20 Marcum LLP Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, preparation is key. And when you’re interviewing with a specific company, it’s important to do your research and be prepared to answer questions about the company itself.

If you’re interviewing with Marcum LLP, a leading independent public accounting and advisory services firm, you’ll want to be prepared to answer questions about the company.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of sample Marcum LLP interview questions and answers that you can use to develop your own responses.

Marcum LLP Interview Process

The Marcum LLP interview process varies depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one in-person interview. For some positions, such as internships, you may only need to interview with HR. For others, such as managers or senior accountants, you may need to interview with multiple people, including partners and other high-level employees. Overall, the interview process is generally relaxed and conversational.

1. What are your long-term career goals?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your career aspirations and how they align with Marcum’s goals. Your answer should include what you hope to achieve in your career, as well as any steps you’ve taken to prepare for those achievements.

Example: “I want to become a partner at an accounting firm like Marcum. To do that, I plan to continue my education by pursuing my CPA certification and continuing my professional development through courses and seminars. I also plan to work hard and show my value to this company so that I can be considered for promotion.”

2. Which accounting software programs do you have experience with?

Marcum uses a variety of accounting software programs, so it’s important to be familiar with the ones they use. When answering this question, list the specific programs you have experience with and explain how you learned about them.

Example: “I’ve used both QuickBooks and Xero in previous positions, but I also know that Marcum uses NetSuite for its cloud-based accounting system. I took an online course on NetSuite last year when I was looking into different companies, so I’m confident I can learn any new systems quickly.”

3. Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a difficult client, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges in your work. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant at a small firm, I had a client who was very demanding. They would call me several times a day with questions about their financial statements and often asked for updates that were not required by law. I tried to be patient with them but eventually told them they could only contact me once a week unless there was something urgent. This helped reduce the stress of working with this particular client.”

4. What is the most challenging aspect of being an accountant?

This question can help the interviewer understand what you find challenging in your career and how you overcome those challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific situation where you overcame a challenge as an accountant.

Example: “The most challenging aspect of being an accountant is having to work with numbers all day long. I enjoy accounting because I like solving problems and using math to do so, but sometimes it can get tedious working with numbers all day. To combat this, I make sure to take breaks throughout the day and listen to music while I’m working on my projects.”

5. How would you prioritize your day if you were working on multiple projects at once?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you manage your time and workload. It’s important to show that you have strong organizational skills, especially if you’re applying for a position in accounting or finance.

Example: “I would start my day by checking emails and responding to any urgent messages. Then I would prioritize my tasks based on deadlines and urgency. If there are multiple projects with due dates within the same week, I would complete those first before moving onto other projects. This helps me stay organized and ensures that I’m meeting all of my deadlines.”

6. If a project was running behind schedule and over budget, what steps would you take to rectify the situation?

This question can help interviewers understand your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Use examples from previous experience where you helped a project meet its deadline or budget goals.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a large client’s annual financial statement when the company decided to merge with another organization. This required me to rework all of the financial statements for both companies, which put us behind schedule. However, I worked closely with my team to prioritize our tasks so we could get the majority of the work done by the deadline. We also had to adjust our budget to account for the extra time it took to complete the task.”

7. When have you had to work under pressure or tight deadlines?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of how you handle stress and pressure. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your ability to work under pressure, prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

Example: “In my last position as an accountant at a small business, I had to balance multiple projects with tight deadlines. One project in particular was due on the same day that our company’s financial records were due to the IRS. This meant I had to work late into the night to ensure all documents were filed correctly and on time. In the end, I managed to complete both projects successfully.”

8. Why should we hire you for this position?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly review the job description so that you can reference specific skills or requirements in your answer.

Example: “I am an extremely organized individual who has experience with managing multiple projects at once. I have excellent time management skills and always meet deadlines. In my previous role as an accountant, I was responsible for overseeing financial records of several companies, which included preparing tax returns and ensuring all documents were filed on time. I also worked closely with clients to ensure they understood the process and provided them with any additional information they needed.”

9. Describe your experience with tax preparation.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of tax preparation and how you can help clients with their taxes. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about your experience level. If you have no prior experience preparing taxes, you can talk about the steps involved in doing so or what you’ve learned from watching others prepare taxes.

Example: “I’ve never prepared a client’s taxes before, but I did watch my father do his own taxes for many years. He taught me some basic principles of tax preparation that I still use today when filing my own taxes.”

10. What is your level of expertise in tax compliance matters?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of tax compliance matters and how you can apply it to the role. To answer this question, list any certifications or licenses you have in tax compliance. If you don’t have any, explain what experience you have with tax compliance matters.

Example: “I am a CPA, which means I’m licensed to practice accounting anywhere in the country. In addition to my certification, I also completed a specialization course on tax compliance at Marcum University. This course gave me a deeper understanding of tax compliance laws and regulations.”

