Bookkeeper Interview Questions and Answers

Type of Questions to Expect in a Bookkeeper Interview

• The Accounting Equation: Questions that test your fundamental understanding of $Assets = Liabilities + Equity$.
• Data Entry & Categorization: "How would you categorize a purchase of office furniture versus a utility bill?"
• Bank Reconciliation: "Walk me through the steps you take if the bank statement does not match the company ledger."
• Software Proficiency: Specific questions about how you perform tasks in QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage.
• Scenario-Based Logic: "An invoice was paid twice by a client. How do you record the refund and keep the records clean?"

What the Interviewer Will Expect

• Extreme Accuracy: They want to see that you catch small errors before they become big problems.
• Software Fluency: You should be able to navigate accounting software quickly without needing constant training.
• Organization: Can you manage hundreds of receipts and invoices without losing track of a single one?
• Consistency: Do you follow the same reliable process every time you close the books at the end of the month?
• Discretion: You will see sensitive payroll and spending data; they need to know you are trustworthy and professional.

Tips on Getting Ready

1. Brush Up on Debits and Credits: Make sure you are 100% confident in which accounts increase with a debit and which increase with a credit.
2. Review the "Big Three": Understand how your work feeds into the three main reports: the Balance Sheet, the Profit & Loss (P&L) statement, and the Cash Flow Statement.
3. Practice Common Software Tasks: If the job uses QuickBooks, watch a few "refresher" videos on how to run reports or handle payroll within that specific platform.
4. Organize Your Examples: Have a story ready about a time you found an error in the books or improved a filing system to make it more efficient.
5. Take a Practice Quiz: Many bookkeeping tests include a timed data-entry portion. Practice your speed and accuracy on a 10-key number pad if possible.