Prepare for your Accounting Supervisor interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Accounting supervisors often need to give feedback to their team members. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable doing so and know how to give constructive criticism. In your answer, explain that you are willing to give feedback when needed. Explain what types of feedback you prefer to give and why.
Answer Example: “Yes, I am comfortable giving feedback to my team members. I believe that feedback is an important part of professional development. I try to give feedback in a constructive way that focuses on the positive aspects of the task or project and offers suggestions for improvement. I also make sure to give feedback in private so that my team members feel comfortable discussing any concerns they have.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important qualities for an accounting supervisor and explain why they are important.
Answer Example: “I believe the most important qualities for an accounting supervisor are communication skills, leadership ability and attention to detail. An accounting supervisor needs to be able to communicate clearly with their team members, which means having excellent verbal and written communication skills. They also need to be able to lead their team effectively so they can ensure everyone is working efficiently and effectively. Finally, accounting supervisors need to have a strong attention to detail since they’re responsible for reviewing financial records.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to hold your team members accountable and encourage them to improve their work.
Answer Example: “I would first meet with the employee to discuss their performance issues and give them an opportunity to improve. If they did not improve after our discussion, I would give them a written warning that outlined their responsibilities and deadlines for improvement. If they still did not meet company standards after the warning, I would consider terminating their employment.”
Accounting supervisors are responsible for managing budgets and financial reports. Employers ask this question to learn more about your experience with these tasks and how you plan to manage their company’s finances. In your answer, explain what steps you take to ensure that budgets are accurate and money is spent appropriately.
Answer Example: “In my previous role as an accounting manager, I was responsible for creating monthly budgets for each department within our company. I would first review sales figures from the previous year to determine how much money we had available to spend. Then, I would meet with each department head to discuss their needs and determine how much money they could spend each month. Finally, I would create a comprehensive budget that included all of the information I gathered.”
The IRS tax code is a collection of laws that govern how taxpayers file their taxes. The IRS updates this code regularly to ensure that taxpayers are aware of any changes that may affect their taxes. An accounting supervisor should be familiar with the latest changes to the IRS tax code so they can ensure their team is aware of any updates and can help clients with their taxes.
Answer Example: “Yes, I am very familiar with the latest changes to the IRS tax code. I make it a point to stay up-to-date on all tax laws so I can provide my clients with the most accurate information possible. In fact, I recently attended a training seminar where the presenter discussed the latest updates to the IRS tax code.”
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills necessary to be a successful accounting supervisor. You can answer this question by listing the most important skills for an accounting supervisor and explaining why they are important.
Answer Example: “An accounting supervisor should have excellent communication skills, as they will be working with many different people throughout the company. They should also have strong leadership abilities, as they will be responsible for overseeing several accountants and making sure that they are all working on projects efficiently. Finally, a accounting supervisor should have an understanding of accounting principles so that they can help train new employees.”
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to hold employees accountable for their work, but also encourage them to improve.
Answer Example: “I would first talk to the employee about their errors and explain why it’s important they get their work right the first time. I would also offer them training or resources they can use to improve their skills. If they continue to make mistakes, I would consider disciplinary action such as a written warning or suspension without pay.”
The Uniform Commercial Code is a set of laws that govern commercial transactions in the United States. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with accounting practices that are specific to the UCC. If you are not familiar with the UCC, it’s important to explain that you are willing to learn new things and develop your skills.
Answer Example: “I am familiar with the UCC, but I haven’t had much opportunity to use it in my previous roles. However, I am excited to learn more about the UCC and how it can help our company succeed. I am confident that I can quickly become proficient in this area.”
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities they’re looking for in an accounting supervisor. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list some of the most important qualities and explain why they’re important.
Answer Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for an accounting supervisor is the ability to communicate effectively with others. Accounting is a team-based job, so I always make sure to communicate with my team members about their projects and tasks. Another important quality is organization because accounting involves lots of paperwork and record-keeping. I’m always organized with my documents so I can find them quickly when needed.”
Accounting is a stressful job, and employers want to know that you can handle stress well. They want to see that you have strategies for managing your time, staying organized and keeping calm in stressful situations. In your answer, share two or three ways that you manage stress in the workplace.
Answer Example: “I find it helpful to take regular breaks throughout the day so I can clear my mind and refocus on my tasks. I also make sure to schedule time for exercise each week so I can stay physically healthy. Finally, I try to avoid multitasking as much as possible so I can focus on one task at a time. This helps me get things done more efficiently.”
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with using accounting software. Use this opportunity to highlight any specific skills or knowledge that you have regarding this type of software.
