INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR ACCOUNTANTS

1. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession
today?

What They Want to Know: There is no one right answer to this question, but you should be
able to demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to your profession by having a well-
thought-out and intelligent answer. The interviewer wants to see that you are familiar with
the industry and its challenges, and that you care about your job enough to have an opinion.

Recent changes to the tax code are one big challenge for the industry since we have to scour
through all the new rules and guidelines, and adjust accordingly. Of course, responding to
new tax laws is familiar to the accounting industry. Another pressing issue for everyone in
the field is technology. Readily available online accounting services can make the role of a
seasoned professional seem less essential, which means as accountants, we have to offer
clients something that a computer cannot.

2. Which accounting applications are you familiar with?

What They Want to Know: There are many applications out there, and no one person could
know them all. Interviewers are looking to see that you're aware of more than one
application and have knowledge of the tools of the profession. As well as mentioning the
ones you prefer (and why), you could also talk about recent developments in relevant
software.

I'm most familiar with ABC Company Name's accounting software, since it's what I used day-
in and day-out in my last position. I've also used X and Y accounting applications in other
roles. And, after a former co-worker recommended it, I recently started an online course in
how to use the Z application for businesses.

3. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different accounting packages you have
used in your most recent accountant jobs.

What They Want to Know: Be prepared to share specific examples of the pros and cons of
the accounting software you’ve used. Your response will show interviewers your knowledge
as well as your critical thinking and assessment skills.

I found the usability—and price—of ABC Accounting appealing. I was, however, I bit
frustrated by some of the missing functionality, which comes standard with other popular
packages like XYZ and XXX.

4. Describe any accounting process that you’ve developed or sought to improve.

What They Want to Know: If you’re still early in your career, you may not have developed
any processes yet, but you should be ready to demonstrate that you can innovate. Think
about something you’ve helped change or develop over the past few years.
In my role at ABC Company, I discovered that the process for handling company travel
reimbursements for the sales team was so difficult and time-consuming that everyone's
expense reports came in late. I assembled a team to evaluate the process and streamline
where possible. We were able to use an application that we downloaded on all company-
provided phones, and since we transitioned to this new process, reports have been timelier.

5. Describe a time when you helped to reduce costs at a previous accounting job.

What They Want to Know: All accountants should be able to reduce costs. That’s a major
part of why employers hire them. Describe a time when you reduced costs unexpectedly
through your personal innovation or diligence. Have the financial details of your success
available in case your interviewer asks you to elaborate.

Often unused licenses to software programs that charge a per-license fee (regardless of
whether the licenses are in use or not) eat up a significant amount of budget. I led an audit
of our software, spending time with each department to understand what programs and
services were in use. We discovered that several departments had purchased programs that
did essentially the same task and that we were paying for more licenses than were
being used. I did an analysis to uncover that streamlining our programs could result in a 15%
savings in this area of the budget, and presented my findings to the executive board.

6. Describe a time when you had to use numerical data or a graph to convince a manager.

What They Want to Know: Discuss how data or a chart or graph helped you make your
case, and how the outcome worked in the organization’s favor.

For years, my company had been turning to the same vendor to stock paper products. Each
year—despite increasing moves away from paper, and toward online communication—the
overall price we paid went up. My manager was reluctant to dissolve the relationship,
because finding new vendors can be hard. I showed a chart of the year-over-year increase,
along with researching alternatives and getting bids for services, and showed her that we
could be saving 40% on these costs. Seeing the data laid out was tremendously persuasive.

7. Describe a time when you had to work exceptionally hard to provide great service to a
customer or client. What did you do and what was the outcome?

What They Want to Know: Interviewers want to see that you're a hard worker, and willing
to go the extra mile beyond the job description or the 5 p.m. end of the day. Share
information on what you did to provide service and how you accomplished it.

One story really comes to mind here—in my role as an accountant for ABC Company, which
served small businesses, we had a new client come through who'd recently started a small
business. His business was doing well, but it was clear that bookkeeping was not his favorite.
It would have been easy to sell him a package he couldn't use on his own, and lock him into
an annual subscription. Instead, I provided four training sessions on the software so he
could independently track his sales and expenses. Since then, he's recommended us to
other small businesses that signed on to our services because of his praise.
8. Describe a time when you faced a particularly demanding deadline to prepare a
financial statement or report. How did you react? What was the result?

What They Want to Know: Time management is an essential skill for accountants, who deal
with multiple deadlines throughout the year. Share an example that shows how you
smoothly handled the situation. Avoid exaggerating, which could be seen as less than
honest by your interviewer.

The most difficult deadline I can remember was preparing the year-end FY report at ABC
Industries because there is so much prep work involved, and there are many dependencies
on other team members’ providing data from their departments. The good news is that
everyone knows how important it is to create and present the findings in this report. My co-
workers were really good at sticking to the deadlines I established for turning in information
(and I built in a few extra days of wiggle room just in case, too).

