Top EY Interview Questions for CA Articleship & Jobs 2025

1. Tell me about yourself.

This is a standard icebreaker. EY interviewers use it to assess your confidence and clarity.

Tip: Keep it structured - academic background, CA journey, firm experience (if any), and area of interest.

Sample Answer:
“I’m currently pursuing Chartered Accountancy and have cleared both groups of CA Intermediate. During my articleship, I’ve worked on statutory audits, GST filings, and financial statement analysis. I enjoy understanding how numbers tell a business story, which is why I’m keen to work at EY and expand my exposure to global clients.”

2. Why do you want to join EY?

This question tests your motivation.

EY values people with purpose - so avoid generic “Big 4” answers.

Sample Answer:
“EY’s focus on innovation and digital transformation in finance really stands out to me. I admire how EY integrates data analytics in audit and consulting. I want to learn in a culture that challenges me to think beyond numbers - and EY’s learning curve is unmatched in that regard.”

3. What is the difference between a Statutory Audit and an Internal Audit?

A classic technical question for CA articleship interviews.

Answer Structure:

• Statutory Audit: Mandatory audit under the Companies Act, done by external auditors to express an opinion on true and fair financial statements.
• Audit: Ongoing audit performed by internal teams to check controls and processes.

Sample Answer:
“A statutory audit is legally required and focuses on expressing an opinion on financial statements, while an internal audit is a management tool aimed at improving internal controls and risk management. EY handles both, which provides exposure to compliance as well as advisory aspects.”

4. What are the main steps in an Audit?

EY expects you to know the audit process flow.

• Planning & risk assessment
• Understanding internal controls
• Substantive procedures (testing)
• Analytical review
• Reporting

Be ready to explain one example from your practical training.

5. How would you verify Cash and Bank balances?

“For cash - perform physical verification, check surprise counts, compare to cash books. For the bank - reconcile bank statements with ledger, verify outstanding cheques and deposits, and review bank confirmations.”

6. Explain the concept of Materiality.

“Materiality means the level of error or omission that could influence the economic decision of users of financial statements. It helps determine audit scope and risk areas.”

7. What are the 5 elements of Financial Statements as per AS/Ind AS?

Assets, Liabilities, Equity, Income, and Expenses.

Simple - but many fumble when asked suddenly.

8. How do you ensure audit evidence is sufficient and appropriate?

EY’s audit quality standards are rigorous.

“We check sufficiency by quantity of evidence and appropriateness by its relevance and reliability - such as third-party confirmations or physical verifications.”

9. Explain the difference between Ind AS and IFRS.

“Ind AS is India’s converged version of IFRS. The framework and principles are similar, but there are localization adjustments - for example, Ind AS uses Indian rupee reporting and specific carve-outs for government-controlled entities.”

10. Can you explain the concept of Deferred Tax?

“Deferred tax arises due to timing differences between accounting income and taxable income. For instance, depreciation differences create deferred tax assets or liabilities under Ind AS 12.”

11. How would you audit Revenue?

EY often checks how candidates approach audit testing.

“I would verify revenue through sales invoices, contracts, cut-off testing, vouching with delivery notes, and analytical procedures like month-wise sales trends.”

12. What controls would you test for Inventory Audit?

“Physical verification, valuation as per AS 2 / Ind AS 2, checking for obsolete stock, reconciling G/L with stock register, and verifying internal control over storage and movement.”

1. Walk me through the 3 Financial Statements.

Explain structure, linkages, and key insights.

“The balance sheet shows financial position, the P&L shows performance, and the cash flow statement reconciles them by showing liquidity movement.”

2. What are Adjusting Entries?

“Adjusting entries are made at period-end to recognize accrued income, expenses, depreciation, or provisions that haven’t been recorded yet.”

3. How do you test Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR)?

“We evaluate process walkthroughs, identify control points, perform design & operating effectiveness tests, and report deficiencies as per PCAOB or SOX frameworks.”

4. What is Goodwill and how is it treated under Ind AS 103?

“Goodwill is the excess of purchase consideration over the fair value of identifiable net assets in a business combination. It’s not amortized but tested for impairment annually.”

5. What is your understanding of Risk Assessment in Audit?

“Risk assessment involves identifying areas prone to material misstatement - due to error or fraud - using analytical procedures, discussions, and prior experience.”

6. Explain the concept of Related Party Transactions.

“Related party transactions are deals between entities with common control or influence. They must be disclosed and verified for arm’s-length nature.”

7. What are Key Audit Matters (KAMs)?

“KAMs are significant audit issues requiring special attention - usually involving complex judgments, estimates, or high-risk balances.”

8. How would you test Revenue Recognition under Ind AS 115?

“Identify performance obligations, determine transaction price, allocate it to obligations, and recognize revenue when control is transferred to the customer.”

