17 Accounting Administrative Assistant Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various accounting administrative assistant interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.

Use this template

or download as PDF

Common Accounting Administrative Assistant Interview Questions

• What accounting software are you most familiar with?
• What bookkeeping tasks are you most comfortable with?
• How would you maintain your records if you were suddenly faced with a large influx of data?
• What is your experience with double-entry bookkeeping?
• What is your experience in auditing or reviewing financial statements?
• Tell me about a time when you had to manage a complex financial situation.
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to give critical feedback to a coworker?
• Tell me about a time when you had to crunch numbers in a hurry.
• What is your experience in preparing tax returns?
• What is your experience in budgeting or forecasting?
• Tell me about a time when you had to give difficult news to a client or supervisor.
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple deadlines at once?
• What is your experience in accounts receivable or accounts payable?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate customer or client.
• Can you tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a problem with accounting software?
• What is your experience in preparing financial reports?
• Tell me about a time when you had to use your creative problem-solving skills to solve an accounting issue.

What accounting software are you most familiar with?

The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the level of experience and familiarity the accounting administrative assistant has with different accounting software programs. This is important because it will give the interviewer a better idea of how qualified the candidate is for the position and whether they would be able to hit the ground running.

Different businesses use different accounting software programs, so it is important for the accounting administrative assistant to be familiar with as many as possible. This way, they will be able to more easily adapt to whatever system their new employer uses. Additionally, having experience with multiple accounting software programs shows that the candidate is resourceful and has a willingness to learn new things.

Example: “I am most familiar with QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel. I have used both of these software programs extensively for bookkeeping and accounting purposes. QuickBooks is a great program for tracking income and expenses, and it has a lot of features that make it easy to manage your finances. Microsoft Excel is also a great program for managing finances, and it has a lot of features that make it easy to analyze data and create financial reports.”

What bookkeeping tasks are you most comfortable with?

The interviewer is trying to assess what kind of accounting work the administrative assistant is most comfortable with and whether they have the necessary skills for the job. This is important because it will help the interviewer determine whether the administrative assistant is a good fit for the position and whether they will be able to handle the workload.

Example: “I am most comfortable with tasks that involve organizing and keeping track of financial records. This includes tasks such as creating and maintaining ledgers, preparing financial statements, and reconciling accounts. I have experience with a variety of bookkeeping software programs and am confident in my ability to accurately enter and maintain data.”

How would you maintain your records if you were suddenly faced with a large influx of data?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's ability to handle a large volume of work. This is important because the accounting administrative assistant will need to be able to maintain accurate records even when faced with a large influx of data.

Example: “There are a few things that can be done in order to maintain records when faced with a large influx of data. One option is to create a system where data is inputted into a central location, and then access the data as needed. This can be done through the use of an Excel spreadsheet, or a similar program. Another option is to outsource the data entry to a third party company that specializes in this type of work. This can be beneficial as it can free up time for other tasks, and it can also ensure that the data is entered correctly.”

What is your experience with double-entry bookkeeping?

The interviewer is asking about the candidate's experience with double-entry bookkeeping because it is an important skill for an accounting administrative assistant. Double-entry bookkeeping is a method of bookkeeping that requires each transaction to be recorded in two accounts in order to balance the books. This method is used in order to prevent errors and to ensure that the books are accurate.

Example: “I have experience with double-entry bookkeeping from my previous job as an accountant. I am familiar with the concept and have used it to maintain financial records for my previous employer.”

What is your experience in auditing or reviewing financial statements?

There are a few reasons an interviewer might ask this question to an accounting administrative assistant. One reason is to gauge the level of experience the candidate has in auditing or reviewing financial statements. This is important because it can help the interviewer determine whether the candidate is qualified for the position.

Another reason an interviewer might ask this question is to get a sense of the candidate's accounting knowledge. This is important because it can give the interviewer a better idea of whether the candidate would be able to perform the duties of the position.

Finally, the interviewer might ask this question to see if the candidate has any experience working with financial statements. This is important because it can help the interviewer determine whether the candidate would be able to handle the financial aspects of the position.

Example: “I have experience in auditing and reviewing financial statements from my previous job as an accountant. I was responsible for ensuring that the financial statements of the company were accurate and up to date. I would review the statements on a monthly basis and report any discrepancies to the management.”

Tell me about a time when you had to manage a complex financial situation.

There are a few reasons why an interviewer would ask this question to an accounting administrative assistant. First, they want to know if the candidate is capable of handling complex financial situations. This is important because the accounting administrative assistant will be responsible for managing the finances of the company. Second, the interviewer wants to know how the candidate handles stress. This is important because the accounting administrative assistant will often be required to work under a lot of pressure. Finally, the interviewer wants to know if the candidate is able to think critically and solve problems. This is important because the accounting administrative assistant will often be required to make decisions that could have a significant impact on the company.

Example: “I was once tasked with managing a complex financial situation for my company. The situation involved multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests, and required me to use my analytical and problem-solving skills to come up with a solution that would work for everyone involved. In the end, I was able to find a win-win solution that satisfied all parties and allowed us to move forward with our business goals.”

Can you tell me about a time when you had to give critical feedback to a coworker?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the Accounting Administrative Assistant's ability to handle conflict in the workplace. It is important for the interviewer to know that the Accounting Administrative Assistant can give critical feedback to a coworker in a constructive and professional manner.