9. How do you ensure that you don’t forget details and ensure accuracy when you prepare
monthly journal entries, record transactions, etc.?

What They Want to Know: Almost everybody forgets small details sometimes—except
accountants, who can’t afford to. Share your strategy for making sure you do not forget or
unintentionally alter records. You can say that you're not prone to mistakes in your
response, or that you're good with details, but try to go a bit deeper than that.

Next to my computer monitor, I have a sticky note that reads "Check—then double check."
It's a reminder to me to track all the smallest details and to always confirm that my work is
accurate. I do a few things to ensure I do not forget details: first, I automate tasks as much
as possible. Also, I use calendar reminders and a good old-fashioned list to make sure that I
remind myself to do tasks so that nothing is lost in my inbox.

10. Describe a time when you had to explain a complex accounting issue to someone
without an accounting background. How did you help your audience understand the
situation?

What They Want to Know: Your ability to communicate with non-accountants may be very
important, especially if you will be in an advisory role with direct contact with clients or with
team members from other departments. When responding, emphasize your communication
skills and storytelling talent, as well as your ability to work as part of a team.

I've noticed that many people get overwhelmed when you throw a lot of facts and figures at
them. So, at my last meeting with a small business owner to share strategic advice, I not
only had a PowerPoint presentation, but I also provided a written summary. After my
presentation, I gave the customer 15 minutes to review the summary, and then we were
able to have a conversation based on a mutual understanding of the financial matters.

#1 Walk me through the three financial statements.

The balance sheet shows a company’s assets, its liabilities, and shareholders’ equity. The
income statement outlines the company’s revenues and expenses. The cash flow statement
shows the cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities.

#2 If I had only one statement and wanted to review the overall health of a company,
which statement would I use and why?

Cash is king. The cash flow statement gives a true picture of how much cash the company is
generating. That being said, it’s important to note that all three statements truly are
required to get a full picture of the health of a company. Learn more about how the three
financial statements are linked.

#3 What happens on the income statement if inventory goes up by $10?

Nothing. This is a trick question. The only impact will be on the balance sheet and cash flow
statement.

#4 What is working capital?

Working capital is typically defined as current assets less current liabilities. In banking,
working capital is normally defined more narrowly as current assets (excluding cash) less
current liabilities (excluding interest-bearing debt).

#5 What does having negative working capital mean?

Negative working capital is common in some industries such as grocery retail and the
restaurant business. For a grocery store, customers pay upfront, inventory moves relatively
quickly but suppliers often give 30 days (or more) credit. This means that the company
receives cash from customers before it needs the cash to pay suppliers. Negative working
capital is a sign of efficiency in businesses with low inventory and accounts receivable. In
other industries, negative working capital may signal a company is facing financial trouble.

#6 If cash collected from customers is not yet recorded as revenue, what happens to it?

It usually goes into “Deferred Revenue” on the balance sheet as a liability if the revenue has
not been earned yet.
#7 What’s the difference between deferred revenue and accounts receivable?

Deferred revenue represents cash received from customers for services or goods not yet
provided. Accounts receivable represents cash owing from customers for goods/services
already provided.

#8 When do you capitalize rather than expense a purchase?

If the purchase will be used in the business for more than one year, it is capitalized and
depreciated.

#9 Under what circumstances does goodwill increase?

When a company buys another business for more than the fair value of its tangible and
intangible assets, goodwill is created.

#10 How do you record PPE and why is this important?

There are essentially four areas to consider when accounting for PP&E on the balance sheet:
initial purchase, depreciation, additions (capital expenditures), and dispositions. In addition
to these four, you may also have to consider revaluation. For many businesses, PP&E is the
main capital asset that generates revenue, profitability, and cash flow.

#11 How does an inventory write-down affect the three statements?

On the balance sheet, the asset account of inventory is reduced by the amount of the write-
down, and so is shareholders’ equity. The income statement is hit with an expense in either
COGS or a separate line item for the amount of the write-down, reducing net income. On
the cash flow statement, the write-down is added back to CFO as it’s a non-cash expense
but must not be double-counted in the changes of non-cash working capital.

#12 What are three examples of common budgeting methods?

Examples of common budgeting methods include zero-based budgeting, incremental

budgeting, and value-based budgeting. Learn more about the various types, in
CFI’s budgeting and forecasting course.
#13 Please explain the Revenue Recognition and Matching principles

The revenue recognition principle dictates the process and timing by which revenue is
recorded and recognized as an item in the financial statements based on certain criteria
(e.g., transfer of ownership). The matching principle dictates that the timing of expenses be
matched to the period in which they are incurred, as opposed to when they are actually
paid.

#14 If you were CFO of our company, what would keep you up at night?

Step back and give a high-level overview of the company’s current financial position, or
companies in that industry in general. Highlight something on each of the three
statements. Income statement: growth, margins, profitability. Balance sheet: liquidity,
capital assets, credit metrics, liquidity ratios. Cash flow statement: short-term and long-term
cash flow profile, any need to raise money or return capital to shareholders.

