17 Fiscal Assistant Interview Questions and Answers

Fiscal assistants are responsible for a variety of financial tasks in an organization. They may work in accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, or payroll. No matter what area they work in, fiscal assistants need to have strong math skills and be able to pay close attention to detail.

If you’re applying for a fiscal assistant job, you can expect to be asked a mix of general and job-specific interview questions. This guide includes sample answers to both types of questions.

Are you familiar with the accounting software commonly used in this industry?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your experience with the software they use at their company. If you’re interviewing for a position that uses QuickBooks, for example, and you have previous experience using it, share how comfortable you are with the program.

Example: “I’ve used both QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics GP in my past accounting positions. I’m very familiar with both programs and can easily navigate them to complete tasks like entering financial data into reports or creating invoices.”

What are some of the most important skills for a fiscal assistant to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills and qualifications to be successful in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills that relate to the job description.

Example: “I believe some of the most important skills for a fiscal assistant are organization, attention to detail and communication. These skills allow me to keep track of all financial records and ensure they’re organized so I can find them when needed. Attention to detail is also important because I need to make sure I’m entering data accurately and maintaining accuracy throughout the entire process. Finally, strong communication skills are essential for working with other team members and managers.”

How would you describe the role of a fiscal assistant in relation to other positions in the finance department?

This question helps the interviewer assess your understanding of the role and how it fits into the organization. Your answer should show that you understand what a fiscal assistant does, but also that you know how your job relates to other positions in finance.

Example: “The role of a fiscal assistant is to support the accounting team by performing administrative tasks such as data entry, record keeping and financial reporting. My previous experience has shown me that I am capable of handling these responsibilities with ease, which makes me confident that I can do so at this company too.”

What is your experience working with invoices and other financial documents?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with the specific duties of a fiscal assistant. They want to know if you have any prior experience working in their company’s industry and how it relates to the job description. Use your answer to highlight your relevant skills, such as attention to detail and ability to work independently.

Example: “I’ve worked in accounting for five years now, but I started out my career as an invoice processor. My primary responsibility was entering invoices into our system so that they could be paid on time. I also had some experience creating reports based on the data I entered from the invoices.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to provide additional support to a department that was understaffed.

This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation where you had to take on additional responsibilities or complete tasks that were outside of your normal job duties.

Example: “At my previous position, the accounting department was understaffed for several weeks due to employees being out sick or taking vacation time. During this time, I worked overtime to ensure all financial reports were completed in a timely manner. This allowed our team to continue providing support to other departments while we waited for our staff members to return.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

This question helps employers determine how you plan to get started in your new role. They want to know that you are eager to learn and will be able to contribute right away. In your answer, explain what you would do first when starting a new job.

Example: “My top priority during my first few weeks on the job would be learning everything I can about the company’s financial systems. I would also like to meet with department heads to understand their goals for the fiscal year. Another important task would be to familiarize myself with all of the employees so I can support them as needed.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in company financial records?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your attention to detail and ability to work independently. In your answer, describe a time when you noticed a discrepancy in company financial records and how you resolved it.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, I noticed that the total sales for one day were missing from our daily sales report. I immediately contacted my supervisor to let them know about the issue. Together, we reviewed all of the receipts and invoices for that day and discovered that there was an error with the cash register software. We fixed the problem by updating the cash register software and ensuring that no other errors existed.”

How well do you perform under pressure?

This question can help the interviewer determine how well you perform in a fast-paced environment. It can also show them your ability to prioritize tasks and manage time effectively. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of when you performed under pressure and what steps you took to complete your work on time.

Example: “In my previous role as an accounting assistant, I was responsible for entering data into our financial software while simultaneously monitoring the company’s social media accounts. This required me to multitask between several different programs and websites at once. While this was challenging at first, I eventually learned to prioritize my tasks so that I could enter all of the data before checking social media.”

Do you have any questions for me about the role or our company?