Example: “I had to give critical feedback to a coworker recently when they made a mistake on an important report. I sat down with them and explained what they did wrong and how it could have been avoided. I also offered some suggestions on how to improve their work in the future.”

Tell me about a time when you had to crunch numbers in a hurry.

The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's ability to handle pressure and work quickly and accurately under tight deadlines. This is important for the position of accounting administrative assistant because the jobholder will often be required to crunch numbers in a hurry, for example when preparing reports or completing last-minute tasks.

Example: “I was working as an accounting administrative assistant at a small firm when one of the partners came to me and said that he needed some numbers crunched for a meeting in an hour. I quickly got to work, pulling up the relevant financial reports and starting to do the necessary calculations. I managed to get everything done in time and the partner was very happy with the results.”

What is your experience in preparing tax returns?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience in preparing tax returns. This is important because the candidate will be responsible for preparing tax returns for the company. The candidate's experience will help the interviewer determine if the candidate is qualified for the position.

Example: “I have experience in preparing tax returns for both individuals and businesses. I am familiar with the different forms and schedules that need to be completed, and I have a good understanding of the tax code. I am able to accurately prepare tax returns and ensure that all the required information is included. I also have experience in dealing with the IRS, if there are any questions or issues that need to be resolved.”

What is your experience in budgeting or forecasting?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's financial management skills. Budgeting and forecasting are important skills for an accounting administrative assistant, as they are responsible for managing the finances of the organization. It is important for the interviewer to know if the candidate has experience in these areas, as it will help them determine if the candidate is a good fit for the position.

Example: “I have experience in both budgeting and forecasting. I have created budgets for both small and large businesses, as well as forecasting future income and expenses. I am able to track trends and patterns to create accurate predictions for the future.”

Tell me about a time when you had to give difficult news to a client or supervisor.

The interviewer is asking this question to gauge the candidate's ability to handle difficult conversations. It is important for an accounting administrative assistant to be able to give difficult news to a client or supervisor in a professional and tactful manner.

Example: “I was working as an administrative assistant in an accounting firm and one of my clients was behind on their taxes. I had to give them the difficult news that they would need to pay a penalty for being late. I explained the situation to them and helped them understand why it was important to pay their taxes on time.”

Can you tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple deadlines at once?

The interviewer is trying to determine if the candidate can handle multiple tasks at the same time and meet deadlines. This is important because the Accounting Administrative Assistant will often have to juggle multiple tasks with competing deadlines.

Example: “I had to manage multiple deadlines at once when I was working as an administrative assistant for an accounting firm. I had to keep track of deadlines for various projects, clients, and tasks. I had to make sure that all deadlines were met and that everything was organized. I used a variety of methods to keep track of deadlines, including a calendar, a to-do list, and email reminders. I also communicated regularly with my boss and other team members to make sure that everyone was on the same page.”

What is your experience in accounts receivable or accounts payable?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the candidate's experience in accounts receivable or accounts payable. This is important because it will give the interviewer a better understanding of the candidate's ability to perform the job.

Example: “I have experience in both accounts receivable and accounts payable. I have worked in accounts receivable for over two years and have experience in managing customer accounts, issuing invoices, and collecting payments. In addition, I have also worked in accounts payable for over two years and have experience in processing invoices, issuing payments, and reconciling accounts.”

Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an irate customer or client.

The interviewer is trying to gauge the applicant's customer service skills. It is important for an accounting administrative assistant to have strong customer service skills because they will be dealing with clients on a regular basis.

Example: “I had to deal with an irate customer or client once when I was working as an administrative assistant for an accounting firm. The client had come in to our office to drop off some documents and was not happy with the way that our receptionist had greeted him. He came to me and started yelling, demanding to speak with a manager. I calmly explained to him that the receptionist was new and that she had not meant any disrespect. I offered to get him a cup of coffee and asked him to have a seat in our waiting area. I then went to the receptionist and explained the situation to her. I told her that she needed to be more careful in the future in how she greets customers and clients.”

Can you tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a problem with accounting software?

The interviewer is trying to gauge the interviewee's accounting knowledge and ability to troubleshoot software problems. This is important because the Accounting Administrative Assistant position requires knowledge of accounting software and the ability to troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Example: “I was working as an accounting administrative assistant at a small accounting firm. One of our clients was having trouble with their QuickBooks software and we were trying to figure out the problem. I ended up finding a solution by doing a Google search and then implemented it.”

What is your experience in preparing financial reports?

The interviewer is likely asking this question to gauge the extent of the candidate's experience in preparing financial reports. This is important because financial reports are a key part of an organization's financial management and accounting processes. They provide insights into an organization's financial health and performance. An experienced candidate who is able to effectively prepare financial reports can be a valuable asset to an organization.

Example: “I have experience in preparing financial reports from my previous job as an accountant. I am familiar with the process of creating financial statements and can do so using various software programs. I am also experienced in reviewing financial reports for accuracy and making necessary adjustments.”

Tell me about a time when you had to use your creative problem-solving skills to solve an accounting issue.

The interviewer is trying to gauge the interviewee's ability to think critically and solve problems. This is important for an accounting administrative assistant because they will need to be able to handle difficult financial situations and come up with creative solutions.

Example: “I was working on the books for my small business and I noticed that we were consistently overspending in one particular area. After doing some research, I realized that we were being charged hidden fees by our vendor. I contacted the vendor and explained the situation. They agreed to refund the fees and give us a discount going forward. This saved my business hundreds of dollars per month and improved our bottom line.”