1. What is a Solutions Architect at Workiva?

The Solutions Architect role at Workiva is a pivotal position that sits at the intersection of technical expertise, business strategy, and client success. Workiva is the world’s leading cloud platform for connected reporting, regulatory compliance, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) data management. As a Solutions Architect, you are not just configuring software; you are designing the information architecture that allows large enterprises to trust their data and report it to the world.

In this role, you serve as a technical advisor and implementation strategist. You will work closely with customers—often in finance, accounting, or sustainability departments—to understand their complex reporting workflows and translate them into scalable solutions within the Workiva platform. You bridge the gap between the product's capabilities and the client's business goals, ensuring that the implementation is not only technically sound but also drives long-term value.

This position is critical because Workiva’s clients rely on the platform for high-stakes deliverables, such as SEC filings, annual reports, and audit trails. Your work directly impacts the accuracy, efficiency, and security of these processes. You will collaborate with Sales, Customer Success, and Product teams to solve intricate data problems, making this a highly visible role that requires both granular technical knowledge and high-level strategic thinking.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Solutions Architect role requires a shift in mindset. You are being evaluated not just on what you know, but on how you consult. The interview team is looking for a partner who can navigate ambiguity and lead clients to the right solution.

Focus your preparation on these key evaluation criteria:

Domain Expertise & Industry Knowledge – You must demonstrate an understanding of the challenges Workiva solves. Familiarity with financial reporting (SOX, SEC), ESG standards, or audit processes is often as important as technical skill. Interviewers want to see that you can speak the "language" of the CFO or Chief Sustainability Officer.

Solution Design & Problem Solving – You will be tested on your ability to take a set of requirements and architect a viable solution. This involves understanding data lineage, permissions, and workflow automation. You need to show that you can design solutions that are scalable and maintainable, not just quick fixes.

Communication & Presentation Skills – A significant portion of this role involves presenting to stakeholders. You will be evaluated on your ability to simplify complex technical concepts and persuade an audience. Expect to demonstrate how you handle objections and guide clients through change management.

Cultural Fit & Collaboration – Workiva places a high value on transparency, collaboration, and innovation. Interviewers will assess how you work within a team, how you handle feedback, and whether you approach challenges with a "customer-first" mentality.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process for a Solutions Architect at Workiva is thorough and can be rigorous. Based on recent candidate data, you should expect a multi-stage process that tests both your behavioral fit and your practical skills. While some candidates experience a streamlined process of 3-4 weeks, others, particularly for specialized roles like ESG, may face a more extended timeline involving up to 5 stages.

Generally, the process begins with a recruiter screen to align on logistics and high-level experience. This is followed by a series of video interviews with peers (other Solutions Architects) and hiring managers. These rounds focus on your background, your approach to implementation, and behavioral questions. Consistency is key here; candidates have reported being asked similar questions by different interviewers to check for narrative consistency and depth.

For the final stages, you should prepare for a Panel Interview or a Presentation Round. This is the most challenging part of the process. You may be asked to present a past project or, more commonly, to present a proposal for a specific solution (e.g., an ESG reporting framework) based on a prompt. This stage simulates a real client interaction and tests your ability to deliver under pressure.

The timeline above illustrates a typical progression from initial contact to final decision. Use this to plan your energy; the early stages are conversational, while the later stages (Panel/Presentation) require significant preparation time. Note that the process can vary by location and specific team needs, with some roles requiring more intensive case study work than others.

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must go beyond generic interview prep and focus on the specific competencies Workiva values. Recent reports indicate a strong focus on practical application and presentation skills.

Presentation and Case Study

This is often the "make or break" round. You may be asked to prepare two distinct presentations: one reviewing a project you have delivered in the past, and another proposing a solution to a hypothetical client problem (often related to ESG or Financial Reporting).

Be ready to go over:

• Project Context: Clearly articulate the "before" and "after" of your past projects. What was the pain point?
• Solution Architecture: How did you structure the data? Why did you choose that specific approach?
• Value Proposition: How did your solution save time, reduce risk, or improve accuracy for the client?
• Handling Objections: Be prepared for the panel to interrupt you with "client" questions or pushback on your design choices.

Example scenarios:

• "Present a proposal for an ESG data collection strategy for a multi-national corporation."
• "Walk us through a time you had to pivot a technical solution mid-project due to changing requirements."

Domain Knowledge (Finance/ESG)

Because Workiva is a specialized platform, general technical skills are often secondary to domain relevance. You don't need to be a CPA, but you must understand the environment.

Be ready to go over:

• Regulatory Pressures: Understanding why companies need tools like Workiva (e.g., SOX compliance, CSRD for ESG).
• Data Integrity: Concepts regarding audit trails, data linking, and version control.
• Reporting Workflows: The lifecycle of a financial or sustainability report from data ingestion to final publication.

Behavioral and Soft Skills

Workiva interviews are heavily behavioral. They want to ensure you are a culture add, not just a technical fit.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution: dealing with difficult stakeholders or internal disagreements.
• Adaptability: How you handle shifting priorities or vague requirements.
• Mentorship: Experience helping junior team members or sharing knowledge.

