Ebook 110 Accounting Interview Questions Answers

Ebook: 110 accounting
interview questions
and answers
Written by 4career.net
First edition: 2014
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Ebook: 110 accounting interview questions and answers, pdf file. Written by David Ngo - http://4career.net
Page 1
Contents
A. Ebook: 110 accounting interview questions and answers 7
1.
Tell me about yourself? ............................................. 7
2.
Why do you want to be an accountant?..................... 8
3.
Why did you choose the A-levels you did?............... 8
4.
Were you happy the grades you achieved at A-levels?
5.
How did you choose your university? ....................... 9
6.
What are your biggest strengths? .............................. 9
7.
What qualities have you got that would make you a good accountant?
8.
How many invoices on average do you handle on a weekly/monthly basis?
9.
What are the steps to take before you approve an invoice for payment?
10
11
11
10. What information do you require before you approve an invoice for payment?
11
11. Why did you leave your last job? ............................ 11

12. Tell me about an invoice discrepancy you discovered and how you resolved it? 12
13. Have you ever been involved in an invoice dispute? How did you manage the problem? 12
14. Explain the accounts payable cycle? ....................... 12
15. What accounts payable applications are your familiars with?
13
16. What are your career goals? .................................... 13

17. Detail your responsibilities in accounts receivable? 14
18. What role did you play in collections? .................... 14
19. What software applications have youre used for accounts receivable?
14
20. What information is included in a bill for services? 14

21. Why do you want to work here? ............................. 15
22. What are the most important goals of accounts receivable?
23. Which accounting applications are your familiars with?
15
16
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24. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different accounting packages/systems you
have used recently in your accountant jobs? .................. 16
25. Give me examples of the accounting reports you have prepared? 16
26. Describe any accounting process that you have developed or revised?
16
27. What is your greatest weakness? ............................. 16

28. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession today?
17
29. Other accounting interview questions to expect when you interview for an accountancy job
include: ........................................................................... 18
30. What is the relationship between cost accounting financial accounting and managerial
accounting? ..................................................................... 18
31. What is the difference between cost accounting management accounting and financial
accounting? ..................................................................... 18
32. What are the effects of international accounting standards on accounting practices of developing
nations? ........................................................................... 19
33. Does the accounting system appear to facilitate one specialty from financial, auditing, or cost
managerial or tax accounting over the others? ............... 19
34. What is the difference of Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting?
20
35. What is the distinction between cost accounting and management accounting?
20
36. What do co-workers say about you? ....................... 20

37. What is the difference between the accrual accounting and cash accounting?
21
38. Is push down accounting accepted under generally accepted accounting standards?
21
39. What are the items that are to be debited in accounting and what are the items that are to be
credited in accounting? ................................................... 22
40. Is an "account receivable" and "goodwill" real accounts in accounting? 22
41. Why do users of accounting Information need accounting information? 23
42. What is an EA in accounting? ................................. 23
43. Are you applying for other jobs?............................. 23
44. What do you know about our organization? ........... 24
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45. What is account in accounting? ............................... 24

46. What is fair value accounting? ................................ 24
47. What are accounting principles? ............................. 25
48. What is an accounting transaction? ......................... 25
49. What is accounting ethics? ...................................... 25
50. What does the abbreviation dr mean in accounting?25
51. What kind of salary are you looking for? ................ 25
52. What is computerized accounting? ......................... 26
53. What is normative accounting? ............................... 27
54. What is accounting normalization? ......................... 27
55. Why are Accounting Standards necessary? ............ 27
56. What is Use of statistics in accounting? .................. 28
57. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?28
58. What is accounting management? ........................... 28
59. What is creative accounting?................................... 29
60. What are the functions of accounting? .................... 29
61. What is accounting transaction? .............................. 29
62. What are the different branches of accounting? ...... 30
63. Do you know anyone who works for us? ................ 30
64. What are the different fields of accounting? ........... 30
65. What is Executive Accounting? .............................. 31
66. What is accrual accounting? .................................... 31
67. Why should we hire you? ........................................ 31
68. What is accounting period? ..................................... 32
69. What are the nine accounting cycles? ..................... 32
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70. What is Control in Accounting? .............................. 33

71. What Is Your Dream Job? ....................................... 34
72. What is partnership accounting? ............................. 34
73. What is the definition of accounting? ..................... 35
74. Question 16: Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
35
75. What is the Importance of accounting standards? ... 35

76. Who is considered the father of accounting? .......... 36
77. Explain Accounting 101? ........................................ 36
78. What experience do you have in this field? or Do you have any actual work experience? 36
79. How is an accounting department structured? ........ 37
80. Do you consider yourself successful? ..................... 37
81. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year? 37
82. What is the difference in Accounting and Marketing and what is so different about them?
38
83. What is peach tree accounting? ............................... 38
84. What are accounting rules called? ........................... 38
85. What is an interlocking accounting system? ........... 39
86. Describe your work ethic?....................................... 39
87. Are you a team player?............................................ 39
88. What are the basic assumptions in accounting? ...... 40
89. What are Source documents in accounting? ........... 40
90. What is mutual fund sub accounting? ..................... 41
91. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that? 41
92. What is your philosophy towards work? ................. 41
93. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you? 42
94. Have you ever been asked to leave a position? ....... 42
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95. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization? 43

96. Tell me about a suggestion you have made? ........... 43
97. Why do you think you would do well at this job? .. 44
98. What irritates you about co-workers? ..................... 44
99. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
45
100. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?45

101. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is? 45
102. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?46
103. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure? 46
104. Explain what has disappointed you most about a previous job?
47
105. What motivates you to do your best on the job? ..... 47

106. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely? 48
107. How would you know you were successful on this job?
48
108. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
49
109. What have you learned from mistakes on the job? . 49

110. Do you have any questions for me? ........................ 50
B. Useful resources: ............................................................... 52
C. Support from 4career.net ................................................... 53
Page 6
A. Ebook: 110 accounting interview questions and answers

1. Tell me about yourself?
Steps to answer this interview question

Step 1: Give a brief introduction about yourself:
For example: My name is Peter. I graduated from XYZ University with bachelor degree in Sales.
After 5 years working as a Sales Manager, I have well experienced in training, mentoring and
motivating other sales personnel to achieve the goals of the Company.
Step 2: Give a brief summary of your experience in your latest positions:
Give a summary of 2-3 latest companies that you have worked for and companies that have
helped you succeed with your new jobs.
For example: recently, I have worked for ABC Company as Sales Manager for North-East
Region. With my skills from training courses, I developed many sales campaigns which
contributed much to the development of new customers and maintenance of current customer
base. After 6 months, my sales force and I did regain the companys market and promote the sales
revenue up by 37%.
Step 3: Connect your ability to the employers requirements:
Never assume that the employer will by himself be able to connect all of your abilities to the job
requirements.
Step 4: Make a concerning question:
With a concerning question, it will help you gain control of the interview. You may reduce the
stress of the interview with such questions.
For example: I would like to know the strong points of your companys current Sales force.
Some tips in answering:
Records/references: when giving information about yourself, remember to provide
records/references as well;
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Dont make up the information: your information will be kept as records for a long time when
you are employed. Also, the employer has many ways to checking whether your information
provided are correct or not. Therefore, give the most faithful information as possible;
Practice: to answer well an interview question, you can practice with your friends or do it by
yourself in a private room. Be sure that your answer is brief and within 3 minutes;
Keep information brief and relevant: Try making your answers more and more concise; Try to
give much information in as short time as possible;
Eliminate irrelevant and unnecessary information.
2. Why do you want to be an accountant?
A stereotypical answer to this question is that accountancy offers a respected professional

