Undergoing an interview is a dreaded part of searching for a job, so it is important to get past the nerves and think more of ways to make a lasting impression. Employers in the accounting industry consider interviews as a give-and-take process, so as much as you need to show your enthusiasm in answering questions, you also have to be insightful with the questions you ask. Save yourself from the blank stare upon hearing “do you have any questions” from the interviewer by taking note of the following accounting job interview tips:
Question 1: How do you keep up with the current trends?
This question will reveal your interest about the company as well as your technical expertise. Ask the interviewer how the company has responded to recent regulatory changes—the more specific the questions, the better. Taxation regulations have significant effects to accounting businesses and their clients, so asking crucial industry-specific questions will elevate you above other candidates. Questions about how regulations have molded the business’ projections and strategies are good to start with. On your part, fluidly segue about your up-to-date knowledge, such as experience in online accounting or cloud-based applications.
Question 2: What opportunities and tools are available to further my career?
Showing that you are concerned about the advancement of your position in the company gives the impression of your being forward-thinking. It is good to research the company’s website other positions that are related to the one you are applying for, especially those that are higher up the ladder.
Mike Baron of PricewaterhouseCoopers said that asking about career paths indicates a forward-thinking mentality, showing
that the applicants are “really focused on their career and able to grow and develop, especially somewhere within the firm so it’s good to hear those questions come from these folks.”
Question 3: What clients or industries will I have to work on or cover?
Inquiring about the clients you will be working on—or the industry you will be appointed to—shows that you have some genuine interest with the people the business is earning from. This question will allow you to use the information you gleaned from research about the company and its clients. Ensure that you showcase your interest in providing quality service to the clients in order to set yourself above the rest.
Question 4: What keeps you in the business?
This question will allow you to have some idea of the company culture, in turn helping you assess your own compatibility or cultural fit with the business. Listen to the answer of the interviewer and see if the response echoes what the business has on its website.
Knowing about the company’s values early on will help you gauge yourself as to how you will perform on a daily basis. Baron said that this type of question is looked at as very positive and tells something about how candidates want to develop and grow.
Question 5: What are the next steps?
Asking about the succeeding step after the interview is another way to show your interest in getting the position. However, do not appear overeager. You may request to meet other people you would be working with, especially those superiors in the area.
“We want to understand how somebody feels about the opportunity, and when somebody asks what the next steps are . . . that will be a first question that we want to hear,” Baron added.
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