- Tell me about your previous work experience as a bookkeeper.
- What were your primary responsibilities?
- How much interaction did you have with vendors and clients?
- Tell me about your computer skills in general.
- What do you know about this company and our services?
What do you have to do after you are done creating your outstanding resume and cover letter? It is time to get ready for the first face-to-face meeting with the hiring manager. This is an important meeting because it is your chance to impress the interviewer and showcase yourself as a good candidate. If you do not take the time to prepare, you may struggle to do well.
Preparing for your accounting interview does not have to be hard. One place to start your preparation is by studying typical interview questions such as “What is your most notable accomplishment?” or “What would you consider your greatest weakness to be?” Because some questions are specific to particular careers, it’s also a good idea to examine the most commonly asked accounting bookkeeper interview questions. Practicing your answers to these questions can give you the confidence you need to really excel during the interview itself.
Top 20 Bookkeeper Job Interview Questions and Answers for 2022
6 Bookkeeper Interview Questions and Answers
What are the respective merits of cash basis and accrual reporting?
A business can report finances using two primary methods, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Knowing a bookkeeper is clear on the definitions and respective strengths and weaknesses of each tells you that the person has at least a certain baseline degree of requisite accounting knowledge. Knowing the candidate understands the uses of each shows you a versatility in approaching each situation uniquely. What to look for in an answer:
- Specialized accounting knowledge
- Qualities of discernment
- Ability to use different approaches based on the circumstances
What is your interest in bookkeeping, and what is your background in accounting?
Given the intensely mental, sedentary and solitary nature of bookkeeping, it helps to know why a candidate wishes to join, or continue in, the profession, including what motivates him or her about the work. A passion for numbers and solving problems is a strong asset for a prospective bookkeeper. Bookkeeping also requires specific knowledge of finances and economics. Gauging a candidate’s existing awareness on these fronts informs you of how much or how little you may have to train this person. What to look for in an answer:
- Relevant work history and experience
- Bookkeeping and accounting skills and knowledge
- Penchant for math and numbers
How would you find an error if your ledger was off?
A bookkeeper can take several different approaches to a ledger error, and knowing what method a candidate would take helps you see if your methodologies are aligned. The ideal applicant has tackled problems like this before and can approach them in as efficient and effective a manner as possible. This starts with ensuring the error does indeed exist and isn’t just the bookkeeper’s human mistake. One systematic approach to verifying a ledger slipup is to calculate columns backward from bottom to top. What to look for in an answer:
- Problem-solving skills and analytical abilities
- A perfectionist and detail-oriented mind
- A systematic, methodical and process-based approach to projects
What work have you previously done interacting with the public and helping them understand the numbers in bookkeeping?
Bookkeeping is a very solitary job with many hours spent alone with a spreadsheet and calculator. Nevertheless, a bookkeeper also has to interact with clients and vendors regularly. It’s very essential to glean a candidate’s social and customer service skills. The right bookkeeper must be as personable as they are smart and analytical to help others understand what the numbers mean. What to look for in an answer:
- Personableness, including a warm, engaging nature
- Customer service or direct sales experience
- Clear and articulate manner of speaking
How would you describe a bookkeeper’s relationship to an accountant in the workplace?
Bookkeepers perform entry-level accounting work for corporations, including processing payments, reconciling bank statements and overseeing financial transactions. They also offer support to accounting staff. This question allows interviewers to determine a candidate’s awareness of organizational roles and how bookkeepers contribute to daily accounting duties. A candidate’s answer should emphasize:
- Understanding of accounting roles
- Previous professional experiences
- Teamwork skills
Here is one example of a quality candidate answer:
What accounting software and systems have you utilized, and which do you prefer?
Bookkeeping requires using one or more software systems. If your company already uses certain programs, it could help to hire candidates already fluent in them. Learning which systems an applicant has used before sheds more light on that person’s prior experience while finding out which application they prefer gives closer insight into how they work as well as their priorities. What to look for in an answer:
- Computer skills and technical skills
- Ability to learn and apply new systems
- Confidence while explaining
Bookkeeper Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
If you’re a wiz on the computer, have excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and have a good grasp of mathematics and accounting, then a career as a bookkeeper may be perfect for you.
Professionals working in this detail-oriented, math-related role are tasked with maintaining a company’s financial data, including payroll, accounts receivable and payable, and various financial transactions. The job has a 76 percent employee satisfaction rate and is one of the best jobs for retirees.
Not only is bookkeeping a rewarding job in and of itself, but it can also open a world of opportunities, leading to career advancements and professional growth within the business and financial industries. Bookkeepers often grow into positions as accountants or financial managers, which rank among the top 20 highest paying jobs in Boston.
So, you might be thinking, how can I get a job as a bookkeeper? Well, the first step in finding rewarding work in the field of bookkeeping is getting through the hiring process and standing-out among other job applicants by acing your job interview.
Job interviews can often be stressful and nerve-racking events for a large majority of applicants, but, by following a few tips, adequately preparing yourself, and practicing beforehand, they don’t have to be.
We here at Zippia have rounded up the most commonly asked questions during a job interview for a position as a bookkeeper. By studying these questions, and preparing how you should best answer them, you’ll get through your job interview with flying colors, make a great first impression, and be well on your way to leading your dream job as a bookkeeper.
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Common Interview Questions to Break the Ice
No matter what type of job or company you’re interviewing for, the hiring manager will likely ask you a few of the most common open-ended interview questions. These questions will help break the ice and allow you to shine early on in the job interview.
Instead of asking yes or no questions, recruiters will often ask job-seekers carefully structured, open-ended interview questions that force applicants to think on their feet and speak freely. Answering these questions appropriately is key to continuing with the interview process and ultimately landing your dream job.
The first few minutes of an interview, when hiring managers typically resort to asking common interview questions to break the ice, are important.
If you don’t answer these first few ice-breaker questions successfully, your chances of getting hired may be slim, and your interview could even be cut short. Giving clear and concise answers will help you stand-out among other applicants and impress the interviewer.
Be prepared by reviewing the job description and researching the company before the interview. During the hiring process, make sure to highlight your values, experiences, personality, and strengths.
When answering ice breaker interview questions, your goal is to grab the hiring manager’s interest and convey, through stories and explanations, why you are best fitted for the role. To set yourself up for a successful job interview, it may be a good idea to do a mock interview to practice what you’ll say and review some of the questions you could be asked.
Here are the best ways to answer some of the most commonly asked questions when interviewing for a career in bookkeeping:
Can you explain a typical balance sheet?
There are three main components to a balance sheet: liabilities, assets and equity. The common accounting equation is assets equals liabilities plus equity. The purpose of a balance sheet is to showcase the company’s current net worth and how the business is spending money. This can be an invaluable tool when financial analysis is necessary.
FAQ
Why are you a great match for bookkeeper?
What is duties and responsibilities of bookkeeper?
- 1 – What is the Scope of the Services You Offer? …
- 2 – What Sort of Credentials Do You Have? …
- 3 – What is Your Level of Expertise? …
- 4 – How Familiar Are Your With My Industry? …
- 5 – How Do You Communicate With Clients? …
- 6 – What Service Levels Can You Commit To?
Why do you want to be a bookkeeper?
