1 | What is the key to success when communicating with the public. |
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11 | Name a time when your patience was tested. How did you keep your emotions in check? |
12 | Tell me about a time when you developed your own way of doing things or were self-motivated to finish an important task. |
Ive always been motivated by the challenge – in my last role, I was responsible for training our new recruits and having a 100% success rate in passing scores. I know that this job is very fast-paced and Im more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.
Be very thoughtful about your answer. This is a very serious matter for most companies and requires a very serious answer. You need to express that you will do it when it is the right thing to do but you dont want to give the impression that youre callus to the process. Dont forget that firing is not the same as laying someone off – it typically is for the direct benefit of the company.
Ideally, you want to take on the role youre interviewing for, but you want to be flexible with your responsibilities As Tax Representative if there are any changes.
Nothing says “hire me” better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs As Tax Representative, so dont be shy when answering this interview question! A great way to do so is by using the S-T-A-R method: Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., “In my last job as a Tax Representative, it was my role to manage the invoicing process”), but spend the bulk of your time describing what you actually did (the action) and what you achieved (the result). For example, “In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 man-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%.”
Behavioral interviews As Tax Representative where popularized by industrial psychologists in the 1970s, and have been used at big companies like AT&T. The idea behind them is that past responses to situations are the best predictor of how candidates will respond in the future. 1. Tell me about a time you faced a conflict while working as part of a team. 2. Talk about a goal you set for yourself. What did you do to make sure you met the goal? 3. Give an example of a time when you had to work with someone with a very different personality from yours. 4. Talk about an instance where you wish youd handled a situation differently with a team member. 5. Whats the most difficult problem you have had to solve As Tax Representative? 6. Give an example of how you handled a situation where you needed information from a colleague who wasnt responsive. 7. Talk about a time when you had problems building a relationship with a key team member. What did you do? 8. Tell me about an instance when it was important to make a great impression on a client. What did you do? 9. Tell me about a situation where you had to work with a difficult client. 10. Tell me about a situation where you disappointed a client, and how you tried to fix it. 11. Talk about a time when you had to strategize to meet all your obligations. 12. Talk about a time when you failed at something. How did you react? 13. Talk about a time you took on a leadership role. 14. Tell me about a long-term project you oversaw. How did you keep it focused and on schedule? 15. Talk about a time when you were under a lot of stress. What caused it, and how did you manage? 16. Do you prefer to work alone or with others As Tax Representative? 17. Tell me about a time when you were overwhelmed by the amount of work on your agenda. How did you handle it?
Analyze the problem As Tax Representative. Discuss possible remedies and resulting outcomes. Decide on the remedy and track results. Re-visit problem if its not resolved.
The only time this might matter is if the job requires a certain type of car because of the responsibilities. For example, if you need to load a lot of construction materials into your car, youll probably need a truck.
The best managers are strong but flexible, and thats exactly what you want to show off in your answer. (Think something like, “While every situation and every team member requires a bit of a different strategy, I tend to approach my employee relationships as a coach…”) Then, share a couple of your best managerial moments, like when you grew your team from five to 15 or coached an underperforming employee to become the companys top employee.
With anything comes sacrifice. The questions is how much of it are you willing to sacrifice with regards to work life balance, stress, etc?
The key is to show that you put a lot of thought (weighing out the pros and cons) but were able to be decisive. Be sure to explain your logic in arriving at the decision.
Example stories could be a class project, an internal meeting presentation, or a customer facing presentation.
You could discuss the companys vision, culture and solutions/services as reasons for wanting to join it.
Conflict resolution, problem solving, communication and coping under pressure are transferable skills desired by many employers As Tax Representative. Answering this question right can help you demonstrate all of these traits. ☛ Use real-life examples from your previous roles that you are comfortable explaining ☛ Choose an example that demonstrates the role you played in resolving the situation clearly ☛ Remain professional at all times – you need to demonstrate that you can keep a cool head and know how to communicate with people
When you respond, keep in mind the type of position you are interviewing for like Tax Representative based job, the company culture, and the work environment. Your answer should help show the interviewer why youre a match for the job and for the company. Sample answers are: ☛ Im a people person. I really enjoy meeting and working with a lot of different people. ☛ Im a perfectionist. I pay attention to all the details, and like to be sure that everything is just right. ☛ Im a creative thinker. I like to explore alternative solutions to problems and have an open mind about what will work best. ☛ Im efficient and highly organized. This enables me to be as productive as possible on the job. ☛ I enjoy solving problems, troubleshooting issues, and coming up with solutions in a timely manner.