5. Key Responsibilities

As a Solutions Architect, your day-to-day work is dynamic, balancing deep technical work with high-level consulting. You are the expert who ensures that the customer's vision becomes a reality within the Workiva platform.

Primary responsibilities include leading client workshops to gather and analyze requirements. You will listen to a client explain their current (often broken) process—usually involving spreadsheets and manual emails—and map that to a streamlined workflow in Workiva. You will then configure the environment, set up data integrations, and design the architecture of their reports and workspaces.

Collaboration is essential. You will work alongside Customer Success Managers to ensure long-term adoption and Sales teams to provide technical validation during the pre-sales process. You will also act as a feedback loop to the Product team, advocating for new features based on the real-world challenges your clients face. Expect to manage multiple projects simultaneously, requiring excellent time management and prioritization skills.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

Successful candidates for this role typically possess a blend of technical acumen and industry experience.

• Must-have skills:

  • Implementation Experience: Proven track record of implementing SaaS solutions or enterprise software.
  • Consulting Skills: Ability to lead meetings, manage stakeholder expectations, and drive projects to completion.
  • Presentation Skills: High proficiency in creating and delivering presentations to executive audiences.
  • Data Fluency: Comfort with data modeling, linking, and managing complex datasets.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • Domain Background: Previous experience in Accounting, Finance, Audit, or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) is a massive differentiator.
  • Workiva Platform Knowledge: Prior use of Wdesk or Wdata is a significant advantage but not always mandatory.
  • Technical Scripting: Familiarity with APIs (REST), Python, or SQL can be helpful for advanced data integration roles.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what candidates have encountered at Workiva. They are designed to test your consistency, your problem-solving framework, and your ability to articulate value. Do not memorize answers; instead, prepare stories that illustrate your competence in these areas.

Behavioral & Situational

• "Tell me about a time you had to explain a complex technical concept to a non-technical audience."
• "Describe a situation where a client wanted a solution that you knew would not work. How did you handle it?"
• "Tell me about a time you made a mistake in a project delivery. How did you fix it and what did you learn?"
• "How do you prioritize multiple conflicting deadlines from different customers?"

Domain & Technical

• "How would you approach designing a solution for a client with disparate data sources?"
• "Walk me through your process for gathering requirements for a new reporting project."
• "If a client asks for a feature that doesn't exist, how do you respond?"
• "Present a high-level strategy for implementing an ESG solution for a company just starting their sustainability journey."

Cultural Fit

• "Why do you want to work for Workiva specifically?"
• "Describe your ideal team environment."
• "How do you handle feedback from a manager or peer?"

These questions are based on real interview experiences from candidates who interviewed at this company. You can practice answering them interactively on Dataford to better prepare for your interview.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical is the Solutions Architect role? It is "technically functional." You likely won't be writing code daily, but you need a strong grasp of data logic, system architecture, and integration concepts. The "tech" is often configuring the platform's advanced features rather than software engineering.

Q: What is the most common reason for rejection? Aside from lack of experience, a common pitfall is failing to demonstrate consultative "soft skills." Candidates who focus solely on the technical configuration without addressing the business value or client relationship aspect often struggle. Additionally, failing to answer questions about Workiva's specific value proposition can be a red flag.

Q: Is the presentation round mandatory? For most Solutions Architect roles, yes. Recent feedback suggests this is a standard part of the process, especially for senior or specialized positions. You should treat this as a formal client pitch.

Q: How long does the process take? It varies, but expect a timeline of 4 to 6 weeks. Feedback can sometimes be slow (up to 3 weeks in some negative cases), so patience is required.

9. Other General Tips

Research the "Connected Reporting" Concept: Workiva’s entire philosophy revolves around connecting data across documents and teams. Understand this concept deeply. When answering questions, frame your solutions in terms of connectivity, data consistency, and risk reduction.

Prepare for Repetition: Candidates have noted that different interviewers may ask the same set of questions. Do not get frustrated or give shorter answers the second time. Treat each interviewer as a fresh start and deliver your best story with the same enthusiasm.

When presenting past work, be extremely careful not to share proprietary information or unredacted client data. Candidates have been rejected for being perceived as an "IP risk" because they showed too much internal detail from a previous employer. Use generic data or clearly mock up a sanitized version of your work.

Ask Insightful Questions: In the "Do you have any questions for us?" section, ask about the team's implementation methodology, how they handle scope creep, or the future of the product roadmap. This shows you are thinking like a practitioner, not just an applicant.

10. Summary & Next Steps

The Solutions Architect role at Workiva is a challenging but rewarding opportunity for professionals who love solving puzzles at the intersection of data and business strategy. It requires a unique mix of technical capability, industry knowledge, and polished communication skills. By preparing for a rigorous process that includes deep dives into your past projects and live presentations, you can set yourself apart from the competition.

Focus your preparation on demonstrating how you drive customer success. Show them that you can take a messy, complex problem and turn it into a clean, efficient solution using the Workiva platform. Approach the interviews with confidence, clarity, and a collaborative spirit.

The salary data above provides a baseline for the Solutions Architect role. Compensation at Workiva is generally competitive and includes a mix of base salary, bonus potential, and equity (RSUs). Keep in mind that specific offers will vary based on your location, years of specialized experience (especially in ESG or Finance), and the specific level of the role you are targeting.