Assistant Accountant Interview Questions And Answers

This fairly standard interview question is a typical warm-up, since it's an opening that breaks the ice and allows the hiring manager to get to know you better. That doesn't mean, however, that it's a throwaway question. You should answer thoughtfully by giving examples of things that happened in your life that led you to the accounting field. Were you the fifth grade class treasurer? Did you save for months to buy your first car? Whatever the scenario, give the interviewer some background about yourself and your studies.

Discuss the applications you have worked with. Focus on how you implemented the application, the steps taken during the conversion and integration of the accounting system and the training of staff to use the application.

Highlight your familiarity with the application by discussing what specifically you used it for.

Focus on how the packages supported and simplified company specific processes, and how they met your exact business requirements. Display your knowledge of how the packages differ in areas such as price, complexity and functionality.

Demonstrate your experience in maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements and reporting. Discuss your ability to meet tight deadlines and undertake a multitude of accounting activities. Show your understanding of generally accepted and statutory accounting principles.

The knowledge requirements will vary depending on the employer, the scope and level of the accounting job but typically include:

► accounting principles and practices
► analysis and reporting of financial data
► auditing principles and practices
► management accounts
► budgets
► accounting software applications
► application of relevant laws, codes and regulations

Accountant interview questions around the knowledge requirements are generally answered by reviewing your resume or CV as they refer directly to your qualifications, your training and your work task experience.

Expect interview questions such as:

"How have you implemented the recent tax changes in your company?"

"Detail your experience in preparing management accounts."

"Explain the different accounting packages you are familiar with and tell me which best met your needs."

A sample answer to accounting interview questions like this is:

In response to the changing market accountancy professionals have to provide more management and consulting services, in addition to financial management. They have to assume a greater advisory role and develop more complex and flexible accounting systems.

The interviewer will use questions that look for evidence of accountancy-related competencies. You will be asked to provide specific examples of when you have previously demonstrated the required competency. These are called behavioral interview questions.

Select appropriate examples from your past experience and plan your answer using the following structure:

► Describe the specific situation or task you were involved in
► Detail the action and steps you took
► Outline the results and outcome of your actions

Go through these accountant interview questions that explore the core competencies required for successful job performance. Use the answer guidelines to help you prepare your own excellent answers.

Even if you've never had a job in the field before, you should be prepared to answer this question with some knowledge of international accounting standards (IAS). While there are so many facets of IAS that it would be possible to be up to speed on all of them, prior to an interview you should do some research on the most recent changes to these standards and be prepared to discuss.

"Tell me about a time you handled a complex financial project with a tight deadline that required precise data collection and analysis."

"Give me an example of how you keep track of things requiring your attention."

"What work objectives did you set for this year and what steps have you taken to ensure you will achieve them?"

In your answer show how you are able to develop specific objectives and plan and prioritize systematically to accomplish these objectives within set time frames. This includes scheduling, identifying and allocating resources and the use of appropriate organizational tools.

A common question in all industries, this question gives you the chance to show off your foresight and ambition. Your answer should be both modest and truthful, highlighting the things that you hope to learn from a position with the organization you're interviewing with while displaying a solid plan for your short term career trajectory.

"How have you monitored the regulations that affect your accounting position?"

"How have you monitored the performance of your team?"

"Describe the systems you have in place for keeping track of assignments given to staff members."

In your answer discuss how you have set up effective procedures for information collection and review. Describe how you monitor projects and check the progress of delegated tasks.

Accountant interview questions will also focus on your ability to analyze and assess problems.

This is another fairly basic inquiry. Candidates with some accounting training or experience should have no trouble answering it. As with question one, how the applicant replies may show you he or she is under- or overqualified for a junior-level position.

"Describe a recent tough financial analysis problem you faced on the job."

"Take me through your latest budget preparation."

"How have you managed potential payment problems with your customers?"

In your answer show how you are able to identify key issues and detect problems from relevant information, include your ability to break down and organize information to recognize cause and effect relationships.

While still a fairly basic question, you may tailor your follow-up queries according to the specifics of your business or to the candidate's work history. Or, as a skill test, you could present a few journal samples and ask the applicant to explain them. The way the applicant responds will show the skill level in identifying mistakes or omissions.

"What has been the most significant decision you made at work this year?"

"Tell me how you reacted when someone else's errors were impacting negatively on your job."

"Describe a situation in which you received instructions with which you disagreed."

In your answer discuss how you are able to determine an appropriate and effective course of action based on factual information, accurate assessment of organizational resources and consideration of the alternatives. Describe how you communicate your decision to others.

Accounting professionals, particularly those who have managed ledgers or worked as full-charge bookkeepers for more than a couple of years, should be able to speculate on this scenario. A candidate with more formal training specific to auditing or fraud analysis will likely explain this thoroughly and be able to provide examples.

"How do you control errors in your work?"

"Give me an example of when you were not happy with the details of an established procedure and what you did about it."

"Describe the criteria you use for evaluating the reliability of the financial information you receive."

In your answer demonstrate your willingness to pay attention to all aspects of the job, no matter how small, to check outputs for accuracy and reliability. Show how you set high performance standards for yourself and others.

Though somewhat general, this interview question can elicit answers useful in evaluating entry-level business or financial analyst candidates all the way up to mid-career professionals who aspire to roles that come with budget and staff oversight responsibilities.

"Give me an example of when you had to explain a complex process to staff members."

"Tell me about a time you had to communicate an organizational change to your team."

"Describe a time that you had to present financial data to non-financial staff."

In your answer demonstrate your ability to clearly and effectively give information to individuals or a group, how you are able to adjust your communication style to suit your audience and simplify complex information to enable understanding.

We've left this last question, designed for probing leadership skills, somewhat general. It is another interview question you can modify to better explore the particularities of your opening or a candidate's background. As with question nine, the applicant's reply will reveal the level of critical thinking skills and elicit a better picture of his or her leadership techniques.

Use this as a starting point to explore a candidate's knowledge of ledgers. Observe the candidate's initial reaction and use it as a leaping off point for further discussion of skills related to the opening you are trying to fill. Expect the response to reveal the extent to which the candidate has thought through how accounts relate to lines of business and generally accepted accounting principles.

Accountant interview questions will include an exploration of your motivation to be in this job. Be prepared to answer questions along the lines of:

"What motivated you to establish a career in accountancy?"

"What do you regard as the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the accounting profession today?"

Well, I was quite good in accounting throughout but in my masters, when I got distinction I decided to adopt this field as a profession.

Highlight how you have monitored and analyzed work processes to develop more efficient procedures and use of resources while still maintaining accurate and quality work outputs.

Yes, I have used Advanced Business Solutions and AME Accounting Software in my previous jobs.