17 Finance And Operations Manager Interview Questions and Answers

The finance and operations manager is responsible for the financial health of a company. They produce financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop strategies and plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

If you want to be a finance and operations manager, you will need to be able to answer some difficult questions during your job interview. The interviewer will want to know if you have the skills and experience to do the job, as well as how you would handle some specific situations that might come up in the role.

In this article, we will give you some tips on how to answer finance and operations manager interview questions. We will also provide some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the financial reporting standards set by the Securities and Exchange Commission?

The SEC is a federal agency that regulates the financial industry. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with these standards and how they apply to your work. Use your answer to highlight any relevant knowledge or experience you have with the SEC’s reporting standards.

Example: “I am familiar with the SEC’s financial reporting standards, as I worked for an investment firm where we had to adhere to them. In my current role, our company also has to follow these standards, so I’m used to working with them on a daily basis. These standards are important because they help investors understand what information companies should be providing in their reports.”

What are some of the most important skills for a finance and operations manager to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for a finance and operations manager, such as communication, organization and leadership skills.

Example: “The two most important skills for a finance and operations manager are strong organizational skills and excellent communication skills. As a finance and operations manager, I would need to keep track of many different projects at once, so having strong organizational skills is essential. Additionally, I would need to communicate with my team members about their tasks and deadlines, so being able to effectively communicate is also important.”

How would you go about improving the efficiency of a company’s operations?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a plan for improving efficiency and increasing profits. Use examples from your previous experience or explain how you would develop a plan for improvement if you haven’t had this responsibility before.

Example: “I would first assess the company’s current operations, including its financial reports, budgeting processes and any other relevant information. Then I would analyze the data to determine where improvements can be made. For example, in my last position as finance and operations manager, we were able to reduce our inventory by 20% after implementing new procedures for ordering supplies. This resulted in a significant reduction in costs and improved customer satisfaction.”

What is your experience with managing a team of accountants and bookkeepers?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you manage a team of employees. Use examples from your experience to explain what you did as the manager, including any steps you took to help your team members succeed in their roles.

Example: “In my previous role, I managed a team of five accountants and bookkeepers who worked on various projects for our clients. To ensure that everyone was able to complete their work efficiently, I scheduled weekly meetings with each employee to discuss their progress and provide feedback. This helped me understand which employees needed additional training or resources to improve their performance.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision regarding the finances of your company.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and whether or not you have experience making important financial decisions. Use examples from your previous work experience to highlight your critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “In my last role as a finance and operations manager, I had to decide between two different software programs for our company’s accounting needs. One program was more expensive than the other but offered more features that would benefit us in the long run. However, it also required additional training for employees who were already familiar with another system. Ultimately, I decided to go with the more expensive option because of its ability to save us money in the future.”

If hired, what would be your priorities as a finance and operations manager?

This question helps employers understand what you would focus on if hired. Priorities can vary depending on the company, but it’s important to highlight your ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks at once. In your answer, try to identify two or three things that are most important to you as a finance and operations manager.

Example: “My top priorities as a finance and operations manager would be to ensure all financial reports are accurate and submitted on time and that I’m meeting my team members’ needs. I also want to make sure we’re following any compliance regulations and maintaining our reputation as an ethical business.”

What would you do if you noticed a significant increase in spending without an obvious reason for it?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a situation that could affect the company’s finances. Your answer should show your ability to make decisions and act quickly when necessary.

Example: “If I noticed an increase in spending, I would first look at all of the expenses for the past year to see if there were any patterns or trends. If I didn’t find anything, I would then compare this month’s expenses with last month’s to see if there was a significant difference. If I still couldn’t find a reason for the increased spending, I would contact my supervisor to discuss what we should do next.”

How well do you work under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you perform in high-pressure situations. High-level positions often require working under pressure, so it’s important to show that you’re capable of handling these types of challenges. In your answer, explain a time when you worked under pressure and what steps you took to manage it effectively.

