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Accounting Interview Questions

The document provides 10 technical accounting interview questions that assess an applicant's knowledge of accounting fundamentals, systems, and problem-solving abilities. It also lists 8 behavioral interview questions about skills like meeting deadlines, attention to detail, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, accountability, and goal setting. Hiring managers can use these questions to evaluate an applicant's qualifications for both entry-level and more senior accounting roles. The questions are designed to reveal the depth of candidates' accounting expertise and how well their experiences align with the needs of the position.

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74 views3 pages

Accounting Interview Questions

The document provides 10 technical accounting interview questions that assess an applicant's knowledge of accounting fundamentals, systems, and problem-solving abilities. It also lists 8 behavioral interview questions about skills like meeting deadlines, attention to detail, communication, teamwork, problem-solving, accountability, and goal setting. Hiring managers can use these questions to evaluate an applicant's qualifications for both entry-level and more senior accounting roles. The questions are designed to reveal the depth of candidates' accounting expertise and how well their experiences align with the needs of the position.

Uploaded by

Sowndaryanarayan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Accounting Interview Questions

Technical
…..and how hiring managers will use them.

1. "What is the difference between accounts receivable (AR) and accounts payable (AP)?"
a. This is one of many elementary interview questions that hiring managers can use to find out
more about the general accounting knowledge of entry-level job candidates for bookkeeping or
accounting clerk openings. Verbal and non-verbal responses will reveal whether the applicant
understands accounting fundamentals.

2. "When a company is using double-entry accounting, what elements of a given ledger must be
equal?"
a. This is another fairly basic inquiry. Candidates with some accounting training or experience
should have no trouble answering it. As with question one, how the applicant replies may show
the hiring manager that he or she is under- or overqualified for a junior-level position.
b. Find out what attracts accounting and finance professionals to work for a company.

3. "If a company has three bank accounts for processing payments, what is the minimum number of
ledgers it needs?"
a. Hiring Managers can use this as a starting point to explore a candidate’s knowledge of ledgers.
They can observe the candidate’s initial reaction and use it as a leaping off point for further
discussion of skills related to the opening they are trying to fill. They will expect the response to
reveal the extent to which the candidate has thought through how accounts relate to lines of
business and generally accepted accounting principles.

4. "What are two or three types of special journals?"


a. While still a fairly basic question, Hiring Managers may tailor their follow-up queries according
to the specifics of their business or to the candidate’s work history. Or, as a skill test, they could
present a few journal samples and ask the applicant to explain them. The way the applicant
responds will show the skill level in identifying mistakes or omissions.

5. "What methods have you used for estimating bad debt?"


a. This question can open a conversation about the ways the applicant has approached this
routine process with previous employers. This line of inquiry allows recent grads to apply
theoretical knowledge in venturing educated guesses. The applicant’s answer will reveal the
level of understanding of the methods most commonly used and could open a dialogue about
how the Hiring Manager’s company handles this.
6. "Why is it easier for someone to perpetrate fraud using a journal entry than with a ledger?"
a. Accounting professionals, particularly those who have managed ledgers or worked as full-
charge bookkeepers for more than a couple of years, should be able to speculate on this
scenario. A candidate with more formal training specific to auditing or fraud analysis will likely
explain this thoroughly and be able to provide examples.

7. "Which enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems have you used?"


a. Most professionals, especially those with experience working for medium to large
organizations, should have an answer for this. A response might include any of the following:
Hyperion, Microsoft Dynamics GP or Oracle Enterprise Manager. For entry-level candidates, the
Hiring Manager might turn this into a discussion of finance certifications and future training
possibilities. For example, they might ask which ERP systems the applicant would like to master.
Discussion of these tools, how the applicant learned them and what applications the Hiring
Manager’s company uses will reveal how much, if any, training the applicant might need if
hired.

8. "What is your experience with developing business metrics?"


a. Though somewhat general, this interview question can elicit answers useful in evaluating entry-
level business or financial analyst candidates all the way up to mid-career professionals who
aspire to roles that come with budget and staff oversight responsibilities.

9. "If a private company with break-even operations received a $10 million investment, how would you
develop a strategy to spend or invest that money?"
a. This falls into the category of situational interview techniques, a tactic useful in gauging an
applicant’s ability to think through a scenario like one that might be faced in a more senior
finance role. The applicant’s response will show the Hiring Manager if the approach is in
alignment with that of their existing team, which will also indicate if this candidate is a good fit
for their organization’s culture.

10. "What challenges have you faced in leading a team through an analysis project?"
a. As with question nine, the applicant’s reply will reveal the level of critical thinking skills and
elicit a better picture of his or her leadership techniques.

Behavioral

 Meeting Deadlines: “Tell me about a time when you had various tasks to complete in order to meet
accounting deadlines.”
 Attention to Detail: Any accounting function must be completed precisely. “Describe the skills and
tools you use to ensure that your tasks, reports, projects are completed precisely with complete
attention to detail.”
 Communication: Accurate accounting relies on effective communication within the accounting
department as well as with other departments. “Describe an example of the effective communication
necessary to complete an Accounting function.”
 Team Work: Team Work is critical within the Accounting Department because all functions in all areas
must come together to produce the Financial Reports. “Give me a recent example of you partnering
with a member of your accounting team to ensure that all functions were completed accurately and on
deadline.”
 Problem Solving: With the closest attention to detail, the best communication, and the most effective
team work; problems will still present themselves. “Tell me about a time that you utilized your
problem solving skills to reach a resolution to an unexpected problem.”
 Accountability: Everyone makes mistakes. Taking accountability for your errors is the key to
successfully reaching goals. “Describe a recent situation when an error was discovered and how you
responded to the situation.”
 Goals: Each and every company, department and individual has goals. These may be goals that are set
for you or goals that you set for yourself. “Let’s talk about a major goal that was set and how you were
involved in reaching that goal.”

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