[Anonymous]

I have an interview tomorrow for an PT Staff Accountant position with an VP of the company.

I know, every interview ends with employer saying,. “Do you have any question for me”….I usually don’t..LOL..which is bad.

This is part-time job, so I know, it won’t qualify for accounting experience, b/c my state require full-time experience for 1 yr..

so what if employer ask me, why I am applying for PT position, or ask me would I be interested in FT position later on in the future.

wish me good luck..

[mla1169]

For those “I don't know” or I am not familiar with questions, I usually have a day planner with me and I jot them down (during the interview). Gives the appearance that I am eager to learn new things to the point of starting to look them up before I even have received an offer.

I am currently interviewing and fortunate that most of the process so far has been by email. The folks trying to hire me are in Europe so a face to face interview isn't possible. I swear everybody should have the opportunity to email a Q&A first gives you time to think through your responses first and a feel for the interviewers mindset before the first telephone conversation.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

*UPDATE from original Poster**

Today, I got an call for second, interview, which is on Monday.

I want thanks every here at A71 family. for all their help to get me to second interview. I know, this is final interview, where I will sign job offer 🙂

any suggestion, or what should I ask now, or what should I expect??

They didn't discuss any salary/schedule at 1st interview. they asked me few accounting related question, which I was unable to answer or gave wrong answer, should I try to find correct answer, b/c they might asked me again.

this time I would be sitting front of CEO, CFO, HR manager.

[MustPass1988]

For my current job, I had 4 phone interviews and then a full day of 45 minute interviews (total of 8). It was overkill but whatever. The VP that I interviewed with never asked me a single question- I asked him question after question for the full 45 minutes and tried to turn it into a normal conversation. Be prepared if something like that happens. I would really thoroughly research the company- make sure to mention any acquisitions, contracts won, etc if/when the time is right in the interview. Also, I just had an interview the other day for a financial analyst position and they asked me what I thought about the economy, why I thought it was doing better/worse and why. I felt like a total idiot because I didn't have a lot to say about it….so now I've been ready the WSJ like crazy 🙂 Good luck!

AUD: PASSED [81]; Expired, retaking August 23rd
BEC: PASSED [83]; Expired, retaking July 11th
REG: PASSED [83]
FAR: FAILED [64]; Retaking May 23rd

[gousc12]

My go to question…which got a big 4 partner to say to me “wow in over 20 years of doing interviews for candidates I have never been asked this question”…

To set it up this was in reference to someone entering the public accounting profession from school.

“What was your biggest weakness or challenge that you faced when you began your career at (firm)? And how did the firm help facilitate your improvement?

He then spent 15 minutes answering those 2 questions…and I got the job.

BEC - 88
AUD - 94
REG - 87
FAR - May 31

[logueco]

I think people often make the mistake of trying to ask too much of a technical question to make it seem as though they really know what they are talking about or show off their interest, but I think thats the wrong route to take.

If you've already made it to the interview stage then they've most likely decided that at least academically/skill wise you fit the description. When it comes to the interviews they are testing how you respond to their questions, but also and possibly more importantly whether they want to work with you and how your personality would fit within the firm.

Keeping that in mind I think the best questions to ask are sometimes the most simple/real and personal. Ask about the office environment, your interviewer's experience starting out in the company and growing/learning, how your responsibilities will increase, what they will expect from you or something along those lines. People generally like to talk about themselves so its always a good idea to ask them about their experiences, but make it a question that they will want to answer, something that will actually interest them to talk about.

I don't think anyone has ever stood out in a good way by talking about the newest SASs or IFRS conversion, but I know you will definitely be remembered if they like your personality and had a good conversation with you. Any time you can turn the interview into a conversation rather than a Q and A you're doing well.

[Mayo]

Sticky? Great info.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

I always ask what the one thing is they wish they knew about the company before they started and had to figure it out on their own.

I also ask what's keeping them up at night. That generally a laugh, and can also yield some interesting answers… !

[yacobkahsai]

I am taking FAR in 2 weeks. I'm almost done with studying the chapters, currently on chapter 10…This is my first test and idk what to expect. I will start my review in a couple of days. However, I don't know where to start because I really feel as I forgot everything I learned already. I'm using Becker, How do you guys think I should review. I am very nervous and don't feel like I am ready at all. Also, I've been scoring very low in the SIM's….how do you guys think I should study? I really want to get over FAR the first time. Any advice??

[Tripp11]

@yacobkahsai I think a good place to start would not to bump a year old thread about “Good questions to ask at the end of your interview” and asking questions in said thread about how to study for FAR. Seriously…

To answer your question though… Why not just take the pre-tests in Becker? That will give you an idea of what to expect on the actual exam, the format and feel of the actual exam, and it will let you know areas where you are weak.

If you've forgotten everything you've already learned, then there is no hope for you. However, plenty of people feel that way, but it's not the truth. You're just overwhelmed and losing your focus.

AUD - 93
BEC - 80
REG - 86
FAR - 83

[leglock]

saved

[Author]

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