28 Staff Accountant Interview Questions (with Answers)

1.

Give us an example of how you have used your creativity to solve a problem on the job.

Interviewers love hearing that you take the initiative to solve a problem! Think about the problems you have solved within the past year. Which one required the most creative solution or the most creative problem-solving approach? Did you have to utilize new resources? Did you have to reach out to other accountants for possible solutions? Did your problem require you to put together a committee to come to a resolution? The key is that you took the initiative to figure out how to solve the problem and had a positive attitude while doing so! Go ahead and share your unique scenario describing the problem you had to solve, how you approached solving the problem, your resolution, and your positive outcome.

2.

What work objectives did you set for this year and what steps have you taken to ensure you will achieve them?

Interviewers love hearing that you have goals that you are actively working towards. Think through the goals you have personally set for yourself or projects that you are hoping to complete. Perhaps these goals will be department-wide instead of personal. That is okay too! Go ahead and share 2-3 goals that you have for yourself this year. Describe your intended deadline, and explain where you are at in the current process. Be sure to explain what measures you have put in place to keep yourself on track with achieving each goal.

Anonymous Answer

"I want to improve my Excel skills this year. I am reviewing my Excel work that I did in college at home."

Rachelle's Answer

Nice response! The interviewer should appreciate that you are taking action to improve.

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3.

What kinds of management reports have you prepared?

The interviewer is trying to determine if you have experience working with and preparing data for senior staff members. Begin by sharing if you have experience preparing reports for any staff members mentioning their job titles and the reports that you typically prepared for them. Then, mention how often you have been preparing these reports as well as the purpose of each report. Will it be used for a large presentation or a Board meeting?

4.

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession today?

Challenges come with any profession, and the interviewer wants to hear that you are in tune with industry trends. If you are unsure of the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession today, talk with a few other accounting professionals before arriving for your interview, or check out a copy of a recent accounting magazine for some ideas. Begin by describing the biggest challenge you see. Explain what possible options you think the field has to address the challenge, and describe if you have personally seen evidence of this challenge in your career.

5.

Why have you chosen a career in accounting?

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Staff Accountant Interview Questions

Give us an example of how you have used your creativity to solve a problem on the job.

Staff Accountant Interview Questions

Give us an example of how you have used your creativity to solve a problem on the job.

What work objectives did you set for this year and what steps have you taken to ensure you will achieve them?

What kinds of management reports have you prepared?

What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession today?

Why have you chosen a career in accounting?

What motivates you to perform your best?

What is your greatest strength? How does it help you as an Accountant?

Are you willing to work overtime, nights, weekends?

What do you know about our company?

If I gave you a ten key pad, and a list of numbers, could you enter them in without looking at the key pad?

What accounting software packages have you used?

How would your former employer describe you?

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

What is your greatest weakness? What are you doing to improve it?

Give me examples of the accounting reports you have prepared.

Tell me about a suggestion or successful contribution you have made in your past job or in college?

Do you work well under pressure?

What cost-cutting measures have you been responsible for implementing?

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different accounting packages you have used.

What are your career goals?

How much money have you saved the company and how did you do this?

Why are you the best accountant for us?

Are you detail oriented?

How have you implemented recent tax changes in your company?

If hired, how do you intend on making a difference with our company?

How do you handle stressful situations?

How proficient are you with Excel?

How do you prioritize your work?