It’s happening! You’re finally invited to interview for that accounting role you’ve been searching for. There’s no telling what the interview will be like, but you know you want to do your best by being ready and killing it.
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You can start by reviewing the most common interview questions. But don’t stop there—you should also make sure to be ready for some more accounting-specific interview questions.
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How do I know? Some might call me a “recovering CPA” because I used to work at a Big Four accounting firm as a CPA. Before I became a career coach, I worked for a public accounting firm for years as the hiring manager for five offices all along the East Coast. I worked directly with leadership to identify top talent, built recruiting processes, and screened candidates for accounting opportunities. From my own experience, I can tell you how to answer the most common interview questions about accounting and what traits employers are looking for when they ask them.
It’s very important for your company’s finances that you find the right small business accountant. But there are a lot of good candidates, how do you pick the best one?
This guide provides you with a comprehensive list of interview questions specifically designed to assess the skills and experience of potential small business accountants.
By asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insights into their problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and overall fit for your company culture
Let’s dive into the questions that will help you land the perfect accountant for your small business,
Uncovering Expertise: Assessing Technical Skills and Experience
1. Tell me about a time when you discovered an accounting discrepancy. How did you identify the issue, and what steps did you take to resolve it?
This question delves into the candidate’s ability to identify and address accounting errors. Look for answers that show you can think critically, pay close attention to detail, and solve problems before they happen.
Ideal Response
- “In my previous role, I was reviewing monthly financial statements when I noticed a significant discrepancy in the accounts payable ledger. I immediately investigated the issue, tracing the discrepancy back to an error in data entry. I then worked with the accounts payable team to correct the error and implement additional controls to prevent similar issues in the future.”
2. What role have you had in measuring business metrics in your past positions? Can you provide examples of how you used these metrics to improve business performance?
This question assesses the candidate’s understanding of key business metrics and their ability to use data to drive informed decision-making Look for answers that demonstrate a strong grasp of financial analysis and a data-driven approach to problem-solving
Ideal Response:
- “In my previous role, I was responsible for developing and implementing a system for tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as revenue growth, customer acquisition costs, and profit margins. I regularly analyzed these metrics and presented my findings to senior management. Based on my analysis, we identified several areas for improvement, such as optimizing our marketing campaigns and streamlining our operational processes. These changes resulted in a significant increase in revenue and profitability.”
3. Describe your experience with different accounting software programs. Are you proficient in using QuickBooks, Xero, or other popular accounting platforms?
This question checks how tech-savvy the candidate is and how well they can use different software programs. Look for answers that show you know how to use standard accounting software and are willing to learn how to use new technologies.
Ideal Response:
- “I have extensive experience using QuickBooks, Xero, and NetSuite. I am proficient in all aspects of these programs, including financial reporting, accounts payable and receivable management, and inventory tracking. I am also comfortable learning new software programs quickly and efficiently.”
Gauging Communication and Interpersonal Skills
4. How would you explain complex financial concepts to someone with limited accounting knowledge?
This question assesses the candidate’s communication skills and their ability to simplify complex information for a non-technical audience. Look for answers that demonstrate clarity, conciseness, and the ability to tailor explanations to the audience’s level of understanding.
Ideal Response
- “I would start by using simple, everyday language to explain the key concepts. I would then provide real-world examples to illustrate the points I’m making. I would also be sure to ask questions to ensure that the person understands the information.”
5. Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with other team members to achieve a common goal. What was your role in the team, and how did you contribute to the project’s success?
This question assesses the candidate’s teamwork skills and their ability to collaborate effectively with others. Look for answers that demonstrate strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Ideal Response:
- “In my previous role, I was part of a team tasked with developing a new budgeting system for the company. I worked closely with other team members to gather input, analyze data, and develop a comprehensive budget proposal. I also facilitated regular team meetings to ensure that everyone was on track and that the project was moving forward smoothly. The new budgeting system was successfully implemented, and it has helped the company to improve its financial performance.”
6. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest accounting standards and regulations?
This question assesses the candidate’s commitment to professional development and their ability to stay abreast of industry changes. Look for answers that demonstrate a proactive approach to learning and a desire to stay informed about the latest developments in the accounting field.
Ideal Response:
- “I am an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and regularly attend industry conferences and workshops. I also subscribe to several accounting journals and newsletters to stay up-to-date on the latest accounting standards and regulations.”
Assessing Cultural Fit and Values
7. What are your salary expectations for this position?
This question is an opportunity for the candidate to share their salary expectations and negotiate a fair compensation package. Be prepared to discuss your budget and the salary range for the position.
Ideal Response:
- “My salary expectations are in line with the market rate for this position. I am open to discussing a compensation package that is fair and competitive.”
8. What are your career goals, and how does this position fit into your long-term plans?
This question assesses the candidate’s ambition and their desire to grow within your company. Look for answers that demonstrate a clear career path and a genuine interest in the position.
Ideal Response:
- “My long-term career goal is to become a CFO of a small business. I believe that this position would provide me with the opportunity to gain valuable experience and develop the skills necessary to achieve my goal.”
9. Why are you interested in working for our company?
This question is an opportunity for the candidate to express their interest in your company and why they believe they would be a good fit for the team. Look for answers that demonstrate enthusiasm, knowledge of your company, and a genuine desire to contribute to your success.
Ideal Response:
- “I am impressed by your company’s commitment to innovation and growth. I believe that my skills and experience would be a valuable asset to your team, and I am confident that I could make a significant contribution to your success.”