qualification which can lead on to a wide range of opportunities in business. This is all true, but it
doesn't answer the question of why YOU want to become an accountant - and if you give as
general an answer as this, you can expect to be questioned in detail on the nature of the
qualification and the opportunities you see it leading to.
Much of the income of the larger accountancy firms now comes from consultancy and related
services rather than from audit. Even in audit you will spend much of your time visiting clients
and asking questions, so good interpersonal skills are important. Your answer to this question
should probably make this point.
Accountancy is now a fast changing profession, so they are looking for individuals with initiative
who can manage change. Ensure that you have a considered answer to this question. It is bound to
be asked!
3. Why did you choose the A-levels you did?
The A-level subjects you chose are largely irrelevant, so answer this question honestly, although
A levels which demand numeracy, analytical skills and communication skills may help.
If you have not done A levels, but entered university by some other route such as an Access
course, explain why this was so - you may find the selectors will in this case put a lot of weight
on your degree performance.
A-levels are close to the heart of Accountancy firms. This is because your performance in the
professions examinations has been shown to correlate quite closely to A-level examination
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performance. Many firms will have a points requirement, but will also be interested in your
reasoning behind the choice of subjects.
4. Were you happy the grades you achieved at A-levels?
Chartered Accountancy firms put a lot of weight on A-level grades as these have been found to be
the best predictors of success in professional examinations.
If your A levels were not outstanding, this may sometimes depend more on the quality of the
school you attended than your ability. In some inner-city schools it may be that a mediocre Alevel performance that you achieved might have been the best in your school - if this is so, then
make it clear. An average performance at a weak school academically may be the equivalent of a
much better performance at some prestigious establishments.
Similarly, if there were any other external factors, such as illness, that may have affected your
grades, tell the interviewers - but don't sound as though you are making excuses.
5. How did you choose your university?
Be honest, but try to show evidence for careful consideration and logic in your choice. The
interviewer may follow up this question by asking if, with hindsight, you felt you made the right
choice, or how you feel the course you have followed could be improved. Constructive and
thoughtful criticism is appreciated, but try to balance any criticisms with positive points too.
You could include in your answer any of the following:
* Advice & guidance from teaching/careers staff at school or college
* Geographical preferences
* Availability of a particular course
* The research and/or teaching quality of institutions
* Cost factors
* The reputation of the institution, or individual members of staff
6. What are your biggest strengths?
This question will help polishing your qualification to the requirements of the employer.
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1. Steps to answer this question:

a) Identify which you are good at:
Knowledge;
Experience;
Skills;
Abilities.
b) Prepare a list of your strong points:
c) Review the recruitment requirements:
You should review carefully the recruitment requirements to know for sure which requirements
are the most important to the employer.
d) Make a list of your strong points in your resume/cover letter:
List and describe your strong points in your resume and cover letter orderly.
You should make descriptions to those points in your resume.
e) Prepare persuasive answers to the question of the employer about strong points:
You do not only state your strong points to the employer but must also provide evidence for them
by references or records attached with your application form.
2. Strong points that the employer may concern about:
Great communication skills;

Ability to adapt to the change in company culture;
Ability to solve problems flexibility;
Hard-working;
Ability to learn from failure;
Group work spirit.
7. What qualities have you got that would make you a good accountant?
Aside from the obvious ones such as numeracy and interpersonal skills, key skills will include
determination and self discipline (to get through the difficult professional examinations) and an
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interest in the business world generally. An ability to work in (and ultimately lead) teams, strong
analytical skills, good verbal and written communication skills and curiosity (particularly on the
audit side) are some of the others you could mention - if you aren't strong in some of these areas
then you may have problems making a persuasive case for yourself.
You are likely to be asked many questions seeking evidence of these particular competencies and
will be expected to give examples which are backed up with evidence: for example, if asked
about your leadership qualities, you should give an example of where you led a group
successfully rather than just stating 'people always look to me to take the lead'.
8. How many invoices on average do you handle on a weekly/monthly basis?
Show your understanding of the invoice verification process. Go through each step in detail such
as checking that goods have been received in proper condition or services rendered in a
satisfactory manner. Explain the importance of each step.
9. What are the steps to take before you approve an invoice for payment?
Show your understanding of the invoice verification process. Go through each step in detail such
as checking that goods have been received in proper condition or services rendered in a
satisfactory manner. Explain the importance of each step.
10. What information do you require before you approve an invoice for payment?
Focus on your monitoring and checking skills. Demonstrate your understanding of the
documentation required for verification before payment is made.
11. Why did you leave your last job?
1. Some sample answers to the interview question: Why are you leaving your last job?
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There is no opportunity to promote in my current job and Im ready to face a new challenge;
I have worked there for 04 years with much experience and skills. I want to be promoted but the
Company do not offer me that opportunity;
The company has cut down with its focus on the business line my job is responsible for;
My family transferred to another region, or, my current workplace is too far away from my home;
My old company often paid late and had inadequate compensation policy.
2. You should avoid answers that:
Speak ill of your old boss, colleague, etc.;
They punished me many times for
I did not complete my job.
12. Tell me about an invoice discrepancy you discovered and how you resolved it?
Be specific about the type of discrepancy. Discuss the steps you took to identify and sort it out
such as obtaining and checking the original order. Focus on the skills required to resolve the
discrepancy such as attention to detail, problem analysis and problem resolution.
13. Have you ever been involved in an invoice dispute? How did you manage the problem?
Accounting job interview questions like this explore your conflict management skills. Emphasize
your interpersonal skills, your maturity and your ability to stay calm in the face of difficulty.
Describe the techniques you use to diffuse disputes such as asking questions to determine the
reason for the dispute, not conveying blame and not becoming too emotional. Demonstrate your
ability to work together with others to reach an acceptable resolution.
14. Explain the accounts payable cycle?
Demonstrate your knowledge of this cycle - the length of time it takes the company to pay its
accounts payable - and what the implications of the length of this cycle are for the company, for
example cash flow.
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15. What accounts payable applications are your familiars with?
With accounting job interview questions like this first list the applications you have used and then
expand on the value of the solutions they offered to your particular business. Look at aspects such
as managing vendor information, approval controls and providing payables reports.
16. What are your career goals?
1. The reasons of this question:

This question will test your ability and ambition to develop yourself as well as the ability to plan
for the future.
2. Levels of career goals:
You are not sure about your goals, then answer: Im rather busy with my duties and goals of the
Company; as a result, I havent focused much on my long-term personal goals.
You have goals not or very little relating to the current job: For example, you are applying for a
sales manager, but your career goal is to become the head of marketing department in the next 5
years.
Current job oriented career goals: For example, you are working as a sales manager, you goal is
to become the area sales manager in the next 2 years and in the next 5 years, you will be the
regional sales manager.
3. Career goals tips:
a) You can state some of your goals as following:
Study for an MBA certificate or other degrees
Become specialist in the sector
Get to the title of XYZ something.
Note that long-term goals must be set for the next 3-5 years.
b) When you have identified your goals, you need to answer the following questions:
Are those goals suitable to the job you are currently applying for?
Are those goals helpful to your current job?
Are those goals helpful to the development of your current job in the next 3-5 years?
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c) How to achieve those goals?

