Accountant Interview Questions
If you have passed your Accountancy exams and are now qualified then you are you just need to find the right kind of company.
There are various types of roles so you need to think which environment you would be best suited to. You could apply for positions within an Accounting Practice or be an Accountant of a company for example a retail head office. Which environment suits you, do your research.
When you have an interview you need to tailor your answers to the company as the environment will allow for differing questions.
Some general accounting questions could be:
What accounting applications are you familiar with? Describe previous accounting processes you have followed and if you have ever changed these and how? Scenarios such as describe a difficult deadline and how have you dealt with this? Explain accounting to someone who does not have an accounting background? How do they understand? Shows how well you can explain and know your chosen career path. Ensure that you read the financial pages for at least a good few weeks before to be fully up to date on any law changes, things that will be important to your role. Make sure that you are well informed about the firm, accountancy profession and business in general.
Most asked interview questions:
– How would you handle conflicting deadlines with two different bosses?
– Why did you choose accounting?
– Scrutinize this invoice and tell me how you’d enter it in QuickBooks
– What is a CDS?
Tell me about yourself
Why should we hire you?
Why do you want this job?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest weakness?
What are your salary expectations?
What motivates you?
Give some examples of teamwork
Describe a difficult work situation project and how you overcame it
Are you willing to travel?
What can you contribute to this company?
Good luck.
I would say that you should take along your certificates to prove your qualifications, if you are applying for your first accountant job. If moving from one to another then you wont need those obviously, unless the employers ask to see them, which some may.
If you’ve got an interview for an accountant’s job, they’re obviously convinced that you can do the mathematics and numerical work required of an accountant, so I don’t think you’d have to convince them again of this. Of course, taking your qualifications is definitely a good idea. Make sure you have everything that you need organized.
Accountants need to be trustworthy and honest people, and this is what you should be trying to convey to the interviewer. Tell him/her scenarios where you were honest and truthful. If it’s your first accountant’s job, think about things such as handing in a wallet or purse at the local police station etc.
Excellent tips.