20 CBIZ Interview Questions and Answers

CBIZ is one of the largest professional services firms in the United States. With over 35,000 employees in more than 100 offices across the country, CBIZ provides a variety of services, including accounting, tax, and financial advisory services.

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

CBIZ Interview Process

The interview process at CBIZ is generally pretty smooth and fast. You will first have an interview with an HR recruiter, followed by a mix of standard and technical questions from the hiring manager. If everything goes well, you should be extended an offer after the interview. However, some positions may require additional rounds of interviews. For instance, the Principal position requires 5 interviews and 2 case studies before a decision is made. Overall, most people report having a positive experience with the interview process at CBIZ.

1. What are you looking for in your next career opportunity?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand what your career goals are. It also helps them determine if CBIZ is a good fit for you. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention some of the skills or experiences that you have that match the job description.

Example: “I am looking for a position where I can use my customer service skills to help clients with their insurance needs. I’ve worked in customer service before, so I’m familiar with how important it is to provide excellent service to customers. I want to work somewhere that values its employees and provides opportunities for growth.”

2. Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone who was difficult, did you get along well?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict and challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to resolve the situation or your ability to work with someone who has different opinions than you.

Example: “I once worked with a coworker who was very outspoken about their opinions on things. This person often disagreed with my ideas and would voice them in front of others. I learned that if I wanted to continue working well with this person, I needed to find ways to compromise. I started asking for their opinion before making decisions and found ways we could both get what we want.”

3. How would you handle an audit where the client is not providing all of the necessary information?

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work with clients. It also shows the interviewer how you handle conflict. Your answer should show that you can remain calm under pressure, while still being firm in your expectations of the client.

Example: “I would first ask for a specific reason why they are not providing all of the information. If it’s because they don’t have access to some records, I would offer to help them find those records or provide assistance in finding someone who does have access to them. If they refuse my help, I would explain that without all of the necessary information, I cannot complete the audit. I would then give them a deadline by which they must provide me with the missing information.”

4. What do you think will be some of the biggest challenges facing the accounting industry in the next 5-10 years?

This question is a great way to see how you can apply your knowledge of the accounting industry to CBIZ. Your answer should show that you are aware of what’s going on in the industry and have some ideas for how it could change or improve.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing the accounting industry will be finding qualified accountants who can work with clients remotely. As more companies move toward cloud-based solutions, they’ll need accountants who can manage their finances from afar. I believe this will lead to an increase in demand for remote accountants, which may cause a shortage of professionals who can meet those needs.”

5. Are you comfortable working on multiple projects at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the ability to multitask and prioritize your work. Use examples from previous experience where you were able to manage multiple projects at once, while still meeting deadlines and achieving goals.

Example: “In my current role as a financial advisor, I am responsible for managing client accounts, creating budgets and developing investment strategies. In this position, I often have multiple clients who are looking for advice on their finances. While working with one client, I may be researching information for another client’s portfolio or reviewing an investment strategy for a third client. Being able to multitask in these situations helps me provide quality service to all of my clients.”

6. If hired, what would be your approach to handling a complicated tax return?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Your answer should demonstrate that you can use critical thinking, research and communication skills to solve problems quickly.

Example: “I would first gather all the necessary information about the client’s tax return. Then I would review my notes on how the client filled out their previous tax returns. Next, I would contact the client for more details if needed. After that, I would compare the current year’s tax return with the previous years’ returns to identify any changes in income or deductions. Finally, I would file the tax return electronically.”

7. Why do you want to work at CBIZ?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why CBIZ is a good fit for your career. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific aspects of CBIZ that appeal to you or how you feel like CBIZ aligns with your values and goals.

Example: “I want to work at CBIZ because I believe in the company’s mission to provide excellent service to its clients. I am passionate about helping businesses succeed by providing them with valuable financial advice and guidance. I also think CBIZ has an amazing culture where employees are encouraged to learn and grow as professionals.”

8. Do you have any experience using Quickbooks or other accounting software?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of accounting and financial processes. If you have experience using Quickbooks, explain how you used it in the past and what you learned from the software. If you don’t have any experience with Quickbooks or other accounting software, you can talk about your general understanding of accounting principles and processes.

Example: “I’ve worked with Quickbooks before, but I’m more comfortable with Microsoft Excel. In my last role as a bookkeeper, I was responsible for entering data into Quickbooks on a daily basis. It took me some time to get used to the program, but once I did, I found that it’s a great tool for managing finances. I also learned how to use the reports feature to analyze our company’s spending habits.”

9. Describe a time when you had to make a decision without consulting your manager.

This question can help the interviewer understand your decision-making skills and how you use them to benefit your company. Use examples from your past experience that highlight your ability to make decisions on your own, analyze information and choose a course of action based on what you know.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant for a small business, I noticed our budget was running low in one area. After looking into it further, I found that we were spending more money than usual on marketing campaigns. I brought this issue up with my manager, who told me to look into it further before making any changes. I researched other companies in our industry and found that they spent less money on their marketing campaigns than ours. We decided to cut back on our marketing expenses so we could spend more money on hiring new employees.”

