Fresh Bookkeeping Clerk Interview Preparation Guide

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There are several ways to assess: You set big challenges for yourself and met them. Your achievement is a big success. Your boss told you that you were successful.

I am sure that I was successful. I have dreamt to work for your company and I can do anything to make my dream become true. And I am really interested in this job, for my passion not for money.

Shows candidate’s level of comfort with typing and data entry.

I found myself a little ‘stuck’ and decided I needed new challenges that weren’t readily available in my previous role…”
“I’m interested in a job with greater responsibility, and feel that a role like this would better offer those kinds of opportunities...”
“I was laid off due to a company restructure...”
Tips:
☛ Whatever your reasons for leaving your last job, resist the urge to bad-mouth your previous employer as it can appear unprofessional and disloyal.
☛ Focus on the future, and ensure you sound positive and optimistic as you elaborate on your chosen career goals.

This question should give you insight into how the freelancers views their role. Data entry specialists should be able to transcribe large amounts of information accurately and quickly. Good time-management and interpersonal skills are also valuable.

As a payroll clerk, you should be not be too loyal to someone. On the other hand, it’s normal to make friends on the workplace. That’s why you should say that you want to make friends in work, but it will never influence any of your decisions and actions while performing your job.

☛ Speak about specific matters that are relevant to the position you are applying for. If you do not have any specific experience, get them as close as you can.

☛ If you are being asked this question from your employer, you can explain about your experience. Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing in your previous job. You can tell about the programs you have developed and modules you have worked on. You can also tell about your achievements in different programs.

I’m excited by the possibilities presented by your company. I’d like to be a part of its future success, and I want to help it to continue to grow by…
“This role offers exactly the types of challenges and responsibilities I’m looking for and is ideally suited to my skills and experience…”

Tips:
☛ Focus on emphasising the match between your skills and experience and the operations and culture of the company you’re applying to.
☛ Be honest and upfront about your motivations, while explaining why you’re passionate about the role. These qualities will shine through in your answer and impress much more than simply trying to tell them what you think they want to hear.
☛ Demonstrate your understanding of the company and show that you’ve researched your potential employer thoroughly, and have good reasons for wanting to work there.

You can say that you watch changes in labor law as well as tax law closely, in order to avoid making any mistakes. Also, if you read any publications related to this problematic, you can refer to it in an interview. Presenting yourself like someone who cares about quality of his work can only help you in your interview.

Displays technical skills.

This job is perfectly matched to my core competencies. I really feel like your company is the ideal fit for my interests, qualifications and passions...
“My years of experience have given me the organisational / teamwork / sales / managerial skills to make me an invaluable employee for this company…”
Tips:
☛ Referring to the specific requirements of the role, emphasise what you can offer to your potential employer, rather than what they can do for you.
☛ Choose two of your most unique qualities that you think set you apart from other candidates and use them as compelling reasons to employ you.

At first glance, this may seem a lot like the first accounting interview question mentioned, but it is slightly different. One advantage of public accounting is the exposure to many different types of software packages from many different industries. This can also be true of what we would consider a “job hopper.” However, “job hopping” is becoming a misnomer with company restructuring becoming a norm. Still, having a thorough grasp on many different accounting software packages is a huge plus.

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.

I’m organised, efficient and take great pride in doing the best work possible, and exceeding expectations…
“My previous employer often commented on my ability to motivate and manage my team members – and I was even commended on my abilities with an industry award…”
Tips:
☛ There’s no point reeling off a list of strengths that aren’t relevant to the actual role in question. Think about the types of skills your potential employer is looking for (i.e. from the job ad) and then select from your list of strengths, to illustrate exactly how you’re the ideal candidate.
☛ Elaborate on your named strengths and demonstrate how they’re useful in action by using real examples from your past experience. Make sure yo

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.

Tests problem solving skills.

☛ 1. Tell me about yourself?

☛ 2. Why did you leave your last job?

☛ 3. What are your career goals for Accounting clerk?

☛ 4. What is your greatest weakness?

☛ 5. What kind of salary are you looking for Accounting clerk?

☛ 6. Why do you think you would do well Accounting clerk?

☛ 7. What motivates you to do your best on the Accounting clerk?

☛ 8. How would you know you were successful on this Accounting clerk?

☛ 9. Do you think you are overqualified for Accounting clerk?

