Likely Interview Questions – General & Motivation

These questions assess your motivation, understanding of the organisation, and commitment to the CA profession.

• What do you know about Nedbank and its role in the South African financial sector?
• Why did you apply for the Nedbank CA Training Programme?
• Why did you choose to pursue the Chartered Accountant (CA) designation?
• How does Nedbank’s CA Training Programme align with your career aspirations?
• What does being a “Young Difference Maker” mean to you?

Role-Specific Interview Questions (Graduate / Trainee Level)

These questions assess your understanding of accounting principles, professional responsibility, and readiness for a SAICA training environment.

• What do you understand about SAICA training regulations and their importance?
• How do ethics and professional judgement apply in the accounting profession?
• Why is accuracy and attention to detail critical in financial reporting?
• How do financial controls support sound governance in a bank?
• What areas of accounting or finance are you most interested in developing during your training contract?
• How would you manage the demands of work, exams, and ongoing professional development?

Behavioural Interview Questions (STAR-Based)

These questions assess discipline, teamwork, problem-solving, and professional behaviour using academic or personal experiences.

• Tell us about a time you worked under pressure to meet a deadline.
• Describe a situation where attention to detail was critical.
• Give an example of when you had to work effectively as part of a team.
• Tell us about a time you received feedback and had to improve your performance.

How to Answer Using the STAR Method

STAR Method Explained:

1. Situation – Describe the context
2. Task – Explain your responsibility
3. Action – Describe what you did
4. Result – Share the outcome and what you learned

Sample Graduate-Level STAR Answer:

1. Situation: During my final year, I completed a group accounting project with strict submission deadlines.
2. Task: I was responsible for preparing and reviewing financial statements.
3. Action: I carefully applied accounting standards, double-checked calculations, and coordinated with team members.
4. Result: The project was successful, and I strengthened my technical accuracy and teamwork skills.

If You Have No Work Experience

Nedbank understands that many CA trainees are early in their careers. You may use examples from:

• University accounting projects
• Case studies and simulations
• Group assignments
• Tutorials or peer mentoring
• Leadership roles in academic societies

Focus on technical understanding, work ethic, ethical awareness, and willingness to learn.

Common Interview Mistakes to Avoid

• Not understanding Nedbank or the banking environment
• Being unclear about SAICA requirements or the CA pathway
• Giving vague answers without examples
• Underestimating the importance of ethics and professionalism
• Showing limited commitment to continuous learning

Quick Interview Preparation Checklist

• Research Nedbank, its values, and its CA Training Programme
• Revise core accounting, auditing, and financial reporting concepts
• Prepare 2–3 STAR examples from academic work
• Be ready to explain why you want to become a CA(SA)
• Dress professionally and arrive prepared
• Prepare one thoughtful question about rotations or development opportunities

Here's a list of Technical Accounting Questions aligned to SAICA competencies, All questions are graduate / trainee-level, suitable for SAICA-accredited accounting graduates, and reflect what interviewers typically assess during CA training programme interviews.

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• What is the purpose of financial statements, and who are the primary users?
• Explain the difference between accrual accounting and cash accounting.
• What is the role of IFRS in financial reporting?
• How do assets, liabilities, equity, income, and expenses interact in the accounting equation?
• Why is consistency important in applying accounting policies?
• What do you understand about impairment of assets?

Auditing & Assurance

• What is the objective of an external audit?
• Explain the concept of audit risk and its components.
• Why is professional scepticism important in auditing?
• What is the difference between internal controls and substantive procedures?
• How does materiality influence audit planning and testing?

Taxation

• What is the purpose of taxation in South Africa?
• Explain the difference between direct and indirect taxes.
• What do you understand about deferred tax?
• Why is tax compliance important for organisations?
• How can tax planning differ from tax avoidance?

Management Accounting & Finance

• What is the difference between fixed and variable costs?
• How does budgeting support management decision-making?
• Explain the concept of variance analysis.
• Why is cost control important in large organisations?
• How can management accounting information support performance measurement?

Ethics, Governance & Professional Practice (Core SAICA Focus)

• What is the role of ethics in the accounting profession?
• Explain the fundamental ethical principles for CAs(SA).
• What would you do if you were pressured to ignore an error?
• Why is independence important in assurance engagements?
• How does good governance protect stakeholders?

Here's a list of Rotation-Specific Interview Questions aligned to SAICA competencies, All questions are graduate / trainee-level, suitable for SAICA-accredited accounting graduates, and reflect what interviewers typically assess during CA training programme interviews.

Audit Rotation

(Assessing assurance knowledge, scepticism, and controls)

• Why is auditing important in a banking environment?
• What risks are typically higher in financial institutions?
• How would you test the effectiveness of internal controls?
• Why is documentation critical in audit work?
• How does an auditor add value beyond compliance?

Risk Rotation

(Assessing risk awareness, controls, and governance)

• What do you understand by enterprise risk management?
• What types of risks are most relevant to banks?
• How do internal controls help manage risk?
• Why is risk assessment an ongoing process?
• How does risk management support sustainable business performance?

Finance Rotation

(Assessing financial analysis, reporting, and decision-making)

• How does financial reporting support management decisions?
• Why is accurate financial information critical in banking?
• What financial ratios are commonly used in performance analysis?
• How does budgeting support strategic objectives?
• How would you ensure accuracy when preparing financial reports?

Banking / Business Rotation

(Assessing commercial awareness and application of accounting in banking)

• What do you understand about how banks generate revenue?
• Why is compliance especially important in the banking sector?
• How does accounting information support lending and credit decisions?
• What role does trust play in financial services?
• How can a CA add value in a banking business environment?