Bill Pay Clerk Interview Questions And Answers

I am really excited to put my knowledge to use as an accounting clerk, but I would like to continue my education. I don’t know if I will go back to school or if I will get more certifications, but I would like to become an accountant within the next five years. Right now I see myself becoming an auditor as well. I have always been very detail oriented, so I would do well at reviewing records for accuracy. I know this company has a lot of opportunities for growth and promotion, which is part of the reason I am so interested in working here.

An easy question to answer well with one caveat – don’t slam your fellow interviewee’s. On the one hand, you have an opportunity to really stand out from the pack. Alternatively, You shouldn’t assume the skills of other applicants. Focus on your own strengths, and if the interviewer hasn’t given you an opportunity to mention that one “slam dunk” quality about yourself, now would be the time.

Is there a wrong way to answer this question? Consider the responses below:

☛ “I really need a job right now”
☛ “I need the money”
☛ “Your office is really close to my house”
☛ “I’ve always been interested in what you guys do”

Another tricky one. The purpose of this question is to see how you view and evaluate yourself.

One the one hand, if you suggest you don’t have any weaknesses, your interviewer will almost certainly see you as a lair, egotistical, or both.

Don’t fall into the trap of trying to present a positive skill in disguise as a weakness, like “I work too hard” or “I am a perfectionist”. Any experienced interviewer will see through this in a heartbeat.

Additionally, revealing that “I’m not really a morning person and have been known to come in late” raises immediate and obvious red flags.

Many consider this question to be a loaded gun – dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. Often times, an interviewee will start talking salary before they’ve had an opportunity to illustrate their skill set and value making any sort of leverage valueless. Here, knowledge is power, as salary often comes down to negotiation. Do some research into your industry to establish base rates of pay based on seniority and demand but keep in mind – your employer is hiring you for what they believe you are worth, and how much benefit they feel you will provide.

While it sounds quirky, Ive developed my own system for QA that I call the x – its bailed me out more times than I can remember!

The reason why you are asked this question is to hear what you consider difficult and how you approached the situation. Select a difficult work situation, which wasn’t caused by you and can be explained in a few sentences. You can then show yourself in a positive light by explaining how you handled the situation.

Here, they just want to know how motivated you are about the position or if you are just there for the pay. They want to ascertain that you would form an important part of the company. You have to show them that you are willing to be part of the company and would do all you can to ensure you and the company grows together.

Off hand I can't thing of one specific situation, however I learn from my mistakes. When something does't go the way I would like it to I assess the situation, take a few notes and think of ways to better improve the situation.

As much as you want to sell your self in a good light, do not make the mistake of exaggerating your current position. Add some of your routine tasks to make it realistic and don’t neglect tings like paperwork. Try to be in the interviewers shoes as you answer this question. A job you have been doing for years should be part of you already and as such; you must know all the tasks you undertake. Try to show them that you plan well before you begin work and after you attain your goals, you review the process to see how you could be more efficient.

This one is all about job commitment.

Some people make job hopping a career in of itself, and your answer here can be telling. Here, your interviewer is determining if you are:

☛ someone who sets goals
☛ someone who has a vision
☛ someone who is reliable
☛ someone who demonstrates commitment
☛ someone who is loyal

An innocent question. But a question that if answered improperly, can be a deal breaker. While many individuals will be looking to a new job as a means of increasing their salary, “not being paid well enough at your last job” is not something you want to mention to your interviewer. After all, are you not likely to leave this particular job if you found you could make more down the street?

If you’re currently employed and leaving of your own accord, craft your response around enhancing your career development and a seeking out of new challenges.

If your current employer is downsizing, be honest about it, remain positive, but keep it brief. If your employer fired you or let you go for cause, be prepared to give a brief – but honest – reply. No matter how tempting it may be, or how “unfair it was that they let you go” steer clear away from any and all drama and negativity. Any experienced employer understands that sometimes things happen. Staying positive is key here.

I recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in financial services. While I haven’t been able to put my technical knowledge to use yet, I was able to gain some expertise in accounting through the related coursework I had to take. I also have my Certified Bookkeeper designation from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers. This certification gave me knowledge about overseeing payroll and balancing accounts in a way that is honest and acceptable according to the different regulations set up by state and federal laws.

Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you know you do not have much experience in the job you are applying for, plan for this question ahead of time and ensure you can provide some relatable examples based on what you have done.

Almost all interviewers will appreciate confidence and pride in the work experience you have earned and your passion in transfering these valuable skills to your future role or position.

