Finance and accounting · Updated
Financial accountant interview questions
12 financial accountant interview questions, why UK employers ask them and what a strong answer covers, from reconciliations and audits to technical accounting.
Getting your CV ready too? Read the financial accountant CV guide.
Financial accountant interviews are technical. Expect questions on the balance sheet, statutory accounts, the audit and accounting standards. Many employers set a practical test such as a reconciliation, a set of year-end journals or a short technical question on FRS 102 or IFRS.
Technical questions
1. How do you approach a balance sheet reconciliation that doesn't agree?
Why they ask: Reconciliations are the core of the role.
A strong answer covers: checking cut-off and timing, looking for transposition and duplicate postings, ageing the reconciling items, and clearing them with evidence rather than plug journals.
2. What's the difference between an accrual and a provision?
Why they ask: A common technical check.
A strong answer covers: an accrual as a liability for something received but not invoiced with a known amount, a provision as a liability of uncertain timing or amount, and the recognition criteria for a provision.
3. How do you prepare for a year-end audit?
Why they ask: Audit preparation is a big part of the job.
A strong answer covers: agreeing a schedule list and timetable, preparing reconciliations and supporting evidence, resolving judgemental areas early, and keeping a query log.
4. How would you account for a lease under the current rules?
Why they ask: Lease accounting is a frequent technical area.
A strong answer covers: the framework the company uses (IFRS 16 or FRS 102), and how leases are recognised on the balance sheet under it, including any recent changes to FRS 102.
5. How do you handle intercompany differences at month-end?
Why they ask: Group roles depend on clean intercompany balances.
A strong answer covers: monthly matching, agreed cut-off, a clear process for disputes, and eliminating balances on consolidation.
6. Talk me through preparing a set of statutory accounts.
Why they ask: Many roles own or support the statutory accounts.
A strong answer covers: the trial balance, disclosures, notes, the reporting framework, director and auditor review, and filing deadlines with Companies House.
7. How do you prepare a VAT return, and what checks do you make?
Why they ask: VAT is often part of the role.
A strong answer covers: reconciling VAT accounts to the ledger, checking unusual transactions and partial exemption if relevant, and submitting under Making Tax Digital.
Competency questions
8. Tell me about a time an auditor challenged your treatment of something.
Why they ask: You need to defend judgements with evidence.
A strong answer covers: the issue, the standard, your reasoning and evidence, and how it was resolved.
9. Describe a time you cleared a backlog or historical problem.
Why they ask: Clean-up work is common in this role.
A strong answer covers: the size of the problem, your approach, how long it took, and the controls you put in place.
10. How do you stay up to date with accounting standards?
Why they ask: Standards change.
A strong answer covers: professional body updates, CPD, technical bulletins from audit firms, and an example of a recent change you've applied.
Fit questions
11. Why financial rather than management accounting?
Why they ask: Genuine interest helps retention.
A strong answer covers: enjoying technical accuracy, the structure of statutory reporting and the audit relationship.
12. Where are you with your qualification?
Why they ask: Most roles expect ACA, ACCA or CIMA progress.
A strong answer covers: exams passed, your plan, and how you balance study with year-end.
Questions to ask them
- How did the last audit go?
- Which reporting framework do you use, and are any changes coming?
- How many entities would I be responsible for?