1. Describe one of the biggest challenges in the accounting field and how you strive to
overcome it.
When the hiring manager asks this question, they are assessing your overall knowledge of
the accounting industry. They want to make sure that you are informed when it comes to
common yet significant challenges. Additionally, they are hoping that you have a plan in
place for dealing with the inevitability when it occurs.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“I think one of the biggest challenges that accountants face is dealing with
frequently changing laws and regulations. Along with income tax code
updates on the federal and state level, compliance and reporting rule
changes, shifts in sales tax rates, and adjustments to employee compensation
requirements, just to name a few, have to be accommodated. Maintaining an
appropriate level of familiarity can be difficult. However, I’ve found that by
subscribing to industry publications, setting up news alerts, and monitoring
upcoming legislation, I can be suitably prepared. Ultimately, staying informed
is the key to remaining ahead, ensuring I am ready to implement changes to
my approach as needed.”

2. Do you have prior experience with ERP systems? If so, which ones?
Many larger organizations rely heavily on enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
solutions. The hiring manager is trying to determine whether you could potentially hit the
ground running on day one or if you may require training before you can reach full
productivity.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:
 “In my previous roles, I’ve worked with a range of solutions. I’m familiar with
Netsuite, Oracle Enterprise Manager, and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
Additionally, I am confident in my ability to learn new systems as needed.
Since I’m familiar with the ERP concept, I believe that I could become
proficient in a new system quickly, if needed.”

3. What impact do you think AI and automation will have on accounting?

This is a question that doesn’t technically have a right or wrong answer. Usually, when a
hiring manager asks this, their goal is to check your level of awareness about a critical trend
that will significantly impact the field. Additionally, they want to gauge whether you’re
concerned about AI and automation, or are interested in its potential and open to
embracing it.

EXAMPLE ANSWER:

“From my perspective, AI and automation are interesting advancements. In

accounting, these technologies could streamline operations significantly. This
is especially true for highly repetitive tasks, such as data replication between
two accounting systems. In that context, AI and automation will free up
accountants to focus on tasks that genuinely require the human touch, which
could potentially boost engagement. Plus, it could reduce error rates and
enhance overall productivity. While many people are concerned about job
losses, especially entry-level roles, I believe the potential benefits outweigh
those fears.”

1. What types of accounting software programs are you familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with their accounting
programs or if you can learn new programs quickly. Instead of choosing only the software
you are most familiar with, select a few to discuss. Include programs you have used most
recently or those with which you have the most experience.

Example: "I have more than five years of experience working with FreshBooks and over two
years with a custom accounting software program, both of which my last employer used. I
have also worked with Zoho Books, NetSuite ERP and FreeAgent in other roles. An
accounting friend recently recommended Gusto, so I am currently finishing an online
training program for it."

You may also be asked to explain which program you think is best and why. An excellent
way to prepare yourself for this question is to study recent developments related to the
programs you have worked with.

Example: "With my last employer, we ran into issues with FreeAgent, so we made the
switch to FreshBooks. Its user-friendly interface and ability to create customizable invoices,
automate payment reminders and apply automatic late fees to past due invoices made my
job so much easier. I found I was able to focus more of my attention on other core
accounting tasks once we started using FreshBooks."

2. What is the top challenge facing those in the accounting field?

The interviewer wants to assess your knowledge of the accounting industry, including the
challenges that accountants face. There is no right or wrong answer, but it is important to
provide a reasonable explanation for your answer. It can be helpful to read recent news
articles or industry publications on this topic to form an opinion.

Example: "While technology definitely enhances our ability to automate various tasks, the
never-ending advancements can be challenging. As new advancements take place, it can
sometimes be difficult to integrate new accounting functions with other operational
processes. I have extensive experience in helping software developers customize various
accounting programs to ensure the integration is seamless and results in minimal to zero
downtime.

I would also have to say that the ever-changing tax codes have always been and will
continue to be a major challenge for those in the accounting field. It seems that as soon as
we become familiar with one set of codes, new ones are implemented. However, this is a
challenge that any true accountant understands is a part of the job."

3. Have you ever developed your own accounting process?

This is a yes or no question, but you should elaborate. If you answer "no," discuss a process
you helped develop or change in a previous role to demonstrate your innovative skills. If you
answer "yes," be ready to give the details of the process you created and how it helped the
company. Use numbers to measure your impact, if possible.

Example: "When I was working as an accounting manager at XYZ Company, I noticed we

were consistently missing late fee payments simply because we were running too far behind
to apply them on time. Even if a client was over 30 days late on an invoice, we still had not
applied a late fee.

I assembled a team to see how we could address this issue. We decided to make the switch
to FreshBooks, which gave us the ability to automate late fees on our invoices. This not only
increased our revenue by 1% but also improved cash flow because clients became more
willing to pay their invoices on time."

