Accounting, Auditing, And Bookkeeping Hiring Process

Want to know what to expect from the application process? Although the specific assessments vary from firm to firm, below you can find a general outline of the hiring process.

1. Complete an application online or through a recruiter. If you are applying for an open position, match the keywords in your cover letter and resume to the job description posted on the company website. If you are applying for an internship, emphasize how your university or college coursework has prepared you for this position as well as which soft skills make you uniquely suited for the job.
2. Phone screening: This is a short conversation with a recruiter who will verify the information you provided on your resume.
3. Take a pre-employment test: Many companies require new hires to pass pre-employment tests, such as general cognitive ability (IQ) tests and online personality tests. Others use job-specific tests that evaluate your ability to complete tasks relevant to the position, such as account balancing, journal entry, documentation, and analysis. One popular assessment is the Kenexa Prove It Accounting Test, which includes accounts receivable, accounts payable, bookkeeping, and general accounting tests. 
4. Phone interview: Before your in-person interview, you may need to complete a phone interview with an area manager.
5. In-person interview: If you were successful on your phone interview, the area manager will invite you to an in-person interview.
6. Job shadow and final interview: If you impressed the area manager, you will complete a job shadow and an in-person interview with the branch manager. 

You can expect to be asked a range of cultural, technical, and behavioral questions. Cultural questions assess how well you would fit in the team you would be working with as well as within the company as a whole. Technical questions evaluate your job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. Behavioral questions are related to your workplace-related attitudes and behaviors. You will be asked about your past experience, specific situations you were in, and how you would act in hypothetical situations. The following are common questions at accounting, auditing, and bookkeeping interviews:

1. Tell me about a time that you had to meet a tight deadline for several projects at once.
2. What do you hope to accomplish in this position?
3. Why do you want to work for this company specifically?
4. What is your greatest strength and what is your greatest weakness?
5. What was a time that you had to deal with a difficult customer and how did you react?
6. Tell me about your previous related experience.
7. Tell me something about yourself that isn't listed on your resume.
8. What do you like about working in this field? What do you dislike about?
9. What are you looking for in a new job?
10. What are your interests?

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