20 Xero Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviews, being prepared is key. And if you’re interviewing for a position at Xero, you’ll want to be ready to answer questions about the company, its products, and your experience with accounting software.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of sample Xero interview questions and answers. With these questions and your own preparation, you’ll be ready to take on any interview that comes your way.

Xero Interview Process

The interview process at Xero can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least a phone screening interview, followed by one or more in-person interviews. For some positions, you may also be required to take a technical test or complete a video interview. Overall, the interview process is generally straightforward and efficient, with most candidates being able to complete the entire process within a few weeks.

1. What is the one thing that would make you want to work at Xero?

This question is a great way to show your enthusiasm for the company and its mission. It also gives you an opportunity to highlight something specific about Xero that excites you.

Example: “I would love to work at Xero because of its commitment to small businesses. I believe in the power of small business, and I think it’s important to support companies that are committed to helping them succeed. In my last role, I helped a local bakery with their bookkeeping. They were able to use Xero to grow their business by 10%.”

2. How much do you know about our company and products?

This question is a great way to show your research skills and knowledge of the company. It’s important to know about the products, services or goods that the company offers as well as any recent news or developments.

Example: “I’ve done quite a bit of research on your company and I’m very impressed with what you have to offer small businesses. Your software seems easy to use and has many features that would be beneficial for my clients. I also read an article recently about how you’re expanding into new markets and offering more training opportunities for accountants.”

3. Talk about a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict. They want to know that you can remain calm and professional when faced with a challenging situation. In your answer, try to highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to communicate effectively.

Example: “I once had a customer who was upset because they didn’t receive their invoice on time. I explained to them that the delay was due to an issue with our software. The customer seemed satisfied with my explanation, but I also offered to send them a late fee discount as an apology for the inconvenience.”

4. Describe your experience working in sales.

This question is a great way to gauge your sales experience and how you apply it to the role. If you have no prior experience, consider describing an instance where you helped someone make a decision or encouraged them to take action.

Example: “I’ve worked in customer service for several years, so I’m used to helping customers find solutions to their problems. In my last position, I noticed that many of our clients were looking for more detailed information about our products. So, I created a brochure with all of our product details and sent it out to all of our existing customers. This resulted in a 10% increase in revenue.”

5. Tell us about an innovative product or service idea you have.

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have any innovative ideas that could help their company. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific idea and how it would benefit the company or industry.

Example: “I’ve always been passionate about helping small businesses grow. I think there is a lot of opportunity for Xero to create an online course on accounting software for small business owners. This course could teach people how to use Xero’s software and give them tips on running their business more efficiently.”

6. Do you have any accounting software experience?

This question is a great way to gauge your experience level with Xero and other accounting software. If you have no prior experience, it’s important to highlight any relevant skills that can help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I’ve used several different accounting software programs throughout my career, including FreshBooks, Wave Accounting and QuickBooks Online. I find each program has its own unique features, but I prefer using QuickBooks because of its ability to integrate seamlessly with third-party applications like payroll services.”

7. Why should we hire you over another candidate with similar qualifications?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are confident in your abilities and have a strong desire for this position. When answering, highlight your relevant skills and experience and explain how they will benefit the company if you’re hired.

Example: “I am highly organized and detail-oriented, which makes me an excellent bookkeeper. I also have extensive knowledge of Xero accounting software, so I know exactly what it takes to be successful in this role. My communication skills are exceptional, and I’m always willing to help others learn new things. These qualities make me the ideal candidate for this job.”

8. What is your biggest weakness as it relates to this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit into their company culture. They want to know that you are honest, humble and willing to improve yourself. When answering this question, try to think of a weakness that you have actively worked on improving or one that is not as important in the role you’re applying for.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person, which can sometimes be my biggest weakness. I like to get things done right away, so I often jump ahead when working on projects without waiting for instructions from my manager. In my last position, my manager helped me understand that it’s okay to wait until they give me instructions before beginning work.”

9. Are you willing to relocate?

If the company you’re interviewing with is looking to expand their business into new areas, they may ask this question. If you are not willing to relocate, be honest and explain why. If you are willing to relocate, let them know where you would be open to moving.

Example: “I am currently living in New York City, but I’m open to relocating if it means working for your company. I have always wanted to visit San Francisco.”

10. Can you tell me about an issue you solved for a client that was particularly challenging?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use examples from your experience to highlight your problem-solving skills, communication abilities and attention to detail.

Example: “I had a client who was using Xero for their accounting software but wasn’t sure how to use it effectively. I met with them in person to learn more about what they needed and helped them set up their account so that they could start tracking their finances. They were very happy with my assistance and said they felt much more confident using the software.”

