How to Get an Internship in a Big 4 Company [2025]

Getting an internship at Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young (EY), and KPMG can open real career doors. These firms hire students for finance, audit, consulting, and tech roles.

An internship in the Big 4 companies, gives you exposure to real projects and a chance to build skills that matter at work.

The slection process is competitive but clear. Firms look for excellent grades, curiosity, and problem-solving ability.

Knowing how each one of the Big 4 companies recruits helps you plan better and apply with confidence.

This article explains how to get a Big 4 internship in 2025,who can apply, how to prepare, and what to expect once you’re selected.

What Are Big 4 Internships?

A Big 4 internship is a short-term training opportunity offered by the four largest accounting and professional services firms — Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG. These firms recruit students from recognised universities to work in areas such as audit and assurance, tax and legal services, consulting, and advisory and risk management.

Each internship is designed to give students first-hand experience of corporate projects. Interns assist client teams with research, documentation, process reviews, or data analysis, depending on their department and academic background. The work is supervised, and performance is formally evaluated at the end of the programme.

Most Big 4 internships in Singapore run during the summer intake (May–August) and winter intake (December–February). The duration usually ranges from eight to twelve weeks, depending on the firm’s business unit and university academic calendar. Some firms, such as Deloitte and EY, also offer off-cycle internships for students from local universities like NUS, NTU, and SMU.

Why a Big 4 Internship Matters

A Big 4 internship carries strong career value because it combines professional training with exposure to real client engagements. These firms follow global standards for ethics, reporting, and compliance, giving interns a credible learning environment early in their careers.

• Industry recognition: Experience with Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG is highly regarded across finance, consulting, and analytics sectors.
• Structured learning: Interns receive guided onboarding, access to learning modules, and mentoring from senior professionals.
• Career pipeline: High-performing interns may be considered for full-time analyst roles after graduation through campus or off-cycle hiring.
• Skill exposure: You learn to use tools such as Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or internal audit software, and understand corporate communication and reporting formats.
• Networking: Working within multidisciplinary teams helps you understand how finance, technology, and business strategy connect in real projects.

Because the Big 4 recruitment process is merit-based and transparent, early preparation, through campus placement cells or direct applications on company portals, gives you the best chance to secure an internship.

Eligibility and Preferred Qualifications

Each Big 4 firm follows its own recruitment process, but the eligibility criteria remain similar across Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG. The internships are open to students from recognised universities who have a consistent academic record and relevant coursework.

• Education: Students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in commerce, accounting, finance, business administration, economics, data analytics, computer science, or computer engineering can apply.
• Year of study: Most firms prefer students in their pre-final or final year of study (for summer or winter internship cycles).
• Academic performance: A strong GPA or equivalent marks (typically 60% or above) is expected, along with no active backlogs.
• Technical skills: Depending on the role, knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, accounting tools, SQL, Python, or data visualisation software is valued.
• Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, analytical thinking, and attention to detail are critical to succeed in a client-facing environment.

In Singapore, Big 4 firms like Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG recruit interns mainly through campus partnerships with NUS, NTU, and SMU. Many openings are also posted on each firm’s official career portal and LinkedIn, allowing students from other universities to apply directly.

Recruitment Process – How to Apply

The Big 4 internship recruitment process typically includes an online application, shortlisting, assessment rounds, and interviews. Most firms announce their internship opportunities twice a year through their official career portals or campus drives.

• 1. Online application: Submit your CV and academic details through the official career pages of Deloitte, PwC, EY, or KPMG. Some roles may also appear on LinkedIn or job platforms.
• 2. Screening: Applications are reviewed based on academic performance, relevant courses, and extracurricular achievements.
• 3. Online test (if applicable): Some business and technology roles require aptitude or case-based assessments focusing on logic, numerical reasoning, or situational judgement.
• 4. Interview round(s): Shortlisted candidates attend one or two interviews — a mix of HR and technical questions related to finance, consulting, or technology, depending on the department.
• 5. Offer and onboarding: Selected interns receive an official offer letter outlining role details, location, and joining dates.

To improve your chances, prepare a one-page resume highlighting internships, academic projects, certifications (like Excel, Power BI, or accounting software), and any relevant leadership roles. Early applications and a concise, well-written cover letter make a strong first impression.

Selection Tips and Interview Preparation

The Big 4 interview process is designed to test your analytical thinking, communication skills, and ability to work under pressure. Preparation and clarity on what each firm values can significantly improve your chances of selection.

• Know the firm: Read about the company’s service lines, culture, and recent client projects. Each firm has a different focus — for example, Deloitte leans towards consulting and tech, while PwC and EY have a stronger base in audit and advisory.
• Master the basics: Be thorough with accounting principles, business analysis, Excel formulas, and PowerPoint presentation skills. For tech roles, revise SQL, Python, or data-handling fundamentals.
• Practise case questions: Some consulting and risk advisory roles use short business scenarios to evaluate your structured problem-solving and logical reasoning.
• Prepare for HR questions: Expect common questions like “Why choosing us from Big 4?”, “Tell me about a challenge you solved,” and “Where do you see yourself after this internship?”. Keep answers crisp and specific.
• Mock interviews: Practise with peers or mentors to build confidence in expressing your thoughts clearly. Many college placement cells offer mock interview sessions for Big 4 roles.

Read Also: Most-Asked PwC Interview Questions and Answers

Dress formally, maintain professional communication, and show genuine curiosity about learning. Big 4 recruiters look for self-motivated candidates who can adapt quickly to structured work environments.

Stipend and Work Duration

The Big 4 internship duration generally ranges from six to twelve weeks, depending on project needs and university schedules. Most internships are conducted during the summer (April–July) and winter (December–February) cycles.

Based on verified Big 4 internship listings in Singapore (figures vary by department and qualification):

• Deloitte: SGD 1,000–1,500 per month
• PwC: SGD 1,200–1,600 per month
• EY: SGD 1,000–1,400 per month
• KPMG: SGD 1,000–1,500 per month

Internship stipends in Singapore are competitive and may differ based on programme type, study level, and internship duration.

These stipends are based on official listings and candidate disclosures from verified internship postings. Final figures may vary slightly by office location, project type, and academic background.

Interns who complete their assignments successfully receive a completion certificate and, in some cases, a pre-placement interview or offer (PPO) for a full-time role after graduation.

How to Stand Out in Your Application

Thousands of students apply to the Big 4 internship each year, but only a small percentage make it through. Standing out requires more than good grades — it’s about showing readiness, initiative, and awareness of how the firm works.

• Keep your resume short: Limit it to one page. Highlight measurable achievements, relevant coursework, and certifications such as Excel, Power BI, or Google Data Analytics.
• Show relevant experience: Include projects or internships that reflect problem-solving or analytical skills. Even small college consulting projects or NGO assignments can demonstrate initiative.
• Get certified: Free or low-cost online courses on accounting, data analytics, or business communication help signal effort and interest.
• Follow the firms: Engage with official LinkedIn pages of Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG. This helps you track open roles, webinars, and career events where recruiters interact with students.
• Apply early: Big 4 firms hire on a rolling basis. Submitting your application within the first few days of the posting improves your visibility.
• Build credibility online: Keep your LinkedIn profile updated with skills, certifications, and projects. Recruiters often check it before shortlisting candidates.

Focus on showing genuine interest in the firm’s work and how you can contribute. Big 4 recruiters value clarity and commitment more than generic enthusiasm.

Frequently Asked Questions on Big 4 Internships 2025