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Accountant interview questions
Accountant interviews check accuracy and how you keep control during a busy close. Expect practical questions on accruals, reconciliations and errors you've found.
What interviewers look for
- Technical accuracy. Standards and how entries work.
- Process. Reliable month-end routines.
- Improvement. Making the close faster and safer.
How the interview usually runs
- Recruiter call.
- Finance manager interview.
- Technical test or Excel task.
- Final interview with the controller.
Stages vary by company, so ask the recruiter what to expect before you start preparing.
8 Accountant interview questions, and how to answer them
1. Walk me through your month-end close.
What they want to see: Process.
How to answer: Give steps, timing, your responsibilities and checks.
2. What's an accrual? Give an example.
What they want to see: Fundamentals.
How to answer: Expense recognised before it's paid, such as unbilled utilities.
3. How do the three financial statements link?
What they want to see: Core knowledge.
How to answer: Net income flows to equity and cash flow, and cash ties to the balance sheet.
4. A reconciliation doesn't balance. What do you do?
What they want to see: Investigation.
How to answer: Check timing, duplicates and transposed figures, and trace to source.
5. Tell me about an error you found.
What they want to see: Accuracy.
How to answer: Say how you spotted it, fixed it and stopped it recurring.
6. How have you improved a process?
What they want to see: Initiative.
How to answer: Give time saved or errors reduced.
7. How do you handle tight deadlines?
What they want to see: Organisation.
How to answer: Plan ahead, prioritise and tell people early.
8. How strong is your Excel?
What they want to see: Tools.
How to answer: Mention lookups, pivots, and a real example.
A sample answer
Tell me about an error you found.
While reviewing supplier accruals, I noticed the same invoice accrued two months running. A timing issue meant finished accruals weren't reversing. I corrected the entry, worth about €18,000, and added an automatic reversal and a monthly check. It hasn't happened since, and it shortened our review.
A made-up example to show the structure. Use your own experience and real numbers.Common mistakes
- Unclear on what you did in the close.
- No example of a control you improved.
- Vague Excel claims.
- Not knowing which standards the company uses.
Practise this out loud
Run a mock interview for an Accountant role. Questions change every time, you answer by voice or typing, and each answer gets a score with feedback.
Frequently asked questions
Do accountants get tests in interviews?
Often, usually Excel or journal entries. Ask the recruiter so you can prepare.
Should I mention my qualification progress?
Yes. Say where you are, and when you expect to finish.