Of course youre a team player – who isnt. But a simple yes probably isnt the response the interviewer is looking for. Be ready to provide specific example of how youve worked as part of a cohesive team to get things accomplished and how youve focus on team performance rather than individual performance. Make sure not to brag as this will make it appear as that youre more concerned about your own performance and accomplishments than those of the team.
You can cite personal life changes, work place changes, career changes, technology change, industry change. The key is to discuss how seeing or experiencing that change has helped your development. For example, the recent changes in social media has broadened my horizons and helped me learn new forms of efficient marketing.
Bad Answer: Going negative – if the candidate starts trash talking other candidates, its a sure sign of a bad attitude. Also, if they cant provide a solid answer, it may show that they lack thorough knowledge of the skills the job requires, and an understanding of where they fit in. Good answer: The candidate can name specific skills, abilities or understandings they have that apply directly to the job that other candidates are unlikely to have, or are in short supply.
Typically the first 30 days are designed for you to learn as much as possible As Tax Representative. Work hard to get to know your teammates, how they work together, and how you can make the biggest impact.
The hiring manager requests this of you because she wants to know more about your individual personality. This list can reveal a lot to her about who you are and how you might fit into the workplace. Your answer also gives the manager an indication of your self-perception, which is a good indicator of the type of employee you will be.
Reach out to your boss and let him know that first you value his leadership and organization but that you are being overwhelmed with the amount of non productive internal meetings.
Brainteaser questions As Tax Representative have become popular for interviews in recent years, as word has gotten out that top tech companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and IBM have used this type of question at one time or another. Companies like Google arent using these questions so much any more, but many companies, are, and it may be good to prepare for them As Tax Representative. The key to these isnt so much getting the exact answer, as it is showing how you would come up with an answer. Heres a sample of 12 of the best and most difficult. 1. How many street lights are there in New York City? 2. How many gas stations are there in the United States? 3. How many golf balls can fit in a school bus? 4. How much should you charge to wash all the windows in Seattle? 5. Why are manhole covers round? 6. How many times a day does a clocks hands overlap? 7. How would you test a calculator? 8. Describe the internet to someone who just woke up from a 30-year coma. 9. How much does the Starbucks in Times Square bring in, in annual revenue? 10. You are shrunk to the height of a nickel and thrown into a blender. Your mass is reduced so that your density is the same as usual. The blades start moving in 60 seconds. What do you do? 11. What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow? 😉 12. How many golf balls are there in Florida?
Great managers tend to empower their employees to be successful through strong coaching. They understand how to manage relationships – this is commonly referred to emotional intelligence. They have to be able to handle both client and staff situations that require them to be calm under pressure to clearly think of solutions to complex problems. Most importantly they must be able to articulate the vision to the team and inspire them to work together to collectively achieve that goal
Again, be honest about sharing a story here about someone who may not have gotten along with you in the office here and explain how you were able to fix that relationship or change your attitude/action to be a better person / coworker.
First, the key to inspiring others it to first understand what their goals and objectives are. Once you understand what people want, you can inspire them with a vision that aligns to what they care about. People generally care about having purpose, being successful (and being recognized for it), contributing in a meaningful way, and financial rewards (to a degree) and much more. Then once you understand what people set as goals, you can inspire them through 1:1 pep talks, a presentation to multiple people and so forth.
You answer depends on the type of company youre interviewing for. If its a start up, you need to be much more open to taking on risk. If its a more established company, calculated risks to increase / improve the business or minimal risks would typically be more in line.
This is a classic brainteaser, which was reportedly first asked by a Microsoft interviewer. Heres how to “”solve”” this brainteaser (remember to speak and reason out loud while solving this brainteaser): Why are manhole covers round? Could there be a structural reason? Why arent manhole covers square? It would make it harder to fit with a cover. Youd have to rotate it exactly the right way. The pipes below are also round, so fitting them might be easier, as might be making them. So many manhole covers are round because they dont need to be rotated. There are no corners to deal with. Also, a round manhole cover wont fall into a hole because it was rotated the wrong way, so its safer. Looking at this, it seems corners are a problem. You cant cut yourself on a round manhole cover. And because its round, it can be more easily transported. One person can roll it.
Failure happens. Its a part of life. The key is understanding that you cant be perfect at everything and more importantly youre going to learn from failures to come out stronger.