Identify what you have to do to achieve your goals?
In the next 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, what will you do?
17. Detail your responsibilities in accounts receivable?
Discuss all your responsibilities. Focus on the skills and knowledge you used to perform these
functions efficiently such as maintaining a high level of accuracy, good verbal and written
communication skills, strong organizational skills, problem-solving skills, computer skills and
knowledge of accounting processes.
18. What role did you play in collections?
Again focus on the skills and abilities you bring to the collections function. Demonstrate how you
have used your good interpersonal skills, perseverance, ability to managing conflict, negotiation
skills and communication ability for successful collections.
19. What software applications have youre used for accounts receivable?
List the applications you have used and expand on the value of the solutions they offered to your
particular company. Look at aspects such as tracking transactions, assessing late payments,
creating past due notices and printing out relevant reports.
20. What information is included in a bill for services?
List the information, make sure you cover everything and highlight your attention to detail.
Include a sample of a bill for service that you created in your interview portfolio.
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21. Why do you want to work here?
This is a very simple question, but in order to give a suitable answer to the recruitment position,
you must know how to answer. You need to know about the company you are willing to work for
and read their job description. When you are asked this question, tell them that working for XXX
will be a challenging and beneficial experience to you.
1. Some ways of answering:
Normally, a candidate may answer in such ways as following:
I dont know;
Because I like the job and like other employees in the company; or
The job is quite a challenge to you which will help improve your development.
2. Some sample answers:
I have heard that XXX is currently the company with the best training & development policy.
This is really a good chance for me to develop my career.
XXX is the number one in ABC industry which I have long been studying and aiming for. I hope
with my ability and the opportunity to work here, I will be able to make a breakthrough in ABC
area.
This is a new industry in XYZ region. I am researching on this industry and aiming to be a
leading specialist in the sector. Therefore, I would like to have an opportunity to develop my
career as expected as this opportunity.
22. What are the most important goals of accounts receivable?
These goals will depend on the needs of the organization. Show how you are aware of
organizational needs and then identify the appropriate goals to meet them. Demonstrate a
thorough understanding of what the goals express and how they support department and company
objectives. Common aspects include positively impacting on company cash cycle, increasing cash
flow, reducing DSO, reducing bad debt and write offs.
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23. Which accounting applications are your familiars with?
Discuss the applications you have worked with. Focus on how you implemented the application,
the steps taken during the conversion and integration of the accounting system and the training of
staff to use the application.
24. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different accounting packages/systems
you have used recently in your accountant jobs?
Focus on how the packages supported and simplified company specific processes, and how they
met your exact business requirements. Display your knowledge of how the packages differ in
areas such as price, complexity and functionality.
25. Give me examples of the accounting reports you have prepared?
Demonstrate your experience in maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to

ensure accurate and timely financial statements and reporting. Discuss your ability to meet tight
deadlines and undertake a multitude of accounting activities. Show your understanding of
generally accepted and statutory accounting principles.
26. Describe any accounting process that you have developed or revised?
Highlight how you have monitored and analyzed work processes to develop more efficient
procedures and use of resources while still maintaining accurate and quality work outputs.
27. What is your greatest weakness?
1. Ways to answer:
a) First way: Turning your strong point into weak point.
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For example: I am a perfectionist and therefore, I rarely believe in anyone who can work as well
as me. As a result, I am afraid to delegate important tasks to others. This approach has a weak
side as that if you are not clever, you will cause the employer to believe that you are cheating
him.
b) Second way: Solving your weakness absolutely.
A better approach is that you state one point which was once your weakness, but you have done
well to resolve it.
For example: I tended to be a perfectionist, therefore I didnt like to delegate to others. But I have
found out that in order to develop the organization, everyone in the organization must be
experienced with many tasks and this is very good for an efficient team work.
2. Steps to answer:
You need to show it through your attitude and voice: It is really your weakness. And, you may
also state some situations how much that weakness has caused you difficulties.
Give your solution to resolve that weakness, partly or wholly.
Solutions to a weakness may be training, mentoring, etc
3. Interview Tips for weakness question:
This is a common question in any interview, so dont try to avoid answering it.
Never mentioning a weakness that relates to a crucial requirement of the job.
Dont try to make up a weakness.
Dont say you have no weakness. No one is perfect, therefore, you shouldnt say you have no
weakness.
28. What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the accounting profession today?
A sample answer to accounting interview questions like this is:

In response to the changing market accountancy professionals have to provide more management
and consulting services, in addition to financial management. They have to assume a greater
advisory role and develop more complex and flexible accounting systems.
Then continue to explain how you can meet this challenge.
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29. Other accounting interview questions to expect when you interview for an accountancy
job include:
What cost-cutting measures have you been responsible for implementing?

How much money have you saved the company and how did you do this?
What aspects of hands-on accounting did you participate in?
Give examples of internal control procedures that you have developed and maintained.
What was your interface with the budget process?
Discuss your experience in financial analysis of company/ad hoc projects.
Tell us about the financial forecasting you have been responsible for.
What role did you play in the audit process?
What processes did you use to evaluate financial risk?
Which management reports have you prepared?
Discuss your experience in tax planning and preparation.
How do you keep updated on all the accounting rules and techniques?
30. What is the relationship between cost accounting financial accounting and managerial
accounting?
Financial accounting relates to the information presented based on past events and records.
Cost and managerial accounting is the presentation of financial information to the management to
be used in decision making while in managerial accounting projections are made based on past
trends.
Financial accounting relates to the information presented based on past events and records.
Cost and managerial accounting is the presentation of financial information to the management to
be used in decision making while in managerial accounting projections are made based on past
trends.
31. What is the difference between cost accounting management accounting and financial
accounting?
For simplistic purposes, there is not much, if any, difference between "cost accounting" and
"management accounting". These terms refer to the accounting techniques used internally by a
company's management to determine the costs of running the business and help in decision
making. For example, reports that compare budgeted to actual expenses are commonly used to
monitor the successful management of a specific department or store within a larger enterprise.
Financial Accounting refers to accounting practices that result in financial statements used by
various stakeholders of the business. Stakeholders may include management and employees, as
Page 18
well as vendors, suppliers, customers, bankers and regulators. The accounting practices used in
compiling financial statements are referred to as "GAAP" or the generally accepted accounting
principles as set forth by the Financial Accounting Standards Board in the U.S. In the U.S.,
external financial reports issued by public and/or regulated companies must comply with GAAP.
Some accounting methods used in cost accounting are not recognized by GAAP and therefore can
only be used internally.
32. What are the effects of international accounting standards on accounting practices of
developing nations?
Adoption of international accounting standards is extremely costly. Developing counties usually

