What is a Consultant at Applied Systems?

The Consultant role at Applied Systems is a pivotal position that bridges the gap between complex insurance technology and the business goals of agencies, brokerages, and carriers. Whether you are interviewing for a Business Consultant (Implementation), Solution Consultant (Pre-Sales), or Sales Consultant, your core mission remains the same: to drive digital transformation in the insurance industry. Applied Systems is not just a software provider; it is the backbone of the insurance ecosystem, and as a Consultant, you are the expert guide helping clients navigate this ecosystem to become more profitable and efficient.

In this role, you act as a trusted advisor. You are not simply installing software or reading a script; you are analyzing client needs, configuring workflows in platforms like Applied Epic, or demonstrating the value of AI-driven tools like Cytora. You will work with a diverse range of stakeholders, from technical teams to C-suite executives, ensuring that Applied's solutions—such as Ivans for connectivity or Epic for management—deliver tangible business value.

This position offers a unique blend of industry expertise and technical problem-solving. You will tackle high-impact challenges, such as migrating sensitive accounting data, designing API integrations for carriers, or consulting independent agents on growth strategies. If you are passionate about the intersection of Insurtech and client success, this role places you at the forefront of modernizing a massive global industry.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for Applied Systems requires a shift in mindset. You need to demonstrate that you understand the nuances of the P&C (Property & Casualty) insurance market while showcasing your ability to navigate SaaS platforms.

Key Evaluation Criteria:

Insurance Domain Expertise – You must demonstrate a deep understanding of the insurance lifecycle. Whether your background is in accounting, underwriting, or agency sales, interviewers will assess your familiarity with industry terminology, workflows, and the specific pain points that agencies and carriers face daily.

Consultative Problem Solving – Applied Systems values candidates who listen before they solve. You will be evaluated on your ability to uncover root causes—not just symptoms—and recommend best-practice workflows. Interviewers want to see how you guide clients through change management and complex configuration decisions.

Technical & Product Aptitude – Depending on your specific track, this ranges from general SaaS fluency to deep technical skills. For Solution Consultants, this means fluency with REST APIs and tools like Postman. For Accounting Consultants, it means mastery of general ledgers and financial transitions within Applied Epic.

Communication & Presentation – You will face clients who may be resistant to change or unfamiliar with new technology. You must demonstrate the ability to articulate complex technical concepts simply, build rapport quickly, and manage expectations effectively during high-pressure implementations or sales cycles.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Applied Systems is thorough and designed to test both your industry knowledge and your functional skills. Generally, the process begins with a recruiter screen to verify your background in insurance or SaaS. This is followed by a hiring manager interview that dives into your specific experience with tools like Applied Epic or your history in P&C insurance.

The core of the process usually involves a panel stage or a series of back-to-back interviews. For Consultant roles, you should expect a practical assessment. For Solution Consultants, this often takes the form of a "Demo" or presentation where you must pitch a solution or explain a technical concept. For Business/Implementation Consultants, you may discuss specific scenarios regarding data migration, accounting discrepancies, or workflow configuration. The team is looking for your ability to "think on your feet" and handle client objections gracefully.

Throughout the process, the team will assess your cultural alignment. Applied Systems emphasizes being "indispensable" to teammates and customers. Expect questions about how you collaborate remotely, how you handle conflict, and how you contribute to a culture of continuous learning.

The timeline above illustrates a standard progression. Note that the "Assessment / Presentation" stage is the most critical differentiator; candidates who prepare a tailored, engaging presentation that speaks the language of the insurance industry tend to advance to the final offer stage.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must focus your preparation on the specific demands of the Consultant track you are applying for, while maintaining a strong baseline in general Insurtech concepts.

Insurance Workflow & Product Knowledge

This is the foundation of the interview. You must show you understand what Applied Systems actually does.

