Common Accounting Clerk Interview Preparation Guide

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This question creates a great opportunity for you to reiterate your value proposition. If this company didn't already see reasons to hire you, you wouldn't have received an interview. Re-establish those reasons by being prepared to expand on information they already have in your resume and bring focus to those times where your involvement proved beneficial. Additionally, you may point out an area of "pain" you happen to know this company is experiencing and then offer your ideas for a solution.

Companies have several reasons for asking this question, and often, experts suggest you answer with a prior weakness, and the steps you already have taken to convert it to a strength. You may also consider that some companies want to gain insight into areas where additional training may be necessary when you become a part of the team. Being honest with yourself and the interviewer here will ensure that you don't wind up being placed on assignments you're not prepared to handle. The last thing anyone wants is for those weaknesses to be exposed at an inopportune time, wreaking havoc on the company's goals and your career.

Some job seekers struggle with this because they're concerned with appearing conceited or overly confident. The interviewer most likely is aware of your strengths already, or you wouldn't have been invited to this interview in the first place. They are simply hoping to hear you verbalize them. Keep your answer apropos to the position for which you are interviewing. Your ability to bench press 300 lbs. will have little impact on your duties as the new accounting clerk.

Take your interviewing skills to the next level by practicing replies to a few unusual questions. In an office team survey, executives were asked to share the strangest questions they'd ever been asked during an interview. Here are just a few they cited:
☛ What would I find in your refrigerator?
☛ What's the last book you read?
☛ What animal are you most like?

The interviewer will expect you to take some time with an unusual question. A thoughtful answer is better than a rushed one. It's OK to say something like, That's an interesting question. Let me think about it.

Let's say an interviewer asks you, "What animal are you most like?" If you say "a cat," you might want to add "because I am curious and always land on my feet." Try to highlight skills you'll need as an accounts payable clerk at that particular company when answering questions such as these. In this example, curiosity and landing on your feet represent eagerness to try new things and dependability.

Don't dodge questions. You could be particularly tempted to do so if asked about a resume gap. If you stopped working as an accounts payable clerk so you could finish an MBA program early, say so. Be honest and factual, and get ready for the next question.

If you're stumped, it's OK to ask for clarification. Ask the interviewer to repeat or reword the question. Interviewers will respect your desire to give them what they are looking for in an answer.

Interviewers evaluate more than the content of your answers. They also note how you formulate responses to get a sense of your creativity and approach to problems. Remain calm, maintain eye contact and stay confident.

Although there is a good possibility that you will work in a back office as an accounting clerk, you may be required to work at a front desk for a company and combine your accounting skills with administrative knowledge. In either case, good communication is essential. If you have worked in a customer service position in the past, now is a good time to mention that. Also, you may choose to provide an example of a situation in which you were able to resolve a disgruntled client or customer's issue simply by being sensitive to his or her needs and anticipating the expected resolution.

Bring out your organizational abilities as well as any particular skills you employ to stay on task. During your accounting clerk training, you likely learned about several ways to maintain your focus. Be sure to provide information about the methods you like the best and explain them very briefly. For example, if you like to perform tedious data entry tasks after lunch so that you can focus better, make sure to say so. On the same note, you should recognize that individual companies usually have their own ways filing, entering data, etc. You may be required to conform to this, so be sure to mention that you can maintain focus while still being flexible to the needs of the company.

As an accounting clerk, much of your time will be spent working with computers. As such, your interviewer will likely ask you about the various computer programs and types of software with which you are proficient. Be sure to list each of them and elaborate on the ones that you are most familiar with. For instance, stating that you are capable of using Microsoft Office is not the best answer; instead, elaborate on the facets of that program that you understand the best. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others are all important to your job. Similarly, be sure to mention Adobe, Notepad, Linux, Open Office and other programs if you are familiar with them.

Interviewers will ask this question in order to determine your plans for development and your ability to plan the future. Perhaps you want a position as the lead accounting clerk or some other supervisory position in the future. If so, be sure to provide details as well as a time frame. For example, you could say that you will work toward earning your first promotion within two to three years and then follow up with your ultimate goal; you would like to be a supervisor or perhaps even the department head for the company in a five or six year period. However, if you have not yet set goals, you should state that you have been focused on career development rather than your future plans.

Review it before starting, after review, I make sure I know all the steps required to complete it, then I start.

Founded in **** by ABC, based in XYZ, with franchise outlets through the region. Wholesale, general public, alloys, Etc.

Usually if it is numerical, I review it in my head, then I use a calculator, to make sure. Or I compare it to the standard.

As per accounting clerk I think - accuracy, fastness, honesty, hard work and mindset are to be needed to be a successful accountant/positive employee.
☛ Detail oriented
☛ Well organized
☛ Team player
☛ Patience
☛ Calmness

I like accuracy the first time and make sure that all paperwork is done in a timely manner. It is important that you give all that you have to the company you are working for and pay attention to every detail so that all paperwork in process correctly. You want to do your very best as if the company belongs to you.

As a finance major I believe that a career in accounting would be a good opportunity for hands on experience in the work field.

My important goal in the past was to stay home and raise my kids. I worked part time jobs. All of my children have graduated high school and now living their own lives as adults. That was my goal.

Accounting clerks deal with data, records, and documents, as well as provide front-desk customer service. It's their duty to compile, calculate, and sort documents, post receipts, tally deposits, and file and maintain accounting records with financial data.
Accounting clerks have to be professional in appearance and behavior, and be detail oriented, agile, and good with numbers.

Answer in the affirmative and provide detail. Describe specifics of filing, record keeping, and calculating, verifying which of those require close contact with other departments. Show that you understand that typing requires maximum attention to detail.

Talk about experience doing tasks which required responsibility, such as problem solving, research, and tracking documentation problems and discrepancies.

Mention front desk customer service as well as regular communication with the management (representations, proposals, etc.). For example, talk about your ability to sense requirements before they are said and how you've resolved complaints effectively.

Specify computer applications you are proficient with (Microsoft Office, Adobe, PowerPoint, Linux, Notepad), specific experience working in a computerized environment, and any projects you might have done using computers (presentations, etc.). Typing speed is also relevant.