use accounting standards that are most beneficial to them (based on who they trade with to ease
accounting for transactions) or just another country's GAAP that works for the developing
country. Ex. Mexico very closely resembles U.S. GAAP because of NAFTA and the quality of
U.S. GAAP.
Should IFRS be implemented in developed counties, developing counties might be forced to
adopt them as well in order to maintain trade relations. This could be extremely costly for smaller
developing counties.
33. Does the accounting system appear to facilitate one specialty from financial, auditing, or
cost managerial or tax accounting over the others?
The elegance of Accounting is that it is a purveyor of information, organized into systems, and
exploited for a particular purpose. That is because Accounting is vague. Interestingly, information
from accounting can be split into to methods: 1. Valuation 2. Evaluation
1. Valuation - This is the type of information that financial/Tax/Cost accounting attempts to
tackle. What is that worth? How much of it came from this source of value? What will be the
asset be worth in ten years? All of these questions are valuation methods and accounting provides
an informational standpoint from which to analyze these questions and ascertain an answer to
them.
2. Evaluation - This would be your classical managerial accounting. Did employee A provide hire
effort? What should compensation look like? How are we performing? All are evaluation
questions. Evaluation is especially important to Internal Audit and the control environment. You
Page 19
can easily image a professor conducting evaluation accounting to assign proper reward to students
who exhibit learning through testing.
34. What is the difference of Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting?
Financial accounting encompasses all account presented on the face of the financial statement, its
presentation, recognition, measurement and disclosures. Where as cost accounting is only focused
on the cost of inventory.
35. What is the distinction between cost accounting and management accounting?
Cost accounting is concerned with cost accumulation for inventory valuation to meet the
requirements of external reporting and internal profit measurement.
Management accounting relates to the provision of appropriate information for decision-making,
planning, control and performance evaluation.
36. What do co-workers say about you?
1. Sample 1.
Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a paraphrase will
work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the hardest workers she had
ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.
2. Sample 2
My co-workers always admit that I am good team player by providing suitable advices at the right
time. They also add that I have a balance between good stress and bad stress.
3. Sample 3
I am a highly respected professional amoungst my co-workers and client group, a team player,
humourous can turn the worst seniorio into a fun learning session, dedicated, organized and
efficient and trusted individual.
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4. Sample 4
Both my friends and coworkers would say that Im reliable, because of the fact that Im the one
that everyone calls. Whenever any of my friends have a problem Im the friend they know will
give them an honest answer, or be there to help them with whatever needs to be done.
37. What is the difference between the accrual accounting and cash accounting?
The Cash Basis of accounting reports only transactions that have been completed in the current
reporting period - or - what has "hit" the checking account (assuming all funds are deposited and
disbursed only from that account) - The Accrual Basis of accounting reports all transactions that
the entity has entered into and includes the asset, liability, income and expense related them.
In addition, the Cash Basis of accounting is considered OCBOA (Other Comprehensive Basis of
Accounting ~ Other than GAAP) and the Accrual Basis (when implemented properly and fully) is
considered GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
EDIT - The Accrual Basis is more desirable from a user's standpoint as it includes transactions
that may exist were completed after the report dates that were initiated prior to the report date. It
is generally more complete and more reliable than the cash basis - however, that does assume that
the person preparing the statements has expertise of, not simply a cursory working knowledge of,
GAAP and the accrual basis. For example, a set of financial statements printed out of
QuickBooks are not necessarily GAAP compliant (or correct) although they may appear to be at
first glance or to a layperson.
38. Is push down accounting accepted under generally accepted accounting standards?
Yes, in some cases. For example: The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (the
"FFIEC") approved a reporting requirement, effective October 1, 1989, to use push down
accounting in certain acquisitions of national banks, state member banks and insured state
nonmember banks. This reporting requirement is an addition to the Glossary to the Instructions to
the Consolidated Reports of Condition and Income ("Call Report").
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39. What are the items that are to be debited in accounting and what are the items that are
to be credited in accounting?
This depends on the nature of the account and the thing you wish to achieve. For example, to
increase cash you would debit the cash account, but if you wanted to decrease it, you would credit
it. There are all sorts of accounts and they have different normal balances.
The thing to remember is that every journal entry must have equal debits and credits. So for
example to increase a contra asset account like Allowance for Doubtful debts you would credit
Bad Debt Expense to increase it and credit Allowance to increase that!
40. Is an "account receivable" and "goodwill" real accounts in accounting?
Real accounts, i.e. Balance Sheet accounts are ongoing perpetual records and represent "real"
items; cash, receivables, inventories, accounts payable, invested capital, etc., etc. Accounts
receivable and goodwill therefore are both real accounts as they have value in and of themselves.
Nominal accounts represent items of income and expense. Nominal accounts have no balances at
the beginning of an accounting period and change as various debits and credits are applied
because of activity of income and expense throughout the accounting period. At the end of the
accounting cycle, the nominal accounts are returned to zero by debiting them by an amount equal
to their credit balance if such exists, or crediting an account if it has a debit balance. The
offsetting entry of each of these is to a Profit or Loss Account. If after all accounts are zero, the
P&L account has a debit balance then operations were profitable (income exceeded expenses),
and conversely with a credit balance a loss was incurred. The P&L is then "closed" by either
debited or crediting to bring it to zero, whichever is appropriate, with the offsetting entry going to
"Retained Earnings", a real account, and bringing the Balance Sheet into balance and leaving all
nominal accounts at zero.
To put it another way if all debits and credits of the General Ledger are added up, then they will
both be equal. However, if only the debits and credits of the nominal accounts are added up there
will be a difference and that di
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41. Why do users of accounting Information need accounting information?
External users of accounting information (especially investors) use accounting information like
annual and quarterly reports to base their investing decisions on, and to compare different
companies with one another.
Internal users of accounting (mostly managers) use internal accounting information in order to
plan.
42. What is an EA in accounting?
EA stands for Enrolled Agent. It is a certification by the Internal Revenue Service given to those
qualified to practice before them. To become an EA, one must pass a test given by the IRS, the
purpose of which is to try to ensure that only qualified people practice before the IRS. You may
not be a Power of Attorney for the IRS unless you are an EA or some other certified individual
such as a CPA or an attorney.
43. Are you applying for other jobs?
1. Tips for this questions

Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area.
Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization.
Let you concentration be on this very organization or job position and try to elaborate on how you
plans are going to affect the organization.
Make sure you did not deviate from this question as people always digress to other irrelevant
stuffs.
Focus on the organization, anything outside the company a distraction.
2. Sample answers
Of course, I am. I am looking for the best place to apply my abilities, and so far this place looks
excellent.
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44. What do you know about our organization?
This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out
where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the
major players?
Sample answers:
A good organization with perfect management. I heard that in this organization i can gain
knowledge and good atmosphere.
If its for a good renowned company then its better to go through the company website and know
whats the company profile and whats their achievements/successes and branches & other
details.
According to me this is one of the best company. It has a good Environment, We feel good
working in companies, which has good growth in the IT Industries. This Organization has all the
qualities like good growth, good Environment, maintaining a best level in the IT Industries, etc.
45. What is account in accounting?
A account is the method used to visualize the debit credit accounting procedure. The account can
represent any account regardless of expense, revenue, asset, or liability. The debits are placed the
left side and the credits on the right.
46. What is fair value accounting?
Fair Value accounting is an accounting term that requires a company to place a value on all of the
assets on its balance sheet that, it is the price at which the assets could be sold. This is easy to do
when the asset has a quoted market price. However, it is often the case that there is no liquid
market for an asset, and thus the company has to make an estimate of fair value. When the
marketplace is in turmoil and illiquid, as it has been for much of 2008, companies are sometimes
forced to place a very low value on an asset, resulting in a substantial markdown from the prior
value. See related links for complete explanations.
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47. What are accounting principles?
The Accounting Principles are the assertion rules of accounting and the application of these rules,
method, & procedures to actual practice of accounting. These Accounting principles have been
divided into
A. accounting concepts
B. accounting conventions
48. What is an accounting transaction?
An accounting transaction is the exchange of request/response messages to perform accounting.

Accounting can be performed in the form of accounting transactions that report on resource usage
by a session. Accounting transaction can occur during a session if accounting or charging
indications are needed [p&l based acct] or only at the start and the end of the session.
49. What is accounting ethics?
Accounting ethics is primarily a field of applied ethics, the study of moral values and judgments
as they apply to accountancy. It is an example of professional ethics.
50. What does the abbreviation dr mean in accounting?
'Dr' means Debere in Latin stands for 'what comes in' or in simple words whatever assets the
business owns or the expenses it has to pay comes under debit.
While 'cr' means credere in Latin means 'what goes out', in simple words whatever liabilities
business owns, or the income it earned during the year comes under credit.
51. What kind of salary are you looking for?