Be ready to go over:

• The Insurance Lifecycle: Prospecting, quoting, binding, issuing, and renewing policies.
• Applied Epic Utility: How agencies use Epic for accounting, policy management, and claims.
• Ecosystem Connectivity: The role of Ivans in connecting carriers to agencies and how data flows between them.
• Accounting Specifics (For Implementation): Agency bill vs. Direct bill, trust accounts, and general ledger reconciliation.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you explain the value of moving from a legacy system to Applied Epic to a reluctant agency owner?"
• "Describe a complex accounting discrepancy you resolved in an agency management system."

Technical & Functional Proficiency

Interviewers need to know you can do the "hands-on" work.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Migration: The challenges of moving data from one system to another and ensuring integrity.
• API & Integrations (For Solution Consultants): Understanding REST APIs, JSON, and using Postman to test connectivity.
• Configuration: Customizing software settings to match a client's specific business rules.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would test an API endpoint using Postman."
• "A client wants to configure a workflow that deviates from best practices. How do you handle this?"

Consultative Soft Skills

You will be tested on your ability to manage relationships and drive projects forward.

Be ready to go over:

• Change Management: Helping users adapt to new software.
• Conflict Resolution: Managing a client who is frustrated with a timeline or product limitation.
• Requirement Gathering: Asking the right questions to understand what the client actually needs versus what they say they want.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time a project was at risk of failing. How did you get it back on track?"
• "Role-play a scenario where a client pushes back on your recommended workflow."

Key Responsibilities

As a Consultant at Applied Systems, your day-to-day work is dynamic and heavily client-focused. You are the face of the company's technology.

For Business and Implementation Consultants, your primary responsibility is ensuring the successful adoption of the software. You will lead clients through the transition phase, which involves heavy data analysis, specifically regarding accounting data for those in the Finance track. You will conduct discovery sessions to map their current business processes to Applied Epic workflows, ensuring that when they "go live," their business runs smoother than before. You are also responsible for documenting every decision and keeping the project on schedule.

For Solution Consultants, your focus is on the pre-sales journey. You collaborate intimately with the Sales team to understand a prospect's technical requirements. You will build and deliver customized product demonstrations that prove business value to C-suite executives. You are the technical expert in the room, answering questions about architecture, APIs (specifically for Cytora and Ivans integrations), and security. You may also manage Proof of Concepts (POCs) to technically validate the solution before a deal closes.

For Sales Consultants, you are responsible for the full sales cycle. You act as a hunter and a closer, prospecting for new business among independent insurance agents. Your role is consultative selling—diagnosing the agency's pain points and prescribing Applied's SaaS solutions as the cure. You manage a pipeline, negotiate contracts, and work to exceed annual quotas.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

Applied Systems looks for a specific blend of industry experience and technical capability.

• Industry Experience: Across all consultant roles, 5+ years of experience in the P&C insurance industry (agency, carrier, or MGA side) is highly preferred. For Accounting roles, this must be accounting-specific; for Solution roles, this includes technical pre-sales or carrier operations.
• Technical Skills:
  • Implementation: 2+ years of hands-on experience with Applied Epic is often a critical requirement.
  • Solution Consulting: Fluency with REST APIs and tools like Postman is a must-have. Knowledge of AI-based product configuration is a strong differentiator.
  • Sales: Experience with Salesforce and SaaS sales methodologies.
• Soft Skills: exceptional communication skills are non-negotiable. You must be able to "discourse using insurance industry terminology" and present confidently to executives.
• Education: A Bachelor’s degree is expected, though equivalent work experience in the insurance sector is often accepted and valued.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Deep knowledge of Ivans exchange or Cytora platforms.
• Experience working in a remote, distributed team environment.
• Previous experience in a "train-the-trainer" capacity.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions reflect the consultative and industry-specific nature of the interviews at Applied Systems. While exact questions vary by hiring manager, these categories cover the core themes you will encounter.

Industry & Product Knowledge

• "How do you stay current with trends in the P&C insurance industry?"
• "Explain the difference between Agency Bill and Direct Bill workflows within Applied Epic."
• "What do you see as the biggest challenge facing independent agents today, and how does our software solve it?"
• "Describe your experience with general ledger reconciliation in an agency management system."

