17 Financial Secretary Interview Questions and Answers

Bookkeeping, accounting, and financial secretaries are responsible for the financial well-being of a company. They keep track of the company’s expenses and income, as well as preparing and issuing financial statements. They also may be responsible for paying bills, invoicing customers, and managing payroll.

If you want to work as a financial secretary, you’ll need to be able to answer financial secretary interview questions. In this guide, you’ll find sample questions and answers that will help you prepare for your interview.

Are you familiar with the basic accounting principles used to manage finances?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your accounting knowledge and determine whether you have the necessary skills to perform the job. To answer this question, you can list some of the basic principles used in accounting and explain how they apply to financial management.

Example: “I am familiar with the double-entry system, which is a method for recording transactions by using debits and credits. I also understand that accrual accounting records revenue when it’s earned rather than when it’s received. In my last role as an accountant, I used these two methods to manage company finances.”

What are some of the most important things you do to protect the financial information of your organization?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle confidential information and whether you have experience with security measures. Your answer should include a few examples of what you do to protect financial data, including any specific training or certifications you may have.

Example: “I am very aware of who has access to our organization’s financial records and only give that information to those authorized to see it. I also make sure to shred documents containing sensitive information before disposing of them. In my previous role, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s password system, which required me to change passwords every 30 days.”

How would you handle a situation where a board member or volunteer consistently overspent their budget?

This question can help interviewers assess your ability to manage budgets and financial reports. Use examples from previous experience where you helped a client or supervisor balance their budget or spending plan.

Example: “I once worked with a nonprofit organization that had several board members who consistently overspent their monthly budget. I met with each of them individually to discuss the issue, and we came up with solutions for how they could spend within their budget. For example, one board member was using her credit card to pay for meals when she was out of town on business trips. We discussed other options like setting up an expense account so she could use it to cover those costs instead.”

What is your process for reconciling bank statements?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach a task that is often part of your daily responsibilities as a financial secretary. Your answer should include the steps you take to complete this process and highlight any specific skills or techniques you use to make sure you accurately record all transactions.

Example: “I start by sorting through each bank statement, removing any receipts I find in the envelope and organizing them into piles based on vendor name. Then, I enter the transaction amounts from each receipt into my accounting software so I can match up the numbers with the corresponding receipts. Once I’ve entered all of the receipts, I compare the totals for each account listed on the bank statement to the total amount recorded in my software.”

Provide an example of a time when you used your research skills to find a better deal on a financial service for your organization.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your research skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering, consider providing an example that highlights your ability to find information online or through other resources and use it to help your organization save money on financial services.

Example: “In my last role as a financial secretary for a small business, I noticed our company was paying more than $100 per month for its website hosting service. After researching different providers, I found one that offered similar features at half the price. The company decided to switch hosts, which saved us over $1,000 each year.”

If you discovered that a former employee had not completed tax paperwork for the past five years, what would you do?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to take responsibility for your actions and want to ensure the company is compliant with tax laws.

Example: “If I discovered this, I would immediately contact the former employee to see if they had any paperwork or documentation we could use to complete their taxes. If not, I would work with our HR department to determine what action we should take. Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to file an extension until we have all of the information needed to complete the taxes.”

What would you do if you noticed that the financial secretary from another church in your denomination was making questionable financial decisions?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to speak up when necessary and that you value integrity in the workplace.

Example: “I would first approach them privately to see if they were aware of their mistake. If not, I would explain what was happening and offer my assistance with fixing it. If they still didn’t take action, I would report the issue to our church’s financial director or pastor so that they could address the problem. As a professional, I want to ensure that all churches within my denomination are making ethical decisions.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work under pressure and still meet deadlines. Employers ask this question because they want to know that you can handle multiple tasks at once, prioritize important projects and manage time effectively. In your answer, explain how you stay organized and focused when working under tight deadlines.

Example: “I am a very organized person who likes to plan ahead. I find that being prepared for any situation helps me perform well under pressure. When I have a lot of things to do in a short amount of time, I make sure to prioritize my tasks so I can get the most important ones done first. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed by all the different projects I have going on.”

