What steps do you take to ensure there aren't any mistakes in your work?

"Being able to self-review my work and catch mistakes is something I take very seriously. An accountant spends a lot of time in the details, so it is sometimes difficult to catch errors. Given this, I would implement checklists that require me to tie out balances, subtotal transactions and complete other checks before I move forward in the close process. In a way, I would audit my work to catch any mistakes or errors. This not only saves me time in the long run, but also saves my manager time as there is less back and forth resolving issues. I understand that the work I produce is not only a reflection of me, but of my department as well. Given that, catching mistakes would be a priority for me."

The interviewer is trying to evaluate your ability to check your own work and, as a result, save your manager precious time by catching mistakes before they reach his or her desk. Give specific examples of procedures you have implemented in previous roles to catch mistakes.

"Make a checklist before starting the task because having a plan allows me to make sure I do not forget any step and allows me to catch errors. One of my habits is that I spend a lot of time on details, as I always aim to deliver the best of what I am capable of. I make sure to self-review my work regularly as I am aware of how important it is and what impact it has on the department."

Why do you want to work for XYZ Corporation?

" I would be excited and proud to work for XYZ Corporation because I believe that they are on the cutting edge of innovation in the HR Solutions space. For example, the new software platform launched last month that allows remote workers to change all of their HR records with a click of a mouse is a game changer. Additionally, the company is growing and healthy financially, with EBITDA growing by an average of 11% over the last five years. I believe working at XYZ Corporation would be a great way to begin my career."

The question is a chance to show that you have done your research on the company. In your answer, be sure to include some facts that required you to research the company beyond what is available on their website (for example, recent financial performance).

"It would be an honor to work for...., a company that is constantly growing and has a lot of expertise in the industry as it is the first company authorized in my home country. It has reached over 1 million people. These figures show that the company is forward-thinking and is constantly improving the quality of its services and ensures they have professionals and well-trained staff, therefore it is a great place to start my career."

How do you stay up to date on the latest accounting trends?

"I stay up to date in various ways. First, I subscribe to e-newsletters from the Financial Accounting Standards Board for updates to generally accepted accounting principles. Additionally, as an alumnus of my university, I have access to a large continuing education library. I try to select courses that align nicely with the roles and responsibilities of an entry level accountant."

This question is to see if you take the initiative to stay current on the latest accounting developments. By doing so, you demonstrate that you are committed to growing in the accounting profession.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

"I am very excited about the staff accountant role because I think it will be a great opportunity to learn about the accounting profession from the ground floor. Over the next few years, I look forward to expanding my accounting skills and learning more about the company. As long as I can continue to grow I believe that I will be fulfilled."

In some ways, this can be a trap question. You want to sound ambitious but also humble. In order to accomplish this, talk about how you are excited in the immediate term by the role you are interviewing for. Then talk about how you like to learn and continue to grow in the organization.

"I'm aiming to complete my ACCA exams, I have 4 left out of 13. So hopefully in 5 years' time, I will be a certified chartered accountant. I also expect I will have progressed significantly in my career and will be making a greater contribution. I hope to stay with the company and would prove my value to this company. I hope to be given greater responsibilities and challenges."

What qualities or skills do you believe make a good accountant?

"First and foremost, I believe an accountant should be honest and have great integrity. Without this, it will be impossible for the person to perform the role effectively. Next, the individual should have the education and technical skills to perform the job. They should have exceptional people skills as they will be required to communicate effectively with colleagues, clients and other parties. Finally, they should have an inquisitive mind and a keen attention to detail."

This question is a good opportunity to show you have an understanding of what qualities make a good accountant. Some key areas to hit are ethics (honesty/integrity), ability to interact with colleagues and clients (communication skills, people person), ability to limit mistakes (focused/attention to detail) and ability to get to the correct answer (skeptical/inquisitive/problem solver).

"Good time management, planning, and organizing are key. Accountants are known to have a heavy workload, therefore, being patient and able to prioritize work and manage tasks to meet deadlines are very important."

How would you handle working in a remote or hybrid environment?

"I have experience working remotely. At my internship, we were able to work from home on Fridays since it was summer. I enjoyed working from home, and was able to stay on task and communicate effectively with my team members. There were some ground rules I implemented, such as maintaining regular hours, keeping my morning routine as if I was going to the office, and scheduling breaks to take care of non-work related tasks. I also had a standing meeting with my manager and team members every morning to discuss priorities for the day."