4. Can you define and explain the three financial statements?

Balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements are fundamental to
accounting. In your answer, thoroughly explain what each statement is and how it works.

Example: "Financial statements can look very different from one company to the next, but
they all essentially represent the same type of information. A balance sheet outlines a
company's liabilities, assets and any shareholder equity. A cash flow statement shows where
the cash is coming from, including financing, operating and investing activities. On the
income statement, you will find a detailed list of a company's expenses and revenue."

5. Explain how you decreased operational costs in a previous role.

Accountants have a better view of a company's financial health than anyone else in the
company. As a result, they can identify excess operational costs. A strong answer to this
question outlines how you have used your analytical and problem-solving skills to decrease
costs without sacrificing quality customer service.

Example: "I have seen companies sign up for a service, use it for a month or two and then
move on to a different one without canceling the membership to the first service.
Duplicated services combined with unused services and licenses to software can lead to a
loss of thousands of dollars each year.

At my last company, after seeing that we had many services coming out of our budget, I
decided to perform an audit. I visited every department and discussed the services they
were using. Out of 100 different services that we were paying for, only 57 were actually in
use. Out of those 57, 15 of them were essentially performing similar functions. All in all, we
reduced the service count from 100 to 42. This decreased our annual operational expenses
by 4%, saving $2,575 per month."

6. How do you reduce the likelihood of human errors in the accounting department?

As an accounting professional, you must have a keen eye for detail. Clearly highlight your
organizational skills and ability to pay attention to small details. Use examples from previous
roles to demonstrate this skill—you can use the STAR technique for answering situational
interview questions like this by explaining the situation, task, action and result.

Example: "I believe the best way to reduce human error in the accounting department is to
ensure each team member can handle their workload. As an accounting manager
overseeing a large department, I do my best to build relationships with other employees so I
can effectively assess how much work they can handle. I hold weekly meetings to delegate
work according to the strengths and weaknesses that I see in people. While I believe people
should be challenged, I avoid overloading them and will come to you if I believe we need to
expand our staff to properly separate responsibilities."

7. When it comes to accounting software, what matters most—price or functionality?

While the question is asking you to choose between the options, a strong answer combines
them instead. This strategy shows you understand that the price of software does not
always determine its functionality and vice versa.

Example: "Thanks to advancements in technology, there is no need to choose between

price and functionality when it comes to accounting software. With proper research, you
can find an affordable software program at $250 per month that performs just as well as
one that costs $2,000. It really comes down to a company's operational processes and
accounting needs.
 If I have a list of your accounting needs, or if I need to create one of my own after assessing
your operational processes, I can research to find a software program that fits well within
your budget while still performing all necessary functions. There is no need to sacrifice
functionality simply because of price."

8. What is the difference between executive and public accounting?

When answering this question, it is important to give examples of both executive and public
accounting. From there, you can easily highlight the differences between the two.

Example: "Executive accounting is a type of accounting that is used by companies that offer
services to users. Public accounting leverages CPAs and audits to help companies assess
their financial records and uphold accountability. Public accountants often have experience
in multiple industries while executive accountants usually only have experience in a single
industry. Another notable difference is that public accountants need CPA certification while
private accountants do not."

9. Do you know what project implementation is?

Project implementation is essential to ensuring you perform accounting tasks with the
utmost efficiency and effectiveness. Be sure you list each component in the correct order.

Example: "Project implementation has six key components: Identify the need, generate and
screen ideas, conduct a feasibility study, develop the project, implement the project and
control the project."

10. Why do you want to work for us?

As an accountant, you often have many job options across a variety of industries. Since
there is such a broad range of career opportunities to choose from, the hiring manager
might want to know why you chose to apply for the position. A good answer outlines why
you think you are a good fit for the company.

Take time to research the company to understand its core values, mission and goals. You
should consider how your own professional goals and values align with those of the
organization.

Example: "I performed extensive research on your company and understand your current
employees speak highly about working here. Not only does the culture here seem like a
great fit for me, but your mission statement resonates with my personal work ethic. I have
also noticed your company is involved in giving back to the community, and I am a huge
supporter of making our town the best it can be, especially since I am raising a family here."

Q:

Which accounting platforms have you worked with?

A:

Experienced accountants often have worked with multiple accounting applications or

enterprise resource planning systems. This question allows the applicant to show their
familiarity with prominent accounting and business software packages. Look for answers
that include the name and version of the software, as well as the features the applicant is
most familiar with.
What to look for in an answer:

 Familiarity with prominent software packages

 Understanding of how to use basic features
 Willingness to learn new platforms

Example:

“I used QuickBooks when I worked at a small business and Microsoft Dynamics GP at larger
enterprises. I’m most familiar with QuickBooks Online and helped my previous employer
track and categorize their expenses and invoices.

Q:

How have you used automation or workflow streamlining to improve your accounting processes at

previous jobs?

