BDO, or Binder Dijker Otte, is one of the largest accountancy, business advisory, tax and consulting firms in the UK. The company’s key service areas include auditing, risk management, forensic accounting, tax advice, business restructuring and corporate finance. It operates globally, with around 870 offices across more than 160 countries and territories.
BDO uses a series of aptitude and skills tests to evaluate potential candidates for various roles. These tests typically cover numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and situational judgement among others, meant to gauge a candidate’s capabilities.
From application to final assessment. The process varies slightly by programme and office.
A question in the style BDO sets. Pick an answer and the keyed option is shown.
One question tells you the style. A pack gives you the hour: blended, marked, with the working shown.
Although accountancy is often viewed as numbers and processes, BDO believes people are at the centre of its business. It offers training opportunities and professional roles under four main streams: Audit & Assurance, Advisory, Tax, and Business Services & Outsourcing.
The graduate programme, open to those with a 2:2 university degree and above, offers the opportunity to work for the company while studying for your accountancy exams.
Completion of the graduate programme results in a Level 7 Accountancy/Taxation Apprenticeship, covering the following qualifications: ACA, CTA, ACA/CTA Joint Programme and ATT/CTA Tax Pathway.
BDO also offers a school and college leaver programme, a four-year route that combines paid work experience with study towards professional qualifications.
For university students in their penultimate year, BDO runs a paid, six-week summer internship programme.
The application process at BDO is multi-stage and competitive. It consists of an online application, interactive assessment, video interview and virtual assessment centre (including a final interview).
BDO believes certain behaviours and strengths are critical for success within the company. It assesses candidates against these attributes throughout the recruitment process, so be aware of the need to consistently evidence strengths under the following umbrellas, which BDO calls its Skills for Success:
If you want to know more about BDO, its work, culture or application process, explore the website or sign up for one of its early careers events.
Once you have found your ideal role, the first stage of the recruitment process is to complete the online application form. This will require you to complete the standard sections on your personal details, academic background, work experience and extracurricular activities.
Take time to answer the questions accurately and honestly, providing the detail needed to impart a true impression of who you are to the recruitment team. You can save and return to the application if needed, but ensure you submit before the closing date.
Proofread your application for any spelling and grammar errors before submitting. It is also a good idea to save or print a copy of your application, so you can refer to your answers when preparing for the later stages of the recruitment process. Once submitted, the application can be tracked through BDO’s online portal.
Once application screening has taken place, you will be invited to complete the BDO interactive assessment. This is an online, task-based assessment that uses engaging, puzzle-style tasks to measure cognitive ability, resilience and decision-making. Full details can be found on BDO’s early careers recruitment page.
BDO runs the assessment with Amberjack, an early careers specialist that names BDO among its clients, so expect a polished, game-style experience rather than a page of multiple-choice questions.
The tasks draw on the same underlying skills as a verbal reasoning test, a numerical reasoning test and a situational strengths assessment, so practising all three is useful preparation.
BDO’s verbal reasoning test questions are included in the interactive assessment to evaluate a candidate’s ability to interpret text – assessing both language understanding and reading comprehension skills.
Questions will involve a passage, or passages, of text and ask candidates to deduce the answers to a set of multiple-choice questions, based on the information provided within the text.
Common question types include those asking if a given statement is true, false or if you cannot say, questions on vocabulary (often antonyms and synonyms), spelling and grammar, and questions asking you to interpret the meaning of a passage and deduce its implications.
The numerical reasoning test questions assess a candidate’s ability to work with numbers and interpret data. Questions involving basic arithmetic, percentages, ratios, fractions, number sequences, currency conversion and financial analysis are common.
They will likely be based around realistic scenarios and include graphs, tables and charts, which will need to be analysed accurately under time pressure.
A calculator may be needed to answer some of these questions, so make sure you have one to hand.
Situational strength questions explore how a candidate reacts to hypothetical scenarios.
They depict workplace situations that may be encountered whilst on the job and ask you to indicate which answer option most closely reflects the course of action you would take. You may have to select a single response or rank the responses.
