20 Citrin Cooperman Interview Questions and Answers

Citrin Cooperman is one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in the United States. With over 30 years of experience, Citrin Cooperman has a reputation for providing quality services to their clients.

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

Citrin Cooperman Interview Process

The interview process at Citrin Cooperman can vary depending on the position you are applying for. For entry-level positions, the process may be as simple as one or two interviews. For more senior positions, the process may include multiple rounds of interviews with different members of the team. Overall, the interview process is generally smooth and efficient, with quick responses from the company.

1. What do you know about Citrin Cooperman?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your knowledge of their company. Citrin Cooperman is an investment firm that has been in business since 1962, so it’s likely they have a long history and reputation. Your answer should include some information you’ve learned from researching the company online or through other means.

Example: “I know that Citrin Cooperman was founded by two brothers who were originally farmers. They started this company with $5,000 and grew it into one of the most successful investment firms in the country. I also know that they are committed to investing in small businesses and helping them grow. This is something I can relate to because my family owns a small farm where we raise cattle.”

2. Why did you choose to study accounting?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your background and how you got to where you are today. Accounting is a highly technical field, so it’s important for employers to know that you have the skills necessary to succeed in their company. In your answer, try to explain why this career choice was right for you.

Example: “I chose to study accounting because I enjoy math and numbers. When I was in high school, I took an introductory accounting class and really enjoyed it. I knew then that accounting would be my major when I went to college. Throughout my education, I’ve learned many valuable skills that I use every day at work.”

3. How would you describe your communication style?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you interact with your team and clients. Your communication style is a key part of your personality, so it’s important to be honest about your approach to communicating.

Example: “I consider myself an empathetic communicator. I try to put myself in my client or colleague’s shoes before responding to their questions or concerns. This helps me respond in a way that shows I care about what they’re going through. It also helps me anticipate any misunderstandings or confusion they may have.”

4. Tell us about a time that you had to work on a team project with people who were difficult.

This question can help interviewers understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you worked on a team project and the challenges that arose during the process.

Example: “In my last position as an investment analyst, I had to work with several other analysts who were more senior than me. This was challenging because they often didn’t want to share their knowledge or give me opportunities to learn from them. However, I learned to ask questions about what they were working on and offered to help them if they needed it.”

5. Do you have experience working in the public sector?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a similar environment to their company. If you do, they may ask you more questions about your previous job and how it relates to this one. If you don’t, they might ask you what skills you gained from that position that would be useful for this role.

Example: “I worked as an assistant manager at a local coffee shop while I was going to college. While my primary responsibility was making sure our customers had a positive experience, I also helped with hiring new employees and training them on our policies. This experience taught me how to work well with others and communicate effectively.”

6. What is your experience with preparing tax returns for individuals, partnerships and corporations?

This question is an opportunity to show your expertise in a specific area of accounting. If you have experience preparing tax returns, describe the process and what steps you take when completing them. If you don’t have any experience with this, you can still answer by describing how you would complete tax returns if given the opportunity.

Example: “I’ve prepared individual tax returns for several years now. I start by gathering all necessary documentation from my client, including their social security number, birth date, address history and income information. Then, I use software to enter the data into the program and begin calculating the total amount due or refundable. Once I have completed that step, I review the return for accuracy and submit it to the IRS.”

7. Describe your experience auditing financial statements.

Auditing financial statements is a key part of the accounting profession. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience doing it and can do it well. In your answer, explain what you did in the audit process and how you helped your company or organization improve its finances.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for auditing our monthly financial statements. This included reviewing all of our expenses and revenues as well as making sure we were following GAAP standards. I also had to ensure that our balance sheet matched up with our income statement. If there were any discrepancies, I would investigate them and find out why they happened. Then, I would implement changes so they didn’t happen again.”

8. Have you worked with any of the software programs we use at Citrin Cooperman?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience with their company’s software. If you don’t, it can also show that you are willing to learn new programs and adapt to different work environments. When answering this question, try to highlight your computer skills and willingness to learn new systems.

Example: “I’ve worked with several of the programs Citrin Cooperman uses, including Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive and Dropbox. I am always open to learning new programs and adapting to new work environments, so I would be excited to use any other programs you may use here.”

9. What are some things you think need improvement within our field of work?

This question can help interviewers understand your critical thinking skills and how you approach problem-solving. When answering this question, it can be helpful to focus on a specific example of something that could use improvement in the workplace and explain what steps you would take to make improvements.

Example: “I think there are some areas within our field where we need more transparency. For instance, I’ve noticed that many financial advisors don’t always share their client’s information with other members of the team when they’re working together on a case. This means that sometimes important details about clients aren’t communicated between employees, which can lead to mistakes or misunderstandings. To improve this situation, I would suggest implementing a system that requires all employees to communicate any relevant information about their cases to each other.”