This is a question to gauge if you are disciplined enough to work from home as there are many distractions, especially for young professionals. Be sure to touch on how you would stay focused and communicate with team members. Even after things return to normal, remote work may continue to be more common across many industries including accounting.

What does being a team player mean to you as it relates to accounting and finance?

" I understand how important it is to be a team player when working in accounting and finance. All finance functions are connected to each other. In order for the monthly close to be completed efficiently each month, each professional and department needs to meet their deadlines. To this end, I would work the hours required to complete my work so it does not delay other processes. Additionally, I would be in constant communication with others that rely on my deliverables so that they are in the loop."

Most of an accounting professional's work is interrelated to other employees and departments. Therefore, being a team player is essential. Speak to some of the ways you can demonstrate that you are a team player, including working additional hours as needed and being an effective communicator..

Are you willing to work additional hours as needed?

"Yes, I am willing to work extra hours as needed. I understand that the work required ramps up during month-end close, tax filings and other busier times. I also understand that if I want to advance in my career, I will need to go the extra mile. I am happy to be flexible and work as needed to make sure the job gets done."

The life of an accountant is tied to the month-end close calendar, which could result in a schedule that is 'lumpy' and not a typical 9-5. The candidate should expect there to be some additional time worked during busier times and should highlight that they are flexible.

How would you show professionalism in the workplace?

"As a new employee, there are many ways that I can show professionalism at work. First, I can be professional in my appearance by adhering to the company's dress code. I can also display professionalism in my behavior by arriving promptly everyday, not listening to loud music and not taking personal calls. Lastly, I can show professionalism in my work by reviewing my work before sharing with others and using the proper etiquette in emails, meetings and phone calls. "

It is not always clear to new graduates how to act professionally in an office setting. Speak to your ability to act professionally in how you dress, how you act, and the work you produce.

Why do you want to be an accountant?

"Since I was young, I have always liked math and have been good with numbers. I took an accounting class in high school and really enjoyed it - the concepts made sense to me. I am also interested in a career with good growth opportunities, and I know accounting is a field that I can start at entry level and advance with experience."

This question is a way for the interviewer to find out a little bit about your background and interests. Be honest and direct - don't give a phony answer that the interviewer will see through.

What are some steps you would take to ensure you are meeting your manager's expectations?

"In order to perform my job duties to my manager's satisfaction, I would first complete the responsibilities I am given promptly and effectively. I would then check in with my manager on a regular basis to review work I have completed and actions I can take in the near future to continue performing effectively. My goal is to exceed my manager's expectations, and I think these actions would help achieve that goal."

There are several actions that can be taken to ensure you are doing your job effectively. First and foremost, completing the tasks assigned to you completely and efficiently is a great start. During one on one meetings with your manager, you can ask for feedback on your job performance as well as actions you can take going forward.

What is an allowance for doubtful accounts and how is it reflected on the balance sheet?

"The Allowance for Doubtful Accounts is a reserve account related to bad debt on customer sales. The bad debt is estimated each month in accordance with accrual accounting, and is usually a small percentage of total sales. The bad debt reserve sits in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts account. It is considered a 'contra account' that nets against Accounts Receivable on the balance sheet."

This is a technical question that tests your understanding of accounting reserves, such as the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accrual accounting methodology requires that certain reserves be made during a month, even if the cash impact occurs in a future month. For example, bad debt expense is recognized in the month of sale, even though it may be months until customer accounts are written off. The Allowance for Doubtful Accounts is a 'contra asset' that is netted against Accounts Receivable on the balance sheet.

Do you plan on obtaining your CPA license?

"As a new professional in the field of accounting, one of my primary goals in the first few years of my career is to obtain my CPA license. I have completed the necessary education hours, and have already signed up for a study course for the Regulation section of the exam. I am looking forward to obtaining my license and applying the knowledge gained during the exam process to my career."

While not always required, many professionals in the accounting field become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs). For a new graduate, planning to become a CPA shows commitment to the accounting profession. Be open with your intentions as it relates to the CPA license.

Do you have any experience working with data?

"At my internship last summer, I helped the staff accountant responsible for inventory estimate obsolescence for several months. To do this, we exported over 10,000 lines of data each month, sorted and created pivot tables so that we could break down sales by type. This allowed us to book a more precise estimate than if we didn't have access to the data. I was also exposed to data visualization software in college, and I would love to continue to hone my skills in that space."

