{"id":1883,"date":"2022-11-11T16:23:14","date_gmt":"2022-11-11T21:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/?p=1883"},"modified":"2024-12-09T10:04:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-09T15:04:49","slug":"accounting-interview-questions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theforage.wpengine.com\/interview-questions\/accounting-interview-questions","title":{"rendered":"20 Accounting Interview Questions and Answers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Most accounting interview questions include knowledge-based and technical questions designed to ensure you have the skills needed to succeed as an accountant<\/a>. To get you interview-ready, we’ve gathered some common accounting questions and answers for interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Questions About Your Accounting Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like most interviews, accounting<\/a> interview questions start with getting to know each other. You’ll likely get an overview of the role and the company and some details about the interviewer’s background in their position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Tell me about yourself.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The “tell me about yourself<\/a>” question may seem daunting, but preparing three to five key points beforehand can help. The interviewer will want to know your educational background, relevant work experience, and any significant accomplishments you’ve had along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This question also gives you space to explain why you’re interested in accounting and why you want to work for that company specifically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE:<\/strong> Check out some common interview questions for all careers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. What types of accounting software programs are you familiar with?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you know the company uses specific accounting software you’ve never used, focus instead on the software you know and highlight how transferable<\/a> those software-specific skills are. Never lie about your level of familiarity, though. It’s a good idea to look into the software the company uses before your interview so you can understand the basics of how it works and its core functions \u2014 this will make it easier for you to explain your confidence in learning the new software quickly and effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Describe an accounting process you’ve developed or improved.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This may be a challenging question to answer if you’re early in your career. However, the interviewer wants to see that you have critical thinking skills<\/a> and are open to innovating established practices. For example, you can describe an instance in a past role or internship where you sought to improve a workflow or developed a new way of doing something. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those with more experience, it’s important to focus on an instance when you changed or created a process that directly impacted the company. You could talk about a time you noticed a specific report was consistently taking more time than expected. But, you discovered a way to make the process more efficient, saving the company time (and money<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. When facing a tight deadline, how do you react?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have previous accounting experience, this is a great opportunity to discuss moments when you encouraged teamwork among your peers to get an end-of-year statement out on time. This question is also a time to talk about your time management skills<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you don’t have much accounting experience, you can talk about how you work under pressure and what systems you have to ensure everything goes smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Expert words of advice<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the STAR method<\/a> to describe situations, show what actions you took, and explain how you resolved the problem. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. How do you organize and prioritize your daily tasks?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Accountants need a high level of organization \u2014 nothing can slip through the cracks. This question seeks to figure out what methods of organization you use and how effective they are. You can talk about to-do lists if those work best for you. Additionally, if you have experience as an accountant, you can explain how you split your time between clients, accounting procedures, and working with your team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Do you have your CPA? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a certified public accountant (CPA)<\/a> license can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants, but don’t be ashamed to tell the truth. If you’re working toward your CPA, tell the interviewer, perhaps including which sections you’ve passed so far or what your timeline to completion looks like (e.g., will be completed within six months). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CPA license isn’t the only certification you can mention, though. Other relevant accolades, like certified management accountant (CMA)<\/a> or chartered financial analyst (CFA<\/a>) certifications, can also boost your application depending on your accounting career path<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Interview\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

NY Jobs CEO Council Financial Analyst<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Analyze a company's financials as an analyst on the technology team in this free job simulation from the NY Jobs CEO Council.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t2 to 3 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFinancial analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, Excel, communication\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnroll now\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

7. How do you present information to coworkers and peers outside of the finance department?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This question aims to see how well you can communicate<\/a> complex information to people unfamiliar with the jargon of accounting. One way to answer this is to describe a specific situation where you used storytelling skills and visual aids to explain a new procedure or the findings of a report to managers in a different department. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also list skills and tips you use when communicating with people outside of the finance team, like using PowerPoints and infographics, avoiding too many facts and figures, and having your presentation reviewed by a colleague to ensure it isn’t confusing or jargony.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

>>MORE:<\/strong> Learn how to improve your presentation skills<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find Your Career Fit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learn which accounting career path is right for you with our free quiz!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get started<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Technical Accounting Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once the interviewer has an idea of your background, they’ll want to learn about your relevant skills and experience by asking you technical and knowledge-based accounting interview questions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. What are the different types of accounting?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are two main types of accounting: financial and managerial. Financial accounting primarily deals with reviewing and reporting transaction information, while managerial accounting is much broader, looking at a company’s financial health and future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, you can also discuss some other specialties within accounting. For example, cost accountants focus on production and sales costs, typically for industrial companies. Tax accountants<\/a>, on the other hand, handle registering, preparing, and filing tax returns and tax payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\"KPMG\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

KPMG Career Catalyst: Tax<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Explore a career in tax accounting with KPMG's free job simulation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnroll now\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAvg. Time:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 to 4 hours\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSkills you’ll build:<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTax research, technical writing, critical thinking, data modeling, Excel, manipulating data, Excel modeling, effective communication, team building, tax types\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEnroll now\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

2. Define and explain the three financial statements.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The three types of financial statements are balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. These statements are a big part of every accountant’s job \u2014 reading,interpreting, and creating them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your answer should include the purpose of each statement and what each statement shows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n