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Junior Accountant Interview Questions

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

  1. How do you prioritise your tasks as a junior accountant? See answer
  2. What type of work environment do you thrive in as a junior account? See answer
  3. What accounting software have you worked with? See answer
  4. How much experience do you have with accounts receivable duties? See answer
  5. How has your academic training prepared you for a junior accounting position? See answer
  6. What are your long-term goals as a junior accountant? See answer
  7. Describe your experience working with an ERP system as a junior accountant. See answer
  8. Tell me about a time you made a significant error. See answer
  9. How do you ensure accuracy in your work when handling accounting records? See answer
  10. Describe your experience with GST reconciliations. See answer
  11. How do you contribute to the success of the accounting team? See answer
  12. How do you handle sensitive financial information? See answer
  13. What makes you stand out from other junior accountant candidates? See answer
  14. Describe a time you didn’t feel challenged in your job as a junior accountant.
  15. How do you know you’re doing a good job in your position?
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Hire your next Junior Accountant today.

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Hire your next Junior Accountant 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 Junior Accountant Interview Questions and Answers

How do you prioritise your tasks as a junior accountant?

A junior accountant must handle multiple projects at a time and provide support to the accounting department. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's ability to prioritise their tasks with minimal supervision. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to determine priorities of tasks
  • Time management skills to complete all duties
  • Ability to work independently but ask for direction and guidance as needed

Example:

"When first starting in a new position, I ask a lot of questions. I want to understand what tasks are critical and the deadline they need to be completed by. Once I'm confident in my position, I can prioritise my tasks. I start with important daily tasks that I need to do regularly. Then I..."

What type of work environment do you thrive in as a junior account?

A candidate may prefer a particular work environment, such as a corporate office setting or an open workplace concept. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's preferences regarding work setting. What to look for in an answer:

  • Self-awareness of what work environment they prefer
  • Ability to adapt and be flexible in working arrangements
  • Interested in trying new experiences

Example:

"I thrive in a quiet environment that allows me to focus and dedicate my attention to the task at hand. That being said, I have worked in both open settings and cubicles. I can create a focused environment that works for me regardless of the physical setup."

What accounting software have you worked with?

A junior accountant should have a basic understanding of accounting software programmes. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's experience with specific software that your company uses. What to look for in an answer:

  • Computer literacy
  • Ability to adapt previous technological knowledge
  • Relevant experience with the same or similar accounting software

Example:

"I learned all the functions of Sage Accounting during my undergraduate degree. I also have experience using QuickBooks and Freshbooks. I'm fluent in Microsoft Excel, as I know many companies use this programme in conjunction with a formal accounting system."

How much experience do you have with accounts receivable duties?

A junior accountant must have a basic understanding of the full scope of accounting functions. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's experience with a specific focus, such as accounts receivable. What to look for in an answer:

  • Solid foundational knowledge of essential accounting functions
  • Interested in learning new skills and abilities
  • Ability to transfer knowledge to another focus

Example:

"In my previous position, I spent around 25% of my time on accounts receivable duties. I posted customer payments, prepared billing statements, and made payment collection calls. I know there is so much more to accounts receivable and I'm excited to put my knowledge into practise."

How has your academic training prepared you for a junior accounting position?

Depending on your company, you likely require a junior accountant to have some level of formal training, such as a bachelor's degree or diploma. The question's goal is to determine the candidate's academic background and how they adapt their knowledge to their job. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interested in taking part in professional development
  • Ability to adapt theory to practical situations
  • Completion of company-specific training requirements

Example:

"My accounting diploma prepared me for a junior accounting position by teaching me the fundamentals of accounting principles. After learning the core concepts, I developed my skills by volunteering for projects, asking lots of questions, and continuing my learning."

What are your long-term goals as a junior accountant?

The goal of the question is to determine where the candidate sees themselves going in their accounting career. This question can provide insight into their aspirations, goals, and desire to continue learning. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interested in advancing their career in accounting
  • Willing to take part in professional development
  • Ability to plan and create professional and personal goals

Example:

"My long-term goal is to get my CPA designation. I have my bachelor's degree in business administration with a major in accounting. Now I need to complete my practical hours on the job and then finish the CPA training. It's a long road to my goal, but I'm ambitious and dedicated to my career."

Describe your experience working with an ERP system as a junior accountant.

Many companies use ERP (enterprise resource planning) systems to integrate all business departments and corporate information. The goal of the question is to evaluate the candidate's experience working within an extensive ERP programme. What to look for in an answer:

  • Familiarity with ERP systems for accounting functions
  • Ability to learn new technologies and software programmes quickly
  • Solid foundational computer literacy skills

Example:

"We primarily used Microsoft Dynamics in my previous role. It was interesting to learn how each individual's work within the system affects the overall quality of data. I've also heard of other common programmes, such as SAP and Oracle."

