Bookkeeper Interview Questions

"I have used a variety of different accounting software, such as FreshBooks, Intuit QuickBooks, Sage cloud, and Xero. I have the most experience with Intuit QuickBooks, but I am proficient with each platform. I am also happy to learn how to use any other software you prefer."

"Using professional accounting software, such as Xero, is a good way to ensure my work is accurate. But, I also ensure to check all of my work as I go, ensuring it is correct and error-free. Using software to perform calculations is great, but if I put in the wrong numbers or data, there will be errors. I always complete a final check before submitting my work as well."

"Bookkeepers tend to be responsible for day-to-day administrative tasks, such as analyzing and recording a company's financial transactions. They create detailed, organised records for accountants to consult. Accountants use these records to complete a company's taxes and provide financial advice."

"I completed the bookkeeping programme at Centennial College which taught me about accounting principles, financial statements, preparing tax returns, and much more. This allowed me to become a certified Bookkeeper with the Canadian Bookkeepers Association. I have also been a Bookkeeper for five years with a small non-profit organisation that taught me a lot about the role and the industry."

"The three financial statements are income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Income statements outline the company's annual and/or quarterly earnings. Balance sheets display the company's assets, net worth, and liabilities. While cash flow statements show the company's earnings from their financing, investments, and operations."

"I worked for a family-owned grocery store in my previous role. There, I was mainly responsible for recording and monitoring all financial transactions, paying suppliers, and creating financial statements. When it was time to submit our taxes, I would work with an accountant to complete and submit tax forms."

"To communicate bookkeeping processes or terms to clients, I don't use any technical terms. I explain things in a way anyone can understand by thoroughly discussing concepts. It takes longer and requires more patience, but it ensures the client understands the work I'm doing. I also make myself available for any questions they have to better understand."

"To keep clients' financial information private, I always work in a secluded space. This ensures no one can look over my shoulder at my files or computer or overhear conversations I have with my clients. Any physical files I have won't leave my locked filing cabinet at work and my electronic files are password protected."

"If my ledger is off, I always follow three steps to find the error. The first is to check my math to make sure I didn't just add the totals up incorrectly. Then, I'll go through my account balances and ensure I input them into the ledger correctly. If I input everything correctly, I then have to go through my general transaction entries journal and compare it to receipts, e-mails, or other documents to see which is incorrect."

"Accounts payable is the money a business owes to investors, debtors, or suppliers. This makes it a liability. On the other hand, accounts receivable is the money that customers owe a business for buying their products or services. This makes it an asset to the company."

"To meet strict deadlines, especially around tax season, I keep detailed notes in my planner and calendar. Whenever I get a new task, I will immediately put it into my planner so I don't forget about it. This helps me see all my deadlines in one place and plan my schedule accordingly. I always aim to finish tasks a day or two before they're due so I have extra time to fall back on. This ensures I do everything on time, if not earlier."

"I love to read, so I stay updated with the accounting industry by reading magazines and news articles. Pivot Magazine and Accounting Today are two of my favourites. I also attend accounting conferences or seminars when I can to learn from industry professionals. I recently attended the Canadian Academic Accounting Association's annual conference and learned a lot."

"If I noticed an error in my colleague's work, I would approach them privately and let them know. I would show them the error and recommend a way to fix it. Errors and mistakes are good learning experiences, so I don't want to embarrass anyone, but I want to help them learn by pointing out any mistakes, no matter the size."

"The biggest mistake I made in my work was mixing up my accounts receivable and accounts payable files for the first few months of a new job. I thought we were earning much more than we actually were, and I wasn't following up on a lot of our outstanding payments due. Once I realised this, I corrected all my errors and followed up on all the payments due, but it took at least a month to get back on track. I learned to always double-check my files and entries. I also label my files very clearly now."

"Two of my greatest skills as a bookkeeper are my attention to detail and time-management skills. My attention to detail ensures I can catch and fix any errors in my work and my colleagues' work. It allows me to create detailed, organised records that help accountants do their job easily. My strong time management skills allow me to meet strict deadlines. I also have a college diploma in accounting, which has helped me improve my math skills, making me the ideal bookkeeper."