This is your chance to show the interviewer that you are interested in the position and want to learn more about it. Interviewers often ask this question because they want to see if you have any questions about their company or how the role works. Before your interview, make a list of questions you can ask the interviewer. Some examples include:

“What do you like most about working here?” “How long have you worked here?” “What skills do I need for this job?” Example: “I am really excited about this opportunity and would love to work with you. I noticed on your website that you offer tuition reimbursement. I was wondering what other benefits you offer.”

When would you use a check versus a wire transfer?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of different payment methods and how you use them. Use examples from past experience to show that you know when each method is appropriate.

Example: “Wire transfers are best for large amounts, while checks are better for smaller ones. I used both in my last role because we had a lot of vendors who needed to be paid by check. However, wire transfers were necessary for paying our employees and other larger expenses. For example, I once had to send $10,000 to one vendor and $5,000 to another. I used a wire transfer for the first vendor and a check for the second.”

We want to improve our data reporting capabilities. What types of reports would you create on a regular basis?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the accounting process and how you can contribute to a team. When answering this question, it’s important to be specific about what types of reports you would create and when you would create them.

Example: “I would create monthly financial statements for all departments within the company. I would also create weekly cash flow reports that detail any changes in revenue or expenses. Finally, I would create daily expense reports so managers could see where their money was going.”

Describe your experience working with spreadsheets.

Spreadsheets are a common tool for accounting professionals, so interviewers may ask you about your experience with them. They might also want to know if you have any special skills or software that can help you succeed in the role. Use your answer to highlight your comfort level with spreadsheets and describe any unique features you’ve used.

Example: “I’ve been using Excel since I started my career as an accounting assistant. In my previous position, I was responsible for creating monthly reports from our company’s financial data. I created several different types of spreadsheets, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions. These tools helped me organize and analyze large amounts of data quickly.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this fiscal assistant 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 an organized individual who is committed to providing excellent customer service. I am always looking for ways to improve my organization skills and efficiency in completing tasks. In addition, I am highly motivated by deadlines and enjoy working with numbers. These skills make me an ideal fiscal assistant because I will be able to work independently and efficiently.”

Which accounting concepts do you find the most challenging to understand?

This question can help the interviewer determine how much accounting knowledge you already have and whether you’re willing to learn new concepts. It’s important to show that you’re open to learning more about accounting, but it’s also helpful if you mention a specific concept you’ve been able to understand in the past.

Example: “I find accrual accounting the most challenging because I’m not used to thinking of revenue as something that hasn’t yet been earned. However, I’ve learned that this is an important part of accounting for businesses, so I’ve made sure to study up on accrual accounting whenever I encounter it.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service for a fiscal assistant?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you prioritize your work and what skills you use most often. They want to know that you can provide excellent customer service while also performing other important tasks, so they might look for answers that show these abilities. When answering this question, consider which aspects of customer service are most relevant to the job and describe a time when you used those skills.

Example: “I think one of the most important aspects of customer service is being able to communicate effectively with others. I always make sure to listen carefully to my clients’ questions and respond in a way that makes them feel comfortable. This helps me learn more about their needs and find solutions to their problems. In my last position, I helped a client who was having trouble understanding his tax return. I asked him several questions to understand his concerns and then explained the process to him using simple language.”

How often should financial records be audited?

Auditing financial records is an important part of the fiscal assistant’s job. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your auditing skills and how often you perform them. Use your answer to highlight your knowledge of when it’s appropriate to audit financial records and what steps you take during the process.

Example: “I believe that all financial records should be audited at least once a month, if not more frequently. Auditing monthly allows me to ensure that I’m recording transactions accurately and consistently. If I notice any errors or discrepancies in my records, I can correct them right away so they don’t affect other areas of the company.”

There is a gap in your knowledge of accounting concepts. How would you go about learning more?

This question is a great way to determine how much you know about accounting and if there are any gaps in your knowledge. It also shows the interviewer that you’re willing to learn more, which can be an important quality for someone who will be working with numbers all day. When answering this question, it’s best to show that you have a plan for learning new concepts or information.

Example: “I’ve been taking online courses through my local community college since I graduated from high school. The classes I’m taking now are helping me understand some of the more complex accounting principles. If I had a gap in my knowledge, I would take additional courses until I felt comfortable with the concept.”