Accounting Clerk interview questions and answers
This set of Accounting Clerk interview questions can help you identify skilled candidates to join your accounting department and contribute to achieving your company goals.
10 Good Accounting Clerk Interview Questions
- What are your primary responsibilities as an Accounting Clerk?
- What’s the Accounting department’s role in a company?
- Which accounting software programs have you used?
- Walk me through a successful bank reconciliation step-by-step.
- How would you design a spreadsheet to keep track of accounts payable?
- How do you ensure data typing accuracy?
- What suggestions would you make to improve our invoice keeping process?
- How familiar are you with Excel? Mention some projects you worked on and some regular accounting tasks you completed on excel.
- What do you identify as confidential information and how do you secure it?
- How familiar are you with SFAS (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards)?
Here are 10 essential interview questions and sample answers to help identify the best candidates for this role.
1. What are your primary responsibilities as an Accounting Clerk?
This question gauges the candidate’s understanding of the role and their experience in handling day-to-day accounting tasks.
Sample answer:
“As an Accounting Clerk, my primary responsibilities include managing accounts payable and receivable, reconciling bank statements, maintaining financial records, and assisting with monthly closing processes.”
2. What’s the Accounting department’s role in a company?
This question assesses the candidate’s understanding of the broader context in which they will operate.
Sample answer:
“The Accounting department ensures the financial integrity of the company. It manages financial transactions, ensures compliance with regulations, provides financial reports, and aids in strategic financial planning.”
3. Which accounting software programs have you used?
Familiarity with accounting software is crucial for efficiency and accuracy.
Sample answer:
“I have experience with QuickBooks, Sage 50, and Microsoft Dynamics. I’ve used them for tasks like ledger maintenance, invoicing, and financial reporting.”
4. Walk me through a successful bank reconciliation step-by-step.
This tests the candidate’s practical knowledge and attention to detail.
Sample answer:
“First, I start by comparing the company’s internal financial records with the monthly statement from the bank. I then identify any discrepancies, like outstanding checks or deposits in transit. After adjustments, both balances should match.”
5. How would you design a spreadsheet to keep track of accounts payable?
Spreadsheet skills are essential for manual record-keeping and analysis.
Sample answer:
“I’d start with columns for invoice date, vendor name, invoice number, amount, due date, and payment date. I’d also use conditional formatting to highlight any overdue payments.”
6. How do you ensure data typing accuracy?
Accuracy is paramount in accounting to prevent costly mistakes.
Sample answer:
“I double-check all entries and use software features like auto-fill. Periodically, I also reconcile accounts to ensure that entries match source documents.”
7. What suggestions would you make to improve our invoice keeping process?
This question tests the candidate’s ability to identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements.
Sample answer:
“Implementing a digital invoicing system can streamline the process. Regular audits and categorizing invoices by vendor or date can also enhance accessibility and efficiency.”
8. How familiar are you with Excel? Mention some projects you worked on and some regular accounting tasks you completed on excel.
Excel is a versatile tool in accounting for data analysis and reporting.
Sample answer:
“I’m proficient in Excel. I’ve used it for financial forecasting, budgeting, and creating pivot tables for expense tracking. I’ve also automated repetitive tasks using macros.”
9. What do you identify as confidential information and how do you secure it?
Confidentiality is crucial in accounting to protect sensitive financial data.
Sample answer:
“Confidential information includes financial statements, employee salaries, and company tax details. I secure it by using password-protected files and ensuring restricted access to financial databases.”
10. How familiar are you with SFAS (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards)?
Knowledge of financial standards ensures compliance and accurate reporting.
“I’m well-versed with SFAS. They provide guidelines on financial reporting and ensure that financial statements are transparent and consistent across companies.”
What does a good Accounting Clerk candidate look like?
A competent Accounting Clerk possesses strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a deep understanding of financial principles. They should be proficient in accounting software, demonstrate integrity, and have excellent communication skills to liaise with other departments.
Red flags
Beware of candidates who lack problem-solving skills, have difficulty with basic accounting principles, or show a lack of discretion with confidential information.
Accounting Clerk Interview Questions
Accounting Clerks perform a variety of administrative tasks to support accounting departments. These tasks include reconciling bank statements, keeping accounting databases and filing documents.
Before your interview, you should make sure your candidates have the necessary certifications if their duties involve bookkeeping responsibilities. Next, you can use these questions to discover if your candidates’ past experience matches your requirements. Since this is usually an entry level position, you can also identify training needs for candidates with potential.
For this position, it’s crucial to recruit a detail-oriented professional who is likely to thrive in an organized work environment. Keep an eye out for candidates who have an analytical way of thinking and can provide ideas about how to improve procedures. These kinds of skills will keep them motivated to perform repetitive tasks and contribute to your overall business operation.
Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.
Operational and Situational questions
- What are your primary responsibilities as an Accounting Clerk?
- What’s the Accounting department’s role in a company?
- Which accounting software programs have you used?
- Walk me through a successful bank reconciliation step-by-step.
- How would you design a spreadsheet to keep track of accounts payable?
- How do you ensure data typing accuracy?
- What suggestions would you make to improve our invoice keeping process?
- How familiar are you with Excel? Mention some projects you worked on and some regular accounting tasks you completed on excel.
- What do you identify as confidential information and how do you secure it?
- How familiar are you with SFAS (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards)?
Behavioral questions
- Give an example of a goal you had in your previous position. What did you do to reach it?
- Describe a situation where you had multiple deadlines. How did you handle them?
- Have you ever implemented a change to speed up an accounting process?
- What would you like to learn more about?