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Financial Controller Interview Questions

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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.

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

  1. How do you maintain accuracy in your accounting processes? See answer
  2. What is your level of experience in developing financial control systems? See answer
  3. What experience do you have with accounting and ERP software? See answer
  4. Describe your experience with full-cycle accounting. See answer
  5. Where are you in achieving your CPA designation? See answer
  6. Describe a time you saved your employer a considerable amount of money. See answer
  7. How would you handle a situation in which you found an executive or manager providing false financial information? See answer
  8. What is your process for reviewing vendor contracts? See answer
  9. How would you describe your management style? See answer
  10. How do you motivate your financial team? See answer
  11. How do you stay current with trends and information within your career? See answer
  12. What qualities do you look for when hiring members for your financial team? See answer
  13. What is the most significant area of financial opportunity you see with our company? See answer
  14. What formal education have you completed to qualify you as aFinancial Controller?
  15. How do you ensure your team’s work is accurate?
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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

15 Financial Controller Interview Questions and Answers

How do you maintain accuracy in your accounting processes?

A Financial Controller must provide accurate financial reports and maintain accuracy through all accounting processes. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate ensures that the work is accurate. What to look for in an answer:

  • Attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy
  • Ability to manage an accounting team effectively
  • Awareness of accounting and financial best practises

Example:

"There are several processes I follow to ensure consistently accurate financial information. For example, I reconcile all bank statements and credit card statements with our internal software to ensure numbers match. I also cross-reference all vendor invoices and account statements with our records."

What is your level of experience in developing financial control systems?

A Financial Controller needs to develop, implement, and maintain various financial control systems to provide direction and clarity. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience with creating these critical systems within an organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge and understanding of corporate financial best practises
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to determine areas of opportunity for improvement
  • organisational skills to create rational systems that are practical and effective

Example:

"At my previous company, we had an issue with clients paying us on time because they did not receive invoices from us quickly enough. I developed a new process to streamline communication and provide pre-authorization of invoices for clients with regular payments each month, allowing us to spend their invoices more quickly and focus on more complicated invoices. Within three months, we reduced late client payments by 25%."

What experience do you have with accounting and ERP software?

A Financial Controller requires working knowledge of accounting and ERP (enterprise resource planning) software. The question's goal is to determine the candidate's experience with company-specific software you require for the position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to adapt experiences to the current situation
  • Experience using computerised accounting software for financial planning and reporting
  • Basic computer knowledge and comfort in using digital tools

Example:

"I have experience in various accounting software, such as Sage, Quicken, and Zoho. I also have used ERP systems with several companies that integrate accounting functions, such as Oracle and SAP."

Describe your experience with full-cycle accounting.

Full-cycle accounting refers to the processes a Financial Controller oversees to produce financial reports and statements, encompassing all aspects of accounting. The question's goal is to determine the candidate's experience with the various functions of full-cycle accounting. What to look for in an answer:

  • Experience with accounting functions like payroll, tax statements, and financial reporting
  • Ability to adapt experiences to the current situation
  • Strong foundational knowledge of business operations and financial best practises

Example:

"I have over five years of experience working with full-cycle accounting. I'm familiar with accounts payable and receivable, bank reconciliations, tax preparation, payroll and deductions, and completing year-end financial statements."

Where are you in achieving your CPA designation?

You may require the candidate to have or be working towards a CPA (Chartered Professional Accountant) designation. The goal of the question is to determine where the candidate is in the CPA process. What to look for in an answer:

  • Formal education and bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
  • Understanding of the CPA designation process and necessary steps
  • Ability to prioritise continuing professional development

Example:

"I got my bachelor's degree in accounting and applied for the Chartered Professional Accountant programme shortly after I entered the workforce. I have met the work hours requirement and am working on the educational training modules. I'm set to write my exam at the end of the year."

What formal education have you completed to qualify you as a Financial Controller?

Depending on the company, you may require candidates to have a formal education, such as a bachelor's degree, accounting diploma, or CPA designation. The question's goal is to determine the candidate's formal education and training that has prepared them for the position. What to look for in an answer:

  • Formal education and training in accounting and finance practises
  • Ability to adapt experiences to the current situation
  • Willingness to continue professional development

Example:

"I received my bachelor's degree in business administration, majoring in accounting. I continued professional development by taking several courses over the years to upgrade my skills and proficiency with various software, like Sage."

Describe a time you saved your employer a considerable amount of money.

Because a Financial Controller consistently reviews financial information, they can typically identify trends and areas of concern. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's level of financial awareness in previous positions. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to question uncharacteristic expenses or trends
  • Problem-solvingto find creative solutions that minimize financial risk and expenses
  • Communication skills to express high-level concepts to company stakeholders

Example:

"In my previous position, I noticed a trend of credit card processing fees gradually increasing. As I researched it further, I noticed my predecessor had never reviewed the contract with the processing company. I reviewed it and found other processing options that saved our company thousands of dollars a year."

