Accounting Interview Questions
Accounting is the backbone of the financial market, so be prepared to answer questions about your technical experience and detail-oriented work ethic. Employers may ask you to answer an analytical accounting question, tell a story that highlights your Excel skills, or solve a math brain teaser. As you move up in accounting, be aware that employers often expect more advanced degrees, which may include a Masters or CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification.
How would you respond to a customer that is complaining they have a hole in a product they just purchased?
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Respond to the customer by apologizing for their inconvenience and let them know you will do everything in your power to rectify the situation. Never promise money or product as a solution until it is fact. Less
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Apologize for the damaged item and explain what you can do to replace the. Item
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Apologies For the damaged item and explain what you can do to replace the item
How would you deal with screaming customers or stressful environments?
9 Answers↳
Let them vent. You have to understand the customer from their point of view. Sometimes you have to put yourself in their place. Make sure you reassure the customer the issue will be resolved. I may take sometime but their is always a resolution for a problem. Must have confidence. Because if the customer doesn’t feel you’re confident then they’ll doubt everything you’re saying. Do literally everything you can and be nice for quality purposes. Less
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Real calm hear the customer out. Empathize with and assure you are here to help them Less
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Calming voice, listen closely and stay optimistic without being defensive.
What types of computer skills do you possess?
6 Answers↳
Quickens
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I am fluent in all microsoft office programs as well as financial software such as Quickens and Quickbooks. Less
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Microsoft Office, email communication, spreadsheet, social media
How would you determine credit worthiness of a company?
4 Answers↳
Pull a D&B and then find out the company’s current asset and liability position , amount of COH / liquidity of all assets, set up an informal interview with the CFO or controller if possible, time in business, any legal issues to note, then pull all that information together to determine credit worthiness. There is not set formula but when you underwrite loans or even do collections for a living you get a sense of the whole picture when u pull all pieces together and got from there. Never disregard you guy . What is your impression? The more info the better of you are and the better paper you’ll write for your bosses Less
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Sorry for the spelling horror show above. My glasses are not on my face where they belong Less
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Research the five "5 'C's" of credit.
How many invoices did you process in your last accounts payable position?
3 Answers↳
I have worked AP at several places. My answer to this question would have been "more payables to enter than was humanly possible to handle." I used to have anxiety attacks on my way to that job. Finally quit. Less
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I have had a lot of experience with accounts payable especially with the casino industry. In one month I've done between 1,500 to 2,000 invoices. Less
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It has been many years since I have worked as an A/P clerk and I can not give an accurate estimate except to say that I was the only A/P clerk working for a mid-size manufacturing company. Less
What do you consider exceptional customer service?
3 Answers↳
feedback, listening, patience, allowing a customer to vent before you are able to assist, but without swearing. Less
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that was good, but I would ombit the swearing, also your tone of voice, and smile while talking to your customer Less
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Give answers that are asked, using good listening skills, help the customer to the best of your ability. Calm the customer by staying calm at all times. Make sure you have answered all concerns the customer hash. Stay calm regardless of how rude the customers get. Ask if there is anything else you can help them with, and hang up if yo u have answered all questions have been answered. You can ask for their contact information too call back in a couple of days to make sure they are still satisfied Less
Describe a sales situation where price seemed to be the primary driver and how you overcame the focus on cost and made it more about 'value.'
2 Answers↳
I focused on the benefits of the product and the additional service that is provided to support them. While we are large enough to give the bast deal we are also small enough to give great customer service. Less
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What types of accounting actions have you performed in the past?
2 Answers↳
Very comfortable
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I've very comfortable performing audits.
If I was David's pizza and I wanted to cancel my subscription because it was costing me to much. What would you do ? Goal is to retain the account.
2 Answers↳
Understand Davids true needs as a customer. Why is he cancelling? What's changed his mind? Has Yelp provided what he truly needs? Most likely he's canceling because he isn't happy with the service or his business is failing. If it's not failing before giving up on retaining the sell follow up with opened ended questions. An then make a strong recommendation for his true needs. Less
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Find out as much as possible on the benefits of keeping the account and let the gentlemen know how it effects him and why he should keep it. Less
A potential, very potentially profitable, client calls you up, saying they're interested in your product. They need to speak to your CEO ASAP. If this isn't possible, you know for a fact this deal is off the table. The CEO is in an important meeting, but in an absolute emergency, is available. What do you do? (NOTE: I danced around giving a firm answer as best as I could, but the interviewers forced me to give an answer...my advice is, regardless of what your answer to tough questions may be if interviewing w/ Epic, just give one. You'll be forced to one anyways, delaying it makes you look weak and indecisive.)
2 Answers↳
Key word here... potential. Not until this is a solid client, with a lot known...would I ever interrupt my CEO. Btw.... I find the line ‘you know this deal is off the table’ bologna with a ‘potential’ Less
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I said I'd interrupt the CEO's meeting. I also didn't get an offer. Read into that what you will. Less