Sweating about an interview coming up where you’re going to be applying as a Departmental accountant? Don’t sweat it! Here you can find some of the most often asked Departmental accountant interview questions as well as some examples of how to answer. Read on!
What experience do you have (if any) as a Departmental accountant?
This one’s pretty simple – discuss your experience as it relates to the job you’re applying for. What happens if you don’t have any experience? By thinking about the question ahead of time, you can have a reply at your fingertips. In this way, you can turn a simple ‘no’ into an opportunity to demonstrate your awareness of related skillsets.
Answer Sample:
I believe that in order to be an effective x you really require a great deal of y. In college, I worked with z for 2 years and really belive I gained a strong sense of what its like to succeed in x
As we move into the future, what challenges do you feel our industry is facing, especially the role of Departmental accountant?
There are a variety of ways to answer this one. These days, mentioning Artificial Intelligence, software, and related items should do well. However, be prepared to explain why you answered the way you did – and do some research ahead of time.
Answer Sample:
Like many things, I belive that with change comes opportunity
What do you to ensure error free work?
Hey, no one is perfect – but when it comes to accounting & finance, perfection in numbers is expected. While you may be a caped crusader with superhuman error-free work skills, your interviewer won’t buy it. What they’re looking for here is some sort of system of checks and balances.
Answer Sample:
While it sounds quirky, Ive developed my own system for QA that I call the x – its bailed me out more times than I can remember!
Describe a situation you needed to use data to prove a point?
What’s being asked for here is an example of when you were able to prove a point by providing truth through the data. A great example here would be anything relating to a decision where your data made a difference.
Answer Sample:
A client had struggled with x for nearly a decade until I was able to clearly present the issue visually – a lightbulb went off, and the clients business is better than ever
Have you ever had to give someone difficult feedback?
We all love praise, and we all dislike hearing our work criticized. Any competent interviewer in the accounting profession understands that mistakes happen. What you’re going to want to do here is be sure to let the interviewer know what you did in reaction to this feedback. Was there denial? Deflection? By dealing with difficult situations calmly and with full accountability, you demonstrate qualities every employer loves.
Answer Sample:
Ill never forget the time my old boss talked to me about x. The way it was handled was totally professional, and thats been my model ever since.
Give me an example of when your attention (or lack of attention) affected the outcome of a project. Why?
The devil is in the details – and even more so with accounting! As an accountant, this is a serious requirement. Like many non-valid responses, your statement ‘yes I am a detail oriented person’ is not going to cut it.
Answer Sample:
A careful review of x revealed that y and z were out of order, ultimately preventing a costly audit
Which accounting specific software are you familiar with?
Every modern accounting practice will require some level of proficiency when it comes to software. If your experience is limited, make sure you at least have a basic understanding of industry standards prior to the interview. Take some time to ensure you are able to to name popular applications, and have a solid idea of their purpose.
Answer Sample:
Im proficient in x and y, but ive ready tons of good things about z and would love to learn more about it
Regarding culture, what environment do you feel you do your best work in?
Culture is king these days, and for good reason. Simply put, culture fit means that your values are in alignment with your prospective employer’s. While you may be a lone wolf, be careful how you answer this question should it fall out of alignment with the organization.
Answer Sample:
I succeed when given clear expectations of me and my team, and find a balance of working individually as well as alongside a team is when Im most content
What made you leave your last job – and why are you choosing us?
An innocent question, but deadly if answered improperly. Your desire for better compensation or venting about the ‘terrible leadership’ at your last job may leave your interviewer with the wrong impression of you. Even if you were let go, keep it short and concise, and avoid drama at all costs.
Answer Sample:
Working at x was a great experience for a vareity of reasons, but now its time to seek out new challenges