Prepare for your Finance Assistant interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Employers ask this question to make sure you understand the importance of keeping information private. They want to know that you have the discretion and judgment to keep confidential information secure from unauthorized access or disclosure. In your answer, explain that you understand the importance of confidentiality in finance and how it can affect a company’s bottom line.
Answer Example: "Absolutely. I understand that working with confidential information is an important part of my job as a finance assistant. I am confident in my ability to keep all confidential information safe and secure. I have always been very careful when dealing with sensitive data, and I understand the consequences of mishandling it."
This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what types of experiences you’ve had in the field. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant skills you’ve acquired over the years, such as accounting or budgeting.
Answer Example: "In my last position as an accountant, I was responsible for creating financial reports for my company’s managers every month. I also helped manage the company’s budget by making sure all expenses were accounted for and within budget. These experiences have helped me develop strong organizational skills and an understanding of how to manage money effectively."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your work ethic and how you approach your job. They want to know that you are a hard worker who is willing to put in the time and effort needed to succeed in their company. When answering, think of an example from your past where you worked extra hours or completed a project ahead of schedule.
Answer Example: "I have always been someone who is willing to go above and beyond for my employer. In my last position, I was working on a project when my boss asked me to complete another task. Instead of ignoring him or taking longer to complete the first project, I finished the first task early so I could focus on the new one. My boss was impressed by my work ethic and ended up giving me a raise."
This question is an opportunity to highlight a skill or ability that you have that is relevant to the role. It’s important to choose a strength that relates directly to the job description and shows you have the skills necessary to succeed in the position.
Answer Example: "My greatest strength as a finance assistant is my attention to detail. I am able to quickly and accurately complete tasks, which helps me ensure that all information is accurate and organized. This skill has helped me in previous roles where I was responsible for entering data into spreadsheets or databases."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you overcome challenges. When answering, it can be helpful to choose an example that highlights your ability to work independently, make decisions and use your creativity to solve problems.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a finance assistant, I was responsible for managing our company’s accounts payable department. One day, our vendor sent us an invoice that had an incorrect shipping address. The vendor wanted us to pay for the shipment, but we couldn’t until we corrected the address. I contacted the vendor to let them know about the error and asked if they could send us another invoice with the correct address. They agreed, and I sent them the new invoice number so they would know which invoice we were paying."
This question allows you to show the interviewer your knowledge of the role and how you would prioritize your time. Your answer should include a few examples of tasks you would complete on a regular basis and highlight any specific skills you have in this area.
Answer Example: "My primary focus as a finance assistant would be to provide support for the accounting team. I would ensure all financial documents were organized and filed properly, while also managing the company’s accounts payable and receivable processes. I would also be responsible for ensuring all payments were made on time and accurately. Finally, I would assist with creating reports and graphs to monitor the company’s financial performance."
This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to demonstrate your ability to cooperate with others, communicate effectively and use common sense when making decisions.
Answer Example: "If I noticed suspicious activity on a colleague’s account, I would first try to find out if they were aware of it. If not, I would ask them if they would like me to report it to our manager or another authority figure. If they said yes, I would do so immediately. If they said no, I would keep an eye on their account for any further suspicious activity. If I noticed more suspicious activity, I would report it immediately."
This question is a great way for employers to test your knowledge of accounting principles. It also helps them determine if you have any experience working in an accounting department or with an accountant. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list some of the most important principles and how they apply to your daily life.
Answer Example: "I have a strong understanding of basic accounting principles. I have been working as an assistant in finance for the past three years, where I’ve had the opportunity to learn about many different types of accounts and how to manage them properly. I am familiar with accounting software like QuickBooks and can create reports and invoices using these programs. I also understand the importance of keeping accurate records and records retention policies."
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with financial reports and how you apply that knowledge in your work. Use examples from previous roles to highlight your skills in this area, such as:
Answer Example: "In my last role, I prepared monthly financial reports for my manager that included information on sales figures, budget projections and profit margins. These reports helped my manager make decisions about how to manage the company’s finances. I also used these reports to learn more about the company’s operations so I could better understand how our strategies affected sales figures."
This question can help the interviewer determine how committed you are to your career and whether you’re likely to stay with their company for a long time. Your answer should show that you’re eager to learn new things, but also that you have enough experience to be effective in your role.
