Preparing for an interview at KPMG US requires a balanced approach that addresses both your analytical capabilities and your behavioral alignment. To stand out, you must demonstrate that you can think like a consultant from day one—structuring your thoughts clearly, communicating with confidence, and showing a deep understanding of the professional services business model.

Structured Problem-Solving – You must be able to break down complex, ambiguous business problems into logical, manageable components. Interviewers evaluate your ability to think on your feet, use frameworks appropriately without sounding formulaic, and arrive at realistic, actionable recommendations. Practice structuring case studies out loud, focusing on your hypothesis generation and data-driven synthesis.

Role-Related & Technical Knowledge – Depending on the specific team you are interviewing for, you must show a strong grasp of relevant methodologies, tools, and regulatory frameworks. For risk-focused roles, this means understanding GITCs and IT risk; for management consulting, it means understanding operational frameworks and change management. Be ready to discuss how you have applied these concepts in your past projects.

Communication & Presentation Skills – Consultants spend a significant portion of their time presenting to clients and internal leadership. You will be evaluated on your verbal clarity, your ability to draft compelling visual slides under tight deadlines, and how well you handle follow-up questions. Focus on delivering concise, structured answers using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method.

Cultural Alignment & Values – KPMG US places a premium on integrity, collaboration, and continuous learning. Interviewers want to see that you are highly coachable, resilient under stress, and capable of representing the firm professionally in front of clients. Show enthusiasm for the team's specific work and demonstrate a collaborative, team-first mindset.

The interview journey for a Consultant at KPMG US is designed to thoroughly assess your technical capability, behavioral fit, and real-world problem-solving skills. While the exact steps can vary slightly depending on your location and specialized service line, the process is characterized by its structured progression and emphasis on practical assessments.

The journey typically begins with an initial HR screening, followed by online assessments that test cognitive ability, logic, and language proficiency. From there, candidates transition to technical and behavioral rounds, which often include group or individual case study presentations. The process culminates in a final interview with a Partner or Managing Director, focusing on strategic fit and long-term career alignment.

The timeline above outlines the typical progression of the KPMG US recruitment cycle. Candidates should use this visual framework to pace their preparation, ensuring they dedicate sufficient time to practicing online assessments early on, before shifting focus to intensive case study and partner-level preparation. While some rounds may run back-to-back, particularly during virtual "Super Days," the overall flow remains consistent.

To succeed at KPMG US, you must understand the specific competencies being evaluated at each stage of the process. The interviews are structured around three core pillars.

Business Case Analysis & Presentation

This area evaluates your business acumen, structured thinking, and communication skills. You will be asked to analyze a business scenario—either individually or in a group setting—and present your findings, sometimes requiring you to build a presentation deck within a limited timeframe.

Be ready to go over:

• Structured Frameworks – How to apply MECE (Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive) frameworks to break down business challenges.
• Data Synthesis – Extracting key insights from financial or operational data to formulate a cohesive strategy.
• Presentation Delivery – Organizing slides logically, using clear headlines, and presenting your recommendations confidently to senior stakeholders.
• Advanced concepts – Emerging business trends, such as tokenization, digital assets, or large-scale agile transformations, and how they impact traditional business models.

Example scenarios:

• "You are given 24 hours to prepare a presentation on stakeholder engagement and market entry strategy for a public sector client."
• "During a group assessment, your team must collaborate to solve an operational analysis case and present a unified recommendation to a panel of directors."
• "An individual case study where you have two minutes to read a short prompt about a client's declining profitability before presenting your structured analysis."

Technical & Domain Competency

This evaluation area tests your hands-on experience and understanding of the tools, frameworks, and methodologies relevant to your target practice. Interviewers want to ensure you have the foundational skills to deliver on client projects immediately.

Be ready to go over:

• Risk & Controls Frameworks – Understanding IT General Controls (GITCs), risk assessments, and compliance standards (e.g., SOX, SOC 1/SOC 2).
• Data & Analytics Tools – Your familiarity with executing data workflows, building models, or conducting analyses using tools like Alteryx, SQL, or Excel.
• System Architecture – High-level understanding of cloud environments, ERP systems, and integration risks during technology transformations.
• Advanced concepts – Architecture-level design patterns, system security protocols, and advanced data visualization methodologies.

Example questions:

• "Walk me through how you would design a testing plan to evaluate a client's logical access controls across their core financial applications."
• "Describe a complex data analysis project you completed, detailing how you cleaned the data, what tools you used, and the business impact of your findings."
• "What are the primary risks associated with a client migrating their legacy data warehouse to a cloud-based solution, and how would you mitigate them?"

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

This area assesses your interpersonal skills, leadership potential, and alignment with KPMG US values. Interviewers evaluate how you handle pressure, manage professional relationships, and navigate career transitions.

Be ready to go over:

• The STAR Method – Structuring your behavioral answers with clear situations, tasks, actions, and quantifiable results.
• Career Progression & Gaps – Articulating the reasoning behind your career moves, education, or relocations clearly and positively.
• Teamwork & Conflict Resolution – Demonstrating your ability to collaborate, resolve disagreements, and support colleagues in high-stress environments.
• Advanced concepts – Managing junior resources, managing client expectations under shifting scopes, and proactive stakeholder communication.

Example questions:

• "Why are you looking to transition from your current role, and what specific opportunities do you hope to leverage at KPMG US?"
• "Describe a time when a project's requirements changed suddenly. How did you adapt your approach to ensure successful delivery?"
• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult feedback to a colleague or manage an underperforming team member."

As a Consultant at KPMG US, your day-to-day work is dynamic, project-dependent, and highly collaborative. You will act as a critical link between strategic recommendations and tactical execution, ensuring client deliverables are completed to the highest standard.

Your primary responsibilities will include:

• Client Delivery and Execution – Actively contributing to project workstreams by gathering requirements, conducting stakeholder interviews, and performing detailed data analyses. You will be responsible for producing high-quality deliverables, such as process maps, risk assessments, and strategic roadmaps.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Working closely with project managers, senior consultants, and technical specialists within KPMG US, as well as client-side teams. You will facilitate workshops, participate in stand-ups, and help coordinate activities across different business units.
• Problem Solving and Analysis – Utilizing structured analytical methods and data tools to identify client pain points, evaluate operational efficiencies, and design target operating models.
• Practice Development – Supporting internal firm initiatives, such as drafting proposals for prospective clients, researching industry trends, and contributing to intellectual property or thought leadership pieces.