By asking the right questions, you can gain valuable insights into the skills, experience, and personality of potential small business accountants.
Remember, the best candidate is not always the one with the most impressive resume.
Look for someone who is a good fit for your company culture, who is passionate about their work, and who is eager to learn and grow.
With the right questions and a discerning eye, you can find the perfect small business accountant who will help your company achieve its financial goals.
What Are Recruiters Looking for in Accountants?
Employers in the accounting field say that the best candidates have worked as public accountants for a large company before. If you don’t have that, though, don’t let it stop you! You can still stand out with a lot of other skills and experiences.
It’s important to show a good mix of technical knowledge and soft skills when you’re interviewing for accounting jobs. A common misconception about accountants is that they work alone at their computers for hours, staring at numbers and silly formulas in Microsoft Excel (which is not true). Instead, accountants need to show they have skills in many areas in order to get hired, such as time management, communication, working with clients, and analyzing data.
Here are the five main skills that I found most valuable as a recruiter:
- Written Communication: Hiring managers will want to see how good your writing is, since you may be writing audit reports, workpapers, developing and editing financial statements, and giving updates to clients inside and outside the company as needed.
- Strong verbal communication skills are important for success in accounting because you’ll be talking to clients, both inside and outside of your company, in almost every part of your job.
- Time management and setting priorities: Accountants have a lot of different tasks to do, especially at the end of the month, quarter, or year. You might be in and out of meetings with clients, writing up workpapers, going over financial documents, and showing your clients how to do their accounting all in the same day. It is important to be able to handle a lot of things at once and plan your work well so that you finish your tasks on time.
- Technical Skills: It’s clear that accounting is a very technical job. As a corporate accountant recruiter at Tradesmen International, Aisha Holt makes sure to find out how much experience candidates have with different accounting software and tools. Accounting programs are used to make journal entries, prepare financial statements, reconcile accounts, and do other important accounting tasks. Because you’ll be using these tools every day, recruiters want to know that you know about and are up to date on the newest software and tools in your field.
- Paying close attention to details: It’s very important in accounting to keep reports correct and error-free. Can you imagine how much money would be lost if an account was overstated or understated by $1 million and no one caught the mistake? It’s an accountant’s job to be honest, because the public depends on it, and there are also many rules that accountants must follow. So, candidates need to show that they don’t miss the little things and won’t make or miss a mistake that costs a lot of money.
In your accounting interview, the recruiters and hiring managers may ask you these 10 questions to find out if you have the skills and experience to do the job. Here are some tips on how to answer them.
How Do You Handle Challenging Situations or Difficult Conversations With Others?
Accountants don’t work alone; they’ll be working with clients inside and outside the company to get the books in order. There are times when you have to tell a coworker about a mistake following a disagreement with a client or an incorrect account reconciliation. Recruiters want to see that you can handle tough conversations and quickly solve problems, especially if you’re in a hurry. Don’t say bad things about your bosses or coworkers, because it could hurt your chances of getting a job or working with them again.
For behavioral questions like this one, the STAR method is a great way to make sure you fully answer the question, stress how you specifically helped handle the situation, and describe what happened. Yes, if it helps, you can say these four words (situation, task, action, and result) out loud in your interview, like this:
“I have tough conversations with other people by making sure I talk about the issue directly with the right people and keeping a collaborative and problem-solving mindset.” It’s pretty common for me to find mistakes in the financial statements or with payroll at work that need to be fixed before an audit is over, so I have a lot of experience with this.
“In one situation in particular, I served as the In-Charge Auditor for a large public filing client. Two staff auditors worked for me, and they reported to me. I was also in charge of the budget and schedule, and I was the main person the client talked to. After getting to know and trust the previous year’s audit team, the client was upset that the whole team had changed more than once. Each year, he would have to work with new people. He was frustrated and seriously considering taking his business to another firm.
So that we could keep his business, it was my job to get him to join our audit team and reassure him that we would do the audit well and professionally.
“I fixed this problem by setting up a meeting with him and the rest of the company’s leaders to go over the schedule and answer any questions they had before the audit. We then had lunch with the whole audit team.” I wanted to make sure they felt comfortable and confident in our capabilities to get the audit completed. As the team worked on the audit, I also set up weekly one-on-one meetings with the client to keep him up to date on progress and any big problems.
“This resulted in a strong relationship with the client, and we had good communication throughout. By the end of the audit, we celebrated with the client. The relationship turned around for the better, and he is still a client of ours after four years. ”.
3 most frequently asked accounting interview questions
What questions should you ask in an accounting interview?
Here are 10 questions that you may be asked in your accounting interview so that recruiters and hiring managers can see whether or not you have the skills and experience needed to do the job—plus advice on how to answer them. Tell Me About Your Background. What Accounting Processes Are You Most Familiar With?
What should a financial accountant do in an interview?
When interviewing for a financial accountant position, it is important to demonstrate an analytical mind, strong negotiation skills, and organizational skills. You should also be prepared to
How many interview questions are there for an accountant position?
In this article, you’ll find over 50 engaging interview questions for an accountant position, along with some sample answers. When should you use those interview questions for an accountant position in your hiring process?
What questions should an accountant ask a hiring manager?
If an accountant is good at their job, they can have a comprehensive view of a company’s financial health. A hiring manager may ask this interview question to determine how well you understand a company’s financial situation and how efficiently you can identify excess operational costs.
