17 International Accountant Interview Questions and Answers

An international accountant is responsible for the financial reporting of a company’s activities in countries other than where the company is headquartered. They work with a variety of financial statements and reports, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements. International accountants must be able to understand and apply generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in multiple countries.

If you’re interested in becoming an international accountant, you’ll need to ace an interview first. During the interview process, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your experience, education, and skills. You may also be asked to provide examples of your work.

To help you prepare, we’ve compiled a list of sample interview questions and answers for international accountant positions.

Are you fluent in any languages besides English?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have any language skills that could be beneficial for their company. If you are fluent in a foreign language, share how it has helped you with your accounting career.

Example: “I am fluent in Spanish and French. I learned both languages in high school, and they’ve been very helpful when working with clients who speak those languages. For example, I worked with a client last year who spoke only Spanish. I was able to communicate with them effectively and help them understand the financial information we were presenting.”

What are some of your greatest strengths as an international accountant?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit into their company culture. When answering, it can be helpful to think of a few specific examples that relate to the job description or the company’s values.

Example: “I believe my greatest strengths as an international accountant are my attention to detail and my ability to work well with others. I am always sure to double-check all of my math and calculations before submitting them for client review. In addition, I enjoy collaborating with other accountants to solve complex problems. This skill has helped me become a leader in my previous positions.”

How would you describe the relationship between international accounting and domestic accounting?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the accounting industry and how it works. It also allows you to demonstrate your ability to work with domestic accountants, which can be important in this role. When answering this question, try to explain the differences between international and domestic accounting while emphasizing their similarities.

Example: “Domestic and international accounting are both essential parts of a company’s financial reporting process. While domestic accounting focuses on the finances of one country, international accounting looks at the finances of multiple countries. Both types of accounting involve recording transactions, analyzing data and preparing reports for stakeholders.”

What is the most important aspect of international accounting?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it. Your answer should include a specific example from your experience that shows your expertise in international accounting.

Example: “The most important aspect of international accounting is communication. When working with clients across borders, I make sure to communicate any changes or updates as soon as possible so they know what’s happening with their finances. This helps them plan for upcoming expenses and gives me time to prepare if there are any issues with payments or taxes.”

Provide an example of a time when you identified and resolved a financial issue in one of your clients’ international operations.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to resolve the issue and how your actions helped improve the client’s operations.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked with a large company that had several international locations. One of our clients was having issues with their inventory management system. The system wasn’t properly tracking which products were in stock at each location. This caused some locations to run out of certain products before others could receive shipments.

I met with the client to discuss the issue. We decided that we would need to create a new inventory system for all of their locations. I created a plan to implement a new inventory system within six months. My team and I worked together to develop a solution that would help the client manage their inventory more effectively. By working as a team, we were able to provide the best service possible to our client.”

If you could change one thing about the field of international accounting, what would it be?

This question is an opportunity to show your creativity and problem-solving skills. It also allows you to share a personal opinion about the accounting field, which can be helpful if you are interviewing with someone who has worked in international accounting for many years.

Example: “I would change how we educate accountants on international tax laws. I think it’s important that all accountants have at least a basic understanding of international tax law so they can help their clients understand what they need to do to stay compliant. If I could make this happen, I think it would benefit both accountants and their clients.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in one of your client’s international accounts?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to explain what steps you would take to resolve the issue and maintain client trust.

Example: “If I noticed a discrepancy in one of my clients’ international accounts, I would first make sure that I understood all of the details before reporting it to my supervisor or manager. If possible, I would contact the client directly to ask about the discrepancy and find out if they were aware of it. Once I had more information, I would report the discrepancy to my supervisor so we could discuss how to proceed. We would then decide whether to inform the client immediately or wait until we resolved the issue.”

How well do you know the International Financial Reporting Standards?

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are a set of accounting standards that apply to companies operating in the European Union. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with IFRS and how familiar you are with them. In your answer, try to show that you understand what they are and can use them effectively.

Example: “I am very familiar with the IFRS because I worked at my last company for five years where we used them. We had an accountant who specialized in IFRS so he helped us when we needed it. However, I also took some online courses on IFRS to learn more about them.”

Do you have experience working with clients from other countries?

This question can help interviewers understand your experience working with clients from other countries and how you handled the unique challenges that may have come up. Use examples from past experiences to highlight your skills, such as communication, problem-solving and adaptability.

