Accounting Job Interview Guide

What do accountants do with their calculators and their spreadsheets? They keep track of a company’s money. They make reports on how the money is handled and they give these to the managers or people who are concerned about the company’s finances. Managers look at these reports to check the progress of their companies, governments check these to tell how much tax the company should pay. Other people read these to decide to do business or lend money to the company. A lot is placed on the accountant’s responsibility; within their calculators and their spreadsheets lies the future of the company.

It depends on where you work. Some workplaces do insist their employees to wear ultra-formal attire like blue or black suits. If you want to wear your neon colored tie or your Halloween costume at workplaces like these, well better think a hundred times before doing so! However if you’re the type who don’t choose clothes, think about choosing firms or careers. There are jobs where the type of clothes you wear doesn’t really matter, but accounting is a different matter. After all, dress code is a way of promoting the firm and the employees’ image and boost morale. Blue suit or not, dress properly. It’s good for you and your job as well.

Prospective clients: To get a client, you must present yourself as a pleasing fellow to work with. Brush up on your people skills and your effort will pay you benefits.

The employees of your client: sometimes you have to stay at the client’s business for a long time. You will get to meet the managers and employees of your client and talk with them to get to know important details about your work. So you see, it’s better if you’re not a geek right?

Conclusion: Accounting = intelligence + meeting people + pleasing personality + challenges. Geekiness? Not part of the equation.

Thinking that accounting = geekiness + numbers as friends + isolation + boredom? Wrong!

You don’t have to be a whiz at numbers to do accounting. As long as you are fairly intelligent and you know how to do your math, you could do it. You will also interact with a lot of people during work like the following:

Your co-workers: no they don’t wear blue suits, carry calculators and frown all the time! They are normal, kind-hearted and interesting people just like you. There may be the occasional freak at times, but accounting is a fun job really.

Clients: who’s the accountant who doesn’t like to meet clients? Be friendly towards them, after all, you should work as a team.

Interviews are essential to getting the job you want. Here are a few hints on what to do and what not to do at the interview.

Be prompt or even a little early for the interview – most managers prefer prompt persons of average ability over brighter applicants who are late. Lateness reveals careless attitude.
Be neat – wear the right clothes for the interview.
Do your research about the company – know their products and services.
Know the salary you want and don’t hesitate to present this.
Do not overestimate your own worth.
Don’t be a know-it-all – no one likes an overconfident applicant.
Don’t try to imitate anyone – be yourself.

An accounting firm depends on clients as its source of income and it follows that emphasis is placed on getting people to avail of your services.
Know People – work your way to meet new people, network and attend as many social activities as possible. People you meet can refer you to their friends and so on. Join a professional organization, contacts made in your circle will eventually turn out a host of people that could probably be your clients.
Work on referrals – Refer clients needing other services to your friends in that field and this will encourage them to pay it back. People who know you and know how you do your work will be willing to pass on future clients.

Before you even land that interview for your dream job, you have to look for the right company and the right people.

Networking is important in job-hunting. Only 5 - 25% of jobs are advertised in newspapers or online ads, and as such, you can only find about the unadvertised opportunities by talking to as many people as you can and letting them know about what kind of job you are looking for.

First of all, don’t be afraid to ask people for their help. Chances are, they’ll feel flattered and important that you asked for their assistance for the job search. Make sure you bring copies of your resume or your business cards every time you go out. You never know who you’re going to meet and giving out your business card makes it easier for them to contact you!

You can also join a professional organization related to your career field as these are often the top venues for networking. Who knows, your friends in the industry might be your next colleagues or even bosses!

Once you’ve found a job, be sure you thank everyone in your network that has helped you out. Business contacts are important, and you should be polite with everyone. Keep on networking even while you have your new job because you never know when you’ll be needing their help again.

Numbers, budgets combined with intrigue and whodunit make up the career path of forensic accountants. These people mix their accounting, auditing and investigative skills to evaluate and construe business and financial data and can take part in trials as professional witnesses. They do have an unlikely combination of an delicate eye for detail, a firm background in both accounting basics and legal concepts and a be fond of the excitement that comes with law as well as order. Forensic accountants must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting, having a CPA certification and if possible, be a certified forensic accountant (CrFA). They must be persistent and a creative thinker and an effective communicator with analytical and research skills.

Body language – It doesn’t matter whether you’ve done a single or a hundred interviews, you’ll still feel the jitters when you’re about to do one. Maintain your composure and avoid fidgeting while being interviewed.
Establish rapport with the interviewer – Some people are able to form opinions in the first few minutes of the interview. Asking relevant questions demonstrate that you are serious in your application for the position.
Present your experience, highlight your potential. –Let them realize the benefits they will gain in hiring you.
Negotiate for the salary. – Find out the current rate for the position before the interview for better bargaining. Present a range rather than a fixed amount.

Practice make perfect and rehearsing answers to possible questions will prepare you for the big day. Here is a list of some questions most likely to be asked:
What are your strengths? your weakness?
Give an account of your goals for the future.
When faced with a difficult superior, co-employee, client, how would you react? Can you give a specific incident.
How would you act under tight demands of the job?
What is your perception of an ideal manager?
Describe your best performance and why do you consider it as such.
Are you able to meet deadlines? Give an example.
When answering question, be sure to highlight your strengths.