Tips for this question:
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A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not
answer it. Instead, say something like, Thats a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this
position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can
depend on the details of the job.
Answer samples
Sir, salary is very secondary. What matters is you are providing me (given i clear this interview)
with the kind of work I have always wanted to do and the kind of work environment too.
I am looking for the kind of salary that I can not only live on, but enjoy life with as well. I dont
want to be the person who works just to pay bills and have hardly anything left for myself. I dont
know about anyone else, but when I look for a job, it has to meet my needs both mentally and
money-wise or I dont take the job.
52. What is computerized accounting?
Accounting is the method in which financial information is gathered, processed, and summarized
into financial statements and reports.
The purpose of accounting is to provide information used in decision-making. Accounting may be
viewed as a system (a process) that converts data into useful information.
Information processes include:
* Recording
* Maintaining
* Reporting
every business has numerous processes. Some are simple, others complex and cumbersome.
However, as the business grows, acquires new customers, enters new markets, and keeps pace
with constant changes in statutory regulations... the company will need to maintain highly
accurate and up-to-date accounting, inventory, and statutory records.
This is where a computerized accounting helps simplify, integrate, and streamline all the business
processes, cost-effectively and easily.
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53. What is normative accounting?
Normative Theory is a theory that prescribes how a process of accounting should be done. This
theory is not based on observation and may suggest radical changes to current practices in
accounting
54. What is accounting normalization?
It is removing items from the income statement or balance sheet that do not normally occur
during the course of business to better estimate the value of a company.
55. Why are Accounting Standards necessary?
Accounting standards are necessary to promote high quality financial reporting. The fundamental
role of accounting is to communicate economic information about businesses and other
organization to various stakeholders including government, investors, shareholders, suppliers,
lenders, customers, and the public. These stakeholders use such information to take decisions and
to assess the stewardship of people appointed to manage such organizations. If this information
were not of a high quality standard, then the stakeholders would be unable to take effective
decisions that will benefit them. For example, if a financial report were manipulated to show
higher profits, investors would hold on to their shares with the belief that the company is doing
well.
Accounting standards came to be developed from the mid sixties onwards to promote the integrity
of the accounting profession by way of ensuring uniformity in the way accountants report
transactions in their books and in their preparation of the final accounts of businesses. This is
largely aimed at boosting the confidence of stakeholders, particularly shareholders and potential
investors in the accounting profession.
Good and useful information should have the essential characteristics of understandability,
comparability, relevance, and reliability in order to play its role effectively.
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Accounting standards serve to promote the understandability, comparability, relevance, and

reliability of financial reports.
56. What is Use of statistics in accounting?
Well, in many accounting situations, there is too much data to go through all this. For example, if
we are looking about Ford motor corp., and looking at some specific data, their may be too much
to analyze, so we take a sample. Then we need to know how big a sample to take so we can say
with 95% confidence that our results are representative of all the data.
Statistics tells us what sample size we need.
57. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?

Some tips for this question:
It is not right to be specific; else you are giving them the impression that you are not going to stay
if hired.
Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: Id like it to be a long time. Or As
long as we both feel Im doing a good job.
Sample answers
Id like it to be here a long time; as much as you permit me and believe that I am doing a good job
to remain in your company.\
I worked for my previous employer years. That demonstrates my loyalty. So, as long as the
work is challenging, and I will have growth and training potential, I will be happy to work here.
First of all I pity you for hiring me, I will rob you blind, eat all the almonds and pee in the punch
bowl any chance I get. So the answer to your question is, until you catch on.
58. What is accounting management?
Accounting Management (Business) is the practical application of management techniques to

control and report on the financial health of the organization. This involves the analysis, planning,
implementation, and control of programs designed to provide financial data reporting for
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managerial decision-making. This includes the maintenance of bank accounts, developing

financial statements, cash flow, and financial performance analysis. Accounting management is a
mandatory knowledge module of any MBA program.
Accounting (IT) management: Accounting is often referred to as billing management. The goal is
to gather usage statistics for users.
Using the statistics the users can be billed and usage quota can be enforced.
Examples:
* Disk usage
* Link utilization
* CPU time
59. What is creative accounting?
"Thinking outside the box" when such practice is not permitted. Creative accounting is actually a
good description of the practice, as it tends to create a picture, which is not technically correct
from the perspective of the information's intended user.
60. What are the functions of accounting?
Accounting involves the creation of financial records of business transactions, flow of finance,
the process of creating wealth in an organization, and summarizing the financial position of a
business at a given moment in time.
61. What is accounting transaction?
A transaction is an execution of a user program and is seen by the DBMS as a series or list of
actions. The actions that can be executed by a transaction include the reading and writing of
database.
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62. What are the different branches of accounting?
Financial accounting refers to accounting for revenues, expenses, assets, and liabilities. It
involves the basic accounting processes of recording, classifying, and summarizing transactions.
- Cost accounting is the branch of accounting dealing with the recording, classification,
allocation, and reporting of current and prospective costs.
- Managerial accounting is the branch of accounting designed to provide information to various
management levels in the hospitality operation for enhancing controls.
63. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Answer tips:
Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer
even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they
have good records in the company.
Other interview tips
Determine trends that is happening in your industry and how to face/solve them.
Attributes/traits/abilities related to this job and how to get them.
Review job specs, job description in job ads for this position and try to think how to prove your
capabilities.
Research the employer profile thoroughly, the aims of their recruitment and what are your
task/roles.
64. What are the different fields of accounting?
There is one field of accounting, but there are many different jobs within the field such as auditor,
bookkeeper, payroll accountant, cost accountant, tax accountants, etc. Accountants wear many
hats and often do different tasks for different clients.
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65. What is Executive Accounting?
Executive Accounting is designed for service type businesses that require a sophisticated
accounting system, yet simple to use accounting system. Executive Accounting contains many
advanced features such as three styles of invoicing (service, distribution and recurrent), multicurrency capabilities, multiple bank account capabilities and other powerful features. Executive is
a single-user system that can be upgraded to an unlimited number of users.
66. What is accrual accounting?
Accrual Accounting refers to the recording of financial transactions once an economic event has
happened and it is not based on the movement of cash.
For example, in Accrual Accounting if you have office rent of $1000 per month, you would
record the expense of $1000 each month, regardless if you have actually paid the rent or received
an invoice from the property owner.
Most individuals live our daily lives in the cash basis of accounting. We get our paychecks we
have revenue, when we pay our car note we have expense.
67. Why should we hire you?
For one, the interview question give us reasons to hire you, why should we employ you or
what can you bring to our company is something that differentiates the best candidates from the
other good candidates.
This question deals with your ability to sell yourself. Think of yourself as the product. Why
should the customer buy?
Tips to answer:
One of the best ways to answer this question is to make a short list of all your advantages and
create a paragraph that would point out the positive aspects that you would bring to the new job
position.
One of the points that you can raise is the similarity of the job profile you are aiming for at the
company to the job profile you enjoyed in your previous job.
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You can also draw the interviewers attention to your key skills and strengths, namely quick
learning, excellent communication skills, etc.
In addition, your professional ambitions should be made clear the motivation and dedication
that you have for the profession and the opening position.
Answer samples
1. Weak answers:
I am a hard worker. This is a really trite answer almost anyone can say he or she is a hard
worker.
Because I need a job. This answer is about YOU they want to know what you can do
for them.
I saw your ad and could do the job. This answers lacks passion and purpose.
2. Stronger answers:
Because I have what it takes to fill the requirements of this job solve customer problems using
my excellent customer service skills.
Because I have three years experience working with customers in a very similar environment.
Because I have the experience and expertise in the area of customer support that is required in
this position.
Because I sincerely believe that Im the best person for the job. I realize that there are many other
college students who have the ability to do this job. I also have that ability. But I also bring an
additional quality that makes me the very best person for the jobmy attitude for excellence. Not
just giving lip service to excellence but putting every part of myself into achieving it. In _____
and _____ I have consistently reached for becoming the very best I can become by doing the
following . . .
68. What is accounting period?