Technical & Problem Solving

• "A client reports that their data migration looks incorrect. How do you investigate and resolve this?"
• "Explain a complex technical concept (like an API) to a non-technical insurance broker."
• "How would you configure a workflow for a client that has a unique, non-standard renewal process?"
• "Walk us through a time you used data to persuade a client to change their approach."

Behavioral & Client Management

• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a client regarding a project timeline. How did you handle it?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to manage a difficult stakeholder who was resistant to adopting new software."
• "How do you prioritize your tasks when managing multiple implementation projects simultaneously?"
• "Give an example of a time you went above and beyond to make yourself 'indispensable' to a customer or teammate."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is this a remote role? Yes, most Consultant roles at Applied Systems (including Implementation and Solution Consultants) are remote within the US or Canada. However, candidates are often expected to be near a major airport, as travel to client sites or company offices can be required (up to 50% for Solution Consultants).

Q: What is the culture like for Consultants? The culture is collaborative and team-oriented. The job description emphasizes that "winning is a team sport." Even though you may work remotely, there is a strong expectation of connecting with colleagues to share best practices. The environment is fast-paced, given the volume of implementations and sales cycles.

Q: Do I need to know how to code? For the Business/Implementation Consultant role, coding is generally not required, but deep software configuration knowledge is. For the Solution Consultant role, you do not need to be a software engineer, but you must be fluent in technical concepts like REST APIs and be comfortable using technical tools to demonstrate connectivity.

Q: How does Applied Systems support professional growth? Applied Systems encourages internal mobility and skill development. They have a focus on "amazing career moments" and offer resources like "Applied University" for product learning. Successful consultants often move into higher-level strategic roles, product management, or sales leadership.

Q: What is the toughest part of the interview? For most candidates, the presentation or role-play exercise is the most challenging. You will be expected to simulate a real client interaction. Success requires not just knowing the answer, but delivering it with the polish and confidence of a seasoned consultant.

Other General Tips

Know the Ecosystem: Don't just research Applied Epic. Understand how Ivans (connectivity), Cytora (AI risk processing), and EZLynx fit into the Applied Systems portfolio. Showing you understand the "Connected Insurance" strategy will set you apart.

Highlight "Indispensable": The word "indispensable" appears repeatedly in Applied Systems' core values and job descriptions. In your behavioral answers, frame your achievements in a way that shows how you became essential to your previous team or clients.

Prepare for the "Why Applied?" Question: Be ready to articulate why you want to work in Insurtech specifically. Connect your passion for technology with the stability and complexity of the insurance market.

Demonstrate Remote Proficiency: Since these roles are largely remote, proactively mention your experience with remote collaboration tools and your ability to self-motivate and manage your time without direct supervision.

Summary & Next Steps

Becoming a Consultant at Applied Systems is an opportunity to join a market leader that is actively shaping the future of insurance. Whether you are guiding a client through a complex financial transition in Applied Epic, demonstrating the power of AI to a carrier, or closing a deal with a growing agency, your work will have a direct impact on the efficiency and profitability of your customers. This role demands a unique professional who is part insurance expert, part tech-enthusiast, and part relationship builder.

To succeed, focus your preparation on validating your industry expertise and your ability to navigate difficult client scenarios. Review the specific workflows of Applied Epic, practice your explanation of technical concepts, and prepare a narrative that highlights your consultative approach. The interview process is rigorous, but it is designed to find people who are truly ready to be indispensable teammates.

The compensation data above reflects the base salary ranges for various Consultant levels. Note that Solution Consultants generally command a higher base ($100k-$110k) due to the technical pre-sales requirements, while Sales Consultants have a lower base ($65k-$100k) but significant upside through uncapped commissions. Business/Implementation Consultants typically fall in the $75k-$110k range. Be sure to clarify the specific compensation structure, including variable pay and bonuses, for the specific track you are interviewing for.

Explore more interview insights and resources on Dataford to continue your preparation. Good luck!