Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for General Accountant Roles – 2020

Preparing for an interview for a general accountant position? Make sure you're ready to showcase your knowledge, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. Use these 20 up-to-date interview questions and answers to impress your potential employer.

General Questions

• 1. Tell me about yourself.
  A: I am a highly motivated and detail-oriented individual with a Bachelor's degree in Accounting. I have about 4 years of experience working as an accountant, primarily in the retail industry. I am also proficient in various accounting software such as QuickBooks and have a strong understanding of accounting principles and regulations.
• 2. Why did you choose to become an accountant?
  A: I have always had a strong interest in numbers and problem-solving. Accounting allows me to use my skills to help businesses manage their finances and make informed decisions. It is a dynamic field that constantly challenges me, and I find that very fulfilling.
• 3. How do you ensure accuracy in your work?
  A: I am a stickler for details and always double-check my work to ensure accuracy. I also make sure to keep up with any changes in accounting standards and regulations. Additionally, I regularly reconcile accounts and review financial statements to identify any discrepancies that need to be addressed.
• 4. Can you tell me about a time when you had to handle a difficult accounting issue?
  A: In my previous role, the company was facing an audit and it was discovered that there were some discrepancies in their accounts receivable. I had to meticulously go through all the records and reconcile the amounts to determine the root cause of the issue. It turned out that there were some errors in recording payments, which I was able to resolve and present a clear report to the auditors.
• 5. What is your experience with budgeting and forecasting?
  A: I am proficient in creating and managing budgets, as well as using forecasting models to project future financial performance. In my previous role, I was responsible for creating the annual budget and monitoring our actual spending against it. I also worked closely with department managers to help them develop and manage their own departmental budgets.

Technical Skills & Experience

• 6. What accounting software are you familiar with?
  A: I have experience working with various accounting software such as QuickBooks, SAP, and Oracle. I am also proficient in Excel and have used it extensively for data analysis and creating financial reports.
• 7. Can you explain the difference between accounts payable and accounts receivable?
  A: Accounts payable refers to any money that a company owes to their suppliers or vendors for goods or services received, while accounts receivable is money that a company is owed by their customers for goods or services provided. Essentially, accounts payable are money owed by the company, while accounts receivable are money owed to the company.
• 8. How do you handle journal entries and adjustments?
  A: I am experienced in creating journal entries to record transactions and adjusting entries to correct errors or allocate expenses accordingly. I make sure to carefully analyze the entry and its impact on the financial statements before making any adjustments.
• 9. Have you ever used pivot tables in Excel? If so, how?
  A: Yes, I have used pivot tables in Excel to analyze large amounts of data and create visually appealing reports. I find pivot tables to be an efficient way to summarize and present information in an organized manner.
• 10. How do you stay updated on changes in accounting regulations?
  A: I subscribe to various accounting publications and attend webinars and seminars to stay updated on any changes in accounting regulations. I also regularly check the websites of relevant organizations such as the Financial Accounting Standards Board to ensure that I am aware of any updates.

Behavioral Questions

• 11. How do you handle tight deadlines and heavy workloads?
  A: I am able to prioritize tasks based on their urgency and work efficiently to meet deadlines. I also make sure to communicate any potential challenges or delays with my team and managers to find solutions and delegate tasks if necessary.
• 12. Can you give an example of a time when you had to work with a difficult team member?
  A: In my previous role, I had to work on a project with a team member who was confrontational and not open to other opinions. I made sure to approach the situation calmly and professionally, and by actively listening and understanding their perspective, I was able to find a middle ground and complete the project successfully.
• 13. How do you handle confidential information?
  A: I understand the importance of confidentiality in an accounting role and always respect the privacy of sensitive information. I take necessary precautions such as using password-protected files and only sharing information with authorized individuals.
• 14. Tell me about a time when you had to work under pressure.
  A: In my previous role, I was tasked with preparing the monthly financial report for the executive team. However, due to an unexpected event, I had to complete the report in half the usual time. I remained calm and focused, prioritized essential tasks, and completed the report accurately within the tight deadline.
• 15. How do you handle mistakes in your work?
  A: I take ownership of my mistakes and make sure to correct them as soon as possible. I also try to identify the root cause of the mistake and put measures in place to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Situational Questions

• 16. If you found a discrepancy in the financial statements, what steps would you take?
  A: First, I would thoroughly review the accounts and records to determine the cause of the discrepancy. If it is within my scope of responsibility, I would make any necessary adjustments and report it to my manager. If it is beyond my control, I would communicate the issue with the relevant team and work towards resolving it together.
• 17. How do you handle a disagreement with a senior team member?
  A: I would first listen to their perspective and try to have an open and respectful discussion to understand their point of view. If we cannot come to an agreement, I would escalate the issue to a manager and work towards a resolution together.
• 18. What would you do if you discovered fraudulent activity within the company?
  A: I would immediately report it to my manager and follow the company's protocol for handling such situations. As an accountant, it is my responsibility to maintain the integrity of financial records and report any suspicious activity.
• 19. How would you handle a high-risk client who has a history of not paying their dues?
  A: I would make sure to discuss the client's history with my team and determine if additional measures need to be taken, such as stricter credit terms or conducting frequent account reviews. I would also communicate with the client and clearly state the consequences of not meeting their payment obligations.
• 20. If a colleague is struggling with a task, what would you do?
  A: I would offer to help and provide guidance if needed. If I am unable to assist due to my workload, I would suggest delegating the task to another team member who may have the capacity to help. It's important to support your team and work together towards achieving common goals.