What's your career plan and how does the accounting clerk role fit into it?

"At this stage in my career, I'm looking for a low stress job that will take me to retirement within the next four years. As I have enough to retire, I'm spending this time giving my knowledge back to others. I'd like to come in and help your company grow by offering my knowledge and skills. I'm not looking for career advancement at this stage, simply a comfortable, low stress role that allows me to contribute and be useful to a company."

This is a career oriented question. Where do you see yourself in five, ten, or twenty years? What are your long-term goals? All of this is basically the same but they want to know why this role fits into your long-term plans. Do you plan to stay with the company or are you a job hopper? While they may not ask this question outright, it's implied.

Answer honestly. If this doesn't fit into your long-term goals, then maybe you shouldn't be applying for this role.

"This is a step toward my goal of helping a company grow. I'd love to start as a clerk here and work my way up to a management role or high level executive position within your company. Ideally when your CFO is ready to retire in about ten years, I will have worked my way up to be his right hand person and will be in line to take over his position."