17 Medical Accountant Interview Questions and Answers

As a medical accountant, you’re responsible for the financial health of a hospital, clinic, or other medical facility. You track revenue and expenses, prepare financial reports, and offer recommendations to improve the bottom line.

You need more than just financial know-how to succeed in this role. You also need people skills, as you’ll be working with patients, doctors, and other hospital staff on a daily basis. And you’ll need to be able to think on your feet, as you’ll be dealing with last-minute changes and unexpected challenges.

If you’re ready to put your skills to the test, you’ll need to first ace a job interview. We’ve put together a guide to the most common medical accountant interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your next interview.

Are you familiar with the Healthcare Financial Management Association?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are familiar with the professional organization for medical accountants. This is because many of the members of this association work in healthcare accounting, so it can be a good idea to join the association if you get the job. In your answer, try to show that you have researched the organization and would like to become a member.

Example: “I am not currently a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, but I did some research on the organization when I was applying for this position. It looks like an excellent resource for learning more about the field of healthcare accounting, and I would love to join once I start working here.”

What are some of the most important qualifications for a medical accountant?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and qualifications necessary for this role. You can answer this question by listing some of the most important qualifications, such as:

Accounting experience Medical knowledge Computer skills Familiarity with medical terminology Example: “The two most important qualifications for a medical accountant are accounting experience and familiarity with medical terminology. In my previous position, I worked in an office where we used specialized software to track patient information, so I am familiar with how these programs work. Additionally, I have been working as a full-time accountant for five years, so I have plenty of relevant experience.”

How would you describe the relationship between medical accountants and medical professionals?

This question can help interviewers understand your perspective on the role of medical accountants in a healthcare facility. Your answer should show that you respect and value the work of medical professionals while also highlighting your own expertise as a medical accountant.

Example: “Medical accountants are an important part of the healthcare team, but we’re not doctors or nurses. We provide financial support to the rest of the staff by helping them manage their budgets and providing reports about how much money is coming into the hospital. This information helps medical professionals make decisions about patient care and other aspects of running the hospital.”

What is the difference between a balance sheet and an income statement?

This question is a great way to test your accounting knowledge and how well you can explain complex concepts. Balance sheets and income statements are two of the most important documents in accounting, so it’s essential that medical accountants understand them thoroughly. Your answer should include an explanation of each document and what they’re used for.

Example: “A balance sheet shows a company’s assets, liabilities and equity at a specific point in time. It also includes information about its owner’s capital and profit or loss. An income statement shows a company’s revenue, expenses and net profit over a period of time. These documents are both very useful because they show different aspects of a business.”

Provide an example of how you would improve the accounting process at a medical practice.

This question can help interviewers understand your problem-solving skills and how you would apply them to the accounting department of a medical practice. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you improved an accounting process or helped implement new processes that made the company more efficient.

Example: “At my previous job, I noticed that our billing system was taking longer than usual to generate reports for patients’ insurance companies. After investigating why this was happening, I found out that we were using multiple software programs to track patient information, which caused some issues with generating accurate reports. To solve this issue, I worked with the IT department to create a single database that could integrate all of the information from each software program into one report.”

If you saw a mistake in one of your previous financial reports, how would you handle it?

This question can help interviewers understand how you handle mistakes and errors in your work. It can also show them how you would respond to a mistake made by someone else on the team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a time when you found an error in one of your reports or financial documents and how you fixed it.

Example: “When I find a mistake in my work, I first try to figure out what caused it. If I make a mistake myself, I will correct it immediately. If I see that another accountant has made a mistake, I will let them know right away so they can fix it. In both situations, I am always sure to document the mistake so we can learn from our errors.”

What would you do if you noticed a discrepancy in a patient’s account?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you handle errors and whether you have a process for addressing them. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to communicate with others and attention to detail.

Example: “If I noticed an error in a patient’s account, I would first try to find out if there was any information that I may have missed when entering data into the system. If I couldn’t find anything wrong on my end, I would contact the physician who ordered the test or procedure to see if they had any additional information about the discrepancy. If it still wasn’t resolved after speaking with the doctor, I would report the issue to my supervisor so we could discuss what steps to take next.”

How well do you understand the HIPAA laws and their impact on medical accountants?

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of an individual’s medical records. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand how important it is to keep patient information confidential. Use your answer to show that you know what HIPAA is and why it’s important for medical accountants to follow its guidelines.

