Accounting Job Interview Guide

When trying to hire an accountant as an outside contractor one of the more important things you should ask is the fees they will ask for. Each accountant may have different fees in mind for the services they will offer. Do ask them what their expectations are for their fees. You should also ask what services are included in those fees. You wouldn’t want to be surprised at the end of the month to find out that the fee the accountant is asking for only covers some services and it doesn’t include some services that are crucial for your business.

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.

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Prepare for your accounting job interview fully by conducting a mock interview. Get a friend or job interview partner to ask you the questions you have developed, and practice turning questions into answers complete with personal anecdotes. If possible, videotape these answers and review them for how complete, convincing and natural they sound. If you feel that they are not completely persuasive, you might need to do some more research or practice. On the day of the interview, make sure that you get there on time, wear a business professional interview outfit and allow the interviewer to take control of the interview initially. After the interview, be sure to write a thank you for the interview note. If you haven’t heard back by the time that you have been told you would, feel free to respectfully and politely follow up with whoever arranged your interview and discover the status of your candidacy.

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.

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.

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.

The company controller’s function is multifaceted, varied and caters to the type and size of the organization. A CPA qualification and strong managerial skill are required for the position. He must keep abreast of existing guidelines. Following is a sample job description for the position:
Supervises the company budget and provides measures to direct expenditure.
Does accounting processes, reports and analysis of financial matters, directs the preparation of financial statements.
Analyzes and interprets the financial data and gives suggestions for the enhancement of financial systems and performance.
Coordinates the yearly audits
Makes available the chart of accounts
Looks after vendor and customer relations
Presents financial data to senior management.