Example: “In my current role, I work with a client who is based in Germany. We communicate primarily through email, but we also use Skype for weekly meetings. The company has been growing rapidly, so they are always looking for new ways to streamline their accounting processes. In our last meeting, I suggested implementing an online accounting software to make it easier for them to manage their finances. They were very receptive to the idea and decided to implement it.”

When preparing financial reports, what is your process for ensuring accuracy?

Accountants are responsible for ensuring that financial reports are accurate and complete. Employers ask this question to learn about your process for making sure you don’t make any mistakes when preparing these reports. Use your answer to explain the steps you take to ensure accuracy in your work.

Example: “I have a system where I check my math twice before submitting it to my manager. First, I double-check all of my numbers by hand to make sure they’re correct. Then, I use an accounting software program to check my math again. This helps me catch any errors or typos I may have made while inputting data into the computer.”

We want to expand our operations into China. Would you be willing to travel there to conduct audits?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to gauge your willingness to travel internationally. If you have experience traveling abroad, share that information with the interviewer. If you don’t have international experience, explain how you would feel about doing so and what steps you would take to prepare yourself for such an assignment.

Example: “I’ve traveled to China several times in my career, and I’m comfortable working there. However, if I were hired by this company, I would want to learn more about Chinese culture and customs before conducting audits there. I would also like to brush up on my Mandarin skills.”

Describe your process for ensuring that all of your work is accurate and up-to-date.

Accountants are responsible for ensuring that all of their work is accurate and up-to-date. This question allows you to demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to quality work.

Example: “I have a system in place where I check my work at the end of every day, which helps me ensure that everything is correct. If there’s anything I need to go back and double-check, I’ll do so before submitting my work. I also make sure to keep track of any changes or updates that may occur during the course of the month, so that I can update my records accordingly.”

What makes you a good fit for our company?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your knowledge of their company and how you can contribute to its success. Before your interview, research the organization thoroughly so you can discuss what makes it unique or interesting. You should also mention any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the job.

Example: “I am very interested in working for an international accounting firm because I have always wanted to travel. Your company offers many opportunities for growth, which is something I’m looking for in my career. I think my background as an accountant would be useful here since I have experience with both U.S. and international tax laws. I also speak two languages, which could help me communicate with clients from other countries.”

Which accounting software programs are you familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your experience with specific accounting software programs. If you have previous experience using a particular program, highlight that in your response. If you are unfamiliar with the program they use at their company, explain that you’re willing to learn new systems and update your skills.

Example: “I am familiar with both Microsoft Dynamics GP and SAP ERP Financials. I used these programs while working for my last employer, where we implemented Microsoft Dynamics GP as our primary system. However, I also learned how to navigate SAP ERP Financials when we began integrating financial data into our reports.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of international accounting?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the field and how you can contribute to the company. Your answer should include a specific skill or quality that you possess, such as communication skills or attention to detail.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of international accounting is attention to detail. When working with clients in other countries, it’s crucial to ensure all financial information is accurate. I am very thorough when completing my work, which helps me avoid any mistakes. In fact, I have never had a client dispute one of my reports.”

How often do you recommend that companies perform audits?

Audits are an important part of accounting, and the interviewer may want to know how often you recommend that your clients perform them. Use examples from past experience to show the interviewer that you understand the importance of audits and can help companies decide when they should be performed.

Example: “I believe it’s important for companies to perform regular audits so they can ensure their financial records are accurate. I usually recommend my clients perform audits every six months or once a year depending on the size of their company. Smaller businesses with fewer employees might only need to do one audit per year, while larger corporations with more complex operations might benefit from doing multiple audits each year.”

There is a new accounting standard that will replace an existing one. How would you decide when to adopt the new standard?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of accounting standards and how they affect the financial reporting process. Your answer should include an example of when you adopted a new standard in the past, as well as the steps you took to ensure it was implemented correctly.

Example: “In my last role, we were required to adhere to two different accounting standards for our international operations. The first standard was used for all domestic operations while the second one was used for all foreign operations. I met with senior management to discuss the pros and cons of adopting the new standard. We decided that the benefits outweighed the costs and began the transition process.

I created a timeline for the adoption process and worked with IT to develop software that would allow us to use both standards simultaneously until the transition was complete.”