A:

Experienced accountants learn how to do their jobs more efficiently by using advanced tools
or software features. The applicant reveals whether they try to look for ways to continually
improve their processes and how to use tools to accomplish this goal.
What to look for in an answer:

 Creative thinking
 Understanding of accounting business processes
 Strong skills in the accounting solution

Example:

“I synchronized the business bank accounts and corporate credit card statements with our
accounting solution to decrease how much I had to type manually. I used the extra time to
look into accounting discrepancies and follow up with employee expense reports.”

Q:
 What do you do when you have a tight deadline and multiple accounting projects to finish?

A:

Many accounting projects have a strict deadline, and accountants may be working on more
than one at a time. This important question gives you insight into how the job seeker
prioritizes tasks and responds to high-pressure situations.
What to look for in an answer:

 Time management techniques for quickly and accurately entering transactions

 Good prioritization for focusing on the most important accounting duties
 Multi-tasking for completing different types of reports at the same time

Example:

“I would focus on the most time-sensitive tasks first, as well as those that other people
depend on to move forward on the project. If I needed additional resources to remain on
schedule, I would ask the appropriate department.”

Q:

How do you answer questions from clients who don’t have any background in accounting?

A:

Accountants may need to explain processes or concepts to other people in your

organization who don’t know anything about accounting. Look for a response that conveys a
willingness to simplify complex information and present it in an easy-to-understand fashion.
What to look for in an answer:

 Teaching skills
 Fundamental understanding of accounting concepts
 Patience

Example:

“I would use analogies to help the person understand the information that I’m trying to
convey. I wouldn’t use any terminology that’s accounting-specific, as that would make it
difficult for this person to follow along. I spent a lot of time talking to the software
development team about what the accounting team needed in our applications. I framed
everything in technology terms, such as referring to a general ledger as a database.”

Q:
 What strategies do you use to detect fraudulent entries in a journal or ledger?

A:

Accountants need to remain vigilant in fraud detection to protect the company’s finances
and values. The applicant should have familiarity in using a combination of software
features and their own judgment to identify unusual or fraudulent patterns.
What to look for in an answer:

 Understanding of common fraudulent behavior

 Familiarity with fraud monitoring tools
 Appropriate ethics

Example:

“I use proactive monitoring features in the enterprise resource planning platform I use,
alongside manual spot checks. The automated monitoring catches errors and anomalies that
may indicate fraud. I conduct a thorough investigation and double-check the numbers to
discover what happened.

Q:

How do you maintain accounting accuracy?

A:

A small mistake could cost your organization a lot of money, especially if it goes undetected.
Applicants should have several ways to check the accuracy of their accounting, as well as
know what to do if they make a mistake.
What to look for in an answer:

 Detail-oriented mindset
 Ability to recognize and address mistakes
 Dedication to accuracy

Example:

“I use every tool and resource available to check my work and limit the potential for an
error to slip by. At my last job, employees used Expensify to track receipts when they went
on business trips. I looked at the real-time reports and compared them to the credit card
statements to confirm the numbers. When errors do happen, I address them quickly to limit
the damage it could cause.”
Q:

How have you helped companies or clients save money or better use their available financial

resources?

A:

Accountants can identify areas of wasteful spending and put together strategies to reduce
unnecessary expenses. Look for answers that display logical and analytical thinking, with
critical problem-solving skills.
What to look for in an answer:

 Going the extra mile for their organization

 Developing optimization processes
 Reviewing historical data

Example:

“I looked through the company’s financial trends to discover redundancies in the business
service contracts during slow seasons. By moving to a lower service tier when the extra
capacity isn’t needed, the company reduced costs by 15%.”

Q:

How do you feel about working with other accountants on a daily basis? Can you give me an example

that demonstrates your teamwork skills?

A:

Accountants perform mathematical calculations that contribute to paychecks, tax returns

and financial statements. Being able to work with others and ask for assistance is an
important trait for accountants, as it helps them catch and correct accounting errors. This
question helps interviewers verify whether a candidate can work well with other
accountants to uphold the accounting operations within their company.

The candidate's answer should emphasize:

 Team-oriented mindset
 Personableness
 Communication skills

The following response is an example of how a great candidate might answer:

Example:

"I enjoy working with other accountants and finance professionals as we can check each
other's work and investigate discrepancies when comparing the total assets on the company
balance sheet to total liabilities and shareholders' equity. In my previous job, I worked with
four other accountants. We divided accounting duties and took on additional work when
someone was out sick. During tax season, we worked long hours, and it was super helpful to
be part of a team as it made the processes faster and more efficient."

1.

Tell Me About Your Background.

This might feel like a broad or vague question, but here recruiters want to understand the
depth of your accounting experience, Robbins says, as well as how you think and talk about
your career trajectory. If you’re interviewing for a tax role, what type of returns have you
worked on? If audit, what was the size of your client and industry? What type of projects
have you worked on?

