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Accounting Clerk Interview Questions

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

  1. Explain what credits and debits are and how you can apply the two concepts in accounting. See answer
  2. Explain your experience with data entry procedures and accounting software. See answer
  3. Are you passionate about roles that entail data entry? See answer
  4. What do you do to make sure that your data entries are efficient and accurate? See answer
  5. What errors do you make most while doing bookkeeping and transcribing? See answer
  6. Which accountant platforms have you used? See answer
  7. Explain what you would do if you had several accounting projects to finish and were on a tight deadline. See answer
  8. What do you do to maintain accounting accuracy? See answer
  9. What would you do to help our organisation save money and use our available resources? See answer
  10. What do you do to avoid accounting errors? See answer
  11. How did you obtain your accounting expertise? See answer
  12. Are you comfortable working with clients? See answer
  13. Where do you hope to be in the next five years while working for this organisation? See answer
  14. What do you like about our organisation? See answer
  15. How do you handle clients who don’t have accounting experience?
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Hire your next Accounting Clerk today.

Post a job

Hire your next Accounting Clerk today.

Post a job
Our mission

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 Accounting Clerk Interview Questions and Answers

Explain what credits and debits are and how you can apply the two concepts in accounting.

This question helps you evaluate a candidate's basic accounting knowledge. Accounting clerks usually deal with accounting and bookkeeping terminology on a daily basis. A candidate needs to prove that they have technical knowledge of the accounting field. What to look for in an answer:

  • Candidate can clearly define credits and debits
  • Candidate can illustrate when to use credits and debits in different scenarios
  • Candidate has a grasp of the basics of accounting

Example:

“We use debits in the accounting field to increase expense and asset accounts. Debits help reduce equity and liability accounts. On the other hand, we use credits to increase the equity of the liability account. Credits help reduce an expense or asset account.”

Explain your experience with data entry procedures and accounting software.

Accounting clerks perform roles that support the finance and accounting departments in an organisation. Hence, they need to have experience in processing multiple invoices and expenses. A suitable candidate for the accounting clerk role needs to be familiar with various accounting software that can make their work easier. What to look for in an answer:

  • A candidate's familiarity with accounting software
  • Candidate can pay attention to specific accounting details
  • The candidate's previous data entry experience and their willingness to learn new accounting software

Example:

“My previous employer was using QuickBooks. This software is useful since it helps accounting clerks make accurate entries. I like to use FreshBooks while tracking invoices. I'm striving to learn about more accounting software that will be useful in my role as an accounting clerk.”

Are you passionate about roles that entail data entry?

Accounting clerks usually spend a significant amount of their time doing detail-oriented and repetitive work. The work of these accounting professionals is crucial for the financial success of the companies that employ them. This question helps you know whether a candidate can work on demanding tasks. What to look for in an answer:

  • A candidate's enthusiasm for performing detail-oriented work
  • Mention of previous accounting work that required accuracy
  • Candidate's ability to process invoices and reconcile bank statements

Example:

“I worked as an accounting clerk at a neighbourhood bank in Ontario, where I spent most of my time processing invoices and reconciling bank statements. My role was crucial for keeping all the accounts balanced, and I was proud of my accomplishments and ability to do the data entry accurately. ”

What do you do to make sure that your data entries are efficient and accurate?

Accounting clerks have the primary role of ensuring that they make accurate accounting entries. A suitable job applicant for an accounting clerk role should show the ability to process accounting data. What to look for in an answer:

  • The candidate's interest in working in a robust accounting environment
  • Candidate can elabourate on their strategy for data entry
  • Willingness to do detailed work and further prioritise accounting data accuracy

Example:

“I first organise all the files before working on the specific data that I need to reconcile. I make a schedule to ensure I'm doing every pending data entry each day to meet deadlines. I double-check every entry for accuracy before proceeding to the next.”

What errors do you make most while doing bookkeeping and transcribing?

Making a minor accounting error while doing an accounting entry can disrupt an entyre company's accounting records. An accounting clerk will likely make some mistakes in their bookkeeping and transcribing role. Thus, they should show how they can minimize errors. What to look for in an answer:

  • Candidate is open about their past bookkeeping and transcribing errors
  • Explanation of the steps they can take to remedy a specific accounting error
  • Candidate can solve accounting-related errors

Example:

“I was previously making some entries for my company's account statements. I didn't realise there was a mistake in the statements until one of the staff members in the accounting department notified me. I went through all the accounting statements and fixed every error, although it took me a lot of time. “

Which accountant platforms have you used?

A seasoned accounting clerk should demonstrate their experience working with several accounting platforms in their previous roles. This question allows you to discover if the candidate has experience using any popular accounting software. What to look for in an answer:

  • Familiarity with prominent accounting platforms and packages
  • An understanding of how to leverage specific features of an accounting platform
  • Willingness to explore other accounting platforms

Example:

“I used QuickBooks when I was working for a medium-sized accounting firm in Ontario. I know that the accounting software has a tracking feature that enables accounting clerks to track invoices and expenses, which I find helpful.”

Explain what you would do if you had several accounting projects to finish and were on a tight deadline.

