20 Armanino Interview Questions and Answers

Armanino is one of the largest accounting and business consulting firms in California. The firm provides a full range of audit, tax, consulting, enterprise risk, financial advisory and technology services to public and private companies.

If you’re interviewing for a job at Armanino, you can expect to be asked a mix of questions about your experience, qualifications, and goals. To help you prepare, we’ve gathered a list of sample Armanino interview questions and answers.

Armanino Interview Process

The interview process at Armanino is generally pretty smooth and fast. You can expect to meet with a manager, director, 2 partners, and one or more other recruiters. The interviews will include both formal and informal elements, and you should expect good communication throughout the process.

1. What are some of the most common tax issues that you have encountered?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of tax law and how you apply it in the workplace. When answering this question, try to focus on specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently.

Example: “Some of the most common tax issues I have encountered are when clients fail to report all their income or expenses. In my last role as a senior accountant, I worked with a client who failed to report $10,000 worth of business expenses. This led to them owing the IRS thousands of dollars in back taxes. To help resolve the issue, I helped the client file amended returns for the previous three years. They ended up paying less than they would have if they had reported the expenses correctly from the beginning.”

2. How would you explain a complex accounting concept to someone who isn’t familiar with it?

This question is a great way to test your communication skills and ability to simplify complex ideas. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time you had to explain something complicated to someone who wasn’t familiar with the topic.

Example: “When I was working at my previous company, we were auditing a client’s financial records when they noticed some discrepancies in their accounts. They asked me what was going on, so I explained that our job as accountants is to ensure all transactions are recorded accurately and that there aren’t any errors or missing information. The client understood and appreciated how important our work is.”

3. Tell me about a time when you had to present your work in front of a large group of people, how did you prepare for it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle public speaking and your confidence level. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific instance where you had to give a presentation in front of a large group of people and what steps you took to prepare for it.

Example: “In my last role as an accountant at Armanino, I was responsible for presenting our quarterly financial reports to upper management. I prepared by reviewing all of the information that would be included in the report and practicing my delivery with other members of my team. This helped me feel more confident when presenting the report to upper management.”

4. Describe a time you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

Teamwork is an important skill to have in the accounting industry. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and resolve conflict. Use your answer to show that you are a team player who can collaborate with others and solve problems together.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project with two other accountants. We were all doing our own parts of the project, but we weren’t communicating enough about what we were doing. This led to some confusion when it came time to put everything together. To fix this problem, I scheduled weekly meetings where we discussed each part of the project. This allowed us to communicate more effectively and avoid any miscommunication.”

5. What is your experience with preparing financial statements?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific task. It can also allow them to see how you approach similar tasks in your current role and what skills you use when completing these types of projects. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention which financial statements you’ve prepared before and any challenges you faced while doing so.

Example: “In my previous position, I was responsible for preparing monthly financial statements for our clients. This included compiling all relevant information from our client’s accounting systems into an easy-to-read format that could be understood by anyone who reviewed the statement. While working on these statements, I encountered some issues with data entry errors. However, I learned how to correct these mistakes quickly and ensure they didn’t happen again.”

6. Do you have any experience managing a team of accountants?

This question can help the interviewer determine your leadership skills and how you might fit into their company culture. If you have experience managing a team, describe what motivated them to work hard and achieve goals. If you don’t have direct management experience, you can still discuss any leadership roles you’ve held in the past.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant at Smith & Associates, I was responsible for overseeing all of our clients’ financial records. This included hiring new accountants when we needed more staff members and delegating tasks to other employees so that I could focus on important client projects. My team appreciated my delegation style because it allowed them to learn different accounting processes while also contributing to the company’s overall success.”

7. Provide an example of a time when you made a mistake at work, what happened and how did you fix it?

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from mistakes and how you can improve. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about the mistake you made and explain what steps you took to fix it.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, I was responsible for entering data into our system. One day, I accidentally entered incorrect information into the system that caused some of our clients’ accounts to have negative balances. This resulted in me having to call each client to inform them of the error. After making sure all of the errors were fixed, I called each client back to apologize and offer them a discount on their next purchase.”

8. Can you tell me about a time when you were expected to meet a deadline but didn’t because something came up, how did you manage it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle unexpected situations and how you prioritize your work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to ensure that you met all of your deadlines in the future.

Example: “At my previous job, I was working on a project with a team when one of our members had to leave unexpectedly due to an emergency. Since we were so close to finishing the project, I decided to stay late at the office for two nights in a row to help finish up the project. While this wasn’t ideal, I knew that if I didn’t stay late, we wouldn’t have been able to meet our deadline.”

9. What do you think are the most important qualities for a successful accountant?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of your most important skills and how they help you be successful at work.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for a successful accountant is attention to detail. I am always very careful when entering data into my system, double-checking all figures before submitting them to clients. Another quality I believe is essential is communication. As an accountant, I need to be able to clearly communicate with both my team members and our clients about any questions or concerns they may have.”