How to Answer

Don’t tell your whole life story; briefly summarize your career and the work that you’ve
done at a high level. The recruiter will most likely ask follow-up questions based on what
you share in your response. Think about using stories of how you gained an interest in the
field and what led you to the roles you pursued. This is also a great opportunity to share
your future goals and further express your interest in the company. If there was something
specific about the company or position that caught your attention, say what it was! Share
how your prior experience has prepared you for the position you’re interviewing for.
Remember, it’s all about relevance and connecting the dots.

For example:

“I’ve always had a love for numbers and really enjoyed my accounting courses in college so
I’ve known this was the path for me since I was young. I started my career in public
accounting with a Big Four firm in audit. Audit allowed me the opportunity to work with
clients of all sizes and industries. I focused on testing controls, writing audit reports, and
overseeing the work of my audit team. I also trained our new hires and interns. I got a lot of
experience auditing complex accounts such as derivatives and statement of cash flow. What
I’ve enjoyed most throughout the course of my career is building relationships with my
clients and helping them understand their financials better. I also am up to date on my CPA
license and recently obtained my Masters in Accounting, and I’m looking for a position that
will allow me to use my experience auditing financial statements to have a hand in creating
financial statements.”

2.

What Accounting Processes Are You Most Familiar With?

Recruiters typically ask this question to get an idea of what type of functions you’ve
performed within accounting—as it looks different from department to department and
company to company—and how the work you’ve done is relevant to the work you would be
doing in the new role.

How to Answer

Think about your past and current responsibilities as they relate to performing technical
accounting work. For example, if you worked as a staff accountant, you may be responsible
for month-end close procedures and can share what that work entailed. If you worked in a
financial accounting role, you may be responsible for reviewing quarterly financial
statements and cross-referencing workpapers.

You’ll want to go as in-depth as possible for the recruiter to understand the significance of
your role. You would want to include the accounts you’re responsible for (i.e. accounts
receivable, derivatives, accounts payable, or cash) or, if you’re responsible for specific parts
of the financial statement, share which parts as well as which financial statements (i.e.
balance sheet, income statement, or cash flow statement). Include dollar amounts of
accounts (if it’s not confidential) or the number of accounts you worked with to further
substantiate that you were a key player on the team.

This would also be the perfect time for you to share with the interviewer any processes you
improved or implemented, especially if your changes minimized error. If you do this, back
up your response with examples and numbers.

One possible answer might be:

“In my current role, my company wants us to get the month-end close done in six days. I
focus on reconciling accounts, posting closing journal entries, and reviewing general ledgers.
I also work with my leadership to look at analytic and assess uncommon fluctuations,
primarily for high-risk accounts. I work for a large organization, so I’ve also spent a lot of
time working with my internal clients or business group leaders to request documentation
necessary for processing and completing my tasks. While there is a lot of technical work
involved, there’s quite a bit of communication that I handle between coordinating with my
team and other business groups and reporting back to my supervisor. As part of my day-to-
day responsibilities, I handle the books for accounts of up to approximately $2 million.”

3.

What Is Your Technical Experience With Accounting Software?

The interviewer will ask this question to assess your experience using accounting tools and
software in your day-to-day work. Bonus points if you have experience using the specific
software that the company you’re interviewing with uses. Some companies use common
industry software while others might have customized software—this varies by company
size and industry.

How to Answer

To prepare yourself to answer this question, take a look at the job description of the role to
see which software and tools the company uses. You’ll want to be prepared to speak to your
experience with using the ones specified in the job description. But you won’t know every
system out there and that’s OK, so emphasize the experience that you do have with specific
tools and with learning new tools—especially if you can show that it will help you succeed in
the role you’re applying for. Also think about how your technical background has positively
impacted your team or company.

For example, your answer might sound like:

“I have seven years of experience working with SAP and Oracle with clients in the healthcare
and financial services industries. I also used QuickBooks in a former role. Along with these
accounting tools, I have been using Microsoft Excel throughout my entire career and have
become very adept with it, often teaching myself new things and bringing them back to my
team. For example, in my current role, I create pivot tables and use the VLOOKUP function
to get our financial analysis and budgeting done more efficiently. I’d be excited to share my
Excel expertise with a new team here and to quickly get up to speed on your proprietary
software—as I have with other tools in the past.”

4.

What Is Your Background Working in Various Industries?

Recruiters want to see if your experience aligns with the company's size and industry, says
Chris Robbins, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist with Dixon Huges Goodman, a top 20
public accounting firm. Since accounting is such a vast profession, rules and processes differ
across industries.

How to Answer

For this answer, you want to think about the role and company you’re interviewing for. If
you’re interviewing to be a private, or internal, accountant, hiring managers primarily want
to hear about your experience and interest in the company’s industry. But if you’re
interviewing for a public accounting role, they’ll want to hear about your
experience across industries since you’ll likely have clients of different types.

In either situation, be sure to emphasize your experience in and tailor your answer to the
industry or industries relevant to the role. If you aren’t sure what those are, this is a great
opportunity for you to ask the interviewer.