This concept defines the unit of time for which accounting data are collected. It is hard to calculate and
measure the profit if the business is trading for long periods. Therefore, accountants estimate profitability
in the short segments of time that we call Accounting periods.
69. What are the nine accounting cycles?
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1. Collecting and Analyzing Data from the occurred transaction.

2. Journalize Transaction.
3. The general journal entries are posted to the General Ledger, which is organized by account.
4. Prepare an unadjusted trial balance .At the end of the period, double-entry accounting requires that
debits and credits recorded in the general ledger be equal.
5. Prepare adjustments Period-end adjustments are required to bring accounts to their proper balances
after considering transactions and/or events not yet recorded.
6. Prepare an adjusted trial balance: As with an unadjusted trial balance, this step tests the equality of
debits and credits.
7. Prepare financial statements: Financial statements are prepared using the corrected balances from the
adjusted trial balance.
8. Close the accounts: Revenues and expenses are accumulated and reported by period, a monthly, either
quarterly, or yearly
9. Prepare a post-closing trial balance: fold: to determine that all revenue and expense accounts have been
closed properly and to test the equality of debit and credit balances of all the balance sheet accounts.
70. What is Control in Accounting?

A control is some type of device or procedure that attempts to limit the possibility of a transaction to be
manipulated.
What are different Branches of accounting?
For information, accounting field could be divided into a few branches, which is as follows:i) Management Accounting
ii) Financial Accounting
iii) Taxation,
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iv) Auditing
Management Accounting is consider a future prediction on the business cost which will be useful for the
management (internal users) to make their decision, projection, planning and control their business
activity.
The example of the M.A reporting consists of Sales Budget Report, Projection P & L for the year,
Monthly Performance Review Report, etc.
The format is not standardized from one business to another and it will be more depending to the need and
requirement of the company.
71. What Is Your Dream Job?
How would you describe your dream job in 10 words or less

What Is Your Dream Job
Answer tips
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win.
If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility.
If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with
this position if hired.
There should be a good relation between each employee so that there will not be any hindrance in
work or in the performance making of the organization, when the teamwork is good there will be
profit making and a good name for the Company.
Answer samples
The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people,
can contribute and cant wait to get to work.
The Job where I can start my work as soon as I sit in my chair and serve the needs of all the
employees in an organization.
72. What is partnership accounting?
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A business can be a corporation, a partnership, or a sole proprietorship. A corporation is

incorporated at the state level. A sole proprietorship is one person in business. A partnership is
two or more persons with an agreement on who has which assets and liabilities and income.
Partnership accounting is doing the books for the partnership. For IRS purposes, a partnership
return must be filed each year.
73. What is the definition of accounting?
The theory and system of setting up, maintaining, and auditing the books of a firm; art of
analyzing the financial position and operating results of a business house from a study of its sales,
purchases, overhead, etc.
74. Question 16: Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
Answer samples
I already do work overtime. I love my job and when a project deadline is coming up, everyone
has to pull together to finish it even if that means investing our beloved weekends
I do understand that it will occasionally be necessary in software industry to work overtime.
Generally I feel that the work can be completed on time if we work sincerely and utilize the work
hours. However I have no problem in working overtime if the project deadlines are very tight and
requires me to work hard.
I am very responsible person ,and I have definite plan and I go according to that in a systematic
way, so in case I am behind schedule I will surely work overnight and make sure i complete it in
time.
It depends on the responsibilities on your shoulder. if I have to complete a task then I can work
overnight and weekends. after that I will be happy that I have completed my job on
time.
I can normally work in a few nights or weekends of overtime through the month if required to
meet some deadlines. I hope projects are scoped and scheduled in such a way that overtime and
nights are not a common requirement.
75. What is the Importance of accounting standards?
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Financial statements are prepared to summarize all business activities by an enterprise during an
accounting period in monetary terms & report financial outcomes in terms of performance, status
of assets, liabilities, & flow of cash. These business activities vary from one enterprise to other on
one hand and size & volume of business on the other hand. To compare the financial statements
of various reporting enterprises poses some difficulties because of the divergence in the methods
and principles adopted by these enterprises in preparing their financial statements. In order to
make these methods and principles uniform, comparable, transparent, establish accountability,
and bring true & fair view of Financial Statement - Accounting Standards are evolved.
76. Who is considered the father of accounting?
Generally, Luca Pacioli is considered the father of accounting. For more information about him
and double entry system he developed, go to the link below at answers.com
77. Explain Accounting 101?
Typically, it involves the theory of credit and debit, balance sheets, income statements,
controlling accounting accounts, subsidiary ledgers, work sheets, depreciation methods, and
financial accounting theory.
78. What experience do you have in this field? or Do you have any actual work experience?
Answer tips
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific
experience, get as close as you can.
If you are being asked this question from your employer then you can explain your experience.
Tell the employer what responsibilities you were performing during your job. You can tell what
programs you developed and what modules you worked on. What were your achievements
regarding different programs.
Answer sample
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I have been working with computers since 2001. I also have a degree in network
support/computer repair. I have built my last 3 computers, have work with Dell as an employee.
So I have around 15 years experience working with computers.
79. How is an accounting department structured?

Accounting Departments are usually structured along functional lines: Accounts Payable, Accounts
Receivable, Payroll, General Ledger, Sales Transactions, Inventory, etc. A small company may have one
person performing more than one (sometimes all) of the functions. In this case, there needs to be financial
controls to reduce the probability of theft or embezzlement. In a large company, there could be many
people working in one functional area; and in that case, that function might be broken down to smaller
components.
80. Do you consider yourself successful?
Answer tips
Always answer yes but follow with a brief explanation. You must convey exactly why you
consider yourself to be successful: an example would be because you are goal-orientedyou have
reached certain goals while still pursuing others.
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set
goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.
Answer samples
Yes. Because I have proven successful in all that I have ventured. That doesnt mean I havent
had my fair share of struggles or mistakes, but in the end, I retain the skills and life experiences to
overcome distractions and accomplish goals. I know if given the chance, I will prove successful
in all the responsibilities entitled to this position.
81. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Answer tips
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Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be
mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.
Employers look for applicants who are goal-oriented. Show a desire for continuous learning by
listing hobbies non-work related. Regardless of what hobbies you choose to showcase, remember
that the goal is to prove self-sufficiency, time management, and motivation.
Answer samples
Every should learn from his mistake. I always try to consult my mistakes with my kith and kin
especially with elderly and experienced person.
I enrolled myself into a course useful for the next version of our current project. I attended
seminars on personal development and managerial skills improvement.
82. What is the difference in Accounting and Marketing and what is so different about
them?
Accounting has to do with the company finances. Marketing has to do with company public
relations, advertising, and product placement. The difference is accounting only deals with
financial figures where marketing works on creating those figures.
83. What is peach tree accounting?
Peachtree Accounting is the name of a computerized accounting software program.
84. What are accounting rules called?
The accounting rules are called the 'golden rules of accounting'