10. Why did you decide to go into accounting?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s background and motivations. It can also help you determine if they are passionate about accounting, which can be an important quality in an accountant. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about what inspired you to pursue this career path.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I have been fascinated by numbers. My parents always encouraged me to explore my interests, so when I started high school, I decided to take some advanced math courses. I found that I really enjoyed accounting, so I continued taking classes in that subject. Eventually, I earned my bachelor’s degree in accounting from San Diego State University.”

11. What is your favorite thing about being an auditor?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the role. Auditors often enjoy the challenge of finding errors and helping companies improve their processes, so you can discuss how this makes you feel good about your work.

Example: “I love being able to help a company find ways to save money or make more money. I’ve worked with several clients who were spending too much on one thing but not enough on another, which was hurting their bottom line. It’s rewarding to be able to help them fix that problem and see their revenue increase.”

12. Have you ever worked with a client that wasn’t satisfied with your work? How did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and criticism. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but it can also be helpful to highlight a specific example of when you handled a challenging situation with grace and professionalism.

Example: “I once had a client who was unhappy with the work I did for them. They felt that my team didn’t meet their expectations and they were looking for more detailed information than we provided. I met with the client to discuss their concerns and apologized for any inconvenience or confusion our work may have caused. We then discussed what kind of information they needed and worked together to create a solution.”

13. What kind of software/programs are you experienced with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your technical skills. You can answer this question by listing all of the programs you have experience with and how long you’ve used them.

Example: “I am experienced with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have some experience with Salesforce, which I learned in my last role as an accountant. I’m currently enrolled in a certification program that will allow me to become a certified Salesforce professional.”

14. What do you know about Armanino’s culture?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are interested in working for their organization and that you understand what it’s like to work there. Your answer should include a few details about Armanino’s culture, such as its values or how employees interact with one another.

Example: “I’ve read through the employee handbook and I think it’s great that you value transparency so much. It seems like everyone at Armanino is very open and honest with each other, which makes me excited to be part of the team. I also noticed that you offer many different types of benefits, including paid maternity leave and flexible scheduling options. This shows me that you care about your employees’ well-being.”

15. Are you comfortable traveling for work?

Armanino is a national accounting firm, so they may need employees who are willing to travel for work. If you’re interviewing for an Armanino position that requires traveling, it’s important to let the interviewer know that you’re comfortable with this aspect of the job. You can also mention any past experience you have with business travel and how you handled it.

Example: “I’m very comfortable with business travel. In my last role as an accountant at Smith & Associates, I was required to travel once or twice per month. I always booked my flights in advance and made sure to arrive early to ensure I had enough time to get through security and find my gate. I’ve learned some tips and tricks over the years that make traveling easier.”

16. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle conflict and pressure. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to work under stress.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I had a client who was unhappy with our services because they didn’t understand their financial statements. They were upset that we couldn’t give them more detailed information about their company’s finances, but I explained that it was against accounting standards to provide more than what is required by law. The client understood after this explanation, and we continued working together.”

17. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing CPAs today?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the accounting industry and how you might approach challenges in your work. Consider what you’ve seen as a challenge in your career, or consider asking other CPAs about their biggest challenges to gain insight into common issues.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing CPAs today is that many people don’t know what we do. I believe it’s important for us to educate others about our role in business so they have more confidence in our abilities. In my last position, I started an outreach program where we visited local businesses to explain our services and answer questions. This helped us build relationships with new clients while also educating the public.”

18. How do you keep up with the latest trends in accounting?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you stay current with industry news and changes. It also shows them that you are willing to learn new things and adapt to different situations. Use your answer to highlight your dedication to learning more about accounting, including any certifications or training you’ve completed recently.

Example: “I have a CPA certification, which requires me to complete 150 hours of continuing education every three years. I take advantage of this requirement by taking courses in my free time on topics like tax law updates and financial statement analysis. In addition, I subscribe to several online newsletters and blogs that provide tips for accountants.”

19. We want our employees to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to get an idea of your work ethic and how you handle responsibility. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to mention a time when you worked independently on a project or task.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for that type of environment because I am used to working independently. In my last role as a tax accountant, I was responsible for completing all of my client’s tax returns by myself. This meant I had to learn new software and processes without any help from other employees. While it took me some time to become comfortable with everything, I eventually became very efficient at doing my job alone.”

20. What do you think makes a great consultant?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can be an asset to the company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your skills as they relate to what makes a consultant successful.

Example: “I think a great consultant has excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. They also need to have strong math and analytical skills because these are essential for financial consulting. I am very good at communicating with clients and helping them understand complex financial information. My ability to solve problems and my attention to detail make me a valuable asset in any situation.”