Example: “I am very familiar with the HIPAA laws, as I have taken several courses on them in my accounting program. The reason these laws are so important for medical accountants is because they protect patients’ private health information. As a medical accountant, I would never share any patient data without their permission or unless required by law.”

Do you have experience using medical accounting software?

Employers ask this question to see if you have experience using the software they use in their office. If you don’t, it’s a good idea to learn about the software before your interview so you can show that you’re willing to learn and adapt quickly.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of medical accounting software throughout my career. I find that each system has its own benefits, but I prefer systems that are user-friendly and easy to navigate. In my last role, we used an online platform that was very helpful for tracking patient information and generating reports. I’m confident that I could easily adapt to any type of software.”

When preparing financial reports, what is the most important thing you do to ensure accuracy?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and attention to detail necessary for this role. Use examples from previous experience where you were able to ensure accuracy in your work.

Example: “I always double-check my math, especially when I’m working with large sums of money. In my last position, I noticed a discrepancy between two accounts, which led me to discover that one patient was being billed twice for their treatment. This mistake would have been costly if it wasn’t for my thoroughness in checking my work.”

We want to improve our inventory management. Describe the steps you would take to implement an efficient system.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work as part of a team. Your answer should include the steps you would take to implement inventory management, including how you would communicate with other employees about the changes.

Example: “I would first meet with the department manager to discuss their goals for inventory management. Then I would create a spreadsheet that includes all items in stock, along with the quantity on hand and the amount used per month. After this, I would hold a meeting with all staff members who use supplies to explain the new system and ask them to report any discrepancies within two weeks. This will give me time to adjust the inventory levels before the next billing cycle.”

Describe your experience with working in teams and your approach to collaborating with other medical professionals.

Working in a team is an important part of being a medical accountant. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with others and that you know how to collaborate effectively. In your answer, explain what makes you a good teammate and the strategies you use to work well with other professionals.

Example: “I’ve worked as a medical accountant for five years now, so I’m used to collaborating with my colleagues. When working on projects with my team, I try to be open-minded about different ideas and suggestions. This helps me learn from my coworkers and develop new skills. I also like to take initiative when it comes to solving problems or finding solutions to issues. By offering my input early, I can help move our projects along more quickly.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their organization. To answer this question, think of a skill or quality that makes you unique from other candidates. You could also share an accomplishment that shows you are qualified for the role.

Example: “I have five years of experience as a medical accountant, which is more than most people in my field. I am also certified by the American Institute of Medical Accounting, so I know all the latest accounting methods. In addition, I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which means I will be able to keep track of important information accurately.”

Which accounting software programs are you familiar with?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using the same software they use in their office. If you don’t have experience with the accounting program they use, consider asking them which one they use and researching it before your interview.

Example: “I am familiar with both QuickBooks and Peachtree Accounting. I used Peachtree for my previous employer, where we had a small staff that needed an easy-to-use system. However, I also understand how important it is to be able to share information between departments, so I learned how to use QuickBooks as well. This allowed me to work on projects involving multiple departments within the hospital.”

What do you think is the most important skill for a medical accountant to have?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have the skills and abilities needed for this role. You can answer by identifying a skill from the job description, such as communication or attention to detail, and explaining how you use it in your work.

Example: “I think the most important skill for a medical accountant is attention to detail because they are responsible for ensuring all financial records are accurate. I am very organized and methodical, which helps me ensure I don’t miss anything when entering data into the system. In my previous position, I was able to reduce errors by 20%.”

How often do you perform audits?

Audits are an important part of the accounting process, and employers want to know how often you perform them. They also want to know what your audit process is like. In your answer, explain that audits are a regular part of your job. Explain exactly what steps you take when performing an audit.

Example: “I perform audits at least once per month. I start by reviewing all patient records for any discrepancies or errors. If I find anything, I will correct it in my system and then compare the new numbers with the previous ones. I’ll make sure they match up before submitting them to management.”

There is a new law that impacts how you report financial information. How do you adjust your process?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate will react to change. It also shows that you are aware of current laws and regulations, which can be beneficial for your organization.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood what the new law required me to do. Then, I would adjust my process accordingly. If it was something minor, like changing the format of a report, then I would update the existing system. However, if it was something more significant, such as requiring us to use a different software program, then I would work with management to find an alternative solution.”