20 Wipfli Interview Questions and Answers

Wipfli is a leading accounting and business consulting firm with offices across the United States. The company has been in business for over 90 years and employs more than 2,000 people.

If you’re hoping to land a job at Wipfli, you can expect the interview process to be competitive. The company is looking for candidates who are not only knowledgeable in their field, but also have the ability to think outside the box and provide innovative solutions.

In this guide, we’ve provided a list of sample Wipfli interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Wipfli Interview Process

The interview process at Wipfli can vary depending on the position you are applying for. Internship interviews may only consist of one phone screen followed by an interview with the team you will be working with, while more senior positions may have multiple rounds of interviews with different members of the company. Overall, the interview process is fairly standard, but can be slow moving at times.

1. What is your experience with QuickBooks?

This question is a great way to see how much experience you have with the software. If you are applying for an accounting position, it’s likely that your employer will use QuickBooks. You can answer this question by describing your previous experience and what you liked or disliked about the program.

Example: “I’ve used QuickBooks in my last two positions as an accountant. I find it easy to navigate through the program and like that it has many useful features. However, I do wish there were more options for payroll taxes. My last company had to hire someone else just to handle payroll taxes because we couldn’t figure out how to set up the system.”

2. How would you describe your work style?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their team. They want to know if you are a hard worker, detail-oriented or someone who can work independently. When answering this question, try to be honest while also showing that you have the skills needed for the job.

Example: “I am a very organized person, so I like to keep my desk clean and my files well-organized. I always make sure to back up important documents and store them in multiple places. I am also a fast learner, which helps me adapt to new projects quickly. I am always willing to take on extra tasks when needed.”

3. Please provide an example of a time when you had to make a difficult decision in the workplace.

When an interviewer asks you to provide an example of a time when you made a difficult decision, they are trying to learn more about your problem-solving skills. This is because making decisions requires critical thinking and the ability to weigh different factors before deciding on a course of action.

Example: “In my current role as a tax accountant, I am often faced with situations where I have to make tough decisions regarding how much money clients should pay in taxes. For instance, one client came to me asking for advice on what their tax rate should be. After reviewing all of their financial information, I determined that they would need to pay a higher tax rate than they were currently paying. However, I also knew that if I told them this, they might not want to work with us anymore.”

4. Tell me about a time that you had to deal with a conflict between two employees, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle interpersonal conflicts and your ability to resolve them. Use examples from previous work experiences where you helped resolve a conflict between two employees or coworkers, and highlight your communication skills and problem-solving abilities in your response.

Example: “At my last job, I had an employee who was constantly late for work. This caused other employees to have to cover for him, which led to some tension among the team. When I noticed that he was consistently late, I pulled him aside and explained that his behavior was negatively impacting the rest of the team. He apologized and promised to be on time going forward. After that, I set up weekly check-ins with him to ensure that he was following through on his promise.”

5. Do you have any experience working with international clients?

Wipfli is a global law firm, and they want to know if you have experience working with clients from other countries. This question can also help them determine whether or not you are familiar with the international tax laws that apply to their clients. In your answer, try to explain how you would handle this situation if it arose in your current role.

Example: “I do have some experience working with international clients. I worked at my previous job for two years before we hired an additional accountant who specialized in international taxes. When I first started, I was responsible for all of our client’s accounts, including those outside of the United States. I learned a lot about foreign tax laws during that time, and I am confident that I could continue to work with international clients as part of Wipfli.”

6. If hired, what do you think you could bring to Wipfli?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your skills and how you can contribute to the company. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and specific. You should highlight any unique or transferable skills that you have that would benefit Wipfli.

Example: “I think I could bring my attention to detail to Wipfli. In my last role, I was responsible for ensuring all of our client information was accurate and up-to-date. This included making sure all contact information was correct and updating billing information as needed. I also think I could help with communication at Wipfli. As someone who has worked in an office setting before, I know how important it is to stay on top of deadlines and communicate effectively.”

7. Describe your experience with tax preparation and planning.

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of tax preparation and planning. It’s also a chance to demonstrate how you can help clients with their taxes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention any certifications or licenses you have in tax preparation.

Example: “I’ve been preparing taxes for the past five years as a freelance accountant. I enjoy helping my clients understand what they need to do to prepare their taxes. In fact, I find that many people don’t know about all the deductions and credits they’re eligible for. I like being able to educate them on these things so they can get back more money than they expected.”

8. Have you worked on teams before? How well do you work with others?

Working in an accounting firm requires you to work well with others. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how they relate to the job. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you can collaborate effectively with a team.

Example: “I have worked on teams before, but I prefer working independently because it allows me to focus on my work without distractions. However, when I was working as an accountant for a small business, I had to work on a team of three people. We each took turns doing different tasks so we could all get some time to work alone. This helped us complete our projects faster than if we had done everything ourselves.”

9. Are you comfortable dealing with clients over the phone?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with clients over the phone. If you do, they may ask you to describe a time when you had to handle an issue or answer a client’s questions over the phone.

Example: “Yes, I am comfortable speaking with clients on the phone. In my last role as a financial advisor, I often spoke with clients over the phone about their accounts and how to best manage their money. I find that it is important for me to be able to explain complex financial information in a way that makes sense to clients so that they understand what we are doing.”

