Prepare for your Finance Business Partner interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with accounting software. If you have previous experience using specific software, share what you liked about it and how it helped you complete your work more efficiently. If you don’t have any experience using specific accounting software, explain that you are willing to learn new systems and programs.
Answer Example: "I am very familiar with the most common accounting software used in finance businesses. I have worked with QuickBooks for over five years, and I am confident in my ability to set up clients with new accounts and manage existing ones efficiently. In my last role, I was responsible for training other employees on how to use the software, so I understand how important it is to understand the basics before diving into more complex features."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities they’re looking for in a finance business partner. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important qualities, such as communication skills, problem-solving ability and attention to detail.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important qualities for someone in this role are communication, problem-solving and organization skills. As a finance business partner, I would be working with many different departments within the company, so it’s essential that I can communicate effectively with everyone. I also think it’s important to have strong problem-solving skills because there will likely be times when issues arise that need to be solved quickly. Finally, organization skills are key in order to keep track of all the information I’m working with."
This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience in the finance industry. If you have previous experience, share what you did and how it helped you develop skills relevant to this role. If you don’t have any experience, consider talking about another industry that is similar to finance and how you developed your skills there.
Answer Example: "I’ve been working in accounting for five years now, so I’m very familiar with the finance industry. I’ve worked on several projects where I had to analyze data and create reports for managers and clients. This experience has helped me develop my critical thinking skills and ability to solve problems."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a finance business partner and explain why they are so important.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important skills for someone in a finance business partner role are communication, problem-solving and organizational skills. Communication is essential because I often work with other departments to ensure they have the financial information they need to make decisions. Problem-solving skills are also important because I often need to find solutions to complex issues. Finally, organizational skills help me stay on track with all of my projects and tasks."
The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you build relationships with other employees. Use your answer to highlight your ability to collaborate with others, communicate effectively and work as part of a team.
Answer Example: "I believe that building relationships with other employees is essential for success in any organization. I always try to be friendly and approachable, which helps me develop strong connections with coworkers. I also make sure to take the time to get to know people on a personal level so that we can build a relationship beyond just being coworkers. This helps me understand their goals and objectives, which helps me better support them in their professional endeavors."
This question is a great way for the interviewer to assess your knowledge base and determine if you have any experience in finance. If you have no prior experience, consider highlighting other skills or abilities that could be useful in this role, such as budgeting or accounting.
Answer Example: "I am familiar with the basic concepts of finance, such as assets, liabilities, equity and cash flow. I also understand the importance of financial statements like the balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows. In my previous role, I helped create monthly financial reports for our department using Microsoft Excel. This experience has helped me become more comfortable with numbers and calculations."
This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and abilities needed to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important qualities, such as communication skills, problem-solving ability and teamwork.
Answer Example: "I believe the most important qualities for a successful finance business partner are communication, collaboration and creativity. A successful business partner needs to be able to communicate effectively with others in the organization, collaborate with other departments and develop innovative solutions to problems. They should also be able to think creatively about ways to improve processes and increase efficiency. Finally, I think it’s essential that a finance business partner has strong financial acumen because they will be responsible for managing the company’s finances."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you work with others and whether you have any experience collaborating with other departments. Use examples from previous roles where you worked well with others, whether they were coworkers or clients, and explain what made those relationships successful.
Answer Example: "I believe my teamwork skills are excellent. I have always been someone who enjoys working with others, and I find that collaboration is an important part of problem-solving. In my last role, I worked with a team of five other finance professionals to create new financial models for our clients. We met weekly to discuss our progress and any challenges we faced. By working together, we were able to develop effective strategies for each client."