Tell them your major and the motivations behind why you chose it and how its helped to prep your of this potential job.
Dont try to sugarcoat the answer by listing something ambitious as a fear, unless you truly mean it (for example: I fear being a great leader) – Share your real fears but discuss how you would overcome them.
Think about what you need to learn going into the job. Skill sets, industry knowledge, relationship building, team dynamics. Which areas are ones youre lacking?
Think again about the job specification and the skills needed for this role As Tax Representative. Have a paragraph prepared highlighting how you will be able to do the job and what you can bring to the team. It goes without saying that this paragraph should be positive.
Incredibly important. I believe a positive attitude is the foundation of being successful – its contagious in the workplace, with our customers, and ultimately its the difference maker.
Discuss the clubs / activities you were in, share a personal story about why you enjoyed it and then describe how its helped shape you to be who you are today. For example, I enjoyed rock climbing because it taught me the value of practicing hard at a sport to become skilled in it. I bring this same diligence to my work approach today as well.
Show how you were able to over the “overwhelmed” feeling – by delegating tasks, getting people on your team to help you out, or by prioritizing your work and focusing on the most important issues first As Tax Representative.
I used to lock heads with a fellows. We disagreed over a lot of things – from the care of civilians to who got what shifts to how to speak with a victims family. Our personalities just didnt mesh. After three months of arguing, I pulled her aside and asked her to lunch. At lunch, we talked about our differences and why we werent getting along. It turns out, it was all about communication. We communicated differently and once we knew that, we began to work well together. I really believe that talking a problem through with someone can help solve any issue.
In more general terms, a question such as this gives a candidate the opportunity to talk about their professional philosophy and skills. While the question is general in nature, the best answers are usually quite specific, picking one or two points and exemplifying them with instances from personal history.
Drinking at the water cooler together is not the best example. Think of how you can collaborate with teammates to generate new ideas, to create initiatives to impact the business success for the better (specifically in the department that youre applying for). For example, if youre applying to marketing, collaboration could mean discussing new ways of social media advertising to reach an audience of over a million people to strengthen the brand awareness of the company.
Technology is important to almost every job today but its not meant to be abused. I believe its important to increase productivity and not for personal use.
Use your knowledge of the job description to demonstrate how you are a suitable match for the role.
Everyone disagrees with the boss from time to time, but in asking this interview question As Tax Representative, hiring managers want to know that you can do so in a productive, professional way. “You dont want to tell the story about the time when you disagreed but your boss was being a jerk and you just gave in to keep the peace. And you dont want to tell the one where you realized you were wrong,”. Tell the one where your actions made a positive difference on the outcome of the situation, whether it was a work-related outcome or a more effective and productive working relationship.
Describe honestly the regretful action / situation you were in but then discuss how you proactively fixed / improved it and how that helped you to improve as a person/worker.
Arrogance is having an attitude of superiority beyond reason. Confidence is believing in yourself without being cocky. You should not be arrogant.
If youre not, then say youre not. Dont lie about it just to get the job. Theres no point if you wont move for the job anyway and lying is unethical. If you are open to relocation As Tax Representative, let them know which areas youd be willing to relocate to.
One. You did not ask what is the maximum number of basketballs you can fit in the room.
Many managers mistakenly think that money is the prime motivator for their employees. However, according to surveys by several different companies, money is consistently ranked five or lower by most employees. So if money is not the best way to motivate your team, what is? Employees three most important issues according to employees are: ☛ Respect ☛ A sense of accomplishment ☛ Recognition
Demonstrate both loyalty and ambition in the answer to this question. After sharing your personal ambition, it may be a good time to ask the interviewer if your ambitions match those of the company.
Usually, you probably havent told your boss for obvious reasons. So its ok to say that they do not. You dont want to upset the balance at your current job after all and nothing is guaranteed in an interview. The interviewer should understand this stance.
Often an interview guide will outline the so-called ‘STAR approach for answering such questions; Structure the answer as a situation, task, action, and result: what the context was, what you needed to achieve, what you did, and what the outcome was as a result of your actions.
This is a “homework” question, too, but it also gives some clues as to the perspective the person brings to the table. The best preparation you can do is to read the job description and repeat it to yourself in your own words so that you can do this smoothly at the interview.
This is the part where you link your skills, experience, education and your personality to the job itself. This is why you need to be utterly familiar with the job description as well as the company culture. Remember though, its best to back them up with actual examples of say, how you are a good team player.
