Interview Questions for Accounting Administrators:
Highlights the candidates ability to relay complex financial data to personnel.
What methods do you use to check that financial data is accurate?
Assesses the candidates technical skills and attention to detail.
1 Do You Think Old Ways Of Bookkeeping Were Better Than The Technology-Driven Methods Of Today?
While the traditional booking keeping and ledger maintenance methods seem fairly applicable, the enormity of operations of the contemporary organization would not match the orthodox bookkeeping methods. The software has made data collection, submission, analysis, and records fairly easy and timely, and cost-effective.
1 Name The Three Financial Statements
The balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement are the three important financial statements of organizations. If you are handling a public firm, these records are publicly shared. For all types of firms, the data in a financial statement represents the same meaning but the contents it carries differ from industry to industry. The balance sheet determines the liabilities, assets, and equity information. A cash flow statement provides information about the inflow and outflow of cash and is a great way to represent transactions and business activities.
What accounting software are you familiar with?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the level of experience and expertise the accounting administrator has with different accounting software programs. This is important because it can help the interviewer determine if the candidate is a good fit for the organization and if they will be able to perform the duties of the job effectively.
Different organizations use different accounting software programs, so it is important for the interviewer to know which programs the candidate is familiar with. If the candidate is not familiar with the organizations accounting software program, they may not be able to perform the job duties effectively.
Example: “ I am familiar with a variety of accounting software programs, including QuickBooks, Microsoft Dynamics GP, and Sage 50. I have experience setting up and managing accounts in each of these programs, and am confident in my ability to use them to support the accounting needs of businesses. ”
How would you go about revising or improving an accounting process within a team?
Demonstrates the candidates ability to collaborate with team members, as well as their knowledge of accounting processes.
Can you tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with accounting software?
One reason an interviewer might ask this question is to gauge the interviewees experience level with accounting software. This question can also reveal how the interviewee deals with difficult situations and whether they are able to find creative solutions. It is important for an interviewer to ask this question because it can give them insight into the interviewees work style and problem-solving skills.
Example: “ I had to troubleshoot an issue with accounting software once when I was working as an accountant. The software we were using was not working correctly and it was causing some errors in our accounting records. I had to figure out what the problem was and how to fix it. I eventually figured out that the software needed to be updated and I was able to update it and fix the issue. ”
What Kind Of Strategies And Mindset Are Required For This Role?
I believe in self-discipline to ensure long-term results. Therefore, self-management and a critical outlook are vital for meeting the requirements of this role. Sharp mathematics, a keen eye, and good stress management are other essentials for this role. There is no stagnation in the accounting field. The field itself is very dynamic. It is growing, evolving, and becoming complicated each day. Therefore, if your mindset is such that you consider attaining a certain fixed point in your accounting career then you have stagnated yourself and you will become quickly outdated. A growth mindset is vital for this role. Another important mindset for this role is training yourself to be a team player. This role encourages one to not only have great technical and analytical skills but also provides an opportunity to establish good interpersonal skills for continuous communication and coordination.