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How To Answer Technical Accounting Interview Questions

After weeks of perfecting your accounting resume and drawing out a quintessential cover letter, here comes the interview you have long been waiting for. 

Accounting interview questions come with a mix of general and technical interview questions that assess your accountancy skills, behavior, and competency.

The questions may vary depending on the employer, the accounting position, requirements, and your career history. 

You don’t want to be caught off guard when a question is thrown at you so here are some technical accounting interview questions with tips on how to give excellent responses.

Article Road Map

10 Technical Accounting Interview Questions And How To Answer Them

1. Tell Me About Yourself

This is commonly the most popular interview question. The intention behind this question is for your potential employers to get to know you better.

Your answer should give a short summary of your background and skills, providing insight into your experience and the qualifications you have that are most relevant to the position you are looking to fill. 

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2. Why Do You Want To Do Accountancy?

To answer this question appropriately, it’s very important that you understand the firm’s expertise and areas of specialty. Which area of accounting are you interested in? 

For instance, if you are interested in going into tax, you can say you like trying to save people money and you find it challenging and fun searching for loopholes. 

To answer this question correctly, you need to come from the angle of what the organization specializes in and what you would like to specialize in, and how your skills fit into the role. 

3. What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses?

This is a very popular interview question so prepare for it. Assess the skills you have and list the relevant strengths that will be beneficial to the role you are vying for and that meet the employer’s values. 

One major skill appreciated in the field of accounting is detail orientation. If you are detail-oriented, this is the time to mention it. Some top strengths for a successful accounting job performance include;

  1. Organizational and planning skills
  2. Data management and analysis
  3. Decision-making skills
  4. Interpersonal skills
  5. Communication skills
  6. Adaptability

On the other hand, talking about your weakness may be somewhat challenging. However, do not be afraid of admitting to your weaknesses. Talk to your interviewers about it and how you have gone about addressing it. 

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4. Can You Describe A Time When You Conveyed Technical Information To Someone Of More Or Less Technical Ability?

Interviewers ask this question to assess your confidence and communication skills. To nail this question you need to demonstrate your ability to digest information, process, and summarize it in a way that is patient and adaptable. 

When answering the question, you do not need to give an example related to accountancy. With whatever instance you choose, try to illustrate your ability to judge character and communicate effectively to others.

5. Can You Describe A Time When You’ve Helped A Team To Be Successful? 

The question may come in different variations. You can also be asked if you work well alone or with people. However it comes, it’s to test your team playing and leadership skills. Being an accountant requires you to work with teams. 

When answering this question, think of a time when you supported a team and made a positive impact. Tell your interviewers about how your team improved due to your input and highlight skills of cooperation, resilience, and professionalism.

6. Which Accounting Applications Are You Familiar With?

Walk the panel through the applications you have worked with, focusing on how you implemented them and the steps you took during the conversion and integration of the accounting system. 

You should emphasize your familiarity with the accounting application by discussing what specifically you used it for. 

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7. Tell Us About The Advantages And Disadvantages Of The Different Accounting Packages You’ve Used

To answer this question, discuss how the accounting packages, differ in complexity, functionality, and price. Explain how the packages you used supported and simplified company-specific processes and how they met your business requirements.  

8. Can You Give Us Examples Of Some Accounting Reports You Have Prepared?

With examples, demonstrate your ability to meet tight schedules and undertake multiple accounting activities.

Describe to the panel your experience and understanding of maintaining statutory accounting principles and practices to ensure accurate and timely financial statements and reports.

9. Have You Developed Or Revised Any Accounting Processes? Can You Tell Us About It? 

To nail this question, discuss how you have monitored and analyzed work processes to develop more efficient procedures and use of resources while maintaining accurate and quality work outputs. 

10. How Do You Evaluate The Reliability Of The Financial Data You Obtain?

Discuss your commitment to excellent performance standards, highlighting your attention to detail and the quality control measures you use.

If you have put in any processes to ensure that the financial data you receive is accurate, discuss it with your interviewers. 

Conclusion

Accounting interview questions explore your general technical skills, competence, behavior, and knowledge.

The questions you may be asked during your interview vary from company to company but stated above are some of the most popular questions.

To prepare effectively for your interview, it’s necessary that you revise these questions and know how to provide suitable answers for them. 

We wish you all the best in your interview!

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