Both are important. You need to stress that. However, if you could only choose one, ask yourself As Tax Representative – do you like to be “in the weeds” with your work, or do you want to be the one painting the vision?
If you do not have the experience they need, you need to show the employer that you have the skills, qualities and knowledge that will make you equal to people with experience but not necessary the skills. It is also good to add how quick you can pick up the routine of a new job role.
There are two common answers to this question that do little to impress recruiters: ☛ ‘I got a 2.1 ☛ ‘I passed my driving test No matter how proud you are of these achievements, they dont say anything exciting about you. When youre going for a graduate job, having a degree is hardly going to make you stand out from the crowd and neither is having a driving licence, which is a requirement of many jobs.
One of the most useful interview tactics is to remain positive about your work and achievements. This question lets the candidate draw on their own personal history to show how they have been positive and successful in the face of difficulties. Choose a specific occasion to describe, rather than dealing with generic platitudes.
When you are interviewing for a new job, it is common practice for the company to ask you about your salary history. I typically want to know what the candidates base salary is, if they receive any bonus, the average bonus amount, and any additional compensation or perks, such as 500k matching, stock grants or stock options, paid time off and how much they are required to pay towards their medical premiums.
This is your final opportunity to persuade the interviewer that you are the right candidate for the job. Now is not the time to ask questions about holidays, pay or pensions – all these things can be asked later when you get an offer of employment. Now is the time to ask about any reservations that the interviewer may have about your suitability for the role. You will then give yourself one last chance to persuade the interviewer that you are the right candidate for the job. Example Thank you. I think we have covered everything. Before we finish the interview I would like to take the opportunity to ask if you have any reservations about my suitability for this role?
Choosing the right metrics and comparing productivity of everyone on daily basis is a good answer, doesnt matter in which company you apply for a supervisory role.
One good way to find out about the department is to try to “informally” interview the existing employees over coffee (outside of the office) if possible. Its hard if you dont have any connections there, but if you do a great way to learn about it. Other than that, its often hard to learn about the department so you can turn the table back on them by asking questions to learn about it.
It should say the same thing – after all – if you think this salary is fair then it should suit the responsibilities!
Good gets the job done on time and is high quality. Exceptional is a game changer – it stands out, its creative, its above and beyond expectations. Tell the interviewer a story about how you were exceptional.
Talk about a trait that you would consider a weakness. No need to talk about your deepest darkest secrets here.
This is a common one at startups. Hiring managers want to know that you not only have some background on the company, but that youre able to think critically about it and come to the table with new ideas. So, come with new ideas! What new features would you love to see? How could the company increase conversions? How could customer service be improved? You dont need to have the companys four-year strategy figured out, but do share your thoughts, and more importantly, show how your interests and expertise would lend themselves to the job.
There was a time when one of my employers faced the quitting of a manager in another country. I was asked to go fill in for him while they found a replacement and stay to train that person. I would be at least 30 days. I quickly accepted because I knew that my department couldnt function without me.
Liked. You want to work harder for people that inspire and motivate you. Fear only lasts for so long.
You should be able to join it right away, barring plans youve already made (family travel, vacation, other obligations). The key is to simply be open in communication of whats already committed on your schedule. Most companies are accommodating. If they are not, weight the importance of joining that company vs. your plans.
Sticking to the rules by yourself, working hard and not mind participating on basic tasks is a good answer.
Success is defined differently for everybody. Just make sure the parameters are defined by you with regards to work life balance, financial gain, career growth, achievements, creating meaningful work / products and so forth. If you can clearly articulate what it means to you that is a strong answer.
Top 20 Tax Accountant Interview Questions and Answers for 2022
6 Tax Preparer Interview Questions and Answers
How would you assist a client who has overdue tax payments?
Someone who has years of experience managing tax returns has set up payment arrangements for clients previously. They identify the best ways to settle a debt and prevent more serious repercussions for your business. You want a candidate who takes a more proactive approach when you owe money to the IRS. Someone who anticipates future tax implications and sets up a plan to prevent penalties will benefit your organization. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience setting up installment plans and settlements
- Understanding of the legal ramifications of tax liens
- Desire to help clients avoid additional costs
We want to increase our client base. What would your strategy be to do so?
A tax preparer can significantly contribute to building a company’s client base. This question can be used to evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of customer expectations for this position . An ideal tax preparer candidate can clearly articulate a viable strategy for bringing more customers into the firm.
