Finding a job as an accountant can be challenging. You will likely have to go through multiple interviews where you will be asked a range of questions to assess your skills, experience and fit for the role. Knowing how to best answer the most common accountant interview questions will help prepare you to ace your interviews and land the accounting job you want.
In this blog post, we will learn 20 of the most common accountant interview questions along with sample answers to help you impress your interviewers.
Question 1: Why do you want to be an accountant?
This is a very common opening question interviewers use to learn more about your interest in accounting as well as your motivations. They want to know what draws you specifically to this career path.
When answering, focus on your genuine interest in the work itself. Highlight aspects of accounting that appeal to you, like the analytical nature of the job, the problem-solving involved, the satisfaction of accuracy and attention to detail, etc. You can mention being good with numbers, but don’t make that the crux of your response.
Also discuss the opportunity accounting provides to positively impact businesses. Talk about wanting to help companies improve their financial health and operations. Demonstrate you are excited by the responsibility and high standards of the field.
Here is an example response:
“I want to be an accountant because I find working with numbers and analyzing financial data very interesting and satisfying. I enjoy the challenge involved in ensuring accurate reporting and helping businesses understand their finances to support strong decision making. Accounting is an important job with high standards that keeps companies running smoothly, and I’m drawn to the responsibility and problem-solving nature of that work.”
Question 2: Why do you want to work for our company as an accountant?
Interviewers want to gauge your interest in their specific company. They are trying to determine if you have done your research and understand their business, culture and the qualities that set them apart.
When answering, be sure to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the company by referencing their reputation, values, and services. Use specifics.
- Explain why their strengths resonate with you and align with your skills/values.
- Share your enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute and grow as an accountant there.
Here is an example response:
“I am very interested in working for XYZ Company as an accountant for several reasons. First, I have heard wonderful things about your culture of accountability and high-quality service, which aligns well with my detail-oriented work. Additionally, I have read about your innovative approach to using data analytics to provide clients with financial insights, which is very appealing to me. I am excited by the opportunity to work with your talented finance team to continue enhancing your accounting services and learn from your experienced professionals. This seems like an excellent environment for me to grow my skills as an accountant.”
Question 3: What experience do you have that would be applicable to this accountant role?
With this question, interviewers want to understand your background and assess how relevant your experience is. Be prepared to expand on your resume by highlighting achievements, technical skills, and competencies that would translate well into the open accounting position.
When responding, structure your answer:
- First, speak to your overall years of experience in accounting/finance roles.
- Next, highlight your applicable technical skills like preparing financial statements, analyzing data, reconciling accounts, etc.
- Finally, discuss relevant soft skills you’ve developed such as attention to detail, time management, communication abilities.
Here is an example response:
“I have over 5 years of professional experience that has allowed me to develop an excellent foundation in accounting principles and technical skills that qualify me for this role. Specifically, I have hands-on experience preparing financial statements, managing general ledgers, establishing budgets, and completing account reconciliations and analyses. I am adept at using Quickbooks and Excel for financial modeling. Additionally, my roles have required strong organization, time management, and communication skills to manage high workloads and collaborate with clients and team members. I am confident my experience has prepared me to excel as an accountant here.”
Question 4: How do you handle pressure?
Since accounting often involves tight deadlines and high-stakes work, interviewers want to know that you can handle pressure effectively. Remain calm and positive when answering this question.
Emphasize that you understand there will be busy, stressful times on the job and you actually enjoy that type of challenging environment. Highlight techniques you use to manage high pressure like planning ahead, prioritizing, collaborating with others, and maintaining strong attention to detail/accuracy even when rushed. Reassure the interviewer that you can produce high-quality work efficiently under pressure.
Here is an example response:
“I handle pressure well and actually thrive in high intensity situations. When things get demanding, I stay focused on the end goal and make sure I have allocated sufficient time for the most important tasks. I re-prioritize as needed if unexpected challenges come up. Working under tight deadlines motivates me to be as efficient as possible, while still maintaining the highest quality standards. Communication is also key so I collaborate closely with my team members during crunch times. My experience has taught me techniques to keep cool under pressure, manage my time, and deliver excellent results even when things get hectic.”
