Junior Accountant

Junior Accountant Interview Questions:

Junior accountants are responsible for performing basic accounting and financial tasks with the supervision of senior accountants. It’s essential for junior candidates to have an accounting degree but since it’s an entry-level job position, they would not have a long expertise in the job market (typically less than 5 years of work experience). Additionally, you can evaluate their work skills from their completed internships or previous work experience at a company or department that has similarities to the vacant position you are looking to fill up.

During the interview time, you should focus your questions on how their educational background and their previous work experience have prepared them for this position. Even if they lack work experience, their motivation and interest towards the company and the role can compensate for their lack of experience. Additionally, you can ask questions about specific concepts and terms regarding basic accounting processes but you should concentrate on their transferable work skills.

The best fit for the position should have an analytical mind and a talent in math. It is also important to consider organizational and detail-oriented skills. Moreover, it is good to have skills in using computer programs, especially Excel, and having knowledge of accounting software is considered a big asset.

Operational and Situational questions:

• What are some of the things you consider if given the task of updating a journal entry?
• Explain to us the needed steps that you need to take to achieve bank reconciliation?
• What is your degree of familiarity with SFAS (Statement of Financial Accounting Standards)?
• In your previous experience, have you used any ERP systems (e.g. Tally)?
• What are the steps that you need to take to better prepare yourself for a senior accountant position?
• How do you organize and prioritize your tasks?
• How do you make sure that your work is error-free?
• If you made a mistake on a report, how would you react to correct your mistake?
• If you were put in a situation where a manager pressurizes you to gain access to information that is confidential, how do you handle this?

Behavioural questions:

• Describe to us a difficult project that you had to partake in during your studies or previous work experience.
• Talk to us about your most proud accounting project.
• What was the most important skill or experience that you gained in your internship/previous work experience? And what was your most significant contribution?
• In your previous work experience or internship, did you ever make mistakes because of miscommunication with your supervisor/colleagues? What did you learn from this experience?
• Have you ever been persuaded to complete a task that you did not agree with? What did you end up doing?