Example: “I’ve found that I work best under pressure because it motivates me to complete tasks as quickly as possible. When I’m under pressure, I make sure to prioritize my tasks and focus on completing them one at a time. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed by all of the things I need to do at once. In my last role, there were many times where I was responsible for getting projects done before deadlines. I always made sure to plan ahead and stay organized.”

Do you have experience working with vendors?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with vendors and suppliers. Use examples from previous work experiences to show how you’ve worked with vendors in the past.

Example: “In my current role, I have a lot of experience working with vendors. For example, we recently hired a new vendor for our company’s shipping needs. The vendor was able to provide us with lower rates than what we were paying before, so I helped negotiate the contract with them. This saved our company money while also providing us with better service.”

When was the last time you made a recommendation that had a significant impact on your company’s bottom line?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you are actively involved in making decisions that impact your company’s financial health. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what led you to make the recommendation and how it helped improve the company’s bottom line.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our sales team was having trouble reaching their monthly quotas. After looking into the issue further, I discovered that we were losing customers because of long wait times on customer service calls. To solve this problem, I recommended hiring more customer service representatives to reduce call wait times. This resulted in an increase in revenue from $1 million per month to $2 million per month within six months.”

We want to improve our customer service. What would be your strategy to do so?

Customer service is an important aspect of any business, and the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would improve customer satisfaction. Use your answer to highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to solve problems.

Example: “I believe that providing excellent customer service starts with hiring friendly and helpful employees. I would start by creating a training program for all new hires on how to interact with customers in a positive way. I would also make sure that all current employees are aware of our company’s policies regarding customer service. For example, if they have questions about a product or need help finding something online, they should be able to contact someone who can assist them.”

Describe your experience with financial modeling.

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with financial modeling software and how you use it. Use examples from your previous job to explain what type of modeling software you used, how often you used it and any specific skills you have that helped you complete projects more efficiently.

Example: “In my last role as a finance and operations manager, I used Microsoft Excel for most of my financial modeling. I found this program easy to use because I had some prior experience using it in college. However, I also learned new techniques for using Excel through online tutorials and by asking other employees who were more experienced with the software. This helped me learn how to create different types of models like P&L statements and balance sheets.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and why you are the best candidate for their open position. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and how they can benefit the company.

Example: “I am the best candidate for this position because I have five years of experience as a finance and operations manager. In my previous roles, I’ve proven myself to be highly organized and efficient with managing budgets and financial reports. My leadership skills also allow me to work well in a team setting while still holding my employees accountable for their work.”

Which accounting software do you have the most experience using?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience using the company’s accounting software. If you don’t have experience with their specific software, explain which accounting software you’re familiar with and why it would be easy for you to learn a new system.

Example: “I’ve used both QuickBooks and Sage in my previous roles. I find that both systems are user-friendly and relatively similar, so I’m confident I could adapt to either one quickly. However, I do prefer Sage because of its more advanced features.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of financial management?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you might approach financial management in their organization. Your answer should show that you understand what’s important about financial management, but it can also be a chance to highlight any specific skills or experiences you have with this aspect of finance.

Example: “I think communication is the most important part of financial management because it allows everyone involved to stay up-to-date on all aspects of the company’s finances. I’ve found that regular meetings are an effective way to communicate with my team members, so I hold weekly meetings where we discuss our progress and challenges. This helps me ensure that everyone has the information they need to do their job well.”

How often do you make recommendations regarding company spending?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much you value your company’s financial resources and whether you’re willing to speak up when you think a project or initiative is unnecessary. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of fiscal responsibility, but it also needs to demonstrate that you are able to balance this with innovation and creativity.

Example: “I believe strongly in maintaining a culture of frugality within my department. I always encourage my team members to consider all possible solutions before making requests for new equipment or software. However, I also know that sometimes we need to spend money to make money. If I feel like an investment will benefit our organization long-term, I am happy to recommend it.”

There is a disagreement between two members of your team about how to handle a financial issue. How do you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and disagreements in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “I would first make sure that both parties feel heard. I would then ask them for their opinions on the issue at hand. After this, I would try to find a solution that works for everyone. If there is no compromise, I would decide which approach is best for the company based on the facts of the situation.”