One answer might sound like:

“While my experience has ranged across manufacturing, energy, and financial services, I
found myself most interested in manufacturing due the complexity of the work. In my last
job, I prepared taxes for a number of manufacturing clients and got to learn about the many
intricacies of that industry—so much that I became the go-to person to ask when my
colleagues had questions about manufacturing clients. And the large manufacturers that
your website mentions as clients are actually what initially drew me to this role.”

5.

Do You Have Your CPA?

The Certified Public Accountant license is the ultimate certification, and it shows
commitment to the profession. If you have your CPA, it will make you stand out against the
competition. However, there are many other certifications in accounting that you could
pursue—having a CPA isn’t the only way.

How to Answer

There are no tricks to this one. Tell the interviewer briefly and straightforwardly about your
CPA or other certifications or your progress toward them:
“I don’t have my CPA license yet but I am actively working toward it. I have passed two out
of four parts—BEC and FAR—and am planning to take the other two sections within the
next six months.”

On the other hand, if you have a CPA, you might answer like this:

“I obtained my CPA during the first two years of my career and have maintained it ever since
—keeping up with the CPE annual requirement by attending trainings and conferences. I am
also pursuing my CFE as I’ve developed an interest in forensic accounting and that
certification will be valuable for the direction my career is going in.”

6.

How Do You Handle Challenging Situations or Difficult Conversations With Others?

Accountants don’t work in silos and will be working with internal or external clients to get
the books in order. There may be times when you encounter a discrepancy with a client or
when an account reconciliation is inaccurate and you have to confront your colleague about
the error. Recruiters want to see that you have no issue handling difficult conversations and
are efficient at quickly solving problems that may arise, especially if you’re under a tight
deadline. Be sure to avoid badmouthing your company or colleagues as this could reflect
poorly on you as a future employee or coworker.

How to Answer

For behavioral questions such as this, the STAR method is a great approach to follow to
ensure you answer the question completely, emphasize your specific contribution to
handling the situation, and describe the outcome. Hey, if it helps, you can literally say these
four words (situation, task, action, and result) in your interview like in this sample answer:

“I handle difficult conversations with others by making sure I address the problem directly
with the right people while maintaining a solutions-oriented and collaborative approach. I
have quite a bit of experience with this, because in my current work it’s not out of the
ordinary to find problems in the financial statements or with payroll that have to be rectified
before an audit is complete.

“In one situation in particular, I served as the In-Charge Auditor for a large public filing
client. I had a team of two staff auditors who reported to me, and I also handled the budget
and schedule and served as the main point of contact for the client relationship. The client
was upset since the entire audit team had changed more than once, so he would be working
with new people each year after he had grown to trust the prior year’s audit team. He was
frustrated and seriously considering taking his business to another firm.
“I was tasked with getting him on board with our audit team and assuring him that we
would handle the audit effectively and professionally—so that we could keep his business.

“I took actions to resolve this matter by setting up a meeting with him and the rest of
company leadership to run through the schedule and answer questions they had going into
the audit, followed by a lunch with the entire audit team. I wanted to make sure they felt
comfortable and confident in our capabilities to get the audit completed. I also set up
weekly one-on-one check-ins with the client as the team worked through the audit to keep
him up to date on progress and any high-level issues.

“This resulted in a strong relationship with the client, and we had good communication
throughout. By the end of the audit, we celebrated with the client. It was great to see the
relationship completely turn around, and he is still a client of ours four years later.”

7.

How Do You Organize and Prioritize Your Day?

There are many moving pieces in an accounting role, so the interviewer will want to
understand how well you balance and prioritize your work when things get busy.

How to Answer

The work of an accountant is driven by processes, impending deadlines, and a ton of cross-
functional collaboration. So organization, time management, and healthy communication
between your team and clients are all super crucial to demonstrate here. According to Holt,
it’s important for accountants to explain how they are able to keep track of their schedule
and effectively split time between accounting procedures, client check-ins, and team check-
ins.

For instance, how often are you checking in with your clients? And when you do, are you
sending them updates on documentation needs or where things may be held up in the
process (if you’re waiting on something from them)? Do you keep a running to-do list, use a
checklist, or note due dates on your calendar? There’s no right or wrong answer here—
share what has worked for you to stay on task and on time.

So you could say something along the lines of:

“I like to stay as proactive as possible, especially during busy times such as month- or
quarter-end close. I keep a running to-do list and have each task marked as high, medium,
or low priority, as well as how many hours it will take to complete. I also give myself
deadlines for my tasks, especially those that need to get sent over to another team member
—for example, budgeting has to get done before the financial analysis can be created, so I’d
make sure to complete my work in plenty of time to set my colleague up for success. I also
check in with my leadership often to make sure things are on track and communicate with
my team regularly to understand any potential delays or risks to completing our work within
the allotted time frame.”

8.

Tell Us About a Time When You Were Up Against a Tight Deadline. How Did You Handle

It?