10. Have you ever worked in a team environment before?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your teamwork skills. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to talk about a time when you worked in a team environment and how that benefited the company or organization.

Example: “Yes, I have worked in a team environment before. In my last role as an accountant, I was part of a small accounting department where we all helped each other with our projects. We would often collaborate on assignments together and help one another understand different aspects of accounting. This led to us producing high-quality work that benefitted the company.”

11. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to answer honestly. Employers ask this question because they want to know what you’re good at and where you can improve. When answering this question, be sure to focus on your strengths rather than your weaknesses.

Example: “My biggest strength is my attention to detail. I am very organized and always make sure that I have all the information I need before starting a project. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on work that I forget to take breaks. This has led to me feeling overwhelmed or stressed out at times.”

12. Can you tell me about a time when you were working on a project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question is a great way to see how you handle conflict in the workplace. It’s important for employers to know that you can work with others and resolve issues without causing problems or disrupting your team.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a project with two other employees who were both very talented at what they did. However, one of them had a tendency to be quite critical of the other employee’s ideas. This made it difficult for us to collaborate effectively because we would spend more time arguing than actually getting any work done.

I spoke with each person privately about their behavior and explained why it was unproductive. They apologized and agreed to try to work together better. After that, we met as a group once a week to discuss our progress and make sure everyone felt comfortable sharing their ideas.”

13. Give us an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. It also shows them how you can use your skills and abilities to benefit others. When answering this question, think of a time when you helped a customer in a unique or challenging situation.

Example: “I once had a client who was looking for an insurance policy for their business. They were unsure about what they needed, so I spent over two hours on the phone with them going through all of our policies. We talked about each one’s pros and cons until they found the right one for their company. By spending so much time with them, we were able to find a policy that saved them thousands of dollars per year.”

14. When was the last time you received negative feedback on a project? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and learn from your mistakes. Use examples of times when you received constructive criticism, took steps to improve yourself and succeeded in future projects.

Example: “In my last position as a financial analyst, I was tasked with creating a budget for our company’s marketing department. After submitting my proposal, my supervisor gave me feedback on areas where we could cut costs without sacrificing our marketing strategy. I spent some time researching different strategies that would save money while still reaching our target audience. My team and I implemented these changes, and we were able to reduce our expenses by 10%.”

15. What kind of clients do you enjoy working with most?

This question can help the interviewer understand your personality and how you interact with clients. It’s important to be honest in this answer, but it can also be helpful to mention a few reasons why you enjoy working with that type of client.

Example: “I love working with small businesses because I feel like they are more invested in their finances than larger companies. They’re usually looking for ways to save money or make more money, so I enjoy helping them find solutions to their problems. I also really enjoy working with new business owners who have never had to handle their own finances before. I get to teach them about budgeting and financial planning, which is rewarding.”

16. What are some of the things that you look for when auditing financial statements?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of financial statements and how you can use them to help clients. You can answer this question by listing the things that you look for when auditing financial statements, such as errors in calculations or missing information.

Example: “I always make sure that all of the numbers are correct and that there aren’t any mistakes in the math. I also check to see if the client has included all of their assets and liabilities on their balance sheet. Another thing I do is compare the company’s current financial statement with its previous one to see if there have been any changes.”

17. Tell me about a time when you had to give constructive criticism to a coworker.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and criticism. It can also show them your communication skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you helped a coworker improve their performance or behavior.

Example: “At my previous job, I had a coworker who was always late for work. This caused him to miss important meetings and deadlines. He would often make excuses about why he was late, but they were usually not valid reasons. Eventually, I approached him privately and told him that his tardiness was affecting our ability to do our jobs well. I offered to help him find ways to get to work on time if he needed assistance. After that conversation, he started arriving to work on time more frequently.”

18. What type of clients do you like to work with?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for their company. They may ask this to see if your personality and work style matches with the type of clients they have. When answering, try to think about what kind of client you enjoy working with most. Try to focus on positive aspects of each type of client so that it shows you are willing to work with any type of client.

Example: “I really enjoy working with small business owners because I feel like we’re all in this together. I love helping them find ways to save money or increase revenue. I also enjoy working with high-profile individuals who need extra security. It’s fun to make sure they stay safe while still living their lives.”

19. What are some of the things that you look for when preparing a tax return?

This question is a great way to see how you approach your work and what skills you use. It also gives the interviewer insight into how you might handle some of their clients’ tax returns. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific steps that you take when preparing a client’s taxes.

Example: “When I prepare a client’s taxes, I first make sure to gather all necessary information from them. This includes any documents they have on hand or may need to request. Once I have everything I need, I begin entering the information into my computer program. I then double-check each entry for accuracy before submitting the return.”

20. Why should we hire you?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you an ideal candidate. You should also be prepared to explain why you’re passionate about working in the insurance industry.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a strong fit for this role. I have experience managing multiple projects at once, so I know I can handle the demands of this position. My communication skills are excellent, which means I can work well with clients and other team members. I’m also very committed to my career development, which is why I’ve taken several courses on business management.”