Common accounting interview questions and answers

When interviewing for a role in accounting, you have to know how to turn a solid foundation in accounting principles, technology and best practices into a good first impression.

To be prepared for accounting interview questions, candidates should have a clear understanding of the field. Companies of all sizes rely on accountants to generate reports (e.g., cost or managerial accounting) that help management make well-informed decisions.

Accounting roles typically require an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Some roles may require a master’s degree or other graduate-level education, such as a Graduate Accounting Certificate.

Outside of education, experience matters. Candidates may be able to gain real-world knowledge through internships with business and accounting firms.

The skills and qualities accountants need include:

• Math skills: This role demands the ability to interpret and examine facts and figures while making comparisons.
• Analytical skills: Accounting calls for the ability to use critical thinking when analyzing data, pinpointing documentation issues and recommending solutions.
• Organizational skills: Accounting involves working with a variety of financial documents and clients. To keep everything straight, organization is a must.
• Attention to detail: Accountants must have a keen eye for detail when putting together documents and examining every line item for accuracy.
• Communication skills: This position requires strong listening skills and the ability to address issues shared by clients, supervisors and other team members. Candidates should also be able to present their findings clearly, both during meetings and through written documentation.

The goal of the interview process is to understand how candidates apply core accounting knowledge, tools and judgment in real-world business settings. Interviewees can confidently demonstrate their value by familiarizing themselves with the following questions and developing strong answers to them.

This question evaluates a candidate’s understanding of balance sheets, income statements and cash-flow statements. The documents are key to understanding an organization’s financial performance and well-being. 

How to answer:

Candidates should describe their involvement in tracking these metrics. This could include determining and monitoring an organization’s gross margin or client scouting costs.

Sample answer: “In my previous role, I helped a client define and track several key business metrics, including gross margin by product line and the cost of acquiring new customers. For example, I partnered with our sales and marketing teams to calculate and monitor our client scouting costs, then built a simple dashboard to track trends over time. This helped leadership decide where to allocate resources more effectively.”

This accounting interview question gauges a candidate’s knowledge of business metrics, which measure a company’s financial performance and investments.

How to answer:

Candidates should describe their involvement in tracking these metrics. This could include determining and monitoring an organization’s gross margin or client scouting costs.

Sample answer: “In my previous role, I helped a client define and track several key business metrics, including gross margin by product line and the cost of acquiring new customers. For example, I partnered with our sales and marketing teams to calculate and monitor our client scouting costs, then built a simple dashboard to track trends over time. This helped leadership decide where to allocate resources more effectively.”

An interviewer might pose this question to determine whether the candidate has experience using the company’s accounting tools or can quickly adapt to new programs.

How to answer:

Rather than mentioning just one program, candidates should discuss a few they're familiar with, even if they haven't mastered them. The goal is to demonstrate knowledge of commonly used accounting software.

Sample answer: “I’ve spent more than five years using QuickBooks^® and an additional two years working with a custom in-house accounting system at my previous job.”

Behavioral interview questions evaluate candidates’ competency in a wide range of situations and best practices to reduce potential risks to the company.

Candidates can formulate answers to behavioral accounting interview questions by using the STAR method. STAR stands for:

• Situation: Describe a specific work situation or problem you had to solve.
• Task: Talk about what you were responsible for doing at a previous job or in a certain work-related situation.
• Action: Describe actions you took in a previous role, either to carry out regular operations or solve problems.
• Result: Discuss outcomes of the actions you took. 

This question aims to evaluate candidates on their ability to deal with failure and learn from it.

How to answer:

In describing an accounting project that missed the mark, candidates should be able to explain how their learning curve helped them in future projects.

Sample answer: “When I first got into accounting, state financial regulators flagged an appropriations error in a budget I created for a public agency. They requested that we revise the budget before resubmitting. I took full responsibility for the error and promptly made the corrections. I then explained the situation to the client, which helped them restore trust in my services. I have since learned to use more caution in accounting projects.”

Hiring managers might ask this accounting interview question to determine a candidate’s honesty and ability to learn and grow as an accountant.

How to answer:

Candidates might discuss an oversight error that later became a professional development milestone.

Sample answer: “My biggest mistake in accounting was when I filed a client’s tax return form electronically well before the deadline. The client later gave me a Form 1099-MISC that showed he earned miscellaneous income of more than $20,000. Federal law required us to include the miscellaneous income on an amended tax return. Despite the client’s apology, I felt it was my responsibility to inquire about all sources of income before I filed the original return. From this situation, I learned how important it is to ask for all tax documents before preparing a client’s tax return.”

This question aims to give the interviewer an idea of how you handle interpersonal conflict.

How to answer:

Candidates should convey their understanding that disagreements are inevitable while also describing their respect for team members and ability to find resolutions.

Sample answer: “I understand that disagreements on how we advise clients may happen. But I don’t take them personally; I’m always courteous and respectful to my colleagues. I find that constructive dialogue is an effective and healthy way to resolve disagreements. I’m willing to listen to others’ perspectives and then share my point of view as we work toward a solution.”

The last thing any interviewer wants is an unprepared candidate. The following strategies can help candidates put their best foot forward during an interview: 

• Research the company: Candidates should be up to date on a company’s practices, products, services and recent events.
• Practice interview questions: Practicing with friends or family members is a one way to get a feel for the interview process and answer confidently.
• Dress professionally: Candidates should dress to a company’s standards, whether formal or something more casual. A company’s social media channels and event photos sometimes offer insight into expectations for attire.
• Supply a resumé: A potential employer might already have a copy of a candidate’s resumé before an interview, but it’s a good idea to bring copies just in case.
• Prepare questions to ask: When candidates ask their own questions, they demonstrate a genuine interest in the company. Examples: “What does success in this role look like?” or “What challenges might I face in this role?”

At the end of an interview, the interviewee should express appreciation for the interviewer’s time and consideration as well as show enthusiasm for the role. Candidates can also make a good first impression by asking if the interviewer needs any other information before parting ways.

Candidates may also stand out from other applicants by sending a thank-you email to the interviewers within 24 to 48 hours. Doing so can remind them of your interest in the position and demonstrate your communication skills.

If an interviewer doesn’t respond within one to two weeks after the interview, a one-paragraph follow-up email may be necessary. Candidates should remind hiring managers which position they interviewed for, show their continued interest and offer to provide more information.

Need to prepare for accounting interview questions? Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Accounting or a Graduate Accounting Certificate from University of Phoenix can be a starting point to learn essential skills.

To learn more about these online degrees, contact UOPX to request information.

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