Interview questions in finance and accounting

These are the questions to prepare for in a job interview in finance and accounting: 6 job-specific questions with tips for good answers, the most common questions in every interview, and questions you can ask the employer. With Selja you can also practise the interview for the exact job you have applied for.

Job-specific questions in finance and accounting

Which finance and accounting systems have you used?

List the systems and what you used them for. If you do not know the system they use, show that you have learned new systems quickly before.

Tell me about a time you found an error or a discrepancy in the figures.

Describe how you discovered it, how you investigated the cause and who you told. The employer is looking for accuracy and that you speak up.

How do you ensure quality when the deadline is short, for example at month end?

Talk about your routines: checklists, reconciliations and checking your own figures before you deliver.

How do you explain figures to someone who does not know finance?

Give an example where you made a report or analysis easy to understand for managers or colleagues. Show that you talk about what the figures mean, not just what they are.

How good are you at Excel?

Avoid just saying you are good. Mention specific functions and something you have built, for example a model, a report or an automation.

Tell me about an analysis you did that led to a decision.

Use STAR, and bring out the effect: what was decided, and what did the business save or earn from it?

Common questions in every job interview

Tell me a little about yourself.

Keep it to one or two minutes. Start with who you are professionally, highlight two or three experiences that are relevant to the job, and finish with why you are applying right now. Skip your whole life story.

What are your greatest strengths?

Choose two or three strengths the job actually requires, and give a short example of each. A strength without an example is just a claim.

What is your greatest weakness?

Choose something real that is not crucial for the job, and explain what you are doing to improve. Avoid tired answers like saying you are a perfectionist.

Why did you apply for this job?

Link what you know and enjoy to what the job involves. Mention two specific things in the job ad that appealed to you, not just that you need a job.

What do you know about us?

Read their website, recent news and LinkedIn page beforehand. Mention something specific, such as a product, a client or an initiative, and say why it interests you.

Tell me about a time you solved a difficult problem.

Use STAR: briefly describe the situation, what your task was, what you did, and what the result was. Spend most of the time on what you did yourself.

Tell me about a time you made a mistake.

Choose a real mistake, take responsibility without blaming others, and spend most of the time on what you did to put it right and what you do differently now.

Tell me about a disagreement with a colleague. How did you resolve it?

Show that you listen and focus on the issue, not the person. Finish with how you worked together afterwards.

What are your salary expectations?

Research the pay level for the job beforehand. Give a range instead of a single figure, and justify it with your skills and responsibilities. The hourly pay calculator here can help you convert between hourly and annual pay.

When can you start?

Check your notice period before the interview, and give a concrete answer. If you are flexible, say so.

Answer with the STAR method

When you are asked for an example, the STAR method gives an answer that is concrete and easy to follow:

Situation: Where were you, and what happened? Keep it short.
Task: What was your responsibility or goal?
Action: What did you do, step by step? Spend most of your time here.
Result: What was the outcome? Include numbers if you can.

Questions to ask the employer

Which systems do you use for accounting and reporting?

You find out what you need to learn, and can highlight the systems you already know.

What does the month-end close look like here?

Tells you about deadlines, workload and how well the processes work.

How much of the job is day-to-day operations, and how much is analysis and improvement?

You see whether the role fits what you most want to work on.

What does a normal week look like in this job?

You get a concrete picture of the daily work, and can see whether the tasks match what was in the job ad.

What are the most important goals for the first six months?

Shows that you are thinking about delivering from the start. The answer tells you what is actually expected of you.

How do you measure success in the role?

You find out what you will be assessed on, and whether the goals are clear or vague.

What are the biggest challenges the person who gets the job will face?

A mature question that gives an honest picture of the job. Feel free to say briefly how you would tackle them.

Practise the interview with Selja

The best thing you can do before the interview is to practise the questions for that exact job out loud. Interview practice in Selja creates questions from the job ad and your CV. You answer by speaking or writing and get feedback on every answer, so you know what to say differently before it counts.

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CV example in finance and accounting
How to prepare for a job interview

Frequently asked questions

What do they ask in a job interview in finance and accounting?

You get both common questions, like "Tell me a little about yourself", and job-specific questions, for example: "Which finance and accounting systems have you used?" and "Tell me about a time you found an error or a discrepancy in the figures."

How do I prepare for an interview in finance and accounting?

Read the job ad and find the three most important requirements. Prepare a short example for each, ideally with the STAR method, and practise out loud. Have two or three questions ready for the employer.

Is there a tool for practising an interview in finance and accounting?

Yes. With interview practice in Selja you practise the interview for the exact job you have applied for, speaking or writing, and get feedback on every answer. You can see the most common interview questions by profession for free, and Selja also creates your CV and cover letter for the job in under a minute.