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Interview Questions for Staff Accountants:1. Can you recall an accounting error you made and what you have done since to avoid making mistakes?Demonstrates the ability to rectify problems and minimize the risk of making mistakes. 2. What was the most challenging accounting task you have faced?Reveals critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 3. What experience do you have with the preparation of financial reports and projections?Reveals specific work experience. 4. How do you ensure the accuracy of the data you work with?Reveals how the candidate verifies data and maintains strong attention to detail. 5. What type of accounting systems and programs have you worked with and which would you recommend?Tests the candidate's knowledge of and experience with specific accounting systems and programs. By Mike SimpsonUPDATED 6/11/2022When you’re trying to land a new accounting position, the accounting interview questions you’ll face can be doozies. While you’re going to see some classic ones – like the infamous “Tell me about yourself” – you’re also going to have to tackle some surprising ones. Luckily, preparing for the unexpected isn’t as challenging as you’d think. If you want to bend those accounting interview questions to your will, here’s how to make that happen. How to Answer Accounting Interview QuestionsBefore we dig into the actual accountant interview questions you’ll tee off against, let’s spend a moment on something that’s equally important. You need to know how to answer these questions properly, particularly because you could face stiff competition. Overall, there are 1.32 million people working in accounting jobs in the US, so at least a few of the other candidates likely have strong skills. So, how do you make sure you get these questions right? By embracing a winning strategy. To begin, consider what the hiring manager is trying to find. Trust us; they have a perfect candidate in mind. What you need to do is position yourself as close to that ideal as possible while ensuring you remain genuine and honest. MIKE'S TIP: While it may be tempting to hide the fact that you don’t know the answer to an accounting interview question, don’t. If you’re asked to define or describe something, and you have no clue what it is, admit it. Then, pivot the conversation. How do you do that? By discussing how you’d figure out the answer. That demonstrates your resourcefulness, problem-solving skills, agility, and ability to function under pressure. All of that can work in your favor, usually more so than trying to guess, not seeming confident, or being blatantly wrong. While every accounting role can be a bit different, much of what the hiring managers want to find is the same. They are looking for critical thinkers with superior math skills and strong communicators with prior experience using key pieces of software. Candidates with time management and organizational skills are always going to be favored, as well as those who can work well as part of a team but also handle their responsibilities independently. Having an understanding of relevant laws and regulations is also critical. IMPORTANT: These are skills and qualities that are usually desirable in an accountant. But as we often discuss on this blog, you need to find out what skills and qualities your specific company/firm is looking for. The best way to do this is by going over your accountant job description with a fine-tooth comb. Now that you have a solid idea of what the hiring manager is looking for, you have to find a way to convey those details during your interview. Plus, you have to find opportunities that let you stand out from the competition, particularly since most will have credentials similar to yours. Usually, behavioral interview questions are where you’ll have a chance to shine. But these frequently seem like the trickiest ones to answer. You have to discuss your past experience or how you think you’d act if you encountered various scenarios. Technically, there is no right or wrong answer. However, that doesn’t mean some responses aren’t better than others. Nailing behavioral interview questions typically requires a two-step approach. First, it’s time for the STAR method. With that approach, you can turn your interview answers into compelling stories, making them tons more engaging than your typical response. But you can’t stop there. If you want your response to stand out like the north star in the sky, take it up a notch with the Tailoring Method. With that, you can personalize your answers and speak to the company’s or hiring manager’s needs. You are highlighting your capabilities in a way that brings them value, and that’s critical if you want to make a genuine connection. In fact we we wanted to let you know that we created an amazing free cheat sheet that will give you word-for-word answers for some of the toughest interview questions you are going to face in your upcoming interview. After all, hiring managers will often ask you more generalized interview questions! Click below to get your free PDF now: Get Our Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat Sheet!FREE BONUS PDF CHEAT SHEET: Get our "Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet" that gives you "word-word sample answers to the most common job interview questions you'll face at your next interview. CLICK HERE TO GET THE JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS CHEAT SHEET Top 3 Accounting Interview QuestionsNow that you have a strategy to answer accounting interview questions, you might be feeling pretty pumped. Having a great approach feels good, no doubt about it. But that doesn’t mean a few examples won’t help. Here are the top 3 accounting interview questions you’ll probably face and tips for answering them. 1. How do you track incoming accounting legislation and regulatory changes?Laws and regulations that impact the accounting world change surprisingly often. With this question, the hiring manager is trying to ensure that you do your part to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
2. How would you explain a complex accounting concept to someone who isn’t as familiar with the field or the terminology?In many cases, accounting professionals need to convey complex concepts to stakeholders that don’t work in accounting. As a result, the hiring manager wants to know that you can do so effectively. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
3. Errors can be detrimental in accounting. How do you reduce the chance that you’ll make a mistake?As the question suggests, making mistakes in an accounting role leads to trouble. Here, the hiring manager wants to know that you are diligent about avoiding mistakes and can check your own work with ease. EXAMPLE ANSWER:
47 More Accountant Interview QuestionsHere are 47 more interview questions for accountants you’ll likely cross paths with:
5 Good Questions to Ask at the End of an Accounting InterviewAs your interview begins to draw to a close, you should get a chance to ask the hiring manager a few questions. Make sure you are ready for this. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the job and if it’s actually right for you. Plus, as Indeed puts it, “Having your questions prepared shows the interviewer that you researched the company and the position.” That makes you seem more enthusiastic about the role, and that matters. If you can’t figure out what to ask, here are some questions that can work in most situations.
Putting It All TogetherUltimately, landing an accountant interview is exciting, but it’s also okay to be a bit nervous about what’s to come. A new job usually means taking a step forward in your career, and that can be a lot of pressure, particularly with the types of interview questions for an accountant you’ll usually face. But, by making use of the tips above and reviewing the accounting interview questions, you can be ready. You’ll have a strategy that showcases you as an amazing candidate, allowing you to demonstrate to the hiring manager why you’ll be a great addition to their team. Good luck! FREE: Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet!Download our "Job Interview Questions & Answers PDF Cheat Sheet" that gives you word-for-word sample answers to some of the most common interview questions including:
Click Here To Get The Job Interview Questions & Answers Cheat SheetCo-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan, Penn State, Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page. What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers for accounting?How to answer Accounting interview questions. Why do you want to do accountancy?. Are you able to convey technical information to someone of more or less technical ability? ... . What are your strengths and weaknesses?. Can you give examples of when you've helped a team be successful?. Why do you want to work for this firm?. What are the interview questions for staff accountant?Staff Accountant Interview Questions. Why do you want to become an accountant with our company? ... . Tell me the difference between accounts receivable and accounts payable. ... . How do you manage multiple accounting projects and tight deadlines? ... . What accounting software programs or platforms are you comfortable using?. How do I prepare for an accounting staff interview?How to Prepare for an Accounting Interview - 10 Tips. Know Your "Why" Why do you want to be an accountant? ... . Brush Up On the Basics. A few basic accounting interview questions include: ... . Plan Stories. ... . Arrive Early. ... . Be Specific. ... . Demonstrate Your Value. ... . Research the Company. ... . Research Your Field.. What are the 10 most common interview questions and answers pdf?Top 10 Interview Questions and Best Answers. Tell Me About Yourself. ... . Why Are You the Best Person for the Job? ... . Why Do You Want This Job? ... . How Has Your Experience Prepared You for This Role? ... . Why Are You Leaving (or Have Left) Your Job? ... . What Is Your Greatest Strength? ... . What Is Your Greatest Weakness?. |