With advances in computing technology, accountants can now take large amounts of data and analyze it. Speak to a specific example where you utilized big data to solve a problem or complete a task.

Are you proficient in Excel?

"Yes, I am very proficient in Excel. In college, I took electives on advanced Excel skills. I am very comfortable sorting and filtering data and creating pivot tables. Additionally, I have used Lookup and Sumif formulas to build reports. I look forward to expanding my skills even further as I begin my career."

Like most college graduates from this generation, it is expected that the candidate has extensive experience using Excel. Given that, beyond saying that you are proficient in Excel, speak to some of the advanced skills you have that would be useful in the accounting field. These include SUMIF formulas, Lookup formulas, and pivot tables.

Give examples of common financial ratios. What do they tell about a company's finances?

"There are many financial ratios that can help give a glimpse into a company's financial position. One common one is the working capital ratio, which is calculated by taking current assets divided by current liabilities. The ratio measures an entity's ability to pay off its short term liabilities with liquid and semi-liquid assets. Another ratio is days sales outstanding, which measures how many days of sales are sitting in accounts receivable. The higher the number of days, the worse off the company may be because they may not be collecting cash from customers in a timely fashion."

Financial ratios are simple calculations that give a quick snapshot of a company's financial health. Several common ratios are: current/quick ratio, working capital ratio, days sales outstanding, days payable outstanding, debt to equity ratio and return on equity.

Why do companies have internal auditors?

"There are several reasons why companies have internal audit functions. First, they help give management assurance that the financial statements are correct and financial processes are running smoothly. They accomplish this by documenting all procedures and internal controls, and identifying weaknesses and misstatements before they are caught by an external audit. Additionally, external auditors can oftentimes rely on work completed by internal auditors, which saves time and money during the audit.."

Internal auditors are an important department in any large finance function. They are responsible for evaluating the company's internal controls and accounting processes. They also identify problems or opportunities in the company's financial policies and procedures

What is a bank reconciliation?

"A bank reconciliation is an important part of the monthly accounting process. It involves verifying that the cash balances on the books tie to the balances per the bank statements. As a new accountant, I understand that bank reconciliations may fall under my responsibilities. It is a skill I look forward to learning and mastering."

A bank reconciliation is a process that matches the cash balances in an organization's general ledger to the balances on the corresponding bank statements. Bank reconciliations are commonly the responsibility of entry level staff, and therefore it's important for the candidate to be able to describe what a bank reconciliation is and what it entails.

What is deferred revenue?

"Deferred revenue is a liability that arises when cash is received before revenue is earned. This typically occurs when a customer pays before a service is performed or goods are delivered. That liability is then reversed in the period the revenue is earned."

This question tests your ability to explain a basic concept of accounting. Under the accrual method of accounting, deferred revenue arises when cash is received before revenue is earned. This most commonly occurs when a customer prepays for a good or service.

What is an accrued expense?

"Accrued expenses are very common in accounting, and arise when an expense is incurred in the current reporting period but won't be paid until a future period. A common example is accrued bonus, where expense is recognized throughout the year even though the bonus is typically paid once per year."

This question tests your ability to explain a basic concept of accounting. Under the accrual method of accounting, an accrued expense arises when an expense is incurred in the current period but will be paid in a future period.

What are the three financial statements and what do they indicate about a company's finances?

"The income statement shows profitability over a period of time by showing revenue less expenses. The balance sheet summarizes a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a point in time. And a cash flow statement shows the net cash inflows and outflows over a period of time. Each statement is essential in order to gain insights into the financial health of an organization."

The three main financial statements are the income statement, balance sheet and statement of cash flows. A new accountant should know the statements in detail as they will be expected to have learned them in their college coursework.

What is the difference between auditing and accounting?

"Accounting involves the recording and reporting of financial information for an entity and is typically done by internal employees of the company. Auditing is an independent examination of the financial information prepared by the company in order to express an opinion on the financial statements. The personnel conducting the audit are from an independent firm. While many large organizations have an internal audit function, it is the external auditors that issue the opinion."

An audit is an independent examination of financial statements of an entity with the purpose of expressing an opinion on those statements. Accounting is the measurement, processing and reporting of financial information about a business. Accounting is typically done in-house, while an audit must be performed by an independent firm.

What are the steps in a monthly accounting close?

