From the course: Job Interview Tips for Accountants

How to approach this question

From the course: Job Interview Tips for Accountants

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How to approach this question

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- Well, when it comes to this question, fight your instinct to list your accounting technical skills. If you're in the interview, they already know all of that. This is an option opportunity to highlight your knowledge of technology and data analytics as well as your leadership abilities. Knowing tax rules, creating statements, and keeping books are essential tasks for any accountant, but the interviewers want to know that you can go further. Your response should focus on three key areas. First, start by elevating your answer. Accounting is more than compiling financial numbers. Your response should focus on higher level skills such as analytical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to communicate effectively with others. Then make it about them. Tie the skills you mention to the specific functions of the role. Share your strengths through the lens of the contribution you can make to the company and the value you'll add to a team. Finally, highlight your experience. This is a great opportunity to highlight your general business strategic and operational knowledge. Demonstrate that you understand how your skills directly impact teams and decision outcomes. Always keep in mind that you need to do differentiate yourself from all the others being interviewed. What I'm about to say may come across as counterintuitive, but the one way to do this is not to focus on your accounting technical skills. So look, if you're being interviewed, then they already know you have the basic skills that qualifies you to be an accountant. Show them the added value you can bring to helping them make more effective decisions. Trust me, this will set you apart from the pack.

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