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Binder Dijker Otte
The text below provides a full BDO assessment process preparation guide, and practice guide for those applying for jobs, internships, and graduate programs at BDO in the UK, Australia, and globally.
Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessment tests, interviews, and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practise and prepare for the recruitment and assessment process.
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Not sure if you should practise to prepare for the BDO online assessments? Research shows 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A study found that candidates who do not practice assessments tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers (Bradley et al., 2019).
In a Nutshell:
BDO uses a variety of aptitude assessment tests. These may include:
Prepare for your BDO interviews by running mock interviews and answering typical interview questions for the role you are applying for. For BDO interview practice, use the following:
Our video interview practice platform provides interview questions that test your skills and knowledge in specific industries. It is similar to other popular employer interview platforms like HireVue and Pymetrics.
Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times. Review your responses and enhance your interview skills.
BDO makes use of a variety of competitive exercises during the assessment centre to find the right candidates. Ensure that you practice a variety of exercises including:
Continue reading to get answers to these critical BDO questions:
Are you looking for assessments similar to BDO aptitude tests? Click the links below for BDO practice assessments relevant to your application process.
Practice all the assessments above for your BDO assessments with our Go Premium package.
The BDO recruitment process includes several stages which we will break down in this guide. But first, let’s find out more about BDO!
BDO, or Binder Dijker Otte, is a multinational public accounting, tax, consulting and business advisory firm. BDO operates in all sectors of the economy, specialising in tax, audit and assurance, and advisory and business outsourcing.
BDO is the fifth largest accounting firm in the world and offers many positions, branching off from tax, audit, and advisory. BDO operates in the following areas:
Now, let’s go into further detail about all the stages of the BDO assessment process, starting with the online application.
The BDO online application will take about 15 minutes to complete. It is the first step of the BDO application process. You will need to complete an online application for the role of your choice and provide the following information:
BDO Application Form
Source: BDO Careers
Good to know: BDO will assess you against its core values throughout the entire BDO recruitment process, starting with the online application that may include role-specific questions.
The BDO has 4 core values, that dictate the firm’s identity and culture, which are:
BDO will also assess you against the Achieving My Potential framework throughout your recruitment journey. This framework includes the following BDO core competencies:
The BDO online tests will also assess you against certain attributes and behaviours that are critical to success at BDO. These additional BDO competencies are:
Business Thinking:
Understand BDO’s business and how to factor in both risk and opportunity to achieve the desired goal.
Communication:
Communicate well with others. You should understand, create and share information clearly and concisely.
Decision making:
Maximise your logical thinking and problem-solving skills to minimise risk and meet targets.
Self-development:
Show commitment to your development, and supporting and encouraging others to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviour.
Teamwork:
Be willing to work with others in a mutually beneficial way that delivers exceptional service and achieves business goals.
Innovation:
Think creatively, generate new ideas and approaches, seeking opportunities that will benefit the firm and its clients
After submitting your BDO online application, a BDO recruitment team member will review your application. If your application is successful, you may be invited to complete the BDO interactive assessment.
The BDO interactive assessment is a blended assessment that consists of numerical, verbal, and situational judgement questions as part of the second round of the BDO assessment process. The questions in this BDO test are usually provided by either Amberjack or SHL.
The BDO interactive assessment will include the following assessments:
Let’s find out what each of the BDO interactive assessments is all about below.
The BDO numerical intellect is a numerical reasoning test that assesses if you can work with numerical data using questions with graphs, percentages, and ratios. It consists of about 5 to 10 multiple-choice questions.
The BDO numerical test measures your ability to interpret, analyse, and understand numerical data, focusing on basic mathematical concepts.
Watch our short video below to understand more about this BDO online assessment!
Read on for quality tips on how to ace the BDO numerical test questions.
While taking the BDO numerical reasoning test, you will often need to analyse charts, graphs, and tables to extract relevant information and make calculations.
Take the opportunity to try an example BDO numerical reasoning test question provided by our experts below!
BDO Numerical Reasoning Test Example
Did you get the correct answer? Check the bottom of the page to find out.
Looking for more BDO online assessment practice? Practice more BDO-style numerical reasoning test questions with GF.
You will also be required to complete the BDO verbal reasoning test as part of the BDO assessment process. Let’s find out more about this test below!
The BDO verbal intellect test is a verbal reasoning test that will involve you reading passages or paragraphs and ask you to answer a set of multiple-choice questions based on the information provided within the text.