Answer Example: "I recently attended a seminar on investment strategies for small businesses, which was very helpful in expanding my knowledge of current trends. I also regularly read industry publications to stay up-to-date on new products and services available to finance professionals. Finally, I make sure to attend conferences and seminars whenever possible so I can network with other professionals and learn from their experiences."
Risk management is an important part of finance. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with risk management and how you would implement it in their company. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to improve the company’s current practices.
Answer Example: "I would start by analyzing our current risk management system. I would look at the different types of risks we face and determine which ones we need to focus on. Then, I would create a plan for each type of risk. For example, if one type of risk is financial, I would create a budgeting system for all departments so we can track spending."
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with using financial software. Use examples from previous jobs to show how comfortable you are using these programs, such as Microsoft Excel or QuickBooks.
Answer Example: "In my last role as an accounting assistant, I was responsible for entering all of our company’s financial transactions into Microsoft Excel. I found that using tabs in separate sheets helped me organize different types of data, such as customer records, vendor information and inventory counts. This helped me quickly find information when needed."
Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you are the best candidate for their open position. Before your interview, make a list of all of your skills and experiences that relate to this job. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and explaining how they make you an ideal candidate.
Answer Example: "I am highly organized, which makes me an excellent finance assistant. I’ve worked in several different offices where organization was a priority, so I’m used to keeping track of many different projects at once. I also know how important it is to stay up-to-date on financial reports, so I make sure to keep all records organized and up-to-date."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience level and how it may relate to their company. Use this opportunity to highlight any skills you have that are relevant to the position, such as financial reporting or budgeting.
Answer Example: "I’ve worked in both the nonprofit and corporate sectors, which has given me a wide range of experience working with different types of budgets and financial reports. In my last position, I helped create quarterly reports for our organization’s stakeholders so they could track our progress toward goals. This experience helped me develop strong reporting skills."
This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. You can answer by identifying a skill from the job description, such as accounting or computer software, and explaining why it’s important for finance assistants to have this skill.
Answer Example: "I think the most important skill for a finance assistant to have is excellent communication skills. A finance assistant needs to be able to communicate with many different people, from executives to other employees. They also need to be able to write detailed reports about their work, so clear writing is important."
Audits are a common task for finance assistants. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience performing audits and understand their importance. In your answer, explain what audits are and how often you perform them. Share a specific example of when you performed an audit in the past.
Answer Example: "Audits are a critical part of financial management. I understand how important they are for ensuring accuracy in accounting records. I perform audits at least once per month, although some companies require them more frequently. At my last job, I performed monthly audits of the company’s financial statements. This helped me spot any errors or discrepancies before they became problematic."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a challenging situation. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and ability to work with others.
Answer Example: "I would first try to find out why there is a discrepancy in my colleague’s records. If it’s an honest mistake, I would help them fix the issue by explaining how to correct it. If it’s an intentional act, however, I would first speak with my manager about the best course of action."
This question can help the interviewer understand your experience and how you’ve helped others in the past. Your answer should include a specific example of a mistake you’ve seen in your work as a finance assistant, along with steps you took to correct it.
Answer Example: "The most common mistake I’ve seen made by finance assistants is not keeping track of their expenses. It’s important to keep accurate records of all spending so that it’s easy to report on at the end of each month. I always encourage my coworkers to use an app like Mint to track their spending so they can easily upload their data into our system."
This question can help interviewers understand your attention to detail and how you ensure that the information you enter into financial systems is accurate. Use examples from past experiences where you had to enter data into financial systems, such as accounting software, and explain what steps you took to ensure accuracy.
Answer Example: "I take great care when entering data into financial systems because I understand the importance of accuracy. To ensure accuracy, I always double-check my work before submitting it. I also make sure to enter data into the correct fields so that it’s easy to find later on. For example, when I was working at my last job, I entered customer information into the company’s database but forgot to enter their zip codes. Later on, I couldn’t find some of the customers because I didn’t have their zip codes."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you prioritize your work and manage deadlines. Use examples from previous jobs where you had to complete multiple tasks within a short period of time, such as a project deadline or quarterly financial report.
Answer Example: "In my last role, I had to prepare a quarterly financial report while also assisting with accounting tasks such as entering data into the system and processing payments. It was a busy time of year for our company, so I had to be organized and efficient in order to get everything done on time. To manage my time effectively, I broke down each task into smaller tasks and set specific deadlines for each one. This helped me stay on track and ensured that I met all of the deadlines."