Question 5: What do you expect to be doing on a day-to-day basis as an accountant?
For this question, interviewers want to gauge your understanding of the typical responsibilities you would take on in the role. Be sure to highlight daily tasks and duties that align closely with the accountant position description they provided.
Here are some examples of key duties to mention:
- Preparing financial statements
- Recording journal entries
- Month-end close
- Analyzing costs, revenues, trends
- Payroll processing
- Ensuring compliance with regulations
- Reporting on budgets vs actuals
- Working with clients/leadership to provide financial insights
- Managing accounting staff
- Documenting processes
Demonstrate you have thoroughly researched what the role entails and are well-prepared to take on those core duties if hired.
Question 6: When have you worked with others to complete a difficult task?
Teamwork and collaboration are essential for accountants, so expect behavioral interview questions like this that prompt you to share examples.
Pick a specific example of a challenging project or initiative you worked on that required aligning with others to accomplish. Explain the difficulty/complexity of the task and be sure to focus on your own contributions/actions as part of the team. Share details of how you communicated, coordinated, and collaborated effectively to achieve success.
Here is an example response:
“One example that comes to mind is last year when I was working on the fiscal year-end reporting with two colleagues who were in other locations. We each had components to complete in a very condensed timeframe. I organized daily check-in calls for the team to align our efforts, adjust the schedule if needed, and collaboratively problem-solve any questions that came up. We also shared documents in real-time for review and feedback. It was a complex task but our team communicated extremely well, divided up workloads based on each person’s strengths, and ultimately put together comprehensive, accurate reports under tight time pressures. It was a great example of leveraging our crosstown team effectively through strong collaboration.”
Question 7: What are your strengths?
With this common interview question, hiring managers want to understand what you excel at and how your strengths may add value in the accountant role. Pick 2-3 strengths that most closely match the position requirements.
Some examples include:
- Attention to detail – critical for accuracy
- Analytical thinking – important for data analysis
- Organization/planning – helps manage many client accounts
- Communication skills – needed for client interactions
- Adaptability – crucial to adjust to shifting priorities
- Problem-solving – helps resolve discrepancies
For each strength, provide a specific example of using that skill to drive positive outcomes in your past experience. This will serve as evidence to back up your stated strengths.
Here’s an example response:
“Two of my biggest strengths that would add value in this accountant role are my attention to detail and analytical thinking. I double and triple check my work to ensure complete accuracy in financial documents. For example, there was a time my careful review uncovered an invoicing error that saved my previous employer thousands. Additionally, I use strong analytical skills to uncover trends and insights everyone else has missed. This has helped me develop meaningful performance reports and budget forecasts that leadership leverages to make smart decisions.”
Question 8: What is your biggest weakness?
This question is meant to assess your self-awareness and honesty. The interviewer is trying to determine if you can openly recognize areas for improvement without being too critical of yourself. When answering, pick a professional weakness that you have actively worked to improve.
Follow this structure:
- Describe the weakness
- Explain the negative impact it has had on you
- Share the concrete actions you’ve taken to address it
- Highlight the progress you’ve made
Here is an example:
“My biggest area for improvement is time management when I have multiple competing priorities. Early in my career, I struggled to stay consistently organized when juggling many different tasks and projects at once. However, I’ve learned how essential planning is to efficiently managing increasing workloads. I now block time on my calendar for each key priority and re-evaluate on a weekly basis. This has really helped me improve at balancing my time across critical tasks, avoiding last-minute work crises.”
Question 9: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
This question gauges your career ambitions and intent to stay with the company long-term. Be thoughtful in your response.
Focus on expressing your desire to grow your skills and responsibilities as an accountant. Share that, after gaining more experience on the job and becoming an expert in their systems/processes, you hope to step into more of a senior accounting specialist role.
