20 Eide Bailly Interview Questions and Answers

Eide Bailly is a regional certified public accounting (CPA) and business advisory firm that is known for its great work culture and employee development opportunities. The company has been around for over 100 years and has a strong presence in the Midwest.

If you’re interviewing with Eide Bailly, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the accounting field, your knowledge of tax laws, and your ability to work in a team environment. Here are some sample questions that you may be asked during an interview with Eide Bailly.

Eide Bailly Interview Process

The interview process at Eide Bailly is relatively straightforward. You will first have a phone screen with a recruiter, followed by an in-person interview with the hiring manager and additional staff. The final step is usually a second interview with a partner. Overall, the process is fairly quick and easy, with most candidates being offered a job within a month.

1. Describe your experience with auditing.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the accounting process and how you apply it in your work. Auditing involves reviewing financial records, analyzing data and reporting on a company’s performance. You can use examples from previous jobs or describe what you would do if you were auditing Eide Bailly LLP.

Example: “I have experience with both internal and external audits. In my last position, I was responsible for conducting annual internal audits for several companies within our client portfolio. This included evaluating their financial statements, testing controls and procedures and identifying any risks that could affect operations. I also performed quarterly reviews of each company’s financials to ensure they were meeting all regulatory requirements.”

2. Tell us about a time you had to deal with an angry or difficult client, how did you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle conflict and challenging situations. Use examples from your experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and interpersonal skills.

Example: “I once had a client who was upset about the results of their financial statement. I listened carefully to what they were saying and asked questions to make sure I understood their concerns. After that, I explained why the numbers on their financial statement looked the way they did. The client seemed satisfied with my explanation and agreed to move forward with our services.”

3. Do you have experience working in a team environment?

Eide Bailly is a team-oriented company, so the interviewer will want to know that you’re comfortable working with others. Show them your interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate by describing a time when you worked in a team setting.

Example: “I have experience working in a team environment, as I was part of my high school’s accounting club. We would meet once a week after school to discuss our assignments and help each other out if we were having any issues. This helped me develop my teamwork skills and learn how to communicate effectively with my peers.”

4. What is your favorite thing about Eide Bailly?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the company and its culture. It also gives you an opportunity to talk about what makes Eide Bailly unique from other accounting firms. When preparing for this question, think of something that really stood out to you during your interview process or research into the company.

Example: “My favorite thing about Eide Bailly is how much it values its employees. I spoke with several people who have been here for many years, and they all said the same thing—the company cares deeply about their well-being and provides opportunities for growth. That’s one reason why I’m so excited to be joining the team.”

5. Why do you want to work for Eide Bailly?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the position and the company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific aspect of Eide Bailly that you admire or something about the company’s culture that appeals to you.

Example: “I want to work at Eide Bailly because I am impressed by the firm’s commitment to its clients. The client-first philosophy is evident in all aspects of the business, from the way employees interact with each other to the services offered. I believe this focus on the customer will help me develop my skills as a CPA.”

6. How would you approach an audit project from scratch?

This question can help interviewers understand your process for completing projects and how you prioritize tasks. Use examples from previous work experience to describe the steps you take when starting a new audit project, including any specific tools or processes you use to manage time and resources.

Example: “When I start an audit project from scratch, I first meet with my client to discuss their expectations and objectives for the audit. Then, I perform a preliminary assessment of the company’s financial records to determine what areas I need to focus on during the full audit. After that, I complete the full audit by reviewing all relevant documents and comparing them to the client’s financial statements.”

7. Provide an example of when you had to use your creativity and innovation to solve a problem.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you use them to solve problems. Use examples from previous jobs or experiences that highlight your creativity and innovation.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on a project with another employee who had an idea for a new software program. We discussed it in our team meeting, but we didn’t have enough time to develop the program before the client needed it. So, I suggested we create a prototype of the software so the client could see what it would look like when completed. This allowed us to work on the full version of the software while also giving the client something they could use until we were ready to deliver the final product.”

8. How do you think the accounting industry will change in the next 5 years?

This question can help the interviewer get an idea of your forward-thinking skills and how you plan for change. It also helps them understand if you’re a good fit for their company, which is likely to evolve as well.

Example: “I think that in the next 5 years, we’ll see more automation within accounting firms. This will allow us to provide better service at lower costs to our clients. I’m excited about this because it means we can spend more time on higher value work like strategic planning and business development.”

9. We believe that our culture is important at Eide Bailly. What does culture mean to you?

Eide Bailly wants to know that you understand the importance of a positive work environment and how it can impact your performance. When answering this question, explain what culture means to you and how you would contribute to the company’s workplace culture if hired.

