AC in London on the 6th for the Graduate Human Capital Tax programme. Anyone else on that day?
5 January 2012 - 4:36am
dbeckham32
Dear All,
I have my first interview coming up for an Assurance role in the Aberdeen office,
Can anyone tell me about any difficult questions asked?
Shall be grateful.
Thanks
Becks!
10 January 2012 - 6:58pm
Krebs
Summer internship offer in assurance (london)
Please pm me if you have any questions as I will be glad to share. The forum was quite useful for me to prepare and only glad to return the favour.
12 January 2012 - 12:16pm
tua022012
I agree with you. Your points of view make me thinking about some thing for my project.
I also find more materials that may be useful for you: http://interviewquestionsandanswers.biz/account-coordinator-interview-questions-and-answers/
Pls try to keep posting. Tks and best regards
15 January 2012 - 11:03am
BAAF
Hey all I have a strengths based interview tomorrow and was wondering if anyone had advice on the best way to prepare for it:)? Thanks
15 January 2012 - 8:02pm
Davo
Hi BAAF, I'd say it would be worth noting down your strengths and weaknesses and thinking of examples where you've used/developed them. The questions that I can remember from the first round were:
- Why EY/department?
- Company you admire and why
- Should there be more hours in the day?
- What makes a good theory/concept?
- How do you build relationships with people?
- Is it better to understand an idea or apply it straight away?
- Time you've put the team's needs before your own
Those are the questions I remember, though there were a lot more that I got asked. Hope that helps!
17 January 2012 - 8:22am
ford
Application form:
Hi all,
I'm about to submit my app form and wanted to ask if anyone could help me with the structure of the strength/competency based questions, as I'm not entirely sure if I've answered them correctly!
I've put an intro-type sentence in the beginning and then given 2-3 examples of what they're asking from different responsibilities etc.
Would be great if anyone could comment, wouldn't want to be rejected at this stage!
Thanks!!
17 January 2012 - 9:49am
BAAF
Hi ford,
I typed mine all into word in bullet point format giving 3 examples for the first two questions, so did not include an intro but I'm sure you could as there's no word constraints on those two.
Then for the 3 strengths based questions I used two examples for each, both bullet pointed without intros so for example for the team question I started with during my summer placement with....I supported the team by...
You sound as if you're on track:)?!
17 January 2012 - 11:02am
ford
Many thanks, BAAF!
In your first paragraph you say "for the first two questions"..I wonder which questions you mean, as I only had the 3 strength based ones but then it's different for different business lines (mine's tax).
Yeah perhaps I should remove the intro from the strength based questions and include more examples instead. I've given 3 examples in the first question and 2 for the rest of the two but I'm thinking yours are probably quite a lot more detailed so perhaps I should add detail and remove the intro..ok maybe it's not that serious! lol
Many thanks again!!
P.S. EDIT: I've just realised my answers are 1000 characters without spaces so looks like I need to re-write my questions anyway! It's strange that the application form let me save my answers though !
17 January 2012 - 1:40pm
BAAF
Sorry the first two questions weren't questions it's just that I have all 5 in a word document. They were the ones that asked you about achievements, where I gave 3 examples and work experience.
Yes I gave two examples for each but they were both quite lengthy. I used word to take a word count. I'm not sure if they're screen checked or would allow you to go say 10% above? I'd advise you give at least two examples as it states 'examples' rather than example.
No worries hope it helped:)!
18 January 2012 - 3:36pm
ford
Many thanks again!
I've got one more question. I know I'm quite late with E&Y, was just about to submit my application but they're no longer accepting submissions to that vacancy :S. I could apply to another role but as I understand they'll probably have the last interviews for it soon as well. I'm thinking if I apply and they fill all positions before I can even get an interview, would they'd transfer my application for next year if I'm successful or just reject it? Because if they reject it, I see no point in sending it in now, as I'll have to wait for 12 months before re-applying.
25 January 2012 - 9:30pm
ecb10tg
Hi guys, Ive got my final partner interview tomoz - wish me luck :)
25 January 2012 - 11:05pm
tax
Good luck!
Just remember to not go in with the impression that you've already got the job, and be calm / confident
and remember to have questions prepared for your partner, why are you interested in x? How did you start your career? etc etc Pretty sure you already know all this tbf
8 February 2012 - 12:27am
ecb10tg
Hi guys, just wanted to let you know i got offered the position in tax. I really enjoyed the whole experience if im honest so thought id share it with you as it was this website which helped me through a fair bit of the process. The questions i was asked didnt differ much here from the real life interview. Teamplayer, leadership etc.
