PwC Deals Technical Interview

Hi there,

It can be anything relating to deals! So, there could be cases around aquisitions, mergers, divestments, post-merger integrations, etc. Or there could be brainstorming questions (how would you do x). Finally, there can be purely technical questions (what is x)

All of these topics are fair game:

Or these:

Here are some possible questions:

1. Explain the concept of due diligence and its importance in the Deals process.
2. What are the key components of a financial model used in M&A transactions?
3. How would you assess the financial performance of a company in the context of a potential acquisition?
4. What are some common valuation methodologies used in M&A transactions?
5. How do you calculate enterprise value, and what factors should be considered?
6. Can you explain the difference between strategic buyers and financial buyers?
7. Describe the typical steps involved in an M&A transaction.
8. How would you conduct market research to identify potential acquisition targets?
9. What are the main considerations when evaluating a target company's intellectual property portfolio?
10. How would you approach assessing the risks and opportunities of a target company's supply chain?
11. Explain the concept of working capital and its significance in M&A transactions.
12. What are the key drivers of synergy in an M&A deal, and how would you quantify them?
13. Can you explain the concept of earnouts and how they are typically structured?
14. How would you approach conducting a SWOT analysis for a target company?
15. Describe the types of financial statements you would typically review during due diligence.
16. How would you assess a target company's financial health and liquidity position?
17. What factors would you consider when assessing the market potential of a target company's products or services?
18. Can you explain the concept of a waterfall analysis and its use in private equity deals?
19. How would you approach creating a financial forecast for a target company?
20. What are some key considerations when assessing the tax implications of an M&A transaction?
21. Describe the role of debt financing in leveraged buyouts (LBOs).
22. How would you evaluate a target company's customer base and customer retention strategies?
23. What is the impact of regulatory compliance on M&A transactions, and how would you assess it?
24. Can you explain the concept of a purchase price allocation (PPA) and its relevance?
25. How would you approach conducting a competitive analysis of a target company's industry?
26. What are the key components of a confidentiality agreement, and why are they important?
27. Describe the process of conducting financial due diligence.
28. How would you assess the quality and reliability of a target company's financial information?
29. What are the potential risks and challenges of cross-border M&A transactions?
30. Can you explain the concept of anti-trust regulations and their impact on M&A deals?
31. How would you assess the potential impact of a target company's pending litigation on the transaction?
32. Describe the role of financial modeling in the due diligence process.
33. What factors would you consider when assessing the competitive landscape of a target company's industry?
34. How would you approach conducting a risk analysis for a target company?
35. Can you explain the concept of leverage and its implications in M&A transactions?
36. Describe the key considerations when assessing a target company's management team.
37. How would you evaluate a target company's historical financial performance?
38. What are some key differences between asset acquisitions and stock acquisitions?
39. How would you approach conducting a commercial due diligence?
40. Can you explain the concept of a fairness opinion and its role in M&A transactions?
41. Describe the factors that influence the negotiation of deal terms in an M&A transaction.
42. How would you assess the potential synergies between a target company and the acquiring company?
43. What are the primary factors affecting deal structuring decisions?
44. How would you evaluate a target company's distribution channels and market reach?
45. Can you explain the concept of a data room and its role in due diligence?
46. Describe the steps involved in conducting legal due diligence.
47. How would you assess the potential risks and opportunities associated with a target company's technology?
48. What factors would you consider when evaluating a target company's real estate assets?
49. How would you approach conducting a brand analysis for a target company?
50. Can you explain the concept of working capital adjustments and their importance in M&A deals?
51. Describe the process of conducting synergy analysis in an M&A transaction.
52. How would you evaluate a target company's pricing strategy and profitability?
53. What are the key considerations when assessing the regulatory environment for a target company's industry?
54. Can you explain the concept of a letter of intent (LOI) and its role in M&A transactions?
55. Describe the potential risks and challenges of integrating two companies post-acquisition.
56. How would you assess the potential impact of a target company's environmental liabilities on the transaction?
57. What factors would you consider when evaluating a target company's research and development capabilities?
58. How would you approach conducting a technology due diligence?
59. Can you explain the concept of a non-compete agreement and its relevance in M&A deals?
60. Describe the steps involved in conducting financial analysis for a target company.
61. How would you assess a target company's customer contracts and revenue streams?
62. What are the key considerations when evaluating a target company's international operations?
63. Can you explain the concept of a share purchase agreement (SPA) and its components?
64. Describe the factors that affect deal financing decisions.
65. How would you evaluate a target company's inventory management and supply chain efficiency?
66. What are the main considerations when assessing the human resources and employee benefits of a target company?
67. How would you approach conducting a market sizing analysis for a target company's products or services?
68. Can you explain the concept of an escrow account and its use in M&A transactions?
69. Describe the potential risks and challenges of integrating IT systems post-acquisition.
70. How would you assess the potential impact of a target company's cybersecurity risks on the transaction?
71. What factors would you consider when evaluating a target company's brand equity and reputation?
72. How would you approach conducting a regulatory due diligence?
73. Can you explain the concept of a sell-side due diligence and its purpose?
74. Describe the steps involved in conducting operational due diligence.
75. How would you evaluate a target company's research and development pipeline and future growth prospects?
76. What are the key considerations when assessing a target company's customer satisfaction and loyalty?
77. Can you explain the concept of a locked-box mechanism and its use in M&A transactions?
78. Describe the potential risks and challenges of integrating cultural differences post-acquisition.
79. How would you assess the potential impact of a target company's social and environmental initiatives on the transaction?
80. What factors would you consider when evaluating a target company's distribution agreements and partnerships?
81. How would you approach conducting a financial statement analysis for a target company?
82. Can you explain the concept of an earnout dispute and its resolution?
83. Describe the steps involved in conducting tax due diligence.
84. How would you evaluate a target company's manufacturing capabilities and production efficiency?
85. What are the key considerations when assessing a target company's pricing power in the market?
86. How would you approach conducting a legal entity analysis for a target company?
87. Can you explain the concept of a material adverse change (MAC) clause and its significance?
88. Describe the potential risks and challenges of integrating sales and marketing functions post-acquisition.
89. How would you assess the potential impact of a target company's political risks on the transaction?
90. What factors would you consider when evaluating a target company's intellectual property licensing agreements?
91. How would you approach conducting a customer segmentation analysis for a target company?
92. Can you explain the concept of a tax indemnity and its role in M&A transactions?
93. Describe the steps involved in conducting commercial due diligence for a target company.
94. How would you evaluate a target company's customer retention strategies and churn rate?
95. What are the key considerations when assessing a target company's capital expenditure requirements?
96. How would you approach conducting a competitive benchmarking analysis for a target company?
97. Can you explain the concept of a reverse break fee and its purpose?
98. Describe the potential risks and challenges of integrating research and development teams post-acquisition.
99. How would you assess the potential impact of a target company's labor union relationships on the transaction?
100. What factors would you consider when evaluating a target company's international tax exposures?