"First and foremost, there needs to be a closing calendar so that deadlines are set for all departments. Next, all data must be gathered. This includes departments such as payroll and accounts payable preparing reports needed for journal entries. Next, all journal entries are booked. After journal entries are booked and reviewed, financial statements are prepared and balance sheet reconciliations are completed. Finally, the results are reviewed with leadership. Is there anything I described that differs from the process here at XYZ Corporation?"

Even as a new staff member, you will likely be very involved in the accounting close process. This question is used to assess whether your understanding of the accounting close process aligns with the organization's. Don't go into too much detail - rather, just hit the key steps and then ask how it compares or differs from the organization's process.

Describe an accounting project that you successfully completed in school?

"In a financial accounting course in college, we were tasked with completing a mock accounting close and developing an executive summary that would be shared with leaders of the company. As a team of three, we closed the books for the month. In a couple instances, we completed research to find out the proper accounting treatment of transactions. We then built an attractive deck that shared the results. I am proud of this particular project because we worked together as a team and received a special shout out from the professor."

As a recent graduate, you won't have too many on-the-job experiences to recount to the interviewer. Therefore, it is wise to have an example in mind from your college coursework. If the example is related to accounting, that is all the better.

Do you have any experience using accounting software?

"In my college program, we were able to demo SAP accounting software. In that software, I was able to book journal entries, generate reports and run queries. Since I have an underlying understanding of accounting, I believe I will be able to learn new software packages fairly quickly."

As an entry level accountant, it won't be expected that you have extensive experience using full scale accounting software packages. Therefore, speak to what you have used. Many job descriptions specifically state which accounting software the company uses. If any event, make sure to highlight that you are quick to learn new software systems.

"I am currently doing a work experience online where I am learning the basics of QuickBooks, and the tasks that an accounts assistant carries out. This includes processing invoices, credit notes, bank reconciliations, and petty cash management. Since I have an underlying understanding of accounting, I believe I will be able to learn new software packages fairly quickly."

Entry Level Accountant Interview Questions

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1. What steps do you take to ensure there aren't any mistakes in your work?
2. Why do you want to work for XYZ Corporation?
3. How do you stay up to date on the latest accounting trends?
4. Where do you see yourself in five years?
5. What qualities or skills do you believe make a good accountant?
6. How would you handle working in a remote or hybrid environment?
7. What does being a team player mean to you as it relates to accounting and finance?
8. Are you willing to work additional hours as needed?
9. How would you show professionalism in the workplace?
10. Why do you want to be an accountant?
11. What are some steps you would take to ensure you are meeting your manager's expectations?
12. What is an allowance for doubtful accounts and how is it reflected on the balance sheet?
13. Do you plan on obtaining your CPA license?
14. Do you have any experience working with data?
15. Are you proficient in Excel?
16. Give examples of common financial ratios. What do they tell about a company's finances?
17. Why do companies have internal auditors?
18. What is a bank reconciliation?
19. What is deferred revenue?
20. What is an accrued expense?
21. What are the three financial statements and what do they indicate about a company's finances?
22. What is the difference between auditing and accounting?
23. What are the steps in a monthly accounting close?
24. Describe an accounting project that you successfully completed in school?
25. Do you have any experience using accounting software?

Entry Level Accountant Interview Questions

1. What steps do you take to ensure there aren't any mistakes in your work?

2. Why do you want to work for XYZ Corporation?

3. How do you stay up to date on the latest accounting trends?

4. Where do you see yourself in five years?

5. What qualities or skills do you believe make a good accountant?

6. How would you handle working in a remote or hybrid environment?

7. What does being a team player mean to you as it relates to accounting and finance?

8. Are you willing to work additional hours as needed?

9. How would you show professionalism in the workplace?

10. Why do you want to be an accountant?

11. What are some steps you would take to ensure you are meeting your manager's expectations?

12. What is an allowance for doubtful accounts and how is it reflected on the balance sheet?

13. Do you plan on obtaining your CPA license?

14. Do you have any experience working with data?

15. Are you proficient in Excel?

16. Give examples of common financial ratios. What do they tell about a company's finances?

17. Why do companies have internal auditors?

18. What is a bank reconciliation?

19. What is deferred revenue?

20. What is an accrued expense?

21. What are the three financial statements and what do they indicate about a company's finances?

22. What is the difference between auditing and accounting?

23. What are the steps in a monthly accounting close?

24. Describe an accounting project that you successfully completed in school?

25. Do you have any experience using accounting software?