10. What are your short term & long term career goals?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your career aspirations and how you plan to achieve them. When answering, it can be helpful to include a timeline for when you hope to accomplish these goals. It can also be beneficial to mention any steps you’ve already taken to get there.

Example: “My short term goal is to become an investment analyst at Citrin Cooperman. I am currently enrolled in the Investment Analyst Certificate Program through the University of California, San Diego Extension. This program will allow me to gain valuable knowledge and skills that I believe will help me reach my long-term goal of becoming a portfolio manager.”

11. What type of projects have you been assigned to in the past?

This question can help the interviewer understand what type of work you’ve done in your past roles. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few projects that were particularly challenging or exciting and how you handled them.

Example: “In my last role as an investment analyst, I was responsible for researching companies and their stocks. This involved reading through financial reports and analyzing company data to determine which stocks would be most profitable for our clients. It was a very interesting job because every day brought new challenges and opportunities.”

12. What’s your favorite part of being an accountant?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the accounting field. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill you enjoy using or a type of client you like working with.

Example: “My favorite part about being an accountant is helping clients understand their finances and how they can use them to make smart financial decisions. I love teaching people new things, so explaining complex concepts in ways that are easy to understand is something I find very rewarding. Another thing I really enjoy is finding creative solutions to help my clients save money.”

13. Are you comfortable managing a team?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the skills to work in a team environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you’ve worked with teams in the past and what your experience was like.

Example: “I am comfortable managing a team because I’ve done so before at my current job. In my last position, I had two other employees who were responsible for different aspects of our social media presence. We met once a week to discuss our progress and any issues we encountered. This helped us stay on track and ensured that we all completed our tasks by their due dates.”

14. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you view yourself. They want to know that you are confident in your abilities, but also aware of areas where you can improve. When answering this question, be honest about what you’re good at and what you need to work on. Try to focus on strengths that relate to the job description or the skills required for the role.

Example: “I am a very organized person who is always prepared for meetings. I have excellent communication skills and enjoy helping others solve problems. My weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on solving a problem that I forget to delegate tasks to my team members. I’m working on improving my delegation skills so everyone feels included.”

15. What do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your background and what you’ve accomplished in the past. They want to know that you’re a hard worker who has been successful in the past. When answering this question, think of an accomplishment that relates to the job you’re applying for.

Example: “My biggest accomplishment is starting my own business. I started my company when I was 19 years old, and it’s still going strong today. It took a lot of work to get where we are now, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”

16. What was one of the most interesting clients you’ve ever worked with?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your personality and how you interact with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a client who was particularly challenging or one that helped you grow as a professional.

Example: “One of the most interesting clients I’ve ever worked with is an older gentleman named Mr. Smith. He came into my office for his annual review and told me he wanted to work on improving his communication skills. He said he felt like he wasn’t able to express himself well enough in meetings at work and wanted to improve his ability to speak up when he had something to say. We started working together once a week to practice public speaking and have been meeting for over a year now.”

17. What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of your strengths and accomplishments that relate to the job description. Choose two or three things from your list to share with the interviewer.

Example: “I have five years of experience in customer service, which is one year more than what’s required for this role. I also have excellent communication skills, as evidenced by my last employer’s positive feedback on my performance reviews. Another strength of mine is my ability to work well under pressure. In fact, I thrive when there are tight deadlines.”

18. What are some qualities you look for when hiring someone new?

Employers ask this question to see if you have the same qualities they look for in their employees. This is your chance to show them that you possess these qualities and would be a great fit for the position. Think about what makes someone successful at their job, and use those qualities as examples when answering this interview question.

Example: “I think it’s important to hire people who are motivated and driven. I also believe it’s beneficial to find individuals who are passionate about their work and enjoy being part of a team. When hiring new employees, I always try to find people who will make our company better and help us achieve our goals.”

19. What is your experience with bookkeeping?

Bookkeeping is a key component of working in accounting. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary experience for the role. Before your interview, read through the job description and highlight any bookkeeping skills they’re looking for. In your answer, share which bookkeeping skills you possess and how you’ve used them in previous roles.

Example: “I have three years of experience with bookkeeping. I started out as an entry-level bookkeeper at my current company. There, I learned how to use QuickBooks and other software programs to record financial transactions. I also gained valuable experience reconciling accounts and managing payroll. Now that I’m more experienced, I often train new employees on these tasks.”

20. How do you like to communicate with your coworkers/clients (email, phone calls, meetings)?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your communication style and how you interact with others. Your answer should show that you value face-to-face interactions, but also know when it’s appropriate to use other methods of communication.

Example: “I find that in my previous role as an accountant, I preferred phone calls over email because they allowed me to have more detailed conversations about specific projects or tasks. However, I do understand that sometimes emails are necessary for quick questions or updates. In this case, I prefer to send short emails that include actionable steps so everyone is on the same page.”