Questions To Ask in an Accountancy Interview
01 Nov, 20231-2 minutes
In this blog, you will learn
- Questions to ask hiring managers during the interview.
- How to find and apply for the best accountancy jobs.
Before going into your next accounting interview, you need to make sure you have anticipated any questions that they might ask you. Most likely, the interview will end with the hiring manager asking ‘Do you have any questions?’
You should respond with questions that highlight your interest in the company and your enthusiasm for the industry. It is your opportunity to gain more information about the business, culture, benefits and responsibilities.
Remember to ask as many open-ended questions as you can and be an active listener while the interviewers are responding. It’s also important to make sure that you have multiple questions prepared in case some of your questions are answered during the course of the interview.
Accounting interview questions to ask employers
Good questions to ask in your accountancy interview include:
- When will I hear back from you?
- What does a typical workday look like for this position?
- What do you like about working at this company?
- How is performance measured for this position?
- What are some of the challenging things about your position?
- How is the company expected to grow and change in the next five years?
- What opportunities does your company have for professional training and development?
- What major projects or initiatives is the company working on at the moment?
- What are you hoping the person who fills this position will accomplish in their first 12 months?
When will I hear back from you?
If the interviewer hasn’t already told you, this is a great question to ask because it lets them know you’re interested and eager to hear back from them about the job. You are showing you are actively seeking confirmation and when you can expect a response.
Asking what is next in the recruitment process will give you a bit of clarity to feel less anxious about the time it will take to respond. You could also ask if there has been much interest in the role to gauge how successful you may have been.
What does a typical workday look like for this position?
This question is specific to your role and will give you insight into your responsibilities and expectations. Not only will it demonstrate your interest, but it can help you understand the role and responsibilities beyond what is listed in the job description. It will benefit you as it allows you to learn more about the role and will outline expectations before accepting the position.
According to a survey by StandOutCV, 78% of candidates say they find it difficult to find information about companies prior to an interview. Therefore, if you have struggled to find information about a company's culture, accomplishments or responsibilities, this question would provide you with the information you need.
What do you like about working at this company?
This question gives you an idea about the environment, culture and responsibilities. If you are unsure of a company's values or culture, this question could provide insight and an idea of whether it is a good place to work or not.
If their response is vague or elusive, this could tell you something about their values and might be something to be wary of. If their response is filled with passion and enthusiasm this could also tell you about what the employees like about the company.
How is performance measured for this position?
This question is a good way of gaining information and expressing your enthusiasm and desire to learn. It lets the hiring manager know that you are proactive about understanding and meeting performance targets even before you get the job.
It shows not only your interest in the job and company, but also demonstrates your desire to learn, progress and succeed. It will give you an idea of whether you have the skills or are capable of doing the job, based on the type of performance indicators.
What are some of the challenging things about your position?
This question can help to give you a better understanding of the company and what aspects of the job others have found challenging. Depending on the hiring manager's answer, you can use this question to address how you have handled similar challenges in the past and what to expect from this role.
By asking about challenges in advance, you can prepare yourself for them and think about how your skills and experiences can help address them. You can gain an understanding of the company culture and whether or not you would thrive in the environment and be a good cultural fit.
How is the company expected to grow and change in the next five years?
Asking about the future of the company suggests to the employer that you are planning on a long career and that you hope their future aspirations align with your own. Employers are looking for prospective employees with serious long-term career commitments and this question can give you a better understanding of the company’s goals and priorities.
What opportunities does your company have for professional training and development?
This is a great question to ask to show the hiring manager that you are not only interested in the role but also that you’re passionate about advancing within the company. Demonstrate that you are serious about your professional growth and opportunities to excel and progress.
Their answer will give you an idea about how invested the practice is in employee retention and development. It allows you to assess how the company plans on supporting your efforts and if advancement opportunities are commonplace within the company.
What major projects or initiatives is the company working on at the moment?
Knowing the kind of projects that the company is interested in can give you insights into the kind of accounting you may do e.g. internal auditing, consulting or tax-related work. Even a smaller project to begin with is a great way of learning the ropes and understanding the company’s clients.
This question will also give you an indication into the partnerships and development of the company and the part you can play or the contacts you can bring to the role.
What are you hoping the person who fills this position will accomplish in their first 12 months?
This question allows you to learn about the pace of the practice and the timeline you are expected to follow. If you’re entering this job with a lot of previous experience, you may feel comfortable meeting major achievements in a shorter span of time.
If this is your first job in accounting, the hiring manager's answer could give you an indication of the training process and whether you feel confident adhering to the company's expectations.
You can immediately familiarise yourself with the employers expectations and learn the responsibilities of the role. This question will give you an indication of the company’s direction, development plan and goals for the role you are applying for.
Accountancy and finance services
If you’re searching for your dream Accountant job, why not check out how to choose an accountancy practice that’s right for you. Or discover what Accounting jobs are in demand right now!
If you’re looking for a new job or a career change, check out what you should take to an interview and advice on what to do and what not to do in an interview to help you find your dream role.
If you’re searching for your next Accountant job, get in touch with our Managing Consultant, Matt Byrne-Fraser, to find the best permanent jobs on the market now. Alternatively, upload your CV to receive notifications when relevant job opportunities become available.
Meet Matt Byrne-Fraser
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Since 2017, we’ve been working hard to reshape, innovate and evolve the recruitment industry through our commitment to matching candidates and clients. From the way we conduct business to the heart of our organisation, we are driven by a profound commitment to effecting positive change.
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