Example: “Culture is important because it sets the tone for everything else in an organization. I believe that a strong culture leads to better employee morale, which results in more productive employees. At my last job, we had a great culture where everyone was friendly and helpful. We also celebrated each other’s successes and supported one another through difficult times.”

10. Why should we hire you over other candidates?

This question is a great opportunity to highlight your skills and qualifications. When answering this question, it can be helpful to refer to the job description or any other information you have about the position.

Example: “I am an extremely organized individual who has experience working in a team environment. I also have extensive knowledge of accounting software and my attention to detail makes me a valuable asset to your company. In addition, I am highly motivated and eager to learn new things. These qualities make me the ideal candidate for this role.”

11. If hired, how do you plan on making sure that all deadlines are met?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time you met a deadline in the past or how you plan on meeting future deadlines at Eide Bailly LLP.

Example: “I have experience working with multiple clients at once, so I am confident that I could manage my workload while still making sure all deadlines are met. In my previous role as a CPA, I worked with several clients at once and was able to complete their audits within the required timeframe.”

12. Do you feel comfortable having multiple projects going on at once?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your ability to multitask and prioritize tasks. It’s important to show that you can manage multiple projects at once while still maintaining quality work.

Example: “I feel comfortable having multiple projects going on at once, as I’ve done so in my previous roles. However, I also understand the importance of focusing on one task at a time to ensure it’s completed thoroughly. I find that by setting aside blocks of time each day to focus on specific tasks helps me stay organized and productive.”

13. How do you prioritize tasks?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach your work and determine which tasks to complete first. Use examples from previous experience to explain the steps you take when prioritizing your tasks, including any specific tools or techniques you use to stay organized.

Example: “I always start my day by reviewing my calendar for the week ahead. This helps me plan out my days and weeks so I know what projects I need to complete each day. Throughout the day, I check my schedule at least twice to make sure I’m staying on track with my deadlines. If I notice a task that needs more time than expected, I’ll move it to later in the week so I don’t fall behind.”

14. Have you ever been asked to reevaluate something that you already completed? How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges and whether you’re willing to take on new responsibilities. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to learn quickly and adaptability.

Example: “I’ve been asked to reevaluate a client’s financial statements before, but I was able to complete them in time for the deadline. However, I did find an error that I had made when calculating their net income. I immediately informed my supervisor of the mistake so they could inform the client. They were grateful that we found the error before submitting our final report.”

15. Give an example of a time where you had to take initiative.

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to take on challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you had to think creatively or use your critical thinking skills to solve a problem.

Example: “When I was working as an accountant for a small business, the owner asked me to find ways to save money in our budget. After looking at all of our expenses, I realized that we were spending too much money on marketing. I spoke with the owner about my findings and he agreed to cut back on some of our marketing efforts. This helped us save money while still reaching our target audience.”

16. Name a time you came up with a creative solution to a problem.

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your creativity, analytical thinking and ability to work as part of a team.

Example: “At my last job, I was working on an audit for a client who had multiple locations across the state. The company’s financial records were all over the place, making it difficult to determine if they were following industry standards. After talking with the client, we decided that instead of trying to organize everything at once, we would focus on one location at a time. This allowed us to get through the audit process much quicker than expected.”

17. What makes you passionate about public accounting?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are interested in working for Eide Bailly. When answering this question, it can be helpful to talk about a specific experience that made you passionate about public accounting.

Example: “I am passionate about public accounting because I enjoy helping businesses succeed. In my last role as an accountant, I worked with small business owners who were just starting out. It was so rewarding to see them grow their companies and hire more employees. I love being able to use my skills to help others achieve their goals.”

18. Would you be willing to put business travel ahead of personal plans?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your willingness to travel and work long hours. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also show that you’re willing to make sacrifices if necessary.

Example: “I understand that business travel can be required at times. I’m committed to my career and would do whatever it takes to ensure success of Eide Bailly LLP. If this means putting personal plans on hold, then so be it.”

19. What would you say is your greatest strength and weakness?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their company culture. When answering, try to focus on a strength that is relevant to the job description and highlight a weakness that you have improved upon or plan to improve.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I am very thorough when completing projects and always make sure to double-check all of my work. My weakness used to be time management, but now I use an online calendar to stay organized and manage my time better.”

20. Are you aware of any new regulations regarding audits that could impact this position?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it to this role. If you have experience with a specific regulation, mention it in your answer.

Example: “I am aware of the new FASB standards that require auditors to report on internal controls over financial reporting. I’ve gained experience working with internal control procedures during my time at Eide Bailly, which has prepared me for these changes.”