You’ve successfully applied for an accountant job in prestigious company. They scheduled a final interview with you before you get the job. But, preparing for an interview is really hard task. Here are some tips and techniques how to do that.
What to expect in your Accountant Interview
Most interviews will usually follow a standard structure and a fairly similar simple format. Usually you will be invited into the interview room, offered a drink and sometimes asked casual questions (about your journey, etc.)
Next, your interviewer will ask some general questions about yourself, your organizational skills, previous jobs, etc.
Interviewers will then ask you questions about your CV and examples on statements given inside. Also, you’ll be asked to explain your motives for applying the job and developing on the personal and team level, your expectations as an employee in the company, etc.
Once the interviewers feel that they have satisfactory answers to all questions they asked, they will then give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the job, the company etc.
Accountant Interview Questions
Questions will vary depending on the employer, on the level of job you are applying for, the amount of accounting experience you have, the recommended recruiting policy and the personal preference of the interviewer.
You should expect questions about:
Your Training and Qualifications
Your accountancy training, plans to become an accountant, qualifications and your understanding of accounting terminology and practice
Your Skills and Experience
Your experience as shown in your CV
Your Core Competencies
Your ability to have good analytical and numerical skills, ability to work to tight deadlines, to demonstrate effective communication and ability to deliver quality and accurate output
Your Personality and Motivation
Your reasons for applying or for choosing the accounting and finance sector and this employer, how you see your accountancy career developing and the steps you will take to develop your finance skills
Furthermore, you should expect questions exploring your ability to motivate and develop a team of accountants, your ability to build relationships and to generate income streams, especially if you’re applying for higher position.
Accounting Interview Question Examples
Here are 10 examples of possible interview questions:
- Interview Question 1: “Tell me about the advantages and disadvantages of the different Accounting packages you have used recently.”
- Interview Question 2: “Describe a time when you had to build a collaborative relationship either within your department or outside in order to achieve a particular goal. What steps did you take to ensure this was a success?”
- Interview Question 3: “What do you know about recent IAS changes and to what extent have you been involved with their implementation in your organization?”
- Interview Question 4: “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?'”
- Interview Question 5: “Give me an example of the different approaches you have used when persuading your team, colleagues or manager to agree with your views.”
- Interview Question 6: “Talk me through an example of how you have used data to improve your team’s productivity.”
- Interview Question 7: “Describe a time when you faced a particularly demanding deadline (emergency, rush, etc) to prepare a financial statements and reports. How did you react? What was the result? What did you learn to handle the situation better?”
- Interview Question 8: “When reconciling various balance sheet accounts to subsystems: Tell me about a time when you noticed a source of potential loss for a company or identified an undetected financial error before anyone else. What did you do about it?”
- Interview Question 9: “How do you ensure that you do not forget the details and ensure accuracy when you prepare monthly journal entries, record transactions and so on?”
- Interview Question 10: “Tell me about a time when you had to explain a complex accounting issue to someone with without an accounting background? How did you help your audience understand?”
* More examples in links
Accountant Interview Tips (Do and Do Not’s)
Here are some tips what you should and should not do on your job interview.
Do:
- Research the company you’re applying to
- Familiarize yourself with the job specs and the latest trends in accounting and finance
- Confirm and memorize the names of the interviewer/s (if it’s possible)
- Find out the dress code prior to your meeting. If you’re not sure then prepare your best suit. First impression counts and this will make you look professional.
- Confident (not crushing) handshake and a friendly smile can help
- Your body language is important. If you want to appear friendly and confident, sit up straight, do not cross arms and maintain good eye contact
- Ask questions, because that shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and company
- Always answer the question you’ve been asked. If you’re unsure what they’re asking, then ask them to clarify it. Don’t just go off talking nonsense, hoping that you’ll say the right thing
- At the end of the interview thank the interviewers and ask what the next step is
Do Not:
- Ask stupid or irrelevant questions. That includes questions about potential salary, holidays or good-looking work mates. Especially questions about sick-pay or is the working time flexible
- Be late. Double check your address and plan your route in advance
- Sit slouch, fidget in your chair, sit with your arms crossed or gaze aimlessly around the room
- Chew gum. It’s ok to chew gum or a mint before you go in, but make sure to throw it away, before you get in the interview room
- Be overly familiar.
- Blab too much. Nobody likes too many details about you, especially not your future employers.
- Wear a funny tie with SpongeBob, Homer Simpson or tie that simply doesn’t go with your suit
- Interrupt interviewers when they’re talking
- Complain about past employers
The most important thing to do is to relax. Bear in mind that if you’re chosen for the interview, you’ve already got the experience and qualifications necessary for the job. The interview is a sort of formality, but which is important to find out your attitude, aptitude and how well you’ll fit in with the company.
So, the best advice is: Just be yourself.
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