KPMG Business Analyst interviews typically run 2–4 rounds: HR screen, technical interview, managerial round, and sometimes a partner conversation. The process spans 4–8 weeks and is notably fit- and communication-focused over deep technical depth.
$84K
Avg. Base Comp
$145K
Avg. Total Comp
3-5
Typical Rounds
4-8 weeks
Process Length
Across the 18 experiences we've collected for this role, one pattern is impossible to ignore: KPMG cares far more about how you communicate than what you technically know. Candidates who received offers consistently described the process as conversational and fit-driven, while those who didn't often underestimated how much the firm was evaluating clarity of thought and genuine motivation. The "why KPMG" question came up in nearly every single account — not as a throwaway opener, but as a real filter. Vague or generic answers seem to end candidacies early here.
The technical bar varies significantly by track. Some candidates faced nothing harder than basic Excel (SUMIF, VLOOKUP territory) and accounting fundamentals like depreciation and the golden rules. Others — particularly those interviewing for advisory or consulting-adjacent BA roles — were asked about DCF, valuation multiples, financial statement analysis, and even SQL and reporting tools. Multiple candidates reported being surprised by how technical things got, especially in later rounds. The Power BI and DAX questions one candidate described suggest that for data-heavy BA roles, hands-on tool proficiency is tested directly, not just mentioned on a resume.
What makes or breaks the KPMG process, in our experience, is the ability to defend your reasoning — not just deliver an answer. The take-home assignment and presentation round one candidate described, where interviewers pushed on why specific choices were made, is a good example of this. The partner-level conversations aren't there to trip you up on technical details; they're checking whether you can hold a structured, mature conversation about your own work. Candidates who prepared crisp project walkthroughs and concrete behavioral examples consistently advanced further than those who relied on general talking points.
Synthetized from 18 candidates reports by our editorial team.
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Real interview reports from people who went through the Kpmg process.
The process moved pretty quickly for me and only had two rounds. The first was with a manager, and it was mostly an introduction-style conversation. I was asked why I wanted to work there and specifically why KPMG, so it felt pretty straightforward and conversational. The second round was with a lead, and it covered a lot of the same ground, but the interviewer pushed a bit more on how I think and how I communicate. That was the part that mattered most, since it wasn’t really about tricky technical knowledge so much as how clearly I could explain myself and my approach.
I also had a simple timed Excel task, which was probably the most concrete part of the interview. It wasn’t difficult, but they did expect me to know basic spreadsheet functions and work quickly. In my case, I had to use SUMIF, so I’d definitely recommend being comfortable with common Excel formulas before going in. Outside of that, they asked the usual questions about myself, my strengths and weaknesses, my academics, and what value I could bring to the team. Overall it felt like a fairly standard business analyst interview: light on technical depth, more focused on fit, communication, and practical Excel skills. I ended up getting the offer, and the whole thing was a smooth experience.
Prep tip from this candidate
Be ready to explain clearly why you want KPMG and what value you bring, since both rounds leaned heavily on that. Also practice basic timed Excel formulas like SUMIF so you can move quickly during the task.
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Topics based on recent interview experiences.
Featured question at Kpmg
Describing a data project and its challenges
| Question | |
|---|---|
| Assumptions of Linear Regression | |
| Late Deliveries | |
| Multicollinearity in Regression | |
| Why Do You Want to Work With Us | |
| Your Strengths and Weaknesses | |
| 2nd Highest Salary | |
| Bagging vs Boosting | |
| Cyclic Detection | |
| Sort Strings | |
| Classification and Regression | |
| Precision and Recall | |
| Forecasting New Year Revenue | |
| Using R Squared | |
| Slow SQL Query | |
| Swap Variables | |
| String Palindromes | |
| Impossibly Iterative Fibonacci | |
| Stakeholder Communication | |
| Simple Explanations | |
| Merchant Acquisition | |
| Data Cleaning Experiences | |
| Electricity Supply | |
| User Journey Analysis | |
| Linear vs Logistic Regression | |
| Empty Neighborhoods | |
| Customer Orders | |
| Cumulative Distribution | |
| Rolling Bank Transactions | |
| Comments Histogram |
Synthesized from candidate reports. Individual experiences may vary.
An initial call with HR or a recruiter to review your CV, confirm your background, and assess your motivation for the role and KPMG specifically. Expect questions about why you want to join KPMG, your salary expectations, and a brief walkthrough of your experience.
Depending on the track, candidates may complete an Excel and finance test, a timed Excel task covering functions like SUMIF, or an English language assessment. Some candidates also encounter a Power BI and DAX assessment at this stage.
Some candidates complete a recorded video interview where they answer prompts such as why they want to work at KPMG, or an essay-writing round to assess communication skills. Each prompt typically allows two attempts.
A structured interview covering domain-relevant fundamentals such as accounting principles, financial statements, IFRS, audit concepts, SQL joins, Power BI, or DCF and valuation multiples depending on the role focus. Candidates may also face a mini case study or market sizing exercise.
Some candidates participate in a group exercise with 3-4 other candidates and 2 interviewers, involving a team discussion followed by a short presentation. This round assesses collaboration, communication, and the ability to contribute without dominating the conversation.
A combined round with a manager or senior manager that covers both technical topics and behavioral questions, including how you handled past projects, your strengths and weaknesses, and situational questions about time management and working under pressure.
A senior-level conversation focused on culture fit, career motivation, and the ability to defend your reasoning and past decisions. Questions are more conversational and may include where you see yourself in five years, your personal values, and a review of your resume.