☛ 10. What have you learned from your past jobs that related to Accounting clerk?

☛ 11. Where would you like to be in 3 years? 5 years?

☛ 12. What made you choose to apply to Accounting clerk?

☛ 13. What are key tasks for Accounting clerk?

☛ 14. What are top 3 skills for Accounting clerk?

☛ 15. Do you have any questions?

☛ 1.We’ve all worked with someone who is very challenging. Give me an example of when this happened to you. Why was that person difficult How did you handle that person

☛ 2.What have you learned from mistakes while working as accounting clerk Give an example.

☛ 3.From time to time, we have all been confronted by someone who wasted our time at work. Tell me about a situation like that. What did you do

☛ 4.Describe a typical work week for an accounting clerk.

☛ 5.Tell me about a time when one of your ideas as an accounting clerk was attacked in a discussion. How did you react

☛ 6.What happened when you found yourself dealing with someone at work who was overly sensitive

☛ 7.Looking back, describe a situation where you should have acted differently with someone at work.

☛ What do you see yourself doing five years from now? -
☛ What do you see yourself doing ten years from now? -
☛ How do you plan to achieve your goals? -
☛ What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you?

☛ Why did you select your college or university? -
☛ How would you prepare for important tests or exams? -
☛ What college subjects did you like best? Why? -
☛ What college subjects did you like least? Why? -
☛ Describe situations where you have used your leadership skills. -
☛ Describe your most rewarding college experience. -
☛ If I were to ask your professors to describe you in three words, what would they be? -
☛ What was your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you handle it? -
☛ Do you think that your grades are a good indication of your academic achievement? -
☛ Did you prefer working independently or in groups on school projects? -
☛ What extracurricular activities have you participated in? -
☛ What was your greatest strength as a student? -
☛ Why did you choose your major? -
☛ How has your college experience prepared you for a career?

☛ Give an example of a goal you had in your previous position. What did you do to reach it?
☛ Describe a situation where you had multiple deadlines. How did you handle them?
☛ Have you ever implemented a change to speed up an accounting process?
☛ What would you like to learn more about?

☛ What are your standards of success an an accounting clerk position What have you done to meet these standards

☛ 2.What factors, other than salary, do you consider most important for evaluating your performance or success

☛ 3.At times, we have all had to break or bend the rules. Can you give me some examples of when you had to do this

☛ 4.What characteristics or factors do you consider relevant when judging the performance of others

☛ 5.Describe a time you felt the greatest sense of accomplishment as an accounting clerk.

☛ 6.Tell me about a situation when you weren’t happy with your job performance as an accounting clerk. Why were you disappointed with your work How did you resolve your dissatisfaction

☛ 7.When have you declined a work-related task Why

☛ What do you know about our company? -
☛ What interests you about this job? -
☛ Why do you want to work here? -
☛ If you were hiring a college graduate for this job, what qualities would you look for? -
☛ What do you think it takes to be successful at this company? -
☛ What can you contribute to our company? -
☛ What new ideas do you think you can bring to this company? -
☛ In what kind of work environment are you most comfortable? -
☛ Are you willing to travel? -
☛ How do you feel about working evenings and weekends? -
☛ Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to know? -

☛ Have you completed any internships? What did you gain from the experience?
☛ Tell me about your work experience. How has it prepared you for a career?
☛ Have you accomplished something you're proud of at work? -
☛ What major problems have you encountered at work and how did you deal with them? -
☛ What have you learned from your mistakes? -

☛ What are your primary responsibilities as an Accounting Clerk?
☛ What’s the Accounting department’s role in a company?
☛ Which accounting software programs have you used?
☛ Walk me through a successful bank reconciliation step-by-step.
☛ How would you design a spreadsheet to keep track of accounts payable?
☛ How do you ensure data typing accuracy?
☛ What suggestions would you make to improve our invoice keeping process?
☛ How familiar are you with Excel? Mention some projects you worked on and some regular accounting tasks you completed on excel.
☛ What do you identify as confidential information and how do you secure it?
☛ How familiar are you with SFAS (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards)?

☛ What is your greatest weakness? -
☛ What is your greatest strength? -
☛ How do you handle stress and pressure? -
☛ How would you describe yourself? -
☛ How do you think a friend or professor who knows you well would describe you? -
☛ What motivates you? -
☛ What accomplishments are you the most proud of? Why? -
☛ Why should I hire you? -