10. What are some things you look for when auditing financial statements?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of financial statements and how you approach auditing. Use examples from your experience to highlight your skills, such as attention to detail, communication abilities and analytical thinking.

Example: “When I’m auditing financial statements, I look for several things that could impact a company’s ability to stay profitable or meet its obligations. For example, when I was working at my previous firm, I noticed one client had an unusually high amount of accounts payable compared to other companies in their industry. When I asked about it, they told me they were waiting on payment from another client who hadn’t paid them yet. This helped us identify areas where our clients needed improvement.”

11. Why should we hire you as opposed to other candidates?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can benefit their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you an ideal candidate. You should also mention any unique or transferable skills you have that could be beneficial to the role.

Example: “I believe I am the best candidate because of my extensive knowledge in accounting software. I’ve used Wipfli for several years now, so I know all of its features and functions. I’m also familiar with many other accounting programs, which means I can easily adapt to new systems. In addition, I have excellent communication skills and strong attention to detail, both of which are essential for this position.”

12. Can you tell us about a time where you failed at something, but then learned from your mistake?

This question is a great way to learn more about how you respond to failure. It can also show the interviewer that you’re willing to take responsibility for your actions and learn from them. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and specific about what you learned from the experience.

Example: “When I first started working as an accountant, I was so focused on getting all of my client’s information entered into our system that I forgot to double-check some of the math I had done. This led to one of my clients receiving their financial statement with incorrect numbers. After realizing my mistake, I immediately contacted the client and explained what happened. They were understanding, but I still felt terrible about the situation. From then on, I made sure to always triple-check my work before sending out any reports.”

13. What is your favorite thing about accounting?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential co-workers. Employers want to know that you enjoy working in the accounting field and are passionate about what you do. When answering this question, try to focus on specific aspects of accounting that excite you.

Example: “My favorite thing about accounting is helping businesses make smart financial decisions. I love being able to use my skills to help companies grow their revenue while also saving them money. It’s rewarding to see how much our clients appreciate our work.”

14. What is your least favorite thing about accounting?

This question is a great way to see how you feel about your current job and what you might want to change. It also helps the interviewer understand if this role will be a good fit for you. When answering, try to focus on things that are specific to accounting rather than general dislike of numbers or math.

Example: “My least favorite thing about accounting is when I have to do manual calculations. I find it much more efficient to use software programs to complete my work. However, there are some companies who don’t have the budget for these types of programs, so I am happy to help them out.”

15. What type of environment do you prefer to work in?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit in with their company culture. When answering, think about what type of environment you are most productive in and why. You can also mention any specific office features that help you work better.

Example: “I am a very independent worker who prefers quiet spaces where I can focus on my tasks without interruption. However, I find that having access to other coworkers is helpful when I need advice or feedback on projects. I would love to work for a company like Wipfli, which has an open floor plan so I can easily communicate with others.”

16. Which area of accounting are you most interested in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if your interests align with their company’s goals. It also helps them understand what you might be most passionate about and how that could benefit Wipfli, .

Example: “I’m interested in all areas of accounting, but I think my strongest skill is financial analysis. I enjoy looking at a business’s numbers to see where they’re spending money and how they can save it. I find this process very rewarding because I know that by helping businesses cut costs, I’m helping them become more profitable.”

17. Describe a time you were able to successfully communicate with another person even when that individual may not have personally liked you (or vice versa).

This question is a great way to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. It also helps the interviewer understand how you may interact with their team members if they hire you.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on a project with someone who was very critical of me and my ideas. However, instead of getting defensive or upset, I listened to what he had to say and asked questions about his concerns. After doing this, I learned that he was simply looking for more information before making decisions. By asking him questions and providing additional details, I was able to help him feel more confident in our plan.”

18. When was the last time you made a presentation to a group of people? How many people were there?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential employer’s expectations for public speaking. It can also be an opportunity to show that you’re comfortable with the process and have experience doing it.

Example: “At my last job, I presented to groups of up to 50 people on a regular basis. I usually gave presentations in front of our team or department, but sometimes I had to present to clients as well. I find public speaking to be one of my greatest strengths, so I always prepared thoroughly and practiced my delivery multiple times before each presentation.”

19. What kind of software programs are you familiar with?

Wipfli uses a variety of software programs to complete projects. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using similar programs in your current or past job. List the programs you are most familiar with and explain why you’re comfortable using them.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also use Google Drive for my personal documents and spreadsheets. In my last role, I learned how to use Adobe Acrobat Pro, which is helpful when creating PDFs. I’m always eager to learn new programs that can help me do my job better.”

20. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem without having all of the information available.

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to use your critical thinking skills to find an answer or solution without all of the information available.

Example: “When I was working as a tax accountant for a small business, my client asked me to prepare their taxes before they were ready. They wanted to know what their estimated refund would be so that they could plan ahead financially. Since I hadn’t yet completed all of the calculations, I couldn’t give them an exact amount. Instead, I told them that based on our previous year’s data, they should expect a refund of around $1,500.”