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Accounting Job Interview Questions - accounts payable and accounts receivable
Accounting job interview questions will center on the core accountancy job requirements.
Carefully study the job description or job posting for the accounts payable or accounts receivable job. This will help you to determine the specific accountancy job requirements and the type of questions you are likely to be asked.
We provide some examples of the interview questions you can expect.
Use the excellent interview answer guidelines to prepare your own responses to these accounting job interview questions.
8 Essential Accounts Payable Interview Questions
How many invoices on average do you handle on a daily/weekly/monthly basis?
What are the steps you take before you approve an invoice for payment?
Show your understanding of the invoice verification process. Go through each step in detail such as checking that goods have been received in proper condition or services rendered in a satisfactory manner. Explain the importance of each step.
What information do you require before you approve an invoice for payment?
Focus on your monitoring and checking skills. Demonstrate your understanding of the documentation required for verification before payment is made.
Tell me about a recent invoice discrepancy you discovered and how you resolved it.
Be specific about the type of discrepancy. Discuss the steps you took to identify and sort it out such as obtaining and checking the original order. Focus on the skills required to resolve the discrepancy such as:
- attention to detail
- problem analysis
- problem resolution
Have you ever been involved in an invoice dispute? How did you manage it?
Accounting job interview questions like this explore your conflict management skills. Emphasize:
- your interpersonal skills
- your maturity
- your ability to stay calm in the face of difficulty
Describe the techniques you use to diffuse disputes such as:
- asking questions to determine the reason for the dispute
- not conveying blame
- not becoming too emotional
Demonstrate your ability to work together with others to reach an acceptable resolution.
Explain the accounts payable cycle.
Demonstrate your knowledge of this cycle - the length of time it takes the company to pay its accounts payable - and what the implications of the length of this cycle are for the company, for example cash flow.
What accounts payable applications are your familiar with?
With accounting job interview questions like this first list the applications you have used and then expand on the value of the solutions they offered to your particular business. Look at aspects such as:
- managing vendor information
- approval controls
- providing payables reports
Use this detailed accounts payable job description to help prepare for your interview. Know what is expected in the accounts payable position.
What makes a good accounts payable clerk?
Make sure you fully understand the role of the accounts payable clerk. Employers value accounts payable clerks who produce work that is accurate, consistent and timely. Meticulous attention to detail is essential in producing high quality work.
In addition, an accounts payable clerk should take ownership of their work and the reports they produce, display a high level of integrity and confidentiality and demonstrate strong organizational and planning skills.
Accounts Payable Duties and Skills
Find accounting job interview questions for the accounts receivable position below.
7 Important Accounts Receivable Interview Questions
Detail your responsibilities in accounts receivable.
Discuss all your responsibilities. Focus on the skills and knowledge you used to perform these functions efficiently such as:
- maintaining a high level of accuracy
- good verbal and written communication skills
- strong organizational skills
- problem-solving skills
- computer skills
- a knowledge of accounting processes
What role did you play in collections?
Again focus on the skills and abilities you bring to the collections function. Demonstrate how you have used your
- good interpersonal skills
- perseverance
- ability to manage conflict
- negotiation skills
- communication ability
for successful collections.
What software applications have you used for accounts receivable?
List the applications you have used and expand on the value of the solutions they offered to your particular company. Look at aspects such as :
- tracking transactions
- assessing late payments
- creating past due notices
- printing out relevant reports
What information is included in a bill for services?
List the information, make sure you cover everything and highlight your attention to detail. Include a sample of a bill for service that you created in your interview portfolio.
What was your average accounts receivable days outstanding?
If relevant, discuss any corrective action taken to reduce this figure.
What do you consider the most important goals of accounts receivable?
These goals will depend on the needs of the organization. Show how you are aware of organizational needs and then identify the appropriate goals to meet them.
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of what the goals express and how they support department and company objectives. Common aspects include:
- positively impacting on company cash cycle
- increasing cash flow
- reducing DSO
- reducing bad debt and write offs
What are your strengths as an accounts receivable professional?
Try to make your strengths relevant to the job requirements. This list of strengths is a useful resource for answering interview questions about your strengths.
A good understanding of the accounts receivable role is key to providing good interview answers. This comprehensive accounts receivable job description clearly lists the task and competency requirements for the accounts receivable job.
Accounting Behavioral Interview Questions
These accounting behavioral job interview questions
list the behavioral interview questions that are often asked in
accounting interviews. Use the sample behavioral answers to prepare good
interview answers to questions that explore the core competencies
needed in any accounting position including:
- planning and organizing
- problem analysis
- attention to detail
- the ability to deliver accurate and quality work
These finance interview questions explore a wider range of accounting and finance-related skills.
Accounting Job Interview Questions to Ask the Employer
Candidates who ask good, insightful questions during their interview are more likely to be offered the job. Use this list of questions to ask to be ready when you are asked "Do you have any questions for us?"
Other common accounting interview questions to prepare for...
Prepare for common job interview questions using this interview question and answer guide.
The salary question can be tricky and is likely to come up in your accounting interview. Find out how to deal with this and other difficult interview questions.
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Accounts Receivable Cover Letter
Keywords for Accounts Payable Resume and accounts receivable