The BDO verbal reasoning test measures your ability to interpret written information, language understanding, and reading comprehension skills.
BDO Verbal Test Tip: Only use the information provided in the passages or paragraphs when answering questions. Avoid making assumptions or using external information to ensure accuracy with your answers.
Our short video below explains more about this BDO online assessment test.
Check out helpful tips we have curated to help you ace your BDO verbal reasoning test below.
For the BDO verbal reasoning test, careful attention to detail is crucial, as the use of words can change the meaning of a passage or question.
Practice a free example of the BDO verbal reasoning test provided by our experts below using the tips we provided above!
BDO Verbal Reasoning Test Example
Did you get the right answer? Check the bottom of the page to find out.
Looking for more BDO online test practice? Practice more verbal reasoning test questions ahead of your BDO assessment tests.
After completing your verbal reasoning test, you may also be required to complete the BDO situational judgement test.
The BDO behavioural intellect assessment or BDO situational judgement test presents you with questions based on potential work scenarios you may likely face on the job with BDO and you will be tasked with choosing the best decision from the provided options.
The BDO situational judgement test measures your behaviours and suitability for the role. This BDO test is used to determine if you align well with the BDO values and culture.
BDO Behavioural Assessment tip: Focus on the key competencies that BDO wants for the role when answering the BDO behavioural questions and aim to reflect those qualities in your answers.
Watch our short video below to understand the BDO situational judgement test more.
How do you pass the BDO situational judgement test? Consider the following unique BDO behavioural test tips we have curated to help you pass.
Practice for the BDO situational questions by practicing similar situational judgement questions with GF!
Once you have aced the BDO interactive assessment, you will be invited to the next stage of the BDO hiring process; the BDO video interview.
The BDO video interview is used to know what you do well and enjoy doing. It will involve you answering pre-recorded questions in videos. These questions will inquire about several areas including your strengths, skills, and competencies.
The BDO video interview will look to get to know you more while also measuring if you are a good fit for the firm. It will assess your skills, strengths, and competencies, as well as your alignment with BDO’s values.
Watch our short video below to understand what the BDO interview process involves.
Below are 7 important tips to consider and practice to pass the BDO interview process.
Let’s use the tips above to practice the following BDO video interview questions.
Some BDO interview questions at this stage include:
Read on as we give example answers to some of these BDO interview questions below.
How to Answer: When answering this BDO interview question, demonstrate your ability to prioritise tasks, stay organised, and maintain clear communication. Also, highlight your time management skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.
Good Answer:
When faced with a deadline, I prioritise by breaking the project into manageable tasks and setting mini-deadlines for each. I start with the most critical aspects and allocate time accordingly.
For example, during a recent project at my previous job, we had a tight deadline to prepare a financial report for a client. I created a detailed timeline, divided the work into sections, and communicated regularly with my team to ensure we stayed on track. To manage any unforeseen issues, I built in some buffer time before the final deadline.
How to Answer: When answering this BDO interview question use the STAR+R method to structure your response. Clearly describe the situation, outline the challenge, explain the steps you took to overcome it and highlight the positive outcome.
Situation:
As an audit associate leading an audit for a mid-sized manufacturing client, we discovered discrepancies in their financial statements midway, increasing the scope and risking a missed deadline.
Task:
My challenge was to ensure that we thoroughly investigated these discrepancies and still delivered the audit report on time without compromising the quality of our findings.
Action:
I reorganised the audit plan to prioritise discrepancies, coordinated with the client’s finance team for documentation, consulted senior colleagues on complex issues, and delegated routine tasks to junior associates, allowing senior members to focus on critical areas.
Result:
We completed the audit on time, delivering a detailed report with recommended corrective actions. The client valued our diligence, strengthening our relationship and resulting in additional advisory work.
Reflection:
This experience highlighted the importance to leverage team strengths for efficient task management and have since applied these lessons to manage complex audits under tight deadlines more effectively.
The final stage of the BDO hiring process is the assessment centre. Congrats if you’ve made it this far, you’re almost there!
Keep reading to discover what to expect at the BDO assessment centre to get your dream job.
The BDO assessment centre is an all-day final recruiting exercise. It will involve you participating in some activities to find out more about the role and know if it is right for you.
At the BDO assessment center, you will be required to complete one or all the following exercises:
Good to know: The BDO virtual assessment centre is mostly only conducted for BDO’s early careers positions and usually takes place via a virtual platform.
