17 Accountant Consultant Interview Questions and Answers

An accountant consultant provides analysis and advice to businesses on financial statement interpretation, tax compliance, and other financial matters. They may also provide guidance on mergers and acquisitions, initial public offerings, and other corporate transactions.

If you’re an accountant who is looking to move into consulting, or if you’re already working as a consultant and are looking for a new position, you will need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions in your job interview.

Your interviewer will want to know about your experience working with clients, your technical knowledge of accounting and auditing standards, and your ability to solve problems. They will also ask about your experience with financial modeling and your ability to communicate complex information clearly.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample accountant consultant interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the tax laws in this state and county?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the tax laws in their state. If you are interviewing for a position outside of your home state, it’s important to research the tax laws of that area before your interview. You can also mention any relevant experience you have with other states’ tax laws.

Example: “I am familiar with the tax laws in my current state and county. I’ve worked as an accountant for five years now, so I’m used to adapting to different tax laws depending on where I work. In fact, I find it interesting how each state has its own unique tax laws. For example, when I was working at Smith & Company, we had to file quarterly taxes instead of monthly like we do here.”

What are some of the most important qualifications for an accountant?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how they relate to the job. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list some of the skills you have that are relevant to the position.

Example: “Accounting requires someone who is detail-oriented, organized and has strong math skills. I believe these three qualities are essential in an accountant because they help ensure all financial records are accurate and filed properly. In my previous role as an accountant, I was responsible for managing client finances, including tax filings and quarterly reports. I always made sure to double-check my work before submitting any documents or information.”

How do you keep your skills up to date?

Accountants need to stay up-to-date on the latest accounting software, tax laws and financial regulations. Employers ask this question to make sure you have a plan for keeping your skills current. In your answer, explain how you plan to keep your knowledge relevant. Share any methods you use to learn new things or improve your existing skills.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my accounting skills. I subscribe to several online newsletters that provide tips and advice for accountants. I also take an online course every year to refresh my understanding of the most recent tax laws. I find these courses are a great way to learn something new while improving my overall skill set.”

What is your experience with working with clients?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with working in a client-facing role. Accountants often work with clients to ensure they’re meeting their accounting needs and goals, so it’s important that you have some experience doing this. In your answer, try to describe what you enjoy about working with clients and how you’ve helped them in the past.

Example: “I love working with clients because I find it rewarding to see someone develop an understanding of their finances. When I first started my career as an accountant, I worked at a small firm where I was responsible for helping our clients set up their financial systems and ensuring they were on track. It was challenging but also very rewarding when I saw clients make positive changes based on our advice.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to give a client bad news.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle difficult situations. They want to know that you can be honest with clients and provide them with the information they need, even if it’s not what they want to hear. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to give bad news but also emphasize that you will do everything in your power to help clients find solutions to their problems.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant for a small business, my client asked me to look into ways they could save money on their taxes. After looking over their financial records, I determined that they would have to lay off some employees or close one of their locations to stay within budget. My client didn’t like either option, so we worked together to come up with a third solution. We decided to hire more part-time employees to fill open shifts instead of laying anyone else off.”

If a client came to you with a financial problem, how would you handle it?

Interviewers ask this question to see how you would handle a challenging situation. They want to know that you can help clients solve their problems and provide them with the best solutions for their businesses. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to find a solution for the client’s problem. Show that you are empathetic and willing to help others.

Example: “If a client came to me with a financial problem, I would first listen to understand exactly what they were experiencing. Then, I would assess the situation and determine if there was anything I could do to help. If not, I would refer them to someone who could assist them.”

What would you do if you discovered a mistake you made on a client’s tax return?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to admit mistakes. Your answer should include steps you would take to correct the mistake, how you would inform the client of the error and what actions you would take to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I made a mistake on a tax return, my first step would be to contact the client immediately to let them know about the error. Then, I would file an amended tax return with the appropriate changes. Finally, I would make sure that the client received their refund within 30 days of filing the amended return. To prevent this from happening again, I would double-check all calculations before submitting the final return to the IRS.”

How well do you understand financial statements?

Accountants and consultants often need to understand financial statements, such as balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary knowledge to do your job well. In your answer, explain that you can read and interpret financial statements. Share a specific example of when you used these documents to help an employer or client.

