1. What is a Consultant at Workiva?

The Consultant role at Workiva is a pivotal position that bridges the gap between complex enterprise data challenges and the company’s powerful connected reporting platform. Whether you are interviewing for a Solution Consultant (pre-sales) or a Professional Services Consultant (post-sales/implementation), you are expected to act as a trusted advisor to some of the world's largest organizations. Your primary mission is to help clients navigate the complexities of financial reporting, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) mandates, and GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) using Workiva’s cloud technology.

In this role, you will move beyond simple software configuration. You will be responsible for understanding high-stakes business problems—such as SEC filings, audit trails, and digital transformation initiatives—and designing solutions that ensure data consistency and accuracy. You will collaborate closely with Sales Directors, Customer Success Managers, and Product teams to deliver value-based demonstrations and implementation roadmaps. For candidates, this means demonstrating a rare blend of technical acumen, financial literacy, and persuasive storytelling.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at Workiva requires a mindset shift from "answering questions" to "consultative problem solving." The hiring team is looking for individuals who can navigate ambiguity and build trust with stakeholders.

You will be evaluated on the following key criteria:

Solution Design & Domain Expertise – You must demonstrate the ability to translate technical features into business value. Interviewers will assess your familiarity with SaaS architectures, data integration (APIs, SQL), and the specific domain you are entering, such as Finance, Accounting, or ESG.

Communication & Storytelling – Whether delivering a demo or explaining a technical concept to a CFO, your ability to articulate a clear, compelling narrative is critical. You will be evaluated on how well you can tailor your message to different audiences, from operational users to executive decision-makers.

Cultural Alignment – Workiva places a massive emphasis on culture. The interview process often includes specific "culture fit" checks to ensure you align with their values of collaboration and transparency. You need to show that you are a team player who can thrive in a matrixed environment.

Adaptability & Learning Agility – The platform evolves rapidly, especially with the integration of AI capabilities. You will be tested on your ability to learn new technologies quickly and your enthusiasm for "Art of the Possible" thinking.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process for a Consultant at Workiva is structured, thorough, and designed to validate both your technical competence and your cultural fit. Based on candidate data, the process can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the role level and location. The company aims for transparency, though candidates have noted that the process can feel lengthy due to the number of stakeholders involved.

You can expect a progression that starts with a recruiter screen, moves to a Hiring Manager interview, and culminates in a series of panel interviews or a "Super Day" style final round. A defining feature of this process is the practical assessment—often a Case Study or a Presentation—where you are asked to prepare a solution or a Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy. This step is critical; it is where you prove you can do the job, not just talk about it.

Throughout the process, you will likely meet with a mix of peers, leadership, and cross-functional partners (such as Sales or Product Managers). The goal is to ensure you "click" with the team. While the atmosphere is generally described as positive and respectful, you should be prepared for a rigorous examination of your past experiences and your ability to handle pressure.

This timeline illustrates a typical funnel from initial contact to the final decision. Use this to plan your preparation: early stages require high-level story preparation (STAR method), while the later stages require deep technical preparation and time set aside for constructing your presentation or case study.

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

The interview team at Workiva evaluates candidates across several distinct pillars. You should be prepared to discuss these in depth, using specific examples from your career.

Technical & Functional Proficiency

This area tests your hard skills relative to the platform and the industry. You are not expected to be a software engineer, but you must understand how SaaS platforms work and how they integrate with enterprise ecosystems.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Integration: Understanding how data flows between systems (e.g., ERP to Workiva). Expect questions on APIs, SQL queries, or connecting disparate data sources.
• Platform Architecture: How you structure solutions to be scalable and maintainable.
• Financial/ESG Workflows: Knowledge of the reporting cycles (quarterly/annual), audit controls, or sustainability reporting standards.
• Advanced concepts: Familiarity with Generative AI models in a secure enterprise context or complex permissioning/access control setups.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you had to troubleshoot a complex data integration issue. How did you identify the root cause?"
• "How would you explain the technical subtleties of an API connection to a non-technical finance manager?"

Presentation & Demo Skills

For Solution Consultant roles specifically, this is arguably the most important evaluation area. You will likely be asked to simulate a client interaction.

Be ready to go over:

• Value-Based Selling: Moving beyond "feature dumping" to explaining why a feature matters to the client's bottom line.
• Discovery: How you ask questions to uncover pain points before proposing a solution.
• Objection Handling: How you react when a "client" (interviewer) challenges your solution or points out a missing feature.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Present a 30-60-90 day plan for how you would ramp up in this territory."
• "Walk us through a Go-To-Market strategy for a new Workiva module."

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

Workiva uses behavioral questions to predict future performance. They are looking for evidence of resilience, collaboration, and customer focus.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution: Working with difficult stakeholders or navigating internal disagreements.
• Team Collaboration: Examples of supporting peers, mentoring junior team members, or contributing to a positive team environment.
• Adaptability: Times when a project scope changed last minute and how you handled it.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a client. How did you handle it?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to influence a decision without having direct authority."

5. Key Responsibilities

As a Consultant, your daily work is dynamic and centers on client success and technical strategy. Based on job descriptions and candidate insights, your core responsibilities will include:

Solution Engineering & Delivery: You will design and configure Workiva solutions to meet specific client needs. This involves "mapping" the platform to the customer's strategic objectives, such as digital transformation or risk mitigation. You will act as the primary contact for architectural strategy, ensuring the customer's future state is viable and scalable.