Demonstrate you aim to be managing client accounts more independently in the future and supporting new hires in their onboarding/training. Discuss your commitment to professional development through continued learning.
Here is an example response:
“In the next 5 years, my goal is to progress from the foundational accounting responsibilities of this role into a position as a senior accountant with more ownership of high-level tasks like audits and controllership functions. I aim to become an expert in your systems and processes so I can help coach others. I’m eager to be managing client accounts more independently down the road. Ongoing learning and development is very important to me so I will continue expanding my technical knowledge and leadership skills. Most of all, I hope to continue growing my career here and would love to still be with your company in 5 years.”
Question 10: What are the different types of business transactions in accounting?
Since accounting involves recording and tracking all business transactions, interviewers commonly ask candidates to demonstrate their technical knowledge by listing the types of transactions.
Be sure to mention:
- Sales – goods/services provided to customers
- Purchases – goods/services company acquires
- Administrative expenses – overhead operating costs
- Taxes – amounts paid for local/state/federal taxes
- Payroll – employee salaries, wages, benefits
- Depreciation – allocated costs of fixed assets
- Interest income and expenses – amounts paid/earned on debt
- Dividend payments – profits paid to shareholders
Giving a complete list highlights your understanding of the core transactions an accountant must track.
Question 11: Which accounting platforms and software have you worked with?
Most accounting roles rely heavily on technology like Quickbooks, SAP, Oracle, etc. Interviewers want to know which specific programs you have experience with and your proficiency level.
List all applications you’ve used, even if just briefly. Highlight any you have advanced or expert skills in. For the company’s particular accounting systems, emphasize your eagerness to learn and pick them up quickly through their training.
Here is an example response:
“I have experience using Quickbooks, SAP, and Microsoft Dynamics for tasks like managing charts of accounts, preparing statements and reports, and recording transactions. I consider myself an advanced user of Quickbooks. Although I have not used your proprietary platform before, I learn new technology tools quickly and am confident I can become fluent in your systems with the proper training.”
Question 12: Give an example of when you’ve worked with a difficult client. How did you handle it?
Interviewers know that accountants must maintain composure and professionalism even when working with challenging clients. This question assesses how you manage tense client situations.
Focus your answer on listening first, resolving conflicts with empathy, and remaining solutions-oriented. Share an example situation where you turned an unhappy client into a satisfied one. Highlight the importance of always protecting the company’s interests while keeping clients happy.
Here is an example response:
“Early in my career, I had a client who was consistently demanding and blunt in all of our communications. While it was difficult, I made sure to always respond calmly and empathetically. Instead of reacting defensively, I would listen first, then clarify how we could provide them with better service. I put together a customized reporting process for them with more frequent touchpoints, which significantly improved our working relationship. This taught me that taking the time to understand difficult clients leads to more productive outcomes.”
Question 13: What are the different types of financial statements?
Along with understanding various accounting transactions, accountants need to be experts in financial statements. This question is assessing your knowledge of the core statements a company utilizes.
Be sure to mention:
- Income statement – reports revenue and expenses over a period
- Balance sheet – provides a snapshot of assets, liabilities, equity
- Cash flow statement – shows changes in cash balances
- Statement of owner’s equity – summarizes changes in equity accounts like retained earnings
- Statement of changes in equity – records changes in equity accounts
Highlighting your well-rounded understanding of financial statements will build the interviewer’s confidence in your technical proficiency.
Question 14: What is working capital?
This is another technical question to evaluate your accounting knowledge. Working capital is an important concept for accountants to understand inside and out.
Working capital refers to a company’s current assets minus its current liabilities. It represents the liquid assets available to fund the company’s day-to-day operations and pay off short-term debts.
Provide that clear definition when answering. You can elaborate by explaining that monitoring working capital helps assess a company’s overall operational efficiency and short-term financial health.
Question 15: What’s the difference between deferred revenue and accounts receivable?
Interviewers want to know that you have a strong grasp of unique accounting terms and concepts. This question assesses your understanding of two types of assets companies track on their balance sheets.
