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Accounting interviews typically blend technical questions — testing your knowledge of accounting concepts, processes, and software — with behavioral questions assessing how you work. This guide covers questions commonly asked at the staff accountant and senior accountant levels, along with guidance on how to approach each type.
Technical accounting questions
Walk me through the three financial statements and how they connect.
This is a foundational question at virtually every accounting interview. The income statement shows revenue, expenses, and net income for a period. The balance sheet shows assets, liabilities, and equity at a point in time. The cash flow statement reconciles net income to actual cash movement through operating, investing, and financing activities.
The connection: net income from the income statement flows into retained earnings on the balance sheet and also appears at the top of the cash flow statement (indirect method), where it is adjusted for non-cash items and changes in working capital.
What is accrual accounting, and why does it matter?
Accrual accounting records revenue when earned and expenses when incurred, regardless of when cash changes hands. Cash-basis accounting records only when cash moves. GAAP requires accrual accounting for most companies above a certain size. The distinction matters because it affects the timing of when items appear in financial statements — an expense may be recognized in December even if the invoice is paid in January.
What is a journal entry, and can you give an example?
A journal entry records a financial transaction in the general ledger using debits and credits. Example: a company receives a $10,000 cash payment from a customer for services previously invoiced. The entry is: debit Cash $10,000 / credit Accounts Receivable $10,000. Debits increase assets and decrease liabilities/equity; credits decrease assets and increase liabilities/equity.
What is a balance sheet reconciliation?
What is a balance sheet reconciliation?
A balance sheet reconciliation verifies that the balance on a specific balance sheet account is supported by detailed documentation. For example, the accounts receivable balance on the balance sheet should match the sum of all open invoices in the AR sub-ledger. A reconciliation also explains any differences between the general ledger and the supporting detail.
Explain the difference between an accrual and a prepaid expense.
An accrual is a liability — you have incurred an expense but not yet received or paid the invoice. A prepaid expense is an asset — you have paid for something in advance before receiving the full benefit. Example: if you pay for a 12-month insurance policy in January, you recognize one-twelfth as an expense each month and carry the remaining amount as a prepaid asset on the balance sheet.
What is depreciation, and what methods are common?
Depreciation allocates the cost of a tangible fixed asset over its useful life. Common methods under GAAP include straight-line (equal amount each period), declining balance (accelerated; higher expense early), and units of production (based on usage). Tax depreciation (under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, including MACRS) differs from book depreciation, which is a common source of deferred tax entries.
Month-end close questions
Walk me through your month-end close process.
Expect to describe a sequence: posting sub-ledger transactions, reconciling key balance sheet accounts, preparing adjusting journal entries (accruals, prepaid amortization, depreciation), reviewing the trial balance for anomalies, preparing financial statement drafts, and completing a checklist before submitting to management or the controller. The interviewer is checking whether you understand the full cycle and whether you are organized.
What do you do when you find an unexplained variance during the close?
Explain that you first try to identify the source — checking the sub-ledger activity, comparing to prior periods, and reviewing journal entries for the period. You flag it to your supervisor with the details you have found, even if unresolved. You do not close the period with an unexplained variance if it is material. Demonstrating that you escalate rather than ignore is what interviewers want to hear.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you caught an error in your own work or someone else’s.
Use a specific example. Structure it as: what the error was, how you found it, what you did to correct it, and what you changed to prevent recurrence. Avoid examples where the error was someone else’s fault and you are the hero — interviewers prefer examples that show self-awareness and systematic thinking.
How do you manage multiple deadlines during month-end?
Describe a concrete approach: a checklist, a close calendar with daily priorities, or a system for flagging items that are blocked. Interviewers want to hear that you are organized and proactive rather than reactive. Mentioning that you communicate early if a deadline is at risk is a strong signal.
Questions you should ask the interviewer
- How long is the typical month-end close cycle, and what is the most challenging part of it?
- What accounting systems does the team use, and are there any planned changes?
- How is the team structured, and who would I work with most closely?
- What does the first 90 days typically look like for someone in this role?
- What are the most common reasons people leave this role or the company?
Frequently asked questions
Will I be asked about specific accounting standards in an interview?
At entry to mid-level roles, rarely in depth. You may be asked about broad GAAP concepts (revenue recognition, lease accounting under ASC 842, or the difference between GAAP and IFRS). Very technical standard-setting questions are more common for audit roles at public firms than for industry accounting positions.
Should I know Excel functions before an accounting interview?
Yes. For most accounting roles, intermediate Excel skills are expected: VLOOKUP or XLOOKUP, pivot tables, SUMIF/COUNTIF, and basic formatting. Some roles test Excel directly. Being able to discuss your Excel proficiency concretely (not just “I am proficient”) and describe how you have used it in your work is better than a vague claim.