Next was the AC. This intern sam needs your help. So it was a group task. The partner told me my strenghts were team skills, i showed leadership, intinuity, people skills and work ethics. (not sure what the last one is). Basically it was a group task where 5 of us had about 30 mins to plan a mock presentation. Dont over do it on the getting you word it. I was congratulated on my ability to listen and share ideas whilst pushing my own ideas. Next i had the mock phone interview to sam who needs help with his typing. Dont put him down is the key. Be positive, find the cause of his problem and see how you can help him for the future. Next i had to compile 8 page document into a page or 2. Basic uni work really. And send an email to a manager inviting him to a graduate thing. Not sure how here helps, maybe look up how to do emails to VIP if you need help here. Next i had my tests again which apprantly i did really well in. 6 tests. 3 lots of 2. Maths, eng and the shapes one. Bout 4 questions for each lot so about 24 in total.
My partner interview wasnt on the same day. After i found out id passed my ac i was given a day to come down. I prepared by following up more about the role, ey, the economy as of late and the intern itself etc. anyway on the day this was pointless. It was just a 2.5 hour chat about life and each others careers or careers to be in my case. Nothing on the ecnomy or the business. I was asked to focus on the ac a bit and try to remember what went well/poor. Apart from that it was really relaxed and actually enjoyable. I got on well with the partner and even spoke about a nightclub we had both been too.
3 days later i was offered the position and gladly accepted. Just signed my contract yesterday and filled all the paperwork out. Cant wait till summer now. Hope this helps guys, as i say this website helped me so i gave something back :)
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The EY assessment day 2009.
I applied for indirect tax, also at the day were applicants from direct tax and actuarial.
There are so many tasks compared to other assessment days i have been to. To let you know, i was unsuccessful which i thought was a load of BS. The graduate recruitment specialist was unable to give feedback. I thought i struggled on the numeracy test (saville consulting), but I was told i was in the 90%+ quartile so it wasn’t that. When i asked where i failed, he couldn’t tell me. Btw, i have over a year in another big four company. I don’t believe this day to be representative of the office, which they seem to think it is and they really emphasise this point.
Pre work (before assessment day)
• You are told to research 2 hours on the business benefits of investing in employer well-being. This is for the group discussion. When youre actually in the discussion, there will be new information that says the event is actually aimed at graduate recruiters. You then need to decide how to deal with that.
1) Numeracy test – this is formed of 24 questions and there are 3 sections. 1, verbal reasoning. You have 6 minutes to do 8 questions. Then there is the maths section and the logical reasoning section, same format, 6 minutes for 8 questions. My advice is to work fast and read the information quickly and carefully. Know your percentage changes and i also remember one of the questions is what word can replace ‘break-even’, the answer is ‘parity.’ The test is similar to the initial online screening one but harder and i think there is less time given to you too. To clarity, you do the test in 3 sections, 3 x 6minutes, so you don’t overrun from one section to the next.
2) Proof read – you are given a set of draft accounts for Green-move, 5 pages, written by an intern. You need to review and give feedback on this, through a phone call to ‘sam’ the intern, played by one of the assessors. This task is easy, simple spelling and grammar mistakes that you need to look out for such as, director’s report or directors’ report, missing full stops etc. on the front page, they have spelt march wrong. small mistakes like this.
3) Company analysis – the company is called green-move and in the recycling industry, you need to summarise around 5 pages of info into 4 main titles for your fake manager Claire. Company performance, where tarik (FD) is leading the company, the recycling business and also need to draft an email to tarik to invite him to speak at a lunch.
4) Graduate recruitment event planning. You need to plan a graduate recruitment event. There is a lot of info to digest and you need to also choose a marketing option. I chose option c. You need to plan a task list for yourself which needs to state the task itself, the timescale and who would be responsible. Tasks will include marketing material, booking train tickets, speaking to various people involved with recruitment.
5) There is a feedback bit where they ask you a load of questions, feels quite informal but i think it is assessed! you'll get asked, what do you think went well, what is your impression of ey etc... general bs questions, they scribble away so i think it does matter.
there is no partner interview, you'll only get that is you pass the AC. oh yeah, lunch is terrible! sandwiches. not like deloitte where they take you out to strada.
Good luck!