Let’s find out what each of these assessment centre exercises are all about, starting with the BDO group exercise.
The BDO group exercise will require you to collaborate with other shortlisted candidates to analyse a given case study. You will be asked to analyse the situation of a potential client and proffer suitable solutions within 1 hour.
The BDO group exercise will measure your ability to work in a team. It will also measure your problem-solving and communication skills, and your capability to work efficiently under pressure.
Watch our video below to learn more about what to expect in your BDO group exercise!
The BDO written exercise provides you with a case study and will require you to analyse and prepare a response. Your response will be a written report of your analysis and recommendations for the case study.
This BDO test will measure your analytical thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.
Are you looking for more BDO assessment centre questions?
The BDO presentation exercise will require you to prepare and deliver a 20-minute presentation based on a given topic. You will be sent a brief that contains details of the topic ahead of time.
The BDO individual presentation will measure your communication and problem-solving skills. It will also measure how you process, interpret, organise, and present information for proper understanding.
The final hurdle of the BDO assessment centre is the BDO final interview. Let’s check out what to expect in the following section.
The BDO final interview is competency-based. You will be asked questions that probe for role-specific skills and your expertise. This BDO interview will also explore your motivations, and strengths, and also give you the chance to ask any questions.
Some BDO interview questions you may be asked at your BDO final interview are:
Looking to further your BDO interview prep? Practice with our Video Interview Tool and practice answering more example BDO interview questions to refine your interview technique.
So how do we answer these BDO interview questions? Consider the following 6 tips below to answer questions during this last stage of your BDO selection process.
Watch our short video below to discover questions you can ask in your BDO final interview.
And with this, your BDO application process comes to a close! Once you’ve impressed in your final interview and you’re successful, you will shortly receive an offer from BDO.
But wait, before you go!
Keep reading below to discover the range of BDO graduate schemes currently offered for students and graduates.
BDO graduate schemes are early career opportunities for graduates and students who are looking to kickstart their professional journey with a multinational firm. Some of these opportunities are:
Good to know: The completion of each program will lead you to a Level 7 Accountancy/Taxation Professional Apprenticeship, which is equal to that of a master’s degree
Let’s check out each of these BDO graduate schemes below!
The BDO graduate programme makes it possible for you to combine a job and pursue a higher industry-recognised qualification. You will have the opportunity to grow your skills and build a platform to develop your career.
Beyond the graduate programs, BDO also has industrial placement opportunities.
The BDO industrial placements will give you the chance to contribute to a range of client projects as part of an efficient team. This will allow you to expand your skills and experience.
BDO also offers opportunities for enrolled students to complete summer internship roles that will help them gain quality experience.
The BDO internship is a chance for you to experience life and work at BDO while adding value to your CV. You’ll get a real insight into BDO’s business and culture and a taste of life at the firm.
Another BDO graduate program offers you the opportunity to study and work simultaneously towards a qualification.
The BDO school leavers programme allows you to combine work experience with professional qualifications. BDO helps you with training in relevant skills and behaviours and provides the professional knowledge you need to succeed in your role.
With that, we have covered all you’ll need to know about the BDO recruitment process, online assessments, and early career opportunities you could potentially apply to.
But wait!
Before you start your BDO application, explore our FAQ section below for more answers about the BDO assessment process.
To prepare for the BDO exam, you must understand the types of questions asked. Practice numerical & verbal reasoning questions and brush up on the technical skills required for the role you have applied to.
Getting into BDO can be competitive, as the firm looks for candidates who excel in problem-solving and align with their values. Thorough preparation and display of strong alignment with BDO’s values can significantly improve your chances of success.
To start your BDO job application, visit the BDO careers page to find and apply for your preferred position. If selected, you’ll go through assessments and interviews. Research BDO and prepare to align your skills and values with the company’s culture.
The BDO hiring process typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the role, the level of the role, its location, and internal decisions.
Yes, BDO asks for references as part of your BDO job application. They check for references as well as other basic background information, including credit history, criminal history, and driving history.
Do you want to pass your BDO online assessments the first time? Sign up to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests. Correct answers to example questions: Numerical Reasoning Test: C Verbal Reasoning Test: B
Do you want to pass your BDO online assessments the first time? Sign up to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning and situational judgement practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Correct answers to example questions:
Numerical Reasoning Test: C
Verbal Reasoning Test: B
Start Preparing Today