A candidate’s answer should emphasize:
- Strategy, communication and leadership skills
- Ability to address customer expectations via strategy
- Evidence of suitability for a long-term position
An example answer to this question could look like this:
Why do you believe it is vital for consumers and businesses to maintain tax records for at least the last 10 years?
Someone who has completed tax assessments and managed investigations knows where to find problems. They research tax records to find discrepancies that lead to charges of tax evasion and unethical practices of previous CPAs or preparation services. You want a preparer who is familiar with codes and laws that could work against your company. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience participating in a tax audit
- Ability to research tax trends that maximize tax refunds
- Advice to help taxpayers prepare for the following tax year
What credentials do you have that qualify you as a tax preparer?
Someone who has experience preparing taxes provides your company with a great asset. They have completed the state’s minimum requirements for the position and are familiar with tax laws. You want a candidate who is interested in continuing their education and who stays abreast of the latest tax regulations and codes. They may have completed formal training through a community college or other local program. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience preparing tax returns for consumers and businesses
- At least a high school diploma
- Ability to meet the state’s certification or licensing requirements
What tax deductions would you recommend for a small business owner?
Someone who has prepared tax returns for a more modest company will assess how the owner uses their profits and operates their business. They know what deductions are legal to maximize the client’s refund. You want a candidate who researches expenses and helps taxpayers use all options available to them in order to reduce their tax implications. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience identifying deductions for taxpayers
- Understanding of how home-based or sole proprietor businesses operate
- Familiarity with all applicable tax codes
Do you recommend that all married couples file their income tax returns together and why?
Someone who knows how to maximize tax refunds knows that the filing status determines if the taxpayer qualifies for earned income credit and additional deductions. They review options for clients that reduce tax payments and allow the filer to decrease their gross adjusted income if possible. Look for a tax preparer candidate who understands the nuances of tax law and knows that no tax approach is one-size-fits-all. What to look for in an answer:
- Experience filing different types of tax returns
- Ability to identify the best solution for all clients
- Committment to ensure that all tax laws are followed
How do you handle multiple tasks with a deadline approaching?
Demonstrates time management skills.
Interview Questions for Tax Specialists:
Reveals experience and industry knowledge.
What accounting software are you familiar with?
Reveals knowledge of accounting software.
Looking ahead, what do you consider to be the biggest challenges and trends facing your field, and how do you see them impacting your role?
From evolving regulations to automation and artificial intelligence, there are many factors that could disrupt or change the work that tax professionals do. It’s good to know whether your candidate keeps up to date with industry trends and is willing to learn new things as their role evolves.
What makes a good tax specialist—and how do you spot them? These interview questions will help you identify ability and prowess in your next tax specialist. Here, you’ll find questions to help assess a candidate’s hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.
Have you ever discovered an accounting mistake made by a manager or colleague? How did you handle the situation?
Tells me about a time you had to juggle several challenging deadlines at one time. What was the outcome?
Of course youre a team player – who isnt. But a simple yes probably isnt the response the interviewer is looking for. Be ready to provide specific example of how youve worked as part of a cohesive team to get things accomplished and how youve focus on team performance rather than individual performance. Make sure not to brag as this will make it appear as that youre more concerned about your own performance and accomplishments than those of the team.
There are two common answers to this question that do little to impress recruiters: ☛ ‘I got a 2.1 ☛ ‘I passed my driving test No matter how proud you are of these achievements, they dont say anything exciting about you. When youre going for a graduate job, having a degree is hardly going to make you stand out from the crowd and neither is having a driving licence, which is a requirement of many jobs.
Nothing says “hire me” better than a track record of achieving amazing results in past jobs As Tax Representative, so dont be shy when answering this interview question! A great way to do so is by using the S-T-A-R method: Set up the situation and the task that you were required to complete to provide the interviewer with background context (e.g., “In my last job as a Tax Representative, it was my role to manage the invoicing process”), but spend the bulk of your time describing what you actually did (the action) and what you achieved (the result). For example, “In one month, I streamlined the process, which saved my group 10 man-hours each month and reduced errors on invoices by 25%.”
Ive always been motivated by the challenge – in my last role, I was responsible for training our new recruits and having a 100% success rate in passing scores. I know that this job is very fast-paced and Im more than up for the challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.
Liked. You want to work harder for people that inspire and motivate you. Fear only lasts for so long.