Accounts receivable represent money owed to the company by customers who have received goods/services but not yet paid. Deferred revenue represents money paid by a customer for goods/services that the company has not yet delivered.
Highlighting that you understand these key differences and the transactions associated with each account displays your attention to detail and technical knowledge.
Question 16: What accounting software applications do you have experience with?
As mentioned for question #11, mastery of accounting software is crucial for the job. Employers want to confirm your exposure to programs commonly used in the field.
Name any platforms you have worked in – even those used in academic settings like university accounting courses. List programs you have beginner skills in, intermediate proficiency, and advanced expertise.
If the company uses specific applications you have never used, that’s okay! Emphasize you are a quick learner and will pick up new accounting programs swiftly with proper training and support.
Question 17: How do you maintain accounting accuracy?
Accountants handle sensitive financial data and produce reports/statements that stakeholders rely on to be 100% accurate. Interviewers want to understand your dedication to precision.
In your response, demonstrate meticulous attention to detail as a top priority. Highlight best practices you follow, such as:
- Double/triple checking all work
- Referencing policies/procedures frequently
- Taking detailed notes on processes for future reference
- Asking clarifying questions when unsure about something
- Utilizing data validation tools and software checks
- Comparing reports to source data/prior periods
- Working carefully to avoid rushing
Show that producing completely accurate accounting work is something you take great pride in.
Here is an example response:
“I take accuracy very seriously in my accounting work. I always double, even triple check reports and statements because I understand the importance of precision when dealing with financial data. I reference policies and procedures frequently to ensure I follow all protocols correctly. Whenever I have even the slightest doubt on how to record a transaction, I ask my manager for guidance to get it right. I utilize all available software validation tools as an extra accuracy check before submitting anything. My detailed approach helps me maintain the highest level of accounting accuracy.”
Question 18: What is the difference between a trial balance and a balance sheet?
Another technical accounting question. Both a trial balance and balance sheet include accounts and balances, so interviewers want to know that you grasp the key distinctions between these important statements.
A trial balance simply lists all accounts and ending balances in the general ledger at a point in time. It helps identify any posting errors.
The balance sheet presents a full summary of assets, liabilities, and equity balances on the last day of an accounting period. It provides a financial snapshot of the business.
Being able to articulate the main differences highlights your well-rounded accounting knowledge.
Question 19: What is the difference between inactive and dormant accounts?
Here is another technical question testing your understanding of accounting terminology.
An inactive account is one that has not had any transactions posted to it recently, but is still considered open. Inactive accounts can become active again if needed.
A dormant account is one that is closed out and no longer has any activity or transactions associated with it. When an account is truly dormant, it is closed on the general ledger.
The key differences are:
- Inactive accounts are open with the potential for future transactions. Dormant accounts are permanently closed.
- Inactive accounts maintain their ending balance. Dormant accounts have a $0 balance.
- Inactive accounts appear on a trial balance. Dormant accounts do not.
Being able to explain these distinctions demonstrates you understand the nuances between types of accounts on the general ledger. It’s an important technical proficiency for accountants to have.
Question 20: What is a deferred tax liability?
The last question evaluates your grasp of a complex accounting concept – deferred tax liabilities.
A deferred tax liability is an account on the balance sheet representing income taxes that will come due in the future. It arises when there are timing differences between book and taxable income.
For example, a deferred tax liability can result from revenue that has been recognized on the financial statements but has not yet actually been taxed. The liability account reflects the estimated future tax bill when the revenue is taxed.
Providing this clear, thorough definition displays strong technical knowledge and shows you can explain complex concepts in understandable ways.
Conclusion
Preparing responses to common accounting interview questions ahead of time will help you highlight your skills, experiences and motivations to potential employers. Use the sample answers in this blog post as a starting point, but put answers in your own words.
Be sure to back up stated strengths and achievements with specific examples. Ask clarifying questions if you need more context on the role’s responsibilities and skills required.
With practice and preparation, you can master your next accounting interview and get hired for the job you want. Best of luck!