How would you handle a situation in which you found an executive or manager providing false financial information?

A Financial Controller is typically in line with other executives, and reports directly to the chief financial officer, board of directors, and other stakeholders. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ethics and moral compass. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately
  • Communication skills to express concerns to stakeholders regarding ethical issues
  • Attention to detail and ability to detect variances that are uncharacteristic

Example:

"Luckily, I have not been in that situation before. However, if I found that a manager or executive provided false financial information, I would report my findings to the board of directors or chief financial officer. I'm ethically bound in my role to put the organisation's financial interest first."

What is your process for reviewing vendor contracts?

A Financial Controller typically manages and reviews financial contracts, often in collabouration with legal counsel. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's process for reviewing essential business contracts. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to assess risk and financial impact of contracts
  • Communication skills to read and understand financial documents and contracts
  • Negotiation skills to counter proposals for better terms and conditions

Example:

"A key process I follow is to review all contracts annually. Reviewing allows me to catch outdated terms, upcoming renewals, and the potential to negotiate a new contract with better terms and conditions. I also update my contacts regularly so I can quickly follow up with the right person for additional information or questions."

How do you ensure your team's work is accurate?

A Financial Controller typically manages the accounting team and the quality of the work they produce. The goal of the question is to evaluate the processes the candidate uses to manage the accounting department's accuracy. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to create financial control systems to maintain and improve accuracy
  • Interpersonal skills to manage a team of people effectively
  • Communication skills to express the importance of accuracy and attention to detail to others

Example:

"During the hiring process, all candidates must go through a hands-on screening process of testing for data entry accuracy, software skills, and basic accounting functions. During the day-to-day operations, I ensure my team understands and follows specific control systems, such as bank statement reconciliation, to minimize risk and correct errors as they happen."

How would you describe your management style?

A Financial Controller typically provides leadership and supervision to the accounting team. The goal of the question is to determine how the candidate would describe their management style. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to build, develop, and lead a team of high performing employees
  • Communication skills to provide direction and guidance to others
  • A positive attitude and willingness to continue professional development

Example:

"I would describe my leadership style as collabourative and coaching. I feel it's important for my team to understand the company's bigger vision and why their role is an essential part of our success. I enjoy coaching and mentoring junior accounting professionals in developing their skills and abilities."

How do you motivate your financial team?

Leading a team of people, a Financial Controller must be able to manage and motivate their staff. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate leads a team and encourages staff to produce their best work. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills to provide leadership and guidance to a team
  • Interpersonal skills to understand what individually and collectively motivates their staff
  • Ability to lead by example and inspire high-quality work

Example:

"I believe that empowering my staff creates a motivated team. By allowing individuals to take ownership of their tasks provides them with a sense of pride, accountability, and motivation."

How do you stay current with trends and information within your career?

The question's goal is to determine how the candidate develops their professional skills and stays current with crucial industry information. What to look for in an answer:

  • Willingness to continue professional development, training, and research
  • Ability to provide valuable insight and information to the company on trends and events
  • Communication skills to develop knowledge through reading, networking, or attending courses

Example:

"As a Chartered Professional Accountant, I'm part of many networking groups and events both locally and nationally. I subscribe to several magazines and am an active member of a local business group discussing current events and the financial impact. We also discuss updates to financial best practises and accounting software."

What qualities do you look for when hiring members for your financial team?

A Financial Controller often takes part in the hiring process for new accounting staff members. The goal of the question is to evaluate how a candidate selects employees for accounting positions. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate qualifications and abilities of potential employees
  • Communication skills to ask critical questions during an interview process
  • Interpersonal skills to build rapport with others and get a sense of how their personality would fit in with the company culture

Example:

"When I'm hiring for accounting positions, the first thing I look for is education or experience for the specific skill set that the team needs. Then I evaluate their soft skills, like communication, interpersonal, and organisation."

What is the most significant area of financial opportunity you see with our company?

The question's goal is to determine what research the candidate conducted on the company before the interview. It also provides information about their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. What to look for in an answer:

  • Initiative to complete research before the interview to understand the company's mission
  • Critical thinking and analytical skills to create a theory based on what they know about the company
  • Problem-solving to identify areas of opportunity based on what they know

Example:

"From what I know about your company, I see the most significant area of financial opportunity to be cost controlling measures. I understand you use multiple vendors, including international companies. There's an area of opportunity to review current contracts and potentially negotiate better terms with suppliers and freight forwarders."

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