YOU WERE LOOKING FOR: Staff Accountant Interview Questions And Answers Pdf
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...
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....
Expand 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. 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.
Expand 6. Describe a time when you had to use numerical data or a graph to convince a manager. 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. Seeing the data laid out was tremendously persuasive. Expand 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. 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.
Expand 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 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. Expand 9. 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.
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. Expand 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.
Expand How to Answer Accounting Interview Questions As you can see, accounting interview questions are generally a mix of questions about accounting issues and your own accounting skills, plus behavioral questions regarding soft skills , character, and work habits. You should never try to present a false front during a job interview because, among other issues, your interviewer might notice and decide that your lack of candor is a red flag for deeper problems. However, you can increase your chances of interviewing well and getting hired by practicing some typical job interview questions , as well as the common questions for accountants listed above. For the most success, use examples from your career in your responses and keep your answers well organized. Tips for an Accounting Interview How can you ace an accounting interview, and show you're a strong candidate for the position?
Follow these strategies: Be prepared for questions: That means practicing your responses in advance. As well, review the job description again before the interview so that you'll know which of your qualifications and skills to emphasize. Do research: The more you know about the company , the more you can personalize your responses. As well as looking for news stories about the company and browsing their website and social media, you can also look up your interviewer on LinkedIn.
Look organized: This is a skill that's important for many roles, but in particular demand for accountants. So, bring multiple copies of your resume in a neat portfolio. Make sure your interview outfit is particularly neat as well.
Accountants have important roles in virtually any business, organization, or government agency that handles money. Accountants also work for financial advisory firms and banks, or as tax advisers. Some questions you'll get when you're interviewing as an accountant, therefore, are industry-specific. But others are common in any accounting interview, regardless of industry. See a list of typical accounting interview questions, along with sample answers, and tips on preparing for your interview. 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. Expand 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. Expand 3. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of different accounting packages you have used in your most recent accountant jobs. 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. Expand 4. 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. Expand 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. 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. Expand 6. Describe a time when you had to use numerical data or a graph to convince a manager. 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.
Seeing the data laid out was tremendously persuasive. Expand 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.
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. Expand 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 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. Expand 9. 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. 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.
Expand 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.
Expand How to Answer Accounting Interview Questions As you can see, accounting interview questions are generally a mix of questions about accounting issues and your own accounting skills, plus behavioral questions regarding soft skills , character, and work habits. You should never try to present a false front during a job interview because, among other issues, your interviewer might notice and decide that your lack of candor is a red flag for deeper problems.
However, you can increase your chances of interviewing well and getting hired by practicing some typical job interview questions , as well as the common questions for accountants listed above. For the most success, use examples from your career in your responses and keep your answers well organized. Tips for an Accounting Interview How can you ace an accounting interview, and show you're a strong candidate for the position? Follow these strategies: Be prepared for questions: That means practicing your responses in advance. As well, review the job description again before the interview so that you'll know which of your qualifications and skills to emphasize.
No comments:
Post a Comment