9 Accounting Interview Questions + How to Prepare Answers

What to expect for an accounting interview

An upcoming interview for an accounting position can be an exciting moment, whether you are launching your career, looking for an advanced role, or even switching to accounting from another industry. It's important to consider the interview questions that employers may ask, so that you can prepare answers that best showcase your qualifications. 

In general, you'll need to be able to discuss your technical skills in the accounting field, such as preparing financial and cash flow statements, monitoring financial activities, and using software. Be ready to present your soft skills such as communication skills, problem-solving skills, and analytical thinking. Most importantly, you should prepare to explain to employers how your skills, experience, and education can translate to a company’s success.

Read on to discover common accounting interview questions that employers may ask you during the hiring process and how you can prepare with techniques like the STAR Method to answer successfully.

9 accounting interview questions 

We selected the questions in this section to give you an idea of the questions that accounting professionals encounter during interviews, as well as how employers are designing interviews to find the best candidates. Below you’ll find technical questions measuring your accounting knowledge, behavioral questions that highlight how you’ve performed in past roles, and situational questions that explore how you might handle situations that might come up in the position you’re applying for.  

These questions are based on: 

• Job seekers’ reports on Glassdoor of accounting questions they’ve answered 

• Advice for employers on Indeed and LinkedIn on what to look for in an accounting candidate

1. Which accounting software packages are you comfortable using? 

Employers ask this to gauge your familiarity with the various software programs available, especially ones you’d be using in the role you’re applying to fill. 

Prepare your answer by reflecting on your experience with programs and how you’ve found them to be useful in your previous accounting roles. In addition, review the job description and research programs that you may not have experience with and prepare to discuss the range of possibilities for the role. 

To refresh your knowledge of Intuit software programs, like Quickbooks and Turbo Tax, consider enrolling in the Intuit Academy Bookkeeping Professional Certificate.

2. What are the common financial statements used in accounting?  

Employers ask this to test your accounting knowledge and how you demonstrate your understanding of different concepts and processes. 

Prepare your answer by reviewing definitions of different types of financial statements, such as the balance sheet, income statements, and cash flow statement, and reviewing your own experience putting these statements together.

3. How would you explain a complicated accounting process or report to someone outside of the accounting team? 

Employers ask this to get a sense of how you conduct cross-functional conversations and whether you explain accounting concepts well enough to help non-accountants make informed decisions. 

Prepare your answer by reflecting on different accounting scenarios, writing down explanations, in simple terms, and connecting them to business procedures that people in non-accounting roles would be responsible for. 

Read more: What Are Effective Presentation Skills? (And How To Improve Them)

4. What is your accounting experience in different industries? 

Employers ask this to understand the diversity of your experience in different accounting departments and your ability to adapt to different contexts.  

Prepare your answer by reflecting on your past work experiences. If you have diverse accounting experience, practice emphasizing how you adapted to different accounting requirements. For example, working in the retail industry might entail managing large volumes of transactions and analyzing sales data, while the healthcare industry might entail handling billing and insurance. If your accounting experience is limited to only a few industries or roles, practice emphasizing the diversity of projects you may have completed. 

5. How do you stay up-to-date on new tax laws and regulations? 

Employers ask this to get a sense of how you continue your own education as an accountant and keep your skills current.  

Prepare your answer by taking inventory of accounting influencers or brands you are subscribed to, conferences and classes you attend, and courses and certificate programs you’ve completed. Take some time before the interview to identify additional career development resources you’d like to pursue. Practice explaining how you apply new tax law and regulation insights to past and current roles. 

6. What accounting processes are you most familiar with?

Employers ask this to find out how the specifics of your accounting background—the actual tasks, processes, and projects you’ve been responsible for in previous roles or learned about through coursework—will translate to the role you now want to fill.  

Prepare your answer by making a list of accounting processes with which you are familiar, including complex accounting procedures, such as mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Write down examples of how these processes work in real-world business situations. 

7. How do you handle a tight deadline and multiple accounting projects you’re responsible for? 

Employers ask this to find out how you adjust your productivity and workflow when pressure mounts. 