☛ Describe your typical day at your current/previous job. How do you prioritize your work?
☛ How would you rate your proficiency with Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel?
☛ Describe your familiarity with billing and invoice software.
☛ How many invoices do you handle on a daily basis?
☛ Describe a time you had an invoice discrepancy with a client. How did you resolve it?
☛ Explain the financial transactions involved in the billing process and your experience with each (i.e. classifying, computing, posting, verifying, recording)
☛ How do you keep track of incoming payments and ensure that it is in compliance with financial procedures? How do you ensure that they’re properly posted and accounted for?
☛ How do you ensure the timely collection of invoices?
☛ Describe your most hostile payment collection call. How did you handle it?
☛ Describe a time you went the extra mile to deliver excellent customer service.
☛ Describe a time you worked with a team to complete a project on a tight deadline.
☛ As a billing specialist, have you ever faced an ethical dilemma at work? How did you respond?
☛ What skills do you deem necessary for a billing specialist with our firm. Do you think you possess these skills?
☛ This job can be repetitive. What motivates you to do well?

☛ What data would you present to inform your manager about significant debts from clients?
☛ What would you say to customers who haven’t paid their bills, if we were close to the end of the fiscal year?
☛ What would you check first if you found a billing discrepancy?
☛ How would you make sure we collected invoices in a timely manner?
☛ What would you do if you realized you made a numerical mistake on an invoice right after you issued it?
☛ What are a Billing Clerk’s tasks when a customer makes a digital order?
☛ How do you keep track of payments?
☛ How often do you update the accounts receivable report?
☛ What is your experience with accounting software? (e.g. QuickBooks)
☛ What’s the most effective way to keep records of invoices?
☛ What bookkeeping tasks are you familiar with?
☛ How do you make sure financial documents remain confidential?
☛ Have you ever had an invoice discrepancy with a client? How did you resolve it?
☛ Tell us about a time you had a tight deadline for a project. How did you manage to complete it in time?
☛ This job can be repetitive. What motivates you to perform routine tasks?
☛ How do you stay up-to-date with new financial regulations?

By ensuring that x and y were carefully reviewed, the organization was able to save immensely on z

This is a very common question that is asked in almost every interview. I love this question because it gives you the opportunity to sell yourself. Discuss what makes you standout from the crowd and show them how you can help advance their company. Remember to be specific. This is where all the company research you have done comes into play. You should have an idea as to why the company is hiring or looking to hire someone for that position. What problem do they have that they are looking for people to help them solve. And once you can establish this, you are to show them how you can solve this problem for them.

Discuss your method of assigning responsibility to the best candidates. How you communicate with employees to make them understand what is expected of them and how you make sure that the employees have the resources needed to carry out specific tasks. You should also chip in your follow-up procedures.

Note that whenever you are going for an interview, this question may be asked. Before going, try to find out what the average salary for someone holding that position in that industry is paid. This would help prepare you for what is in front of you.

Do not forget that this is only an interview and you haven’t been offered the job, so do not go on negotiating. Just state something within the range you have researched and move on. Whatever you do, do not sell yourself short.

In my career, I have had to use a few different bookkeeping software and programs, such as FreshBooks, Kashoo and QuickBooks. I strive to familiarize myself with new software through workshops offered at the local library and universities. I may not gain all of the skills needed to use these programs as a professional, but getting an introduction helps me easily pick up new software as needed. I also find these introductory courses make it easier to learn about new software on the go. I am a quick learner and very comfortable with computers, so I feel confident saying I will be able to work with the bookkeeping software your company uses after a short learning period.

In order to score well in this interview question, an efficient way is to give a list of qualities and skills that are in alignment with the respective position. You can start with:

☛ First, one must understand the methods required to succeed in this position
☛ Secondly, indicate that the job will be your #1 priority
☛ Third, indicate that you understand the importance of working as a team

I succeed when given clear, consise direction and find a balance of solo effort and working alongside a team is when Im most productive

Your answers should focus on how well you can review relevant facts, consider various options and select the most appropriate option. Discuss how you factor in variables such as constraints and resources.

No matter what you say, do not mention negative things about your employer, neither should you mention anything about more money being the reason. The reason is simple; if you are leaving a company because of money to come to theirs, you will definitely leave them to move on to another if it promises a better paycheck. Your best bet is to ay it on responsibility and challenge and how your previous position want challenging you enough. Indicate that you yearn for more responsibility and how what you have to offer outweighs the responsibility and challenge posed by your former position.

The essence of this question is to test your composure, ability to solve problems and staying true to the task, even in unfavorable conditions. Give an example of a time where you were faced with a challenge and what you did to remedy the situation. In the process, highlight how you were calm and in control till everything was okay.