Accountant Interview Questions UK: 8 Real Questions and What Interviewers Want

Before your Accountant interview, it helps to see the questions from the interviewer's side. We have picked eight from our set of 25 and added the reason each one gets asked.

Eight Accountant interview questions, and what the interviewer is thinking

1. What does a typical month look like for you as an Accountant?

Why they ask: They want to understand your real experience and whether it matches the rhythm of their role.

2. Talk me through how you take a trial balance and turn it into a set of monthly management accounts.

Why they ask: Producing management accounts is the central output of a mid-level accountant in industry.

3. What journals would you typically post at month-end, and how do you make sure they're right?

Why they ask: It tests practical, hands-on knowledge of the close at the level they'll expect you to work.

4. Before submitting a VAT return, what checks do you carry out?

Why they ask: Accountants regularly prepare VAT returns and errors are costly, so they test your diligence.

5. How do you investigate a significant variance against budget in the management accounts?

Why they ask: Variance investigation is daily work for an accountant, and they want a methodical approach.

6. Tell me about a time your management accounts analysis highlighted a problem the business hadn't noticed.

Why they ask: They want to see you add value through insight, not just produce numbers.

7. What checks do you do on the trial balance and balance sheet before the month-end results are issued?

Why they ask: They want a reliable control-minded accountant who catches errors before they reach management.

8. At month-end there's £12,000 sitting in the suspense account and you don't know what it is. What would you do?

Why they ask: Suspense balances are common and they want to see a methodical, honest approach.

A sample answer to question 1

What does a typical month look like for you as an Accountant?

Most of my month is shaped by the close. In the first five working days I'm posting month-end journals like accruals, prepayments, depreciation and the payroll journal, reconciling the bank, VAT and control accounts, and preparing the management accounts with variance commentary for the Finance Manager. Once the pack's out, I meet a couple of budget holders to go through their cost centres and agree any corrections. Mid-month is more varied. I'll prepare the quarterly VAT return when it's due, update the fixed asset register, review the aged debtors with credit control and help on the forecast. I also pick up ad hoc analysis, recently a margin breakdown by customer for the sales director. Towards month-end I start preparing by chasing purchase order receipts and checking the accruals list. At year-end the balance shifts towards audit working papers and the statutory accounts.

Common mistake to avoid: Giving a vague answer with no tasks; Describing only data entry

Want the rest?

Full model answers, key points and common mistakes for all 25 questions are on the Accountant interview questions page. The first five are free, no sign-up needed.