Accountancy Tests

What skills do accountants typically need?

Accounting firms typically look for the following skills in potential employees:

• Strong numeracy

• Self-motivation

• Business knowledge and interest

• High levels of organisation

• Problem-solving and logical aptitude

• Integrity

• Great communication

• Interpersonal skills

• Analytical thinking

• Teamwork

What psychometric tests do accountancy firms use to assess these skills?

Numeracy and analytical thinking are typically assessed via numerical reasoning tests. Financial reasoning tests will evaluate those same aptitudes, and also business knowledge.

Abstract reasoning tests are used to assess your logical aptitude and capacity to solve problems, while verbal reasoning tests will look at how you communicate.

Finally, situational judgement tests examine how you react to certain work-based scenarios, and whether those align with the company’s mission and values.

See below for further detail on each type of test.

Numerical reasoning tests

Numerical reasoning tests evaluate your ability to comprehend and analyse numerical information in the form of charts, graphs, and tables.

Most companies looking for candidates to fill accountancy-based roles are expecting the individual to have exceptional numeracy skills; someone who can work fast with numbers and comprehend numerical information quickly, logically and skilfully.

These types of roles also require strong analytical skills and ability to problem-solve. As such, the recruitment process is likely to place emphasis on aptitude tests designed to demonstrate these types of skills.

It is common for these tests to be numeracy-based, so that the employer can see how well you handle analysing numerical information and completing complex calculations. As such, we would highly recommend revising basic numeracy principles such as calculating percentages, ratios, factions and decimals.

Accountancy-specific numerical tests may include information such as a profit and loss account, balance sheets, currency conversion or everyday economic data.

Practice tests will help you improve your accuracy and speed, so you can answer the questions with confidence.

Financial reasoning tests

Financial reasoning tests also assess your numerical reasoning skills, with the key difference that they assume you have a background in finance.

Financial reasoning tests examine your ability to identify relevant information from charts, graphs and text, simulating what you might typically expect to do when receiving reports in an accounting role.

Accountancy firms find this test useful because it tests two crucial skills of an accountant: can the candidate quickly understand what the key information is, and are they strong at understanding data?

Abstract reasoning tests

Abstract reasoning tests evaluate the way in which you identify logical patterns. It tests your logic and your ability to strategize (with the added pressure of trying to do it quickly in a testing scenario).

Accountancy firms occasionally use these tests as it helps them assess your ability to problem-solve and learn new skills.

Verbal reasoning tests

Verbal reasoning tests assess your understanding and comprehension skills. In a verbal reasoning test, you’ll be presented with a short passage of text that you’ll be required to interpret before answering questions. These are typically in the ‘true, false, cannot say’ multiple-choice format.

Accountancy firms find this test useful because accountants will often be asked to read reports and information, which they need to be able to comprehend in detail.

Situational judgement tests

A recruiter might use a situational judgment test to gauge your ability to react to hypothetical scenarios that may be encountered in a typical work day of an accountant.

Situational tests allow accounting firms to get an understanding of how well you might do in the role at their company. It provides an indication of whether you’re a good fit.

5 tips for accountancy tests

1. Consider applying to more than just the big four

The Big 4 (PwC, Deloitte, EY and KPMG) are highly sought-after firms by both graduates and experienced employees working in accounting. This means you face tough competition, which is why our top piece of advice is to have a plan B. Don’t forget there are other accounting firms; apply to them as a backup.

2. Practice lots of tests

To get shortlisted and move through the recruitment stages for top accounting employers, you’ll need to practice test questions – lots of them. Focus on the challenging questions and repeat the ones you get wrong; that will help you progress in your learning quickly.

3. Set up a routine and stick to it

When preparing for assessments, interviews and practice tests,set aside time to focus. Set up a routine and make sure you stick to it, no matter what.

4. Do not be afraid to fail

Nobody likes to fail but it happens. So fail well. The best failures are the ones we learn something from, so don’t be afraid when it happens and try not to lose confidence. Assessment tests and recruitment processes are designed to be challenging. Accounting tests even more so.

5. Sharpen your maths skills

Strong maths skills are required to do well in accounting tests, so sharpen your numeracy skills and practice numerical reasoning tests. This will help ensure you feel confident going into your test and not overwhelmed by the numbers or methods needed to solve the questions.

Further information for specific accountancy firms

If you are looking for more information regarding specific accountancy firms, check out some of these useful employer profiles below, which explain the specifics around that particular accountant firm’s recruitment process and assessments.

EY is one of the Big Four accounting firms, with a challenging recruitment process and high competition. Read more about EY’s application tests.

PwC has a global presence in over 155 countries and is a highly sought-after place to work, with a competitive application process. Read more about PwC’s application tests.

Deloitte is a leading financial services organisation with a huge workforce of nearly 300,000 people across 150 countries. Read more about Deloitte’s application tests.

KPMG is a multinational professional services firm (and one of the Big Four) employing more than 200,000 people. Read more about KPMG’s application tests.

BDO is one of the UK’s largest accountancy, business advisory, tax and consulting firms, operating in 1,500 offices across more than 160 countries. Read more about BDO’s application tests.

Grant Thornton is one of the world’s largest professional services networks of independent consulting and accounting companies. It’s a great option for graduates looking to learn a lot and gain new experiences. Read more about Grant Thornton’s application tests.

Mazars is an international organisation that specialises in audit, advisory, accounting and tax services, with over 20,000 employees. Read more about Mazars’ application tests.

Baker Tilly is a full-service accounting firm that offers specialist services in account auditing, management consulting and tax. Read more about Baker Tilly’s application tests.