Nearly every accounting project has a strict deadline. Also, accounting clerks have to work on several accounting projects at the same time. This crucial accounting clerk interview question enables you to gain insights into how a job applicant prioritises accounting tasks. What to look for in an answer:

  • Time management techniques to accurately and quickly perform accounting roles
  • Ability to prioritise accounting tasks
  • Ability to multitasking to accomplish a variety of accounting tasks

Example:

“I usually focus on the time-sensitive accounting tasks first. Then, I focus on tasks that my company's accounting department depends on most to accomplish its accounting and financial roles. I consult with the department to provide me with the requisite resources to stay on schedule with all the accounting and financial tasks at hand.”

How do you handle clients who don't have accounting experience?

Accounting clerks usually have to deal with people who don't know various accounting concepts and processes. This question enables you to identify whether the candidate can simplify complex accounting information and explain the information to anyone who doesn't have a financial background. What to look for in an answer:

  • An understanding of various accounting and financial concepts
  • Knowledge of different accounting subjects
  • Ability to deal with people who don't know accounting basics

Example:

“I use analogies to help people who don't have a basic understanding of accounting. I also say things in simple and straightforward language. I know how to explain accounting terms, such as accounts receivable, accrual basis accounting, and balance sheet, to people who don't know these terms.“

What do you do to maintain accounting accuracy?

A small accounting mistake can potentially cost any business a lot of money, especially if the accounting department doesn't detect the accounting mistake. The most suitable candidate for the accounting clerk position should demonstrate their experience in ensuring accounting accuracy. What to look for in an answer:

  • Whether the candidate has a detailed oriented mindset
  • Ability to recognise accounting mistakes and solve them
  • Whether the candidate is committed to accounting accuracy

Example:

“I use every accounting tool at my disposal to check for and limit any potential errors. I use software such as Expensify to track invoices and receipts. I go through real-time accounting reports and compare these reports to credit card statements from our clients. I address accounting errors quickly when they happen to save my organisation from losing money.”

What would you do to help our organisation save money and use our available resources?

Accounting clerks should be able to identify areas where a company incurs losses due to wasteful spending. The best accounting clerk applicant should show their willingness and strategies to help your organisation to reduce unnecessary expenses. Look for an applicant who can show their analytical and logical thinking while answering this question. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability and willingness to meet your company's financial needs
  • Experience helping companies save money and resources
  • How the candidate can help your organisation save money

Example:

“I go through business' financial spending to discover any redundancies that can make the business incur losses. I was advising my current employer on measures they can take to cut their operational expenses. For instance, I advised them to eliminate paid vacations for our employees, which in my case weren't helpful. Within months, the company had saved money from eliminating such unnecessary vacations.”

What do you do to avoid accounting errors?

It's normal for accounting clerks to make errors in their work. However, a good accounting clerk should explain the strategies they use to avoid errors. This question will help you know whether the candidate can avoid possible accounting errors that might cause your organisation an immense loss. What to look for in an answer:

  • Attention to detail
  • Proven strategies the candidate can use to avoid accounting errors
  • Platforms they can use to avoid accounting errors

Example:

“I'm attentive to detail, which is a vital skill that helps me avoid errors in my work. I always double-check entries before submitting final accounting reports.”

How did you obtain your accounting expertise?

The candidate needs to have the accounting expertise to qualify to work in your organisation. This question will help you know whether the accounting clerk candidate has the educational requirements, experience, and certifications that show their qualifications. What to look for in an answer:

  • Academic qualifications
  • Relevant accounting experience
  • Certification from a credible accounting body

Example

Example:

“I have a bachelor's degree in accounting. I've been able to put my technical expertise into use in my previous roles as an account clerk for multiple accounting organisations. I've also obtained certification from the Canadian Institute of Professional Accountants.”

Are you comfortable working with clients?

Accounting clerks need to be ready to work with multiple vendors and clients. This question will help you evaluate whether the candidate can communicate with clients. What to look for in an answer:

  • Communication skills
  • Whether the candidate is friendly with clients
  • Ability to give clear presentations to clients

Example:

“I communicate well with clients and vendors in my current role. I'm friendly to all clients I speak with and I strive to clearly articulate my thoughts to vendors and clients.”

Where do you hope to be in the next five years while working for this organisation?

This question helps you know whether the candidate's ambition aligns with the mission of your organisation. Their answer should also show if they want to work for your company long term. What to look for in an answer:

  • An interest in working for your organisation
  • Candidates' willingness to learn in their career
  • The candidate's long-term career plans

Example:

“I have an interest in working for this organisation. I will strive to continue with my education to help me become an auditor here in the future. I see myself becoming a manager while working for this organisation.”

What do you like about our organisation?

This is a great closing question for an accountant clerk interview. It helps you dig deeper into a candidate's willingness to work with your organisation. The candidate's answer should show genuine interest in working with your organisation. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of the accounting role
  • Knowledge of your company's mission
  • Genuine interest in working with your organisation

Example:

“My dream has always been to work with an accounting company that offers me room for growth in my accounting career. I know this organisation aspires to offer the best accounting services in Canada. I'd like to be a team member of this thriving accounting firm.”

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