MockQuestions

Senior Accountant Mock Interview

28 Questions Created By

To help you prepare for your Senior Accountant interview, here are 28 interview questions and answer examples.

First Question

28 Senior Accountant Interview Questions

15 Interview Questions With Sample Answers

1.   Tell me about your leadership skills. Do you enjoy leading and teaching others?

How to Answer

Are you a natural born leader? Do you enjoy leading a team? Discuss any leadership qualities and experience with the hiring manager. Be sure to use examples of times when you have taken on a leadership role. What was the feedback that you received?



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I am a natural leader and I really do enjoy being a leader. I have taken on multiple projects in my current role. Most recently, I was leading a team of 12 junior accountants. The feedback on the project was strong and I felt that the accountants working under me in this project received my guidance openly."

Written by Rachelle Enns

2.   Have you ever used an ERP or SAP system before?

How to Answer

Tell the hiring manager about any exposure you have had to SAP or ERP systems. How do you feel that you could improve? Where do you feel your strongest skills are.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"Yes, I have used both an ERP and SAP system in my previous roles. I would say that I have approximately 8 years exposure in each. My strongest experience comes with data analysis and documentation through SAP."

Written by Rachelle Enns

3.   Would you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or expert user in QuickBooks?

How to Answer

Tell the hiring manager about your level of comfortability with QuickBooks. Have you been tested recently on your QuickBooks abilities? If so, you can certainly talk about that.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"Recently I was given the opportunity to test my skills in QuickBooks when I was being considered for an opportunity through a placement agency. They tested me on my QuickBooks skills and I came out as an Advanced level user."

Written by Rachelle Enns

4.   Would you consider yourself a beginner, intermediate or expert user in Excel?

How to Answer

Tell the hiring manager about your level of comfortability with Excel. Have you been tested recently on your Excel abilities? If so, you can certainly talk about that.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"Recently I was given the opportunity to test my skills in Excel when I was being considered for an opportunity through a placement agency. They tested me on my Excel skills and I came out as an expert level user."

Written by Rachelle Enns

5.   We require a Senior Accountant with strong technical skills. Are you able to quickly learn new programs?

How to Answer

It is important to be technically savvy. Talk to the hiring manager about your ability to learn new programs and use a variety of software.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I am very savvy when it comes to new technology. Learning new programs and software comes very easily to me. Currently, in my position, I am the Subject Matter Expert when it comes to Excel, Quickbooks and Simply Accounting."

Written by Rachelle Enns

6.   While attending University, what was your favorite course and why?

How to Answer

What was your best course, and why was it so? Talk to the hiring manager about your best post-secondary course.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"My best course while attending my post-secondary education was Management Accounting and Control. I feel that I did so well because the Professor was very interesting. I really enjoyed learning about budgeting, organizational architecture, product costing and decision making."

Written by Rachelle Enns

7.   Tell me about your post-secondary education. What particular Accounting designations do you hold?

How to Answer

Having the proper designations for the role is very important. Tell the hiring manager about your post secondary experience and accounting designations.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I attended my post-secondary education at the University of Florida. Completing my Bachelors of Finance in 2009, I returned to part time studies in 2011 to obtain my CPA."

Written by Rachelle Enns

8.   What are your long-term goals as an Accountant?

How to Answer

Talk to the hiring manager about the type of growth that you would like to see in your career, long term. Discuss why this is important to you and what you plan to do to get there.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"My long term career goal is to complete my masters' degree in finance. I plan to attend evening and weekend courses. This will allow me to take on even more senior accounting tasks while still remaining employed on a full time basis."

Written by Rachelle Enns

9.   What are your short-term career goals as an Accountant?

How to Answer

Talk to the hiring manager about the type of growth that you would like to see in your immediate career. Discuss why this is important to you and what you plan to do to get there.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"My short term career goal is to complete my CPA. I have just one course remaining. This will allow me to take on even more senior accounting tasks in the near future."

Written by Rachelle Enns

10.   What qualifies you for this position, and why should we hire you?

How to Answer

Assure the hiring manager that you are the best possible fit for the role by discussing your qualifications, strengths, and what sets you apart from the others.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"In addition to meeting all of the educational experience you are asking for, I also have the additional PMP designation which qualifies me to lead accounting based projects for your firm. This is a unique combination and I feel it is just part of what makes me a stand out candidate."

Written by Rachelle Enns

11.   Tell me about your experience as an Accountant.

How to Answer

It's best to start at the beginning of your accounting career, and work your way to your most recent position. Talk about any complicated projects you have worked on, who you have supported, and if you have ever led a team.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I began my career with company XYZ immediately after graduating with my Bachelor's Degree in Finance. I have worked my up from there to a Senior Accountant role with the same company. I primarily work with corporate accounts but do have experience in personal accounting as well."

Written by Rachelle Enns

12.   Why did you choose to pursue a career as an Accountant?

How to Answer

Talk to the hiring manager about how you came to choose Accounting as your career path. You can make the answer a bit personal if you wish.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"Growing up, my father was an Accountant and my mother was a bookkeeper. I always took an interest in problem solving and numbers. Accounting was a natural career for me to pursue."

Written by Rachelle Enns

13.   Do you work well on a team? How do you define teamwork?

How to Answer

As an Accountant, much of your work will likely be independent but some project teamwork will be required. Talk to the hiring manager about your ability to work as part of a team.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I am a strong team player and will often take on a leadership role when given the opportunity. To me, teamwork means that everyone ensures that the project is running smoothly by doing their part. On larger projects that require teamwork I feel it is always best to utilize each individuals' strengths and have them feel accountable for their work."

Written by Rachelle Enns

14.   How do you control errors in your work?

How to Answer

While working on a project, errors can happen. Talk to the interviewer about how you manage/control these errors.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I am always sure to check in regularly when it comes to the progress of a project. I ensure that my staff members feel comfortable bringing up changes and suggestions to me when they see room for improvement. Having everyone's eye out for required changes and potential errors really helps with controlling any potential mistakes."

Written by Rachelle Enns

15.   Describe to me what qualifications you feel a person applying for this position will need, in order to have the most success?

How to Answer

Tell the hiring manager that you are able to understand the qualifications required to be successful in this position and that you personally possess these qualities.



Written by Rachelle Enns

Answer Example

"I feel the qualifications required for this role would be a strong mixture of education and experience. You would really benefit from a candidate who has experience working on more complicated corporate financial portfolio's, which I certainly do."

Written by Rachelle Enns

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