Do you have experience preparing reports for church services or other events?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with financial reports and how you might handle similar tasks in this role. Use examples from your previous work to highlight your skills, such as attention to detail, organization and communication abilities.

Example: “In my last position, I prepared weekly reports for church services that included a balance sheet of all incoming and outgoing funds, including donations and tithes. This helped me stay organized and ensure I had all the information needed for each service. I also used these reports to communicate any issues or concerns to my supervisor so they could address them before the service.”

When working with a team, what is your approach to resolving conflicts?

Working with a team is an important part of being a financial secretary. Employers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others and resolve conflicts in the workplace. Your answer should show that you are willing to compromise and collaborate with your coworkers.

Example: “I believe it’s important to be open-minded when working with a team. I try my best to listen to everyone’s opinions, even if they differ from mine. This helps me understand where other people are coming from and find common ground. If we still can’t agree on something, I suggest finding someone else who may have more experience or knowledge about the situation. Sometimes getting another opinion can help us come up with a solution.”

We want to improve our cybersecurity. What steps would you take to secure our financial information and systems?

Cybersecurity is a growing concern for many businesses, and the interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your knowledge of cybersecurity best practices. In your answer, explain how you would implement security measures into your daily work routine.

Example: “I would make sure that all financial documents are stored in secure locations with limited access. I would also ensure that our computers have up-to-date antivirus software installed and regularly updated. I would encourage my colleagues to use complex passwords and change them frequently. Finally, I would educate myself on new cyber threats so I can be aware of any changes or developments.”

Describe your experience with using financial software and other tools to complete your work.

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience with using financial software and other tools that help you complete your work. Use your answer to describe the types of financial software or tools you’ve used in previous roles, how often you use them and what you like most about these programs.

Example: “In my last role as a financial secretary, I used several different types of financial software to manage our company’s finances. Some of the software I used included Microsoft Excel for budgeting and forecasting, QuickBooks for accounting and TurboTax for tax preparation. I find that using multiple types of software helps me stay organized and ensures I can access all relevant information when needed.”

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

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 all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also mentioning any transferable skills you have.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me a great financial secretary. I am also proficient in Microsoft Office programs, so I know I can easily adapt to new software if needed. My communication skills are excellent, and I am always willing to help others. These skills make me confident that I would be able to excel in this position.”

Which of the financial secretary roles do you feel you excel in the most?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your skills and experience. They want to know which role you feel most comfortable in, but they also want to see that you can perform all the duties of a financial secretary. When answering this question, try to focus on one specific skill or duty that you excel at.

Example: “I feel I am best suited for the administrative side of being a financial secretary. I enjoy organizing files and spreadsheets, entering data into databases and managing correspondence. These tasks are my favorite part of the job, so I would be excited to continue doing them if hired.”

What do you think is the most important thing that a financial secretary can do to help a church thrive?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your knowledge and experience in working for a church. Use examples from your previous job to explain what you think is important for financial secretaries to do to help their churches thrive financially.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important things a financial secretary can do to help a church thrive is to be organized. I have worked with many different types of budgets, including capital expenditures, operating expenses and more. Being able to organize all of these documents into an easy-to-read format helps me communicate information to my team members and other stakeholders within the organization.”

How often should financial records be updated?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of financial recordkeeping. Your answer should include a specific time frame and how you ensure records are up to date.

Example: “I update financial records at least once per month, but I also check them weekly for any discrepancies or missing information. This helps me stay on top of all transactions so that I can make sure they’re recorded accurately. If there’s an error in my monthly report, I’ll correct it as soon as possible so that it doesn’t affect other reports.”

There is a disagreement between board members about how to handle a specific financial issue. How would you resolve the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle conflict in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with others.

Example: “I would first try to get all of the facts about the disagreement, including what each board member’s opinion is on the issue. I would then meet with both parties separately to discuss their opinions and find out why they feel so strongly about the situation. After gathering all of this information, I would create a compromise that allows both sides to be satisfied while also meeting the organization’s needs.”