Big 4 Internship: How to Land One and What to Expect

How Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC Turn Interns into Full-Time Hires

Big 4 internships are one of the most direct routes into professional services — and firms know it. Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC collectively hire thousands of interns every year, with conversion rates to full-time roles consistently sitting between 75% and 90% at most firms.

⚙️ KPMG reports that interns who complete their program have up to a 90% chance of receiving a full-time offer — making the internship the single most reliable path into the Big 4.

Getting in, though, requires knowing how the machine works. Here's your complete guide.

What Each Firm Actually Offers

Not all Big 4 internships are the same. Here's how the four firms approach their summer programs:

1. Deloitte — Runs a "Discovery Internship" program specifically designed for early-college students, plus standard summer analyst roles across Audit, Tax, and Advisory. US interns typically earn $26–$47/hr. The full selection process takes 2–3 weeks from application to offer.
2. KPMG — The KPMG Internship and "Discover KPMG" programs are structured around live client exposure. The process includes an online questionnaire, video interviews, and a final assessment. Offers typically come within two weeks of the final interview.
3. EY — EY runs stream-specific internships across Assurance, Tax, Strategy & Transactions, and Consulting. Master's-level interns in the US earn around $39–$42/hr. EY is known for strong mentorship programs and intern-facing partner access.
4. PwC — PwC's internship structure mirrors their graduate program closely. Advisory interns earn $37–$48/hr in the US, with a signing bonus on some offers. The process is structured and feedback-heavy.

Who the Internship Opens the Door For

The internship isn't just a line on your CV — it's the fastest path to a Big 4 graduate offer.

• For Students: An internship is your most reliable route to a full-time offer. The industry intern-to-hire conversion rate hit 63.1% across sectors in 2024–25 — a five-year high — and Big 4 firms sit well above that average. Start tracking recruiting events at big4events.com/events to get on firms' radar early.
• For Career Changers: Big 4 firms run internship programs for MBA students and career-switchers. If you're pivoting from finance, law, or tech, look for stream-specific internships in Advisory or Consulting — eligibility criteria are often broader than for undergraduate programs.
• For Students at Non-Target Schools: Networking matters more than pedigree at the Big 4. Attending virtual recruiting events and insight days — available across all four firms — levels the playing field significantly.

The Selection Process: What to Actually Expect

Here's what the end-to-end process looks like across most firms:

• Online application: CV, academic transcript, and in some cases a motivational questionnaire. KPMG specifically runs a "Future Interns Questionnaire" as a first filter. Apply within the first two weeks of a posting going live — roles close faster than you'd expect.
• Aptitude and situational judgement tests: All four firms use some combination of numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and situational judgement tests (SJTs). Deloitte and PwC use third-party platforms. Practice these specifically — they're not general IQ tests and they're very coachable.
• Video interview: Pre-recorded or live. Expect competency-based questions framed around your CV and values. At EY and KPMG, this stage often comes before any in-person assessment.
• Assessment centre or final round: A half or full day including group exercises, case studies, and one-on-one interviews. Commercial awareness, communication, and soft skills are assessed alongside technical ability.
• The program itself: Typically 6–12 weeks over summer. Expect live client project work, firm-wide training, and cohort events. Your performance throughout the internship is your interview for the full-time role.
• Offer and conversion: Timelines vary — Deloitte typically communicates within 2–3 weeks of the final round; KPMG within two weeks. Interns who perform well have a strong shot: KPMG alone reports up to a 90% conversion rate.

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How to Give Yourself the Best Shot

1. Apply in August or September. Roles for summer internships open as early as August of the preceding year at most firms — and many close before year-end. Set calendar reminders and check firm careers pages at the start of each academic year. Don't wait for campus fairs to discover the openings.
2. Get your GPA in order. The minimum bar is around 3.0, but competitive applicants typically sit at 3.5+. If you're below the threshold, focus on skills, certifications, and extracurriculars to round out your profile.
3. Practice your tests — specifically, not generally. Aptitude tests are a real filter. Use platforms like AssessmentDay or WikiJob to practice numerical and verbal reasoning under timed conditions. SJT prep matters too — the "right" answers aren't always obvious without practice.
4. Attend recruiting events before you apply. Meeting recruiters at insight days, virtual Q&As, or career fairs increases your visibility in a way applications alone can't. Referrals from current employees also carry weight at all four firms.

Finding Internship Events at All Four Firms

Internship-focused events are available across all four firms, year-round:

• Insight days and open days — In-person or virtual, designed to give students a feel for the firm before applying
• Virtual Q&A sessions — Direct access to recruiters and current interns for honest answers
• Campus recruiting events — Usually open beyond target schools if you register early
• Application workshops — CV clinics and test prep sessions hosted by the firms themselves
• Diversity and inclusion programs — Early-access internship pipelines for underrepresented groups at all four firms

Your Internship Starts With the Application

Getting a Big 4 internship is competitive — but it's structured. You know what the process looks like, you know when to apply, and you know exactly what each stage is assessing. The firms that seem most out of reach are often the most systematic in how they recruit, which means preparation and timing matter more than luck.

Most interns who get in and do solid work walk away with a full-time offer. The internship is the real interview — so treat it that way from day one.

📈 Start tracking recruiting events across Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC now — the students who show up at insight days before applications open are the ones who get remembered when decisions are made.

Find upcoming internship events at big4events.com/events and get a head start on the application cycle.