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INTERVIEW GUIDE

ACCOUNTANT: AUGUST 2023

Skills/Value Questions Scores

Panellists to view original of:

Qualifications

 Full Grade 12/Form 5 Certificate [5 Marks]

 Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from a Recognized
University [5 Marks]
 3 Years Work Experience [5 Marks]

(Panelists to introduce themselves)

Relevant Work QUESTION 1. Chairperson

Experience
What relevant work experience do you have in relation to the job
you have applied for?
[8 Marks]

Answer:

 Candidates scores more if the work experience relates to

the job applied for and inspires confidence.

Knowledge of QUESTION 3.
expected Duties
Mention at least Three (3) main duties of an Accountant which
you shall be required to perform at? [6 Marks]

Answer: (Job Description Extract below)

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Technical QUESTION 4.
Questions 1
a) What is annual budgeting? [4 Marks]

Answer
This is a process were an organization plan and prepare its
budgets for a set period of 12 months. It involves reviewing
past budgets, identifying and forecasting revenue for the
coming period, assigning amounts to spend on a company’s
various costs and balancing income vs expenditure.

b) What are the key budgeting steps in an organisation like?

[16 Marks]

Answer
a) Review the previous period
b) Calculate existing/forecasted revenue
c) Set out fixed and variable costs (in reference to
approved strategic plan)
d) Forecast extra spending (Major once off acquisitions)
e) Scrutinize cash flow (Balancing Income Vs Expenditure)
f) Set monitoring targets of budget implementation and
performance
g) Make business decisions (Management approval)
h) Communicate the annual budget clearly (Recommend
for board approval through the Finance and
administration Committee)
i) Implementing and monitoring the approved budgeting

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Technical QUESTION 5.
Questions 2
What management accounting reports are you expected to
prepare in your role[10 Marks]

Possible Answers
a) Budget Report
b) Accounts Receivable aging report
c) Inventory reports
d) Quarterly Management Accounts Reports (Income
Statement, Cashflow and balance sheet/statement of
financial position)
e) Other internal reports required by management.

What policies and accounting standards are you expected to

comply with in preparation of the management reports?
(10Marks)
a) International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
b) International Public Accounting Standards (IPSAS)
c) International Accounting Standards (IAS)
d) Generally accepted accounting standards (GAAP)
e) Accounting Policies and Procedures Manual / Public
Finance Management Act 2018

QUESTION 6.
Technical
What is the difference between Cash and Accruals Accounting?
Questions 3
[20 Marks]
Answer

 The cash method accounts for revenue only when the

money is received and for expenses only when the money

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is paid out. On the other hand, the accrual method

accounts for revenue when it is earned and expenses
goods and services when they are incurred. The revenue
is recorded even if cash has not been received or if
expenses have been incurred but no cash has been paid.
 Accrual accounting is the most common method used by
businesses.

Personality, Self- QUESTION 7.

Expression and
Suitability For a. What are your strengths and weaknesses and how do you
the Post deal with your weaknesses?
[2 Marks]

 The candidate should be able to give us his/her

strengths and weaknesses that relate to the job applied
for.

b. Panelists should look at how the candidates present and

express themselves. [4Marks]
 Mannerisms
 Level of Confidence
 Articulation
 Dress Code
 Temperament

Ability to Cope QUESTION 8.

with Pressure
How do you cope with work pressure in event that you have
competing assignments to be completed in a specific timeframe?

Answers:

Candidate is able prioritize tasks,

 Able to work in a team,

 work extra time,
 Ability to delegate.

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 Creativity in accomplishing the task.

 Calm and focus on getting the job done.
 Excited to be in a dynamic environment where the pressure
is on.

Chairperson
 Would you mind sharing with us your current salary?
 What is your salary expectation for this position?
 How soon could you start after being offered the
position?
 Do you have any questions or anything you would like to
find out?

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