Time management is a crucial skill for any job in the accounting world as there are many
regulations that companies must abide by for compliance measures. Working with a short or
difficult-to-meet deadline at some point is almost inevitable, and interviewers want to see
that you’re up to the task.

How to Answer

This is the perfect time to show that you’re solutions-focused and don’t mind stepping up to
the plate when duty calls. Remember the STAR method again for this behavioral question.
Choosing which story to tell can be difficult, so before the interview you’ll want to prepare a
story about a time you stepped up and successfully navigated the situation by
demonstrating your leadership and time management skills.

For example:

“I was getting through a quarter filing and someone on my team fell sick halfway through, so
we were down one person. We had to make it work with our timeline since there was no
flexibility with it. I was tasked with getting our team through the filing period and keeping
team motivation and engagement high while we were short-staffed.

“I rearranged our work to spread it out evenly and based on everyone's expertise. I held
weekly team meetings—twice a week closer to the deadline—to discuss any areas where
we were struggling, lagging behind, or running into issues and to support each other and
brainstorm solutions. I also set up a shared calendar with reminders for important
milestones to help everyone stay on task.

“This resulted in us building strong communication even after the filing was successfully
completed on time. We motivated and supported one another through the process and
each person felt valued as a member of the team. This actually worked out so well that I
plan to use this approach with my teams going forward to ensure future projects run
smoothly.”
9.

How Have You Added Value to Your Company Outside of Your Client Activities?

Depending on the company or path you’re on within accounting, and especially if you’re an
external auditor, hiring managers might want to understand how well-rounded you are and
how committed you’d be to getting involved internally.

How to Answer

This is a fairly easy and straightforward question and a great way for you to show leadership
skills beyond the day-to-day requirements of your accounting work. If you've helped with
business development activities to grow the practice or led a committee or initiative, those
are positive factors to demonstrate your versatility.

One possible answer would be:

“Outside of my daily responsibilities, I have gotten involved on the recruiting side by serving
as a company representative during on-campus recruiting events. This includes volunteering
at career fairs, conducting mock interviews, or taking candidates out to lunch during in-
office interviews. I also lead our office social committee, so I am responsible for planning
community outreach events and social events for staff.”

10.

Why Are You Interested in This Company?

As an accountant, there are a plethora of paths, fields, and organizations to choose from.
Whether you want to work at a nonprofit, corporation, or university, you have quite a few
choices. A recruiter will want to assess how committed and enthusiastic you are about
joining this company in particular.

How to Answer

This is when you connect those dots between your career goals and the company. You
should show your interviewer that you’ve done your research: Always check out the
company’s website and social media for insight and take the time to make sure your
professional goals and values align with the company’s. For example, is one of your goals to
work with a specific company size or industry? Have you been fascinated by this
organization’s approach? Are you passionate about their mission? If so, you will want to
share that during your interview.

Not only should you speak to how the company is aligned with your goals, but you can also
reiterate how your experience is ultimately the best fit for what they are looking for in a
candidate.

This might sound like this:

“I’m interested in working for the XYZ Art Museum because I’ve long been passionate about
art—art history was my minor in college!—and would be so excited to have the chance to
bring my accounting skills into an environment where everyone is similarly enthusiastic
about the visual arts and uses their expertise (whether they’re curators or accountants like
me) to advance this mission of introducing more people to modern art. I’ve worked at a
couple of large nonprofit organizations that function similarly to a museum and spent a few
years volunteering at ABC Museum’s outreach events back when I lived in Chicago—which
only makes me more certain this would be an environment where I could thrive and
contribute.”

1. How would you define the role of an accountant?

2. Which skills do you think are essential for accountants?
3. What accounting software solutions are you familiar with?
4. Can you describe an accounting process that you helped develop or improve?
5. Tell me about a time you were able to reduce the cost of a critical process or procedure?
6. Can you tell me about a time when you had to work with a particularly difficult client?
How did you handle the situation?
7. Describe a past experience where you were faced with an incredibly tight deadline. What
did you do to make sure you could hand over the deliverable on time?
8. Tell me about a time when you had to discuss a complex accounting concept with
someone who wasn’t familiar with it. How did you make sure they understood?
9. Please define and describe the three kinds of financial statements and what they contain.
10. Errors can be detrimental in accounting. How do you reduce the chance that you’ll make
a mistake?
11. Can you tell me about a time when you made a mistake? What did you do once it was
spotted?
12. What is the difference between public and private accounting?
13. Please describe your experience with Microsoft Excel.
14. Why did you choose accounting as a career?
15. What is the difference between accounts payable and accounts receivable?
16. Do you have any certifications? Do you plan to get any in the near future?
17. When tax season arrives, are you open to working long hours?
18. Which accounting skill do you like using the most? What about the least?
19. Describe your experience with developing business metrics.
20. Can you tell me about a time you and another accountant did not see eye to eye? How
did you handle the situation?
21. In your previous positions, what processes have you used to estimate bad debt?
22. Describe your auditing and fraud analysis experience.