Example: “I am very familiar with financial statements because I use them every day in my work. When working on projects for clients, I usually start by analyzing their financial statements. This helps me understand where they are financially and what areas we should focus on during our consultation. For instance, if I was working with a company that had low revenue but high expenses, I would recommend ways to reduce those expenses so they could increase their revenue.”

Do you speak any other languages?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any language skills that can help them with clients or customers. If you speak another language, share what it is and how you use it in your accounting work.

Example: “I do speak Spanish fluently. I learned it growing up because my parents are from Mexico. In college, I took a few classes where I got to practice my Spanish, which helped me learn more about the language. Now, I use my Spanish when working with some of our Mexican clients who don’t speak English as their primary language.”

When interacting with clients, what is your approach?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills. They want to know how you interact with clients and whether or not you can communicate effectively. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you are a friendly person who is willing to listen to others. You should also show that you have the ability to explain complex financial information in an easy-to-understand way.

Example: “I am very outgoing and enjoy interacting with people. When I meet with new clients, I make sure to greet them warmly and shake their hand. This helps me put my clients at ease and shows them that I am interested in getting to know them. Throughout our meeting, I take notes so that I remember important details later on. I also like to ask questions to help my clients feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions.”

We want to improve our customer service. Tell me about a strategy you would use to do that.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you can apply your skills as an accountant consultant to improve the company’s customer service. Use examples from previous jobs where you helped customers with their accounting needs and improved their experience.

Example: “I would first make sure that all of our employees are knowledgeable about our services and products. I would also ensure they have a way to communicate with clients, such as email or phone support. I would train them on how to answer questions and resolve issues quickly so we could provide excellent customer service. This strategy has worked well for me in my past job, where I trained new employees and implemented a system for communicating with customers.”

Describe your accounting software.

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you’re familiar with the accounting software they use. If you haven’t used their specific software before, it’s okay to say so and explain which accounting software you are most comfortable using.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using QuickBooks Pro because I’ve been using it for years. It’s a great program that allows me to do everything I need to in my job as an accountant. However, I also have experience using FreshBooks, NetSuite and Xero. Each of these programs has its own unique features, but I think QuickBooks is the best option for businesses looking for a comprehensive solution.”

What makes you stand out from other accountants?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your unique skills and talents. They want to know what makes you a valuable employee, so they can decide if you’re the right fit for their company. When answering this question, think of two or three things that make you stand out from other accountants. These could be specific skills or experiences that show how you are an asset to the accounting department.

Example: “I have several years of experience as an accountant, but I also have extensive knowledge in financial planning. This is something many accountants don’t have, which is why I am able to offer my clients advice on how to manage their money better. In addition, I have excellent communication skills, which helps me work well with others. I’m always willing to help someone who needs assistance.”

Which accounting software are you most familiar with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with accounting software. If you’re applying for a position that requires you to use specific software, it’s important to mention which programs you have experience using and how comfortable you are working with them.

Example: “I’m most familiar with QuickBooks Pro and Peachtree Accounting Software. I’ve used both extensively throughout my career as an accountant consultant, and I find them easy to navigate and understand. In fact, I often recommend these two accounting software systems to clients who need assistance setting up their own business or nonprofit organization.”

What do you think is the most important skill for an accountant to have?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and how you view accounting. It’s important to show that you have strong critical thinking skills, attention to detail and excellent communication abilities when answering this question.

Example: “I think the most important skill an accountant can have is attention to detail. Accountants are responsible for recording financial transactions accurately, so it’s crucial that they pay close attention to what they’re doing at all times. I also believe that problem-solving skills are essential because accountants often encounter unique situations that require them to find creative solutions.”

How often do you perform reconciliations?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with reconciliations and how often you perform them. If you have a lot of experience performing reconciliations, you may be able to answer questions about what types of reconciliations you’ve performed in the past.

Example: “I perform reconciliations at least once per month for my clients. I find that this frequency is usually enough to ensure that there aren’t any errors or discrepancies within their financial records. However, if I notice something unusual during a reconciliation, I will follow up on it immediately.”

There is a new tax law that impacts how you should do your job. How do you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you will handle changes in the accounting industry. It also shows your ability to adapt and learn new things quickly. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you are willing to take on additional responsibilities if needed.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood exactly what the law was saying. Then, I would talk with my manager about whether or not we need to change our processes. If so, I would work with my team to implement the new procedures. If not, then I would continue doing my job as usual.”