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Chartered Accountant Interview Questions

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Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Chartered Accountant interview questions and answers.

  1. Which accounting software tools are you familiar with? See answer
  2. What were some responsibilities in your previous job in accounting? See answer
  3. Why do you think giving accurate financial advice to clients is important? See answer
  4. Can you describe a situation when you helped improve accounting processes at work? See answer
  5. What have you done in the last 12 months to improve your skills that could be useful in this role? See answer
  6. How do you handle working with tight deadlines? See answer
  7. How do you ensure the accuracy of your accounting entries? See answer
  8. Why do you want to work in accounting? See answer
  9. How much interaction with clients did you have in your previous roles? See answer
  10. What do you think is the biggest challenge in accounting?
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

10 Chartered Accountant Interview Questions and Answers

Which accounting software tools are you familiar with?

A knowledgeable Chartered Accountant will have worked on a handful of accounting platforms. Asking this question allows them to showcase their software skills and gives you an idea if they need specific training during onboarding at your company. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience using accounting software
  • Openness to learning and using new software
  • Candidate is tech-savvy

Example:

"I've worked extensively on QuickFile and Xero, but I've also helped my last employer use QuickBooks to categorise their small business expenses. What accounting software do you use here?"

What were some responsibilities in your previous job in accounting?

Accounting is a multidimensional field where professionals often have various responsibilities and areas of expertise. Asking this question can help you determine what were the exact responsibilities of the candidate and what they can do at your company. What to look for in an answer:

  • Passion for accounting
  • Familiarity with industry procedures and terminology
  • Comprehensive accounting knowledge

Example:

"In my previous role, I was responsible for completing VAT returns, preparing company statements and annual accounts and dealing with sales invoices and receipts. I would often handle sensitive and valuable information about our clients' companies and finances."

Why do you think giving accurate financial advice to clients is important?

Although a big part of their responsibilities is dealing with paperwork, Chartered Accountants often work directly with clients helping them analyse and improve their financial situation. Therefore, it's important that they know how to approach tasks that involve giving financial advice. What to look for in an answer:

  • Desire to help and advise clients
  • Understanding of the importance of their job
  • Analytical and customer service skills

Example:

"It's common that clients are not familiar with common practices and risks that their financial decisions can bring. Offering them financial advice and analysing their finances is an important thing that can positively influence their financial situation in the long run."

Can you describe a situation when you helped improve accounting processes at work?

Working within a team is a valuable skill for every accounting professional. Asking this question helps determine if the candidate is a proactive team member. What to look for in an answer:

  • Desire to implement valuable changes to their work
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Team working spirit

Example:

"In my previous role, my team was responsible for doing accounts for 12 different companies. Since only two people in the team had access to all 12 bank accounts, it was taking us a long time to prepare monthly reports. I advised my supervisor that everyone in the team should be granted access to the accounts and as a result of that, we managed to improve our routine processes and save valuable time."

What have you done in the last 12 months to improve your skills that could be useful in this role?

An ideal candidate will show that they continuously try to strengthen their skills and improve their accounting knowledge. To get an idea of how they do that, consider asking them about their own methods for improving skills used in accounting. What to look for in an answer:

  • A clear understanding of how improving their skills can affect their work
  • Desire to learn and succeed in the field
  • Positive and productive attitude

Example:

"Last year I completed an advanced Excel course during which I worked on my technical skills. I also regularly meditate, which helps me be more detail-oriented, organised and can handle complex accounting processes with a calm mindset."

How do you handle working with tight deadlines?

Accountants who work on multiple projects and handle accounts for several clients at once often have to deal with stressful situations and tight deadlines. Asking this question and observing the candidate's reaction can help you determine how well they handle stress. What to look for in an answer:

  • Any signs of nervousness
  • If the candidate has their own methods of dealing with stressful situations
  • Time management skills

Example:

"I find that clearly communicating with a team can help handle stressful situations. I also try to prioritise and focus my attention on the tasks and projects that are due the soonest in order to avoid delays."

How do you ensure the accuracy of your accounting entries?

Paying attention to details and accuracy is one of the essential traits that a good Chartered Accountant should have. Mistakes can lead to costly fees, so it's important that they keep their entries error-free and as correct as possible. What to look for in an answer:

  • Candidate is detail-oriented
  • A habit of double-checking their work
  • Openness to fix own mistakes and mistakes of others

Example:

"I always make sure to double- or triple-check my work before closing a report or submitting a document. I try to be very detail-oriented and it was common that other team members would come to me to check their work and fix mistakes."

Why do you want to work in accounting?

Asking this question can help you determine if the candidate is passionate about this kind of job and if they'll feel comfortable working within an accounting team. It's also a good question to ask if you want to know the candidate's professional goals and how they envision their career path in the future. What to look for in an answer:

  • Candidate has clear goals for their career
  • Candidate is determined to achieve their professional goal
  • A proactive approach to improving own skills

Example:

"I strongly believe that my natural talents, for example being detail-oriented and accurate in my work, make me a good fit for this field. I'm not discouraged when working with repetitive tasks or with numbers. My previous experience also showed me that I enjoy helping others with improving their financial situation."

What do you think is the biggest challenge accounting is facing these days?

Although some people don't consider accounting to be a very dynamic industry, Accountants may need to face many unexpected changes and regularly deal with challenges. Asking this question will give you an idea of how well-informed the candidate is. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge about industry limitations and trends
  • Openness to change
  • Ability to face professional challenges

Example:

"I think that widespread remote working is making working in accounting even more difficult than it was before. Working remotely was not an industry standard for many companies until recently and many Accountants needed to learn how to communicate with their team and clients online. Luckily, there are more and more online tools for Accountants to use that is making this situation easier."

How much interaction with clients did you have in your previous roles?

If the candidate has great communication skills but you're still unsure whether they can deal with difficult clients, you may consider asking this question. The candidate's answer should help you determine how experienced they are interacting with and helping clients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Willingness to work directly with clients
  • Ability to help clients understand technical and accounting terms
  • Flexibility and communication skills

Example:

"My last employment was at a small accounting firm where I would work closely with individual clients and owners of limited companies to help them with things such as completing self-assessment, issuing invoices, explaining simple accounting software to them. I'd communicate with them on a daily basis."

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