11. Do you have any experience with Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 audits?

This question is a great way to determine if the company you’re interviewing with has experience working with public companies. If they do, it’s likely that you’ll be doing some work in this area as well. This is an important part of accounting because it ensures that the financial reports being released by public companies are accurate and reliable.

Example: “I have worked on several Section 404 audits for clients who were public companies. I find them to be very interesting because there are so many different aspects to consider when performing one. It’s also nice to know that my client is providing their investors with accurate information.”

12. Have you ever experienced conflict within a team environment, how did you resolve it?

Marcum is looking for candidates who can work well with others and resolve conflict. This question helps them determine if you have experience working in a team environment, how you resolved the conflict and what skills you used to do so.

Example: “I once worked on a project where I was the only accountant. The client wanted me to complete all of their financial statements by myself, which would take me longer than usual. I spoke with my manager about this issue and they helped me find another accountant to help me finish the project. We were able to meet the deadline and maintain our high quality of work.”

13. Are you comfortable meeting with clients?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you’re a good fit for their company. They want to know that you enjoy interacting with clients and helping them solve problems. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have working directly with clients.

Example: “I love meeting with clients because it’s an opportunity to learn more about their business and how we can work together to achieve their goals. I’ve worked with many different types of businesses, so I feel confident in my ability to meet with new clients and provide them with solutions to their accounting needs.”

14. What type of industries do you think you would be interested in specializing in?

Marcum is a firm that offers services to clients in many different industries. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience working with their client base and whether you would be interested in doing so. When answering, try to highlight your relevant skills and experiences.

Example: “I’ve worked for several large companies in the past, but I also enjoy working with small businesses. I think my communication and problem-solving skills are valuable no matter what type of company I work for. However, I do think it’s important to find an employer who shares similar values to mine. Marcum seems like a great place to continue developing my career as a public accountant.”

15. Do you consider yourself more of a leader or a follower?

This question is designed to determine your leadership style and how you would interact with other team members. It’s important for accounting professionals to be able to work well in teams, so hiring managers want to know that you can collaborate effectively. In your answer, try to explain what makes you a good leader or follower depending on the situation.

Example: “I consider myself more of a leader than a follower. I’m very motivated by challenges and enjoy helping others succeed. However, I also understand that there are times when it’s better to follow rather than lead. For example, if my supervisor has a different idea about something, I will defer to their judgment. I believe that as long as everyone is working toward the same goal, we should all feel comfortable sharing our opinions.”

16. How would you describe your leadership style?

Marcum is looking for a leader who can inspire and motivate their team to achieve the company’s goals. Your answer should show that you are confident in your leadership skills, but also humble enough to recognize areas where you need improvement.

Example: “I believe my leadership style is one of collaboration. I am always open to hearing other people’s ideas and opinions on how we can improve our processes or implement new ones. I like to encourage my team members to take ownership of projects so they feel invested in them. This helps me build trust with my employees and motivates them to work hard.”

17. Give us an example of a time when you disagreed with a decision made by your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle disagreements and challenges in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight your ability to communicate effectively with others, collaborate on projects and solve problems.

Example: “When I first started working as an accountant for Marcum, my manager asked me to complete a project that required me to work late into the evening. I was hesitant about staying so late because I had plans to meet friends later that night. However, I knew it was important to complete the task before the deadline, so I told my manager about my plans and offered to stay late two nights in a row to make up for any lost time.”

18. We want our new hires to become partners one day, why do you think you would be a good fit?

This question is a great way to see if you have the ambition and drive to become a partner at Marcum. You should answer this question by explaining why you want to be a part of Marcum, what your career goals are and how you plan on achieving them.

Example: “I think I would make a good fit for Marcum because I am passionate about my work and always strive to do my best. I also believe that I have the skills necessary to succeed in an accounting firm like yours. I understand that it takes hard work and dedication to become a partner, so I will put in the effort needed to get there.”

19. Tell me about a time that you went above and beyond for a client, what did you do?

This question is a great way to show your dedication and passion for the accounting industry. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of an example that highlights your skills as well as your willingness to go above and beyond for clients.

Example: “When I was working at my previous firm, one of my clients called me in a panic because they had lost their financial records. They were worried about how this would affect their taxes and asked if there was anything I could do to help them. I told them not to worry and that I would find their documents. I spent hours searching through our office until I found the client’s files. The client was so grateful and said that without my help, they wouldn’t have been able to file their taxes on time.”

20. We believe that our employees need to be able to work both independently and as part of a group. How would you rate your ability to work in these environments?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a team player and can work well with others. It’s also an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills, as you’ll likely be working in teams throughout your time at Marcum.

Example: “I believe I am quite capable of working both independently and collaboratively. In my last position, I was often tasked with completing projects on my own, but I also worked alongside other accountants to complete larger assignments. I enjoy collaborating with others because it allows me to learn new things from my colleagues and develop relationships with them.”