Answer Example: “I have extensive experience using accounting software, including QuickBooks, Sage 50, and Microsoft Excel. I have been working as an accountant for the past five years, and during that time I’ve become very familiar with these programs. I know how to use them to their fullest potential, which allows me to complete projects quickly and efficiently. In fact, many of my clients rely on my expertise when it comes to accounting software.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle giving negative feedback and whether you have experience doing so. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, empathy and ability to provide constructive criticism.
Answer Example: “In my last role as an accounting supervisor, I had an employee who was consistently late to work. After several conversations about the issue, I realized that the late arrival was due to an illness in their family. Instead of firing them, I decided to give them a warning letter that explained the consequences of continued tardiness. The employee understood the situation and was able to adjust their schedule so they could arrive on time.”
This question can help the interviewer understand how you would handle a conflict with an employee. Your answer should show that you are willing to have honest conversations with your team members and help them learn from their mistakes.
Answer Example: “I would first make sure that the employee understood what they did wrong, then I would give them an opportunity to explain their reasoning behind the mistake. This can help me understand if there was any confusion about the task or if there is something I can do to improve their workflow. If the mistake was due to lack of clarity, I would work with them to create a more detailed process map or procedure manual.”
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would respond to a challenging situation. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up and help other departments when necessary.
Answer Example: “I would first try to talk to the person in charge of that department about the mistake, but if they weren’t willing to fix it, I would go to their manager. I believe in being honest about accounting errors, and I don’t think it’s fair to hide them from management. If the manager still doesn’t take action, I would let my own manager know so they can decide what to do next.”
Accounting supervisors often need to communicate with upper management about their team’s progress on projects. They also need to provide feedback to their employees about their performance. Employers ask this question to see if you can handle criticism well and use it as an opportunity to improve. In your answer, explain how you would react when receiving criticism from upper management or other leaders in your organization.
Answer Example: “I understand that criticism is meant to help me improve my work or performance. I am always open to feedback and suggestions on how to do my job better. If I receive criticism from upper management, I will take a moment to think about what they are saying and try to understand their point of view. Then, I will find a private space to reflect on what they said and decide how I want to respond.”
Training new employees is a common responsibility for accounting supervisors. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience teaching others how to do their jobs. In your answer, explain how you would train new employees and what steps you would take to ensure they learn accounting procedures quickly.
Answer Example: “I’ve had the opportunity to train several new employees on accounting procedures in my previous roles as an accountant. When I first started at my current company, I was responsible for training all new hires on our accounting software. I would start by showing them how to use the software, then have them practice entering different types of transactions. Once they felt comfortable with the software, I would have them practice entering transactions while I watched over their shoulder. This helped me identify any areas where they needed more practice.”
Accounting supervisors need to know when it’s appropriate to seek external financial advice and when they should handle a situation themselves. This question allows you to show your knowledge of when it’s best to consult with an outside source and how you would go about doing so.
Answer Example: “I believe it’s always best to seek external financial advice when there is a complex issue that requires an expert opinion. For example, if I were working on a project that involved international tax laws, I would seek out an expert who specializes in these matters. In other situations, I would consult with my team about any questions I have about a particular project.”
The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your ability to implement change in the organization. Use examples from past experiences where you helped improve processes or implemented new procedures for risk management.
Answer Example: “I would first assess our current risk management processes to determine where we are currently lacking. Then, I would create a plan for how we can improve our current system. For example, I would create a checklist of all the steps we need to take when performing accounting tasks so we can ensure we’re following best practices. This will help us track all of our transactions and ensure they’re accurate.”
Accountants who work for you may need some guidance on how to do their jobs better. As an accounting supervisor, it’s your responsibility to provide constructive feedback to help them improve their work. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable giving feedback and can do so in a way that’s helpful for employees. In your answer, explain that you enjoy giving feedback and want to help employees improve their skills.
Answer Example: “I am always willing to give constructive feedback to my employees. I believe that feedback is an important part of professional development. I try to be as positive as possible when giving feedback, but I also make sure to be honest about what they’re doing wrong. I want my employees to feel comfortable coming to me with questions or concerns about their work.”
The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the types of audits that are performed on accounting firms. If you have no experience with this, you should explain that you are willing to learn about the different types of audits and how they work.
Answer Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the different types of audits that can be performed on an accounting firm’s records. I have worked as an auditor for several years, so I am well-versed in the different types of audits that are available. For example, I know that an external audit is when an outside firm comes in to examine the company’s records. An internal audit is when someone within the company examines their own records.”