Hi there, 

It would be worth doing two things before starting the prep:

1. Is to ask HR for a more detailed breakdown of the interview. Ask them what sort of technical questions they usually provide. Explain that you want to understand it to enable you to prepare better. Basically, the more info you can squeeze out of them, the better prepared you'll be.

2. Connect over linkedin with people who have joined that particular division in the last 6-12 months. Aim to get on short call with 1-2 of them to get advice on the recruitment process and ask them about the technical part, how they prepared and what sort of questions you usually get.

Do these two things and you'll be 80/20 - putting in 20% of the effort to get at least 80% of the result. 

Best,
Cristian

Typical deals focus on market sizing, market trends and value creation (optimization and synergies).

Make sure you undestand well how to do market sizing, how to address “brainstorming” questions, and you know how to go through a “profit tree” / profit optimization exercise.

Hi there, 

Suggest you check with HR as interview focus for such team can be office-specific.

Besides, I have a recent coachee who interviewed for PwC Deals. Feel free to reach out for more information about his experience.

Regards, Andi

Familiarize yourself with the Deals practice: Research and understand the scope of work in the Deals practice at PwC Switzerland. This will help you gain insights into the types of projects and challenges you may encounter.

Brush up on technical concepts: Review key concepts related to mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, valuation methods, financial analysis, and other relevant areas within Deals. Be prepared to discuss these topics and apply them to case scenarios.

Practice case interviews: While I don't have specific information about the case study, it's likely that you'll be presented with a real-world scenario related to Deals. Practice solving case studies to sharpen your analytical and problem-solving skills. Focus on structuring your approach, identifying key issues, and providing relevant recommendations.

Stay up-to-date with industry trends: Read industry publications, news articles, and reports to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in the Deals space. This will demonstrate your interest and knowledge during the interview.