Demonstration & Storytelling: You will deliver world-class demo experiences. You are expected to exemplify best-in-class storytelling, tailoring your presentations to executive audiences. This includes leading "Art of the Possible" workshops where you brainstorm cross-functional use cases with the client.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: You will operate as a strategic extension of the sales and success teams. This means contributing to account planning, pipeline development, and providing technical feedback to the product team. You may also mentor other consultants, helping to elevate the team's standards in discovery and demo strategy.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for this role, candidates generally need a mix of "hard" industry experience and "soft" consulting skills.

• Must-Have Experience:

  • 8+ years of relevant experience is often cited for Lead/Senior roles, typically in finance, financial reporting, technical sales, or software implementation.
  • A strong background in SaaS solutions and cloud technologies.
  • Proven ability to design and deliver complex software demonstrations to executive audiences.

• Technical Skills:

  • Familiarity with ERP, GRC, GL, or FP&A systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
  • Working knowledge of SQL, APIs, and data modeling is frequently tested or highly valued.
  • Understanding of AI capabilities and how they apply to enterprise data is an emerging requirement.

• Soft Skills:

  • Intellectual Curiosity: A self-motivated desire to explore new technologies and industry trends.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills are non-negotiable; you must be able to "own the room."
  • Travel: Be prepared for travel requirements (up to 40%) to facilitate face-to-face client workshops and relationship building.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions are derived from actual candidate experiences at Workiva. While specific questions vary by team, these categories represent the patterns you will likely encounter. Use these to practice your STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) responses.

Behavioral & Situational

• "Tell me about a time you had to learn a new technology quickly to solve a problem."
• "Describe a time you worked with a difficult team member. How did you handle the relationship?"
• "Give an example of a time you failed to meet a client's expectations. How did you recover?"
• "How do you prioritize multiple conflicting deadlines?"

Role-Specific & Strategy

• "How would you structure a 30-60-90 day plan for your first three months here?"
• "If a client asks for a feature we don't have, how do you handle the conversation?"
• "Walk me through your process for preparing for a major client presentation."
• "How do you stay updated on financial regulations and industry trends?"

Technical & Domain

• "Explain the difference between a relational database and a flat file to a business user."
• "What experience do you have with API integrations?"
• "How would you approach migrating a client from a legacy ERP system to Workiva?"
• "Describe a complex query you wrote or a data model you designed."

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process? Most candidates describe the process as "Medium" to "Hard." The difficulty often lies in the breadth of skills required—you need to be personable enough for sales, knowledgeable enough for finance, and sharp enough for technical architecture. The final presentation is typically the most challenging step.

Q: What is the 'Culture Fit' interview? Workiva takes its values seriously. You may have a specific round dedicated to this, sometimes referred to as validating the "culture fit matrix." Expect questions about how you collaborate, how you handle feedback, and your willingness to help others succeed. Being "trustful and open-minded" is a key trait they look for.

Q: Will I need to complete a case study? Yes, it is highly likely. For Consultant roles, this usually takes the form of a presentation (e.g., a GTM strategy or a mock client demo) presented to a panel. You will typically be given a prompt and a few days to prepare.

Q: Is this a remote role? Many Consultant roles at Workiva are remote-friendly or hybrid, but they often come with a travel requirement (up to 40%) to visit clients or attend team offsites. Be sure to clarify the specific expectations for your region during the recruiter screen.

9. Other General Tips

Master the "Why Workiva?" Narrative: Interviewers want to know that you understand their mission. Research their position in the ESG and financial reporting market. Being able to articulate why "connected reporting" is the future of enterprise data will set you apart from candidates who just want "a job."

Prepare for the "Long Game": Some candidates report the process taking up to two months with gaps between interviews. Stay professional and follow up respectfully. If you don't hear back immediately, it doesn't necessarily mean a rejection; they often coordinate complex schedules for panel rounds.

Highlight "Coachability": During your interviews, especially if you receive feedback on a case study or answer, show that you can take that feedback and iterate. Workiva values people who can learn and pivot quickly.

10. Summary & Next Steps

Securing a Consultant role at Workiva is an achievement that places you at the intersection of finance, technology, and strategy. The role offers high visibility, the chance to work with major enterprise accounts, and a culture that is consistently rated highly by employees. To succeed, you must show that you are not just a technical expert, but a strategic partner who can guide customers through complex digital transformations.

Focus your preparation on three areas: polishing your storytelling (for the presentation round), deepening your technical vocabulary (regarding integrations and data), and refining your behavioral stories to highlight collaboration and adaptability. The process is rigorous, but it is designed to ensure that you will thrive in their collaborative environment.

The compensation for this role is competitive, particularly for Lead and Senior levels. The On-Target Earnings (OTE) reflect the high expectations for driving commercial outcomes and technical success. When discussing salary, consider the total package, including the commission structure and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), which are common components of Workiva’s offer.

Good luck with your preparation. Approach the process with curiosity and confidence—you have the opportunity to join a team that is redefining how the world's largest companies manage their data.