11. Do you have any coding languages that you are proficient in?

This question is a great way to see if you have any experience with Xero’s coding language, which is called APEX. If you do not have any experience with APEX, it can be beneficial to show the interviewer that you are willing to learn and develop your skills in this area.

Example: “I am proficient in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, but I would love to learn more about APEX as I think it will help me become an even better bookkeeper.”

12. Have you ever worked on an agile team before?

Agile teams are common in the accounting industry, and your interviewer may want to know if you have experience working on one. If you do, share a specific example of how you contributed to the team’s success. If you don’t, explain what an agile team is and why it’s important for businesses to use them.

Example: “I’ve worked on several agile teams throughout my career. I find that they’re great for keeping projects organized and ensuring that everyone stays on track. In my last role, we used Agile to manage our client work. We would hold daily stand-up meetings where each member of the team would report their progress from the previous day. Then, we would discuss any challenges or questions we had about the project.”

13. If hired, how would you approach developing new features for our customers?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with others. You can highlight your analytical, communication and teamwork skills by describing a time you worked on a project that required these abilities.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood the customer’s needs before approaching my manager about developing new features. If there was a feature missing from Xero that could help our customers, I would work with my team members to develop it. For example, when I worked at XYZ Accounting Firm, we had a client who needed more detailed reports for their financial statements. We collaborated with the client to create customized reports within Xero.”

14. Do you consider yourself a self-starter? Give an example of a project you started independently.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to work independently and take initiative. You can also use this as a chance to highlight any skills you have that are relevant to the job, such as time management or communication.

Example: “I am definitely a self-starter. In my last role, I noticed our company was missing out on some tax deductions because we weren’t properly categorizing expenses. So, I took it upon myself to create a spreadsheet with all of our expenses categorized by type so we could track them more easily. This helped us save money in taxes and led to me being promoted to bookkeeper.”

15. In what ways are you creative?

Employers ask this question to see if you can apply your creativity and problem-solving skills to their company. They want employees who are able to use their unique talents to help the company grow. When answering, think of a time when you used your creative abilities to solve a problem or complete a task.

Example: “I am very creative in my work as an accountant. For example, I once had a client who was looking for ways to save money on his business’s utilities bill. After talking with him about his current expenses, I realized that he could lower his monthly costs by switching to LED light bulbs. He agreed to try them out, and after two months, he saw a significant decrease in his utility bill.”

16. What kind of programming language did you use most often during school?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your technical skills and how you might fit into their company. If they use Xero’s programming language, it can be an indication that you’re familiar with the software and could potentially start working right away.

Example: “I used Java most often during school because I was taking classes in computer science. However, I also have experience using C++, Python and JavaScript.”

17. How comfortable are you using cloud services?

Cloud services are a common feature of many accounting software programs. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience using cloud-based applications and how comfortable you are with them. In your answer, try to show that you understand the benefits of cloud computing and can use it effectively.

Example: “I am very comfortable using cloud services because I’ve used them for my entire career. When I first started as an accountant, I was working in a small firm where we didn’t have our own servers or IT department. We had to rely on cloud services instead, so I learned how to use those systems effectively. Now, I’m looking for a new opportunity where I can continue to use these types of services.”

18. How would you approach teaching someone a new skill?

This question can help interviewers understand your teaching skills and how you might approach training others in the workplace. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you are a strong communicator who is able to break down complex processes into easy-to-understand steps.

Example: “I would first make sure they have all of the necessary resources, such as time or software, to complete the task. Then I would give them an overview of what we’re going to do and why it’s important. After that, I would walk them through each step until they feel comfortable doing it on their own.”

19. What type of computer operating system do you prefer to use?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn about your computer skills and preferences. It’s important to be honest in this type of question, as you may need to use the operating system they prefer. If you’re not sure what operating system the company uses, it’s best to answer that you’re comfortable with multiple operating systems.

Example: “I’m most comfortable using Windows 10, but I’ve also used Mac OS X and Linux. I find that I can adapt quickly to new operating systems.”

20. Have you used any of our competitors’ products? If so, which ones?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience with other accounting software. If you’ve used any of Xero’s competitors, explain how they compare and what features are better in Xero.

Example: “I’ve used both FreshBooks and Wave Accounting before. I found that while both were easy to use, the reporting tools in Xero are much more robust than either of them. In my last role, I was able to create custom reports for my clients based on their specific needs, which helped me streamline my workflow.”