When answering these questions, keep the main competencies BDO seeks in mind and try to ensure your answers embody those approaches.
The questions assess whether your behaviour aligns with that expected of BDO employees and reflects the values of the company, so are viewed as key in determining whether you are a good organisational fit.
Once you have completed the interactive assessment, you will be asked to record a short video interview.
BDO uses this video interview as another method of getting to know you and gauging whether you would fit in well within the company. As a video, it is your first chance to convey your personality and make an impression – so try to relax and be yourself.
There will be the chance to record a test question first, so you can familiarise yourself with the process. The interview questions will be skill- and competency-based.
Listen to the questions carefully and respond honestly and naturally. The best candidates answer the questions posed thoughtfully, rather than sticking to any pre-prepared script.
To display your enthusiasm and determination to secure the role, ensure you have thoroughly researched the company, department and role for which you are applying before you record your interview. Reviewing BDO’s values and vision is a good place to start.
Seek to gain a familiarity with the skills BDO values and be ready to demonstrate these in each question. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a good way of ensuring you evidence your skills clearly and effectively.
The final stage of the recruitment process is the BDO virtual assessment centre. It involves a group exercise, a case study presentation and a final interview, which for graduate and school leaver candidates is held face to face at your BDO office.
To increase your chance of success in the tasks, take part in the activities from a quiet and comfortable environment with a stable internet connection.
During the group exercise, the recruitment team will be assessing your ability to think laterally under pressure, efficiently solve the business problem presented and work well within a team.
It is important to use these tasks to convey your individual strengths, but to also prove that you work well collaboratively, as an adept listener who can bring the best out of your colleagues.
For the case study presentation, you will be asked to analyse a set of information and present your recommendations, testing both your analytical thinking and your presentation skills.
The final interview will again be competency-based. It will also explore your motivation for wanting to be a part of BDO’s work and culture. As always, be ready to demonstrate your strengths, using solid evidenced examples of your skills. Don’t be shy about conveying your experience and achievements.
Preparing a couple of intelligent and relevant questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview is, as always, considered good practice. It is an opportunity to display your curiosity and business awareness.
The assessment centre measures candidates against BDO’s key skills and behaviours, so be aware of displaying your competency in these areas throughout the tasks.
It also provides an opportunity for prospective employees to get a feel for what working at BDO could be like and judge whether it is the right fit, so aim to be truly present in all of tasks and take the time to reflect upon their completion.
All candidates will receive feedback on their assessment centre performance which means, even if you are unsuccessful, the BDO recruitment process can be a constructive experience helping to prepare you for your next application process.
What candidates ask us most often
The difficulty of BDO’s tests can vary depending on your own strengths and experiences. Some may find the tests challenging, but with thorough preparation and practice, you can improve your performance.
To prepare for BDO tests, the best strategy is consistent practice. At Practice Aptitude Tests, we offer a wide range of practice tests specifically designed to help you build confidence and improve your scores on the actual tests.
The recruitment process length at BDO can vary depending on the role and the number of applicants. Typically, it’s a multi-stage process which may take several weeks, as it includes aptitude tests, interviews, and assessments.
BDO’s core values focus on honesty and integrity, mutual support and respect, professional and personal client relationships, and empowerment through knowledge and open communication.
Rated 5.0 out of 5 across 9 reviews. A selection:
The questions were clear and the interface was very easy to navigate. It provided a good variety of topics that helped me understand what to expect in a real aptitude test. Highly recommended for anyone starting their prep.
I wish I had more time to answer each question, it takes time to conceptualise the problem and breakdown formula as well as solving the problem.
I find it challenging especially because most of the questions are about Math but I was able to sharpen my skills and used my logical thinking when answering the questions. It is really helpful. Thanks admin
BDO is a trademark of its respective owner. Practice Aptitude Tests is not affiliated with BDO and our practice tests are not endorsed by them. Visit BDO careers.
Take a free test in any format, then upgrade when you know which one you need.
