Consulting & Professional Services
Your practice track for Consulting Associate
at KPMG Philippines
What this interview covers
Interviewers for Consulting Associate roles at KPMG Philippines typically test across 4 areas:
Philippine-specific tips for this role
- ▸ 'Ay naku, may mali dito! Baka si client nanloloko. I-report ko agad sa manager at baka ma-bash tayo.' This panicked, accusatory reaction and Taglish slang demonstrate poor professionalism and judgment, which would damage client relationships.
- ▸ 'Ganito po: Depreciation is the systematic allocation of the depreciable amount of an asset over its useful life. Naintindihan niyo po? Ay, sorry po kung hindi klaro. It is a matching principle to align expense with revenue generation. Basta ganun yun.' This response is jargon-heavy, uses Taglish to ask if they understand but doesn't simplify, and ends with a dismissive 'basta ganun,' which alienates the client.
- ▸ 'Kasi po, maganda po yung company, at saka sikat po siya. Gusto ko po matuto at kumita ng malaki. Sana ma-hire po ako.' This kind of vague, overly apologetic, and money-focused response fails to show genuine understanding of the firm and the role.
- ▸ 'Ah, balance sheet po parang yung assets equal liabilities plus equity. Income statement po revenue less expenses. Yun lang po. Sorry, kabado ako.' This answer shows memorization but no depth or practical application, and the over-apologizing undermines confidence.
- ▸ 'Ay, sorry po. Nag-away po kasi kami kaya hindi natapos agad. Pero okay na po, pinabayaan ko na lang yung isa kasi masyadong magulo.' This reflects poor conflict resolution and lack of ownership, which are red flags in a professional setting.
All 5 questions in this set
Imagine you are part of a consulting team assigned to a new client. You notice a discrepancy in the financial records they provided. Walk me through your steps from the moment you spot the error.
KPMG associates often work with client data that can have errors. This role-play reveals your integrity, attention to detail, problem-solving process, and communication style. They want to see that you can handle sensitive issues with methodical professionalism, not panic or blame.
Describe how you would explain a complex technical accounting rule to a client who has no background in accounting and why your explanation would be effective.
Consulting associates must translate complex information for clients who are not accountants. This tests your ability to communicate clearly, use analogies, and display empathy; essential for client-facing roles where building trust and understanding is key.
Why do you want to work at KPMG in the Philippines specifically?
HR uses this to gauge candidate motivation, cultural fit, and whether they have researched R.G. Manabat & Co. specifically. It filters out applicants who are mass-applying without genuine interest in the firm's unique value proposition in the Philippines.
Can you walk me through the three main financial statements and explain what each tells you about a company's financial health?
Even for a consulting associate role, foundational accounting knowledge is expected, especially in a Big 4 firm. This question tests whether the candidate can think beyond textbook definitions and apply concepts to real business analysis, a daily requirement when working with client financial data.
Tell me about a time you had to work closely with a team to solve a difficult problem under a tight deadline.
KPMG Philippines values collaboration and the ability to perform under pressure, especially during busy season. This question assesses your teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience; key traits for a consulting associate who will be assigned to client engagements with tight deadlines.