9. What are some red flags for fraud detection?

EY loves this question.

“Unusual journal entries, rapid revenue growth with poor cash flow, round-number transactions, duplicate vendor names, and related party anomalies.”

10. How would you audit provisions and contingencies?

“We verify management’s estimate, supporting documents, legal letters, and subsequent events to check accuracy and disclosure compliance under Ind AS 37.”

1. Why EY and not another Big 4?

EY’s HR team expects you to know its culture.

“EY focuses on purpose-driven work and people development. I’ve seen how EY integrates data analytics in assurance and risk consulting, and I want to grow in a firm that values learning and collaboration.”

2. Tell me about a time you handled pressure.

EY projects are deadline-heavy.

“During my audit internship, our team had to finalize three client reports within one week. I planned daily tasks, coordinated with seniors, and ensured all reports were delivered before the deadline. That taught me time management and teamwork.”

3. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Keep strengths work-relevant and weaknesses realistic.

“I’m strong in analytical thinking and Excel modeling. My weakness earlier was over-checking details, but I’ve learned to balance speed and accuracy.”

4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

EY looks for a long-term mindset.

“I see myself growing into a consulting or risk management role within EY - developing leadership and client management skills.”

5. How do you handle feedback or criticism?

“I believe feedback is essential for improvement. In my articleship, I used to note down every suggestion from my seniors and apply it in my next assignment.”

6. What do you know about EY’s values or purpose?

EY’s purpose: “Building a better working world.”

Show you’ve read about it.

“EY’s focus on building trust in financial information and promoting sustainable business aligns with my own professional values.”

7. Are you willing to travel or relocate?

Always say yes - unless you have specific constraints.

“Yes, I’m open to travel and relocation as I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow across industries.”

1. What is EY GDS, and how is it different from EY India?

“EY GDS (Global Delivery Services) supports EY global teams by providing risk, tax, audit, and advisory services across geographies. EY India primarily serves domestic clients, while GDS works on global engagements.”

2. Describe your understanding of automation in audit.

“EY uses digital tools like EY Canvas and Helix for audit analytics. Automation helps identify anomalies faster and improve audit quality.”

3. How do you manage time when working with multiple international clients?

“By prioritizing tasks based on deadlines, maintaining clear communication with stakeholders, and using tools like MS Teams and Planner for scheduling.”

4. What accounting standards are followed in GDS engagements?

“Mostly IFRS and US GAAP, depending on the client’s country. So familiarity with these is an advantage.”

5. Tell me about a time you worked in a team.

“During college projects and articleship, I’ve coordinated with diverse teams - that taught me how to communicate clearly, respect timelines, and resolve conflicts professionally.”

1. Know Your Resume Inside Out

Every line can lead to a question. If you’ve written “worked on audit of listed companies”, be ready to explain how you tested internal controls.

2. Brush Up on Ind AS, GST, and Excel

These three areas come up in every EY technical interview question set.

• Ind AS 115, 116, 12, 37, 21, and 103
• GST Input/Output reconciliation and return flow
• Excel functions: VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, and Conditional Formatting

3. Be Aware of EY’s Latest Initiatives

Read about:

• EY’s focus on AI in auditing
• Sustainability reporting
• EY’s Global Delivery Centers in Kochi, Bengaluru, and Gurgaon

It shows you’re genuinely interested.

4. Communicate Clearly

EY values concise, confident communicators. Keep your answers structured:

Situation – Action – Result (SAR) format works best.

5. Ask Smart Questions at the End

Always end with one or two thoughtful questions like:

• “How does EY integrate technology in day-to-day audit processes?”
• “What skills do you think successful trainees develop here?”

It leaves a lasting impression.

1. What are the most common EY interview questions for CA articleship?

Expect questions on accounting standards (Ind AS 12, 115, 37), audit procedures, internal controls, and a few scenario-based problem-solving questions.

2. How do I prepare for EY GDS interview questions?

Focus on IFRS, US GAAP, Excel, and audit automation concepts. GDS interviews also check global communication skills.

3. Are EY interview questions for freshers very technical?

Moderately. They test your conceptual clarity, not memorization. Know accounting entries, financial statement linkages, and common Ind AS topics.

4. Does EY ask HR or behavioral questions?

Yes - expect questions like “Why EY?”, “How do you handle deadlines?”, and “Describe a team conflict you resolved.”

5. Where can I find EY interview questions and answers PDF?

You can create your own personalized EY interview questions and answers PDF from this guide - categorized by technical, HR, and GDS questions for quick revision.

6. What is the difficulty level of EY technical interview questions?

Moderate to high. You’ll be tested on both theory (Ind AS, audit) and application (how you handle real cases).

7. How to crack an EY HR interview?

Be confident, genuine, and aligned with EY’s values. Show curiosity, teamwork, and a growth mindset.