i.e.
Debit what comes in, and credit what goes out
Debit the receiver and credit the giver
Debit all expenses and loss and credit all incomes and gains.
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85. What is an interlocking accounting system?
The interlocking accounting is a system where the cost and financial accounts are maintained
independently of each other, and in the cost account, no attempt is made a separate record of the
financial account transaction.
86. Describe your work ethic?
Answer tips
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work
hard but enjoy your work are good.
Use examples and briefly describe your working habits. Ask yourself these questions to help you
formulate your answer: Do you tackle a number of projects at once? How long does it take to
complete them? Are you organized?
Answer samples
Im very honest when it comes to my work. There no way that I misled a customer ever. Im very
thorough and I never cut corners.
My work ethic is strong. I believe in being at work on time and completing each task thats
assigned to me. I am a hard worker and it shows through my work.
87. Are you a team player?
Answer tips
The answer is YES. This is an open-ended question, given so you may talk about your teamwork
skills.
Teamwork skills include listening, discussing, questioning, persuading, respecting, helping,
sharing, participating, and ability to utilize all communication channels. Offer one of two short 12 minute examples.
Answer samples
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If you are asked the question whether you prefer to work independently or as a team, here is the
best way to answer it:
I have worked in teams and independently as well. Some jobs match and require a teamwork
effort while others fit an individual work. project is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
While working independently, I realized that I was the complete owner of the project (i.e. one
man project) and therefore considered this responsibility as an incentive/bonus. Though, I did get
the company support and interacted very often with other key employees, the way I worked
helped to ensure quick project implementation as well as finding efficient solution for any
calculated risks. Therefore, I have had very good experiences working in a team as well as
working independently.
I am a great team player because I work hard to become knowledgeable in the field of my
interest, and I also love to pass on my learnings. I dont believe in relaying blame as it is a easyway out. One of the teamwork aspects I enjoy is a good open discussion and giving likewise
feedback and suggestions. I believe a successful team depends on the responsibilities that each
and every member takes on, not just the natural leader who emerges. Everyone brings
something to the plate.
88. What are the basic assumptions in accounting?

Economic Entity Assumption
Going Concern Assumption
Monetary Unit
Periodicity Assumption
89. What are Source documents in accounting?

Source documents are those documents in which all kinds of business transactions are recorded. These
include invoice, sales order, purchase order, debit note, credit note, goods received note; goods dispatched
note, quotation, statement, remittance advice, and receipt.
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90. What is mutual fund sub accounting?

Mutual fund sub accounting is a way to "clear" (the process of buying and selling) the mutual fund
transactions. An intermediary record keeps all of the individual shareholder account information, such as
the individual balances and individual transactions and dividends in each fund. The account balances roll
up to match an omnibus account balance that is record kept by the transfer agent of the fund. When
individual investors buy or sell a particular fund those transactions the intermediary combines those
transactions and a minimum number of larger trades are placed with the fund in the omnibus account.
91. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
Answer tips
Be sensitive upon answering this subject matter. The key is always to stay empathic but
acknowledging the management duties that comes with higher up responsibilities and the team
aspect of this decision.
You want the interviewer to know that in the event, you will be prepared to fire someone if it is
the right thing to do. You will protect the company from any individual who creates a disruptful
situation.
Answer samples
When I was administrator at a large educational institution in the NY it was my job, among other
things, to hire and fire. Believe me, it was harder to hire than to fire. There was always cause for
firing, and usually I was glad to get rid of those who I fired. Hiring, however, was difficult. I had
to choose between so many good, qualified candidates, and I never knew which one was really
the right choice.
92. What is your philosophy towards work?
Answer tips
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here.
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Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. Thats the type of answer that works best
here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.
Answer samples
My philosophy about work is that the situation be fair for both the employer and employee. I
believe a very fair wage is needed for the employee so they are productive. If one is underpaid
then they will, in turn, do as little as they can for the employer and both loose.
FULL, COMPLETE WORK that I will be proud to be responsible for. I dislike it when
someones half-effort work causes delays and confusion. Or people who dont take responsibility
in the mistakes on their part. I think if everyone did their duties well and complete, there wouldnt
be any unnecessary time spent cleaning up messes or playing blame-games.
93. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer tips
Be honest and answer yes if you would or No if you will not but since you need to work, this is
the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.
You also have to be careful too, you yes answer may pass a different message which might make
them see you as an opportunist.
Answer samples
I would not retire because I would not have the opportunities to be as involved as I am right now.
It depends on your definition of what enough money is if I had 70 million I would consider
another line of work but if it was only 2 or 3 million I would definitely keep working.
94. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
Answer tips
If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the
people or organization involved.
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If you have, you need to address it openly and honestly. Reference checks done by the employer
will uncover this information. Focus on how you have grown from the experience.
95. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization?
Answer tips
You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as
they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.
Every organization wants to grow better and me also wants to make my carrier a great success
and that if i could join here then i could get chances to explore my ideas for the growth of your
reputed organization with my professional knowledge and experience i am having till now
The best way to approach this question is to restate your strengths and emphasize the different
ways they can be applied to the job being discussed.
Answer samples
Ill make sure that the company will be benefit from my skills that I obtained from my previous
job. Ill add to this my good qualities such as integrity to work, persistence, and most of all my
dedication to work.
You can answer as The capabilities I have in my field can be very useful for the improvement of
quality in my department giving the overall benefit to the company.
96. Tell me about a suggestion you have made?
Answer tips
Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then considered
successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.
This is a behavioral question that is exploring your initiative. You need to think about a situation
when you came up with an improvement or change to an existing system or work process.
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97. Why do you think you would do well at this job?

