Intermediate accountant Job Interview Questions & Answers

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Got an interview coming up where you’re applying for the role of a Intermediate accountant? No worries! Listed below, you’ll find some of the most common Intermediate accountant interview questions along with sample answers. Check them out below (and good luck!)

What experience do you have (if any) as a Intermediate accountant?

Here, you’ll obviously want to speak to your specific skills as they relate to the position you’re applying for. Of course, on the off chance you don’t have any experience in the role, plan ahead and have some examples of tangentially related experience. 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

Things are changing quickly in our industry. What do you feel are the biggest challenges within the role of Intermediate accountant?

No right or wrong answers here, but certainly an opportunity to demonstrate some foresight. These days, mentioning Artificial Intelligence, software, and related items should do well. Regardless of your answer, be sure to have something to backup your responses.

Answer Sample:

Like many things, I belive that with change comes opportunity

How do you minimize the risk for errors in your work?

Hey, no one is perfect – but when it comes to accounting & finance, perfection in numbers is expected. Here, your interviewer isn’t looking for some superhuman form of error free workmanship. What your interviewer seeks here is a process for quality control.

Answer Sample:

While it may sound funny, Ive developed my own system for quality control that I call the x – its never let me down yet!

Describe a situation you needed to use data to prove a point?

The truth is in the numbers. While it may be the epitomy of ‘nerdery’, story telling through data is a critical skill for those in the financial profession. Most accountants and financial professionals are doing this on a daily basis, but try and illustrate the impact of what you provided.

Answer Sample:

Our department had been struggling for years, but by clearly illustrating the relationship between x and y, we corrected and showed record improvements in the next quarter

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. Here, the important thing to do is let your interviewer know how you overcame this particular challenge. Was there ownership of a mistake, or deflection? By showing your cool in the reaction itself, you demonstrate leadership characteristics that employers love.

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?

Always with the details! You’d be hard pressed to find any job in the accounting & finance industry where being detail oriented isn’t a major requirement. Here, your interviewer is looking for examples.

Answer Sample:

By ensuring that x and y were carefully reviewed, the organization was able to save immensely on z

Which online tools, cloud software, or other accounting specific platforms 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:

Most of my experience is with x, but I downloaded a demo of y and really think it warrants a closer look

Culture is important to us here. Which style of work enviornment do feel most productive in?

Every company wants to find the perfect culture match for their organization. It’s more than simply ‘the way things are done’, it’s how things are done and why. You’ll want to be careful here, indicating that you are able to thrive in a variety of work enviornments.

Answer Sample:

I succeed when given clear, consise direction and find a balance of solo effort and working alongside a team is when Im most productive

Why are you leaving your last financial industry / accounting position?

Tread lightly! This question can be a dealbreaker 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

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