Assistant Accountant Interview Preparation Guide

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This fairly standard interview question is a typical warm-up, since it's an opening that breaks the ice and allows the hiring manager to get to know you better. That doesn't mean, however, that it's a throwaway question. You should answer thoughtfully by giving examples of things that happened in your life that led you to the accounting field. Were you the fifth grade class treasurer? Did you save for months to buy your first car? Whatever the scenario, give the interviewer some background about yourself and your studies.

Discuss the applications you have worked with. Focus on how you implemented the application, the steps taken during the conversion and integration of the accounting system and the training of staff to use the application.

Highlight your familiarity with the application by discussing what specifically you used it for.

Focus on how the packages supported and simplified company specific processes, and how they met your exact business requirements. Display your knowledge of how the packages differ in areas such as price, complexity and functionality.

Demonstrate your experience in maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements and reporting. Discuss your ability to meet tight deadlines and undertake a multitude of accounting activities. Show your understanding of generally accepted and statutory accounting principles.

The knowledge requirements will vary depending on the employer, the scope and level of the accounting job but typically include:

► accounting principles and practices
► analysis and reporting of financial data
► auditing principles and practices
► management accounts
► budgets
► accounting software applications
► application of relevant laws, codes and regulations

Accountant interview questions around the knowledge requirements are generally answered by reviewing your resume or CV as they refer directly to your qualifications, your training and your work task experience.

Expect interview questions such as:

"How have you implemented the recent tax changes in your company?"

"Detail your experience in preparing management accounts."

"Explain the different accounting packages you are familiar with and tell me which best met your needs."

A sample answer to accounting interview questions like this is:

In response to the changing market accountancy professionals have to provide more management and consulting services, in addition to financial management. They have to assume a greater advisory role and develop more complex and flexible accounting systems.

The interviewer will use questions that look for evidence of accountancy-related competencies. You will be asked to provide specific examples of when you have previously demonstrated the required competency. These are called behavioral interview questions.

Select appropriate examples from your past experience and plan your answer using the following structure:

► Describe the specific situation or task you were involved in
► Detail the action and steps you took
► Outline the results and outcome of your actions

Go through these accountant interview questions that explore the core competencies required for successful job performance. Use the answer guidelines to help you prepare your own excellent answers.

Even if you've never had a job in the field before, you should be prepared to answer this question with some knowledge of international accounting standards (IAS). While there are so many facets of IAS that it would be possible to be up to speed on all of them, prior to an interview you should do some research on the most recent changes to these standards and be prepared to discuss.

"Tell me about a time you handled a complex financial project with a tight deadline that required precise data collection and analysis."

"Give me an example of how you keep track of things requiring your attention."

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

In your answer show how you are able to develop specific objectives and plan and prioritize systematically to accomplish these objectives within set time frames. This includes scheduling, identifying and allocating resources and the use of appropriate organizational tools.

A common question in all industries, this question gives you the chance to show off your foresight and ambition. Your answer should be both modest and truthful, highlighting the things that you hope to learn from a position with the organization you're interviewing with while displaying a solid plan for your short term career trajectory.