Prepare your answer by emphasizing your time management skills. You can point to work experiences in the past or describe how you’d handle hypothetical work situations that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.  

8. How have you used automation to improve accounting processes? 

Employers ask this to learn how you can bring efficiency and precision to the accounting team. 

Prepare your answer by exploring your experience with automation and the measurable effect of it on projects you’ve worked on in the past. 

9. What experience do you have leading an accounting team? 

Employers ask this to learn about any leadership skills you have and how they might apply to the position you’re applying for. 

Prepare your answer by exploring all of your past leadership experiences in accounting. Besides managerial roles you may have held, include instances when you’ve exhibited leadership on a day-to-day basis, such as training a co-worker on a new program or process, delivering a presentation to stakeholders, or serving as a project accountant.

Sample answers to accounting interview questions

Now that you've reviewed questions your interviewer might ask, let's look at some sample answers. These can give you a sense of how to phrase your own answers and feel confident during the interview process:

Q: How do you stay up-to-date on new tax laws and regulations? 

A: "To stay current, and thus ensure compliance and provide accurate financial advice to clients, I utilize a variety of resources, including professional publications, such as the Journal of Accountancy and The Tax Adviser, which provide in-depth analysis and updates on tax laws. Additionally, I regularly attend seminars, webinars, and workshops hosted by reputable organizations like the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and state CPA societies to discuss real-world applications of new tax laws. I also leverage online resources such as the IRS website, where I can access official guidance, forms, and publications related to tax regulations. Finally, I maintain active memberships in professional networks and forums where I can engage with peers and share knowledge and insights on emerging tax issues."

Q: How would you explain a complicated accounting process or report to someone outside of the accounting team? 

A: "Overall, I would use plain language and avoid technical jargon. I would start by providing an overview of the purpose and significance of the process or report, highlighting its relevance to the individual or organization. Then, I would break down the process or report into simple steps, using visual aids such as diagrams or charts to illustrate key concepts. I would also use real-life examples or analogies to help clarify complex concepts. Throughout the explanation, I would encourage questions and feedback to ensure that the information is clear and understood."

Q: How have you used automation to improve accounting processes? 

A: "One example is implementing automated invoice processing software, which eliminates manual data entry tasks and reduces the risk of errors associated with manual input. By automating the invoice approval workflow, we were able to accelerate the payment cycle, improve vendor relationships, and reduce late payment penalties. I've also used accounting software to automate repetitive tasks such as bank reconciliations, journal entries, and financial reporting. Overall, we reduced the time and effort required for routine accounting tasks. That meant we could allow our team to focus on higher-value activities such as financial analysis and strategic planning."

Tips and resources for your accounting job search

In addition to preparing answers to priority questions, use the following tips and resources to interview with confidence:  

• Reflect on your qualifications, such as a CPA license, experience at a public accounting firm, and specific areas of expertise.

• Conduct thorough research into each company you're applying to work for, including its mission statement and values, products offered, growth potential, financial goals, and accounting department structure.  

• Prepare questions to ask potential employers based on your company research and details in the job description. These might include, “What are the next steps in the recruitment process?” or “What would you like a new hire in this role to accomplish in the first 90 days?”

• Prepare to answer basic questions like, “Why are you leaving your current job?” or “Tell me about a time you corrected a mistake you made on the job.” 

• Prepare to answer behavioral interview questions (about your past work experiences) and situational interview questions (how you’d handle hypothetical work situations) with STAR Method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) answers.

• Update your LinkedIn profile and resume to showcase the best of your professional history.  

• Reflect on your accounting career goals at all junctures of your job search. 

Read more: 10 Examples of Strengths and Weaknesses for Job Interviews

To improve your interviewing skills, consider enrolling in the Art of the Job Interview course.

Build job-ready accounting skills with Coursera

Taking online courses can be a great way to build accounting knowledge, discover career options, and even gather ideas for your upcoming interview. Coursera offers several accounting learning experiences in partnership with Intuit, the University of Illinois, AICPA, and CIMA. Inside, you can explore tax laws, use data analysis to make accounting decisions and prepare financial statements.

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