Tell me about a time you made a significant error.

The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate handles their errors and finds suitable solutions. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to accept responsibility
  • Critical and creative thinking skills to problem solve independently
  • Communication skills to bring errors to the attention of a supervisor or manager

Example:

"Last year, I was working on a department project to categorise the company's fixed assets with new general ledger codes. About halfway through the project, I stopped to check my work and realised I had pulled the old list of GL codes and was inputting the wrong data. I immediately printed the correct list and let my supervisor know about my mistake. Then I..."

How do you ensure accuracy in your work when handling accounting records?

A successful junior accountant must work efficiently and accurately. The goal of the question is to evaluate how the candidate maintains a high degree of accuracy in their work. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to focus and remain undistracted while working
  • Attention to detail to ensure high-quality work
  • Ability to follow processes and quality checks throughout tasks

Example:

"As I'm working, I stop along the way to double-check my data entry against the records I'm working with. If my accounting programme isn't equal to what my record shows, I know there's a mistake. Finding errors sooner than later is critical to remaining productive. I also stay focused on one task at a time to minimize distractions and improve accuracy."

Describe your experience with GST reconciliations.

You may require a junior account to perform specific tasks, such as GST reconciliation in this example. The goal of the question is to determine the candidate's experience with the particular process involved. What to look for in an answer:

  • Understanding of their duties and responsibilities
  • Experience with reconciling GST submissions
  • A foundational understanding of basic accounting practises

Example:

"How I complete GST reconciliation depends on the software the company uses. I would typically run a GST reconciliation report and compare it to the sales numbers and the Canada Revenue Agency records. Then I would make any adjustments as necessary and report our numbers to the CRA."

How do you contribute to the success of the accounting team?

A junior accountant is part of a larger accounting team. The goal of the question is to determine how the candidate develops relationships within the team and contributes to its overall success. What to look for in an answer:

  • Interpersonal skills to create and develop professional relationships with colleagues
  • A positive and enthusiastic attitude about the company culture
  • Ability to adapt and be flexible to benefit team objectives

Example:

"As a junior accountant, my role is to support more senior members of the team. I contribute to the overall success by becoming confident, independent, and productive in my job. I also enjoy helping whenever my daily tasks allow for it and taking on extra responsibilities."

How do you handle sensitive financial information?

A junior accountant handles sensitive financial information and needs to maintain confidentiality. The question's goal is to evaluate the candidate's process for dealing with private information during their daily tasks. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to keep sensitive information confidential
  • Commitment to following company policies and procedures regarding financial information
  • Ability to comply with a personal code of ethics as an accountant

Example:

"When working with sensitive information, there are several things I do. First, I make sure never to leave my computer unlocked when I leave my desk. I ensure I file any paper copies in a secure location and password-protect all electronic copies, depending on the company policy. I also don't speak about financial matters outside of my department."

Describe a time you didn't feel challenged in your job as a junior accountant.

The goal of the question is to determine what motivates and challenges the candidate. By understanding this information, you can decide if your role suits their career aspirations. What to look for in an answer:

  • Self-motivated and ambitious
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to learn from experience
  • Ambition and desire to take on new challenges

Example:

"A time I didn't feel challenged at work as a junior accountant was when I needed to double-check all the journal entries for accuracy. I understand that it's an important job, so I did my best quality work, as I always do."

How do you know you're doing a good job in your position?

Everyone has different motivating factors. For some, it's public praise, monetary rewards, or recognition of a job well done. The goal of the question is to determine how a candidate likes to be acknowledged for their work. What to look for in an answer:

  • Self-motivated and desire to succeed
  • Communication skills to ask for feedback from supervisors or managers
  • Interested in professional development and continuous improvement

Example:

"I prefer regular verbal feedback from my supervisors so that I can adjust my performance and know what areas I need to develop and work on. I like to be recognised for my achievements, and acknowledge others when they perform well, too."

What makes you stand out from other junior accountant candidates?

Every candidate has unique qualities and characteristics. This question's goal is to determine the candidate's point of difference. It also gives them an opportunity to highlight any skills and qualifications that weren't covered in the rest of the interview. What to look for in an answer:

  • A positive and attitude about the company and the role
  • Confidence in their strengths and abilities
  • Enthusiasm for accounting and long-term career goals

Example:

"What makes me stand out from others is my tenacity and determination. As my work references can confirm, I'm committed to seeing it through to the end when I'm assigned a task or project. I'm dedicated, ambitious, and eager to succeed in the role and my career."

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