Answers samples
Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.
I am a person that learn quickly and perform better under pressure, am a very good team player
that motivate others in other to achieve the companys common goals.
Will do well in this job because I already have previous experience in the similar field. so I will
use my previous experience in this job and I am interested in learning new things and enhance my
skills.
I believe I will do well in this job because I have the relevant skills and experience. I also have
the drive, interest and determination to make a real success of this role.
98. What irritates you about co-workers?
Answer tips
This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you. A
short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.
Stay professional. Speaking ill of anyone or spilling dirty secrets never gains trust. Speaking
negative only shows a flaw in your character, not theirs. Let all bitter resentment die and answer
with a generalized truth.
Answer samples
If co-worker starts gossiping during work hours will irritate me and also if he doesnt completes
the work given by me.
I believe it is of utmost importance to stay professional, especially in the work environment. We
all have differences in opinion, but nothing as adults we cant discuss and come to an amicable
agreement.
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99. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
General tips
Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.
Answer samples
Money and work both are like siblings. But I believe when you work hard; money will flow to
you. So work is more important than money. Only hard work can help you put another feather in
your success cap.
I believe they are equally important to our well-being. Certainly both. Even though Work is
Worship money makes livelihood. Work follows money and money follows work. So, without
existence of one another we cant be achievable. However I can adjust for money up to some
extent if the work is really challenging and doing which gives me job satisfaction.
100.
What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Answer tips
There is nothing like NOT able to work with. Organizations are made of teams; therefore one
team member may be a notch slower than other members of the team. It is the responsibility of
other team mates to help the slow team mate to match-up.
Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you
to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.
Well I am a person who can work with all kinds of people. However I feel bit uncomfortable to
work with persons of selfish and ingratitude in nature.
101.
What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
Answer samples
There are numerous good possibilities: Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team
player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver.
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102.
Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?
Answer tip
Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and tell
about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive
and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.
Answer sample
My supervisor was not too keen on taking an initiative or implement new ways in solving a
problem. He believed in anarchy system and always consulted his boss rather than going to him
with an idea or being helpful in reaching towards a solution.
103.
Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?
Answer tips
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the
type of position applied for.
Mention pressures you face on the daily, such as dealing with deadlines on a regular basis.
Try not to use an example where you created the pressure yourself, by waiting too long to start
something, or by handling a task irresponsibly at the beginning. For example, working under
pressure to meet a customers deadline could be a good example, but not if you had waited too
long to start the project.
Answer samples
Pressure is actually a catalyst to my work. When there is an imperative deadline, I refocus my
energy into my work which in fact, has helped me to produce some of my best works. (Give
examples) I guess you can say I thrive under pressure.
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104.
Explain what has disappointed you most about a previous job?
Answer tips
No matter the response, dont get too negative. Possible answers: not enough of a challenge, not
given enough responsibilities for your qualifications, unable to continue developing skills in
environment, etc.
Dont get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include: Not enough of a challenge. You
were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more
responsibility.
Answer samples
I disappointed about a job which is not consisting enough challenges , monotonous in nature and
innovativeness of job is minimal.
When I do the targeted work and involved my self to in depth of the work and still my boss is not
appreciate or recognize my ability then I frusted and disappoint .
Lack of challenge. How many hours I have to commit. I focused on pay and benefits when I took
my job. I didnt fully realize how much time is our greatest and only asset. I would definitely
consider this if ever looking for another one.
I felt that my previous company seldom cohesively brought all the employees to recognize our
common goal. Perhaps it was the lack of communication at meetings, or lack of non-work related
projects for the larger community as a whole, but I always thought it would have been great to
add that community component to the workplace.
105.
What motivates you to do your best on the job?
Answer tips
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are: Challenge, Achievement,
Recognition
For any person motivation is the main factor which should make him work in an efficient manner.
Page 47
And that motivation could be done my some rewards for doing good job, some encouragements
etc. Moreover an employees good work must be acknowledged by his employer, which would
definately boost him to work more harder to get more acknowledgements.
Answer samples
I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects on time and by managing the
teams that achieved our goals.
I want to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and for my employer.
Ive always felt that its important, both to me personally, and for the company and the clients, to
provide a positive customer experience.
106.
Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Answer tips
Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this
one.
This suppose to be a Yes answer however, you should not be too straight about your answer.
Do not give those suspicious impression that you may want another job position you feel is better
than the one you have applied for.
107.
How would you know you were successful on this job?
Answer tips
Several ways are good measures: You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your
outcomes are a success. Your boss tell you that you are successful.
Answer sample
I m sure that I were successful in the because any job offered in your company is my dream and I
can do any thing for my dreams. another way I am like to do this from my heart not for money.
so
Page 48
108.
Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
Answer tips
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and
philosophical implications. Just say yes.
You should be honest. If youre not sure of what they mean, ask for a specific example. Like, you
might be willing to work on weekends even if it means missing out on one of your favorite
pasttimes; however, you might not be willing to lie to customers in order to make a sale.
Answer samples
You should yes.
Yes but in return I would expect the organization to take care of my needs as an individual.
109.
What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Answer tips
Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well
intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead
of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.
Everyone makes mistakes, of course, but some companies are more willing to learn from them
than punish those involved.
Youve learned that when you do make mistakes, someone is usually disappointed in the choice
you made, but you have to figure it out for yourself, they might help you decide what s right and
what ss wrong, but youll be the decider on which you choose. Youve learned that people do
care about you, and to not do it again if you dont want to.
Answer samples
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Every one makes mistakes but only few people can realize there mistakes and they dont want to
repeat those mistakes again.. I am the one in those few people, I dont want to repeat the
mistakes which had done by me in my job/work.
110.
Do you have any questions for me?
Answer tips
Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the
organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? What type of projects will I be
able to assist on?
The best approach is to ask an open-ended question that will generate further conversation and
allow an exchange of ideas to take place. Open-ended questions generally begin with who,
why, how, or when.
Avoid questions that can be answered with a straightforward yes or no. Closed-ended
questions typically start with:
Is
Does
Did
Would
Has
List of interview questions
1. What does the company value the most, and how can my work further these values?
2. What kinds of processes are in place to help me work collaboratively?
3. What can I do to homogenize and build team spirit?
4. Do team members usually eat lunch together, or do they eat at their desks?
5. Whats the most important thing I can do to help within the first 90 days of my employment?
6. Do you have any concerns about my ability to perform this job?
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7. When top performers leave the company, why do they leave and where do they usually go?
8. Whats the organization and structure of my team? Am I going to be a mentor or will I be
mentored?
9. In your opinion, what are my strongest assets and possible weaknesses? Do you have any
concerns regarding my suitability that I need to clear up in order to be the top candidate?
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B. Useful resources:
Updating
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C. Support from 4career.net

Updating
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Ebook 110 Accounting Interview Questions Answers

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Ebook: 110 accounting

[Pick the date]

How to use this e-book?

Tell me about yourself? ............................................. 7

Why do you want to be an accountant?..................... 8

Why did you choose the A-levels you did?............... 8

Were you happy the grades you achieved at A-levels?

How did you choose your university? ....................... 9

What are your biggest strengths? .............................. 9

How many invoices on average do you handle on a weekly/monthly basis?

11. Why did you leave your last job? ............................ 11

16. What are your career goals? .................................... 13

20. What information is included in a bill for services? 14

27. What is your greatest weakness? ............................. 16

36. What do co-workers say about you? ....................... 20

45. What is account in accounting? ............................... 24

70. What is Control in Accounting? .............................. 33

75. What is the Importance of accounting standards? ... 35

95. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization? 43

100. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?45

105. What motivates you to do your best on the job? ..... 47

109. What have you learned from mistakes on the job? . 49

A. Ebook: 110 accounting interview questions and answers

Steps to answer this interview question

2. Why do you want to be an accountant?

A stereotypical answer to this question is that accountancy offers a respected professional

3. Why did you choose the A-levels you did?

4. Were you happy the grades you achieved at A-levels?

5. How did you choose your university?

6. What are your biggest strengths?

1. Steps to answer this question:

Great communication skills;

8. How many invoices on average do you handle on a weekly/monthly basis?

11. Why did you leave your last job?

14. Explain the accounts payable cycle?

15. What accounts payable applications are your familiars with?

16. What are your career goals?

1. The reasons of this question:

c) How to achieve those goals?

17. Detail your responsibilities in accounts receivable?

18. What role did you play in collections?

20. What information is included in a bill for services?

21. Why do you want to work here?

22. What are the most important goals of accounts receivable?

23. Which accounting applications are your familiars with?

25. Give me examples of the accounting reports you have prepared?

Demonstrate your experience in maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to

27. What is your greatest weakness?

A sample answer to accounting interview questions like this is:

What cost-cutting measures have you been responsible for implementing?

Adoption of international accounting standards is extremely costly. Developing counties usually

34. What is the difference of Cost Accounting and Financial Accounting?

36. What do co-workers say about you?

40. Is an "account receivable" and "goodwill" real accounts in accounting?

41. Why do users of accounting Information need accounting information?

42. What is an EA in accounting?

43. Are you applying for other jobs?

1. Tips for this questions

44. What do you know about our organization?

45. What is account in accounting?

46. What is fair value accounting?

47. What are accounting principles?

48. What is an accounting transaction?