[Dog pounder1977]

Last week I asked you guy’s for advice on whether or not I should apply to a job at this firm. Well I built up enough courage and sent my resume and now I have an interview scheduled the 27th. This is my first CPA firm interview so I do not know what to expect. Can someone give some tips and advice on the types of questions to expect? And how to answer the famous three questions: “what do you know about our company/why should we hire you/do you have any questions for us”

One day I will face that exam.

[cool_kid]

If it's a small firm, it's very difficult to say what it would be like. I've interviewed with 3 small firms and they were all completely different experiences. For the first one, the guy mostly talked about the position and ended up offering me the position on the spot. For the second firm, I was asked quite a few behavioral questions such as: Why should I hire you, Tell me about a time when you worked on a team and had an issue with a group member, What is your strength/weakness, Why accounting, etc. And then yesterday, I had an interview with two partners, but it was more of just a casual conversation and describing what the firm and the position are like.

For those three questions, you need to come up with answers yourself. The what do you know about your company question is asked just so you did your research and are somewhat familiar about the firm. The why should we hire you totally depends on your experience, skills, and strengths. And do you have any questions is just asking anything that you would want to know about the position or the firm.

[MaLoTu]

If there is a job description … I would itemize a few ways in which your prior experience has helped prepare you for the new role. I would research the firms core values. If you have some outside activities or some projects you have taken on that align with the goals of the organization, I would mentally note those.

I like to make lists of hard skills I have for the position and soft skills I have acquired with reasons why those skills are useful.

They are going to ask you if you have any questions for them (it would be very weird if they didn't, anyway). Try to think of questions that show tenacity and genuine interest in the role. Some questions that I feel get a good reception are about important milestones and expectations at the company, as well as inquiring about the engagements the team is generally involved in.

Good Luck … That is exciting!

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[Dog pounder1977]

Hey thanks MaLoTu I really appreciate it. I didn't even consider the hard and soft skills portion you mentioned. I will definitely keep that in mind. And yes it is truly exciting. My current position as an admin assistant is only 14 bucks an hour with no benefits or overtime authorized. The firm offers a full benefits package and I am sure the salary is great because even their INTERNS make more than me at 19 per hour and I am full time at my job. I am relatively young (24) but I really hope this is my big break into real accounting because I do not enjoy what I do now.

One day I will face that exam.

[MaLoTu]

Please update us on Monday!

Almost always from my phone... please excuse my typos!

All 4 passed - 2016

CA CPA

[knicks92]

Just dont do that ^^^^^

Tough times don't last. Tough people do.

B: 88
A: 77
R: 89
F:

[Dog pounder1977]

I will keep you guys posted. Hopefully it all pays off. And that video was hilarious Knicks lol.

One day I will face that exam.

[AScott89]

Congrats on getting the interview. Here's some advice I found helpful during my job search.

Don't just ask the general questions about the position or company. Ask some more personal/behavioral questions of the people who are interviewing you. I asked questions like ‘what drew you to accounting?' ‘why do you like working here?' ‘who's your favorite client and why?'

Every time I asked those I always got a positive reaction. I even had a few go ‘wow that's a good one, no one's ever asked me that' Questions like that help you stand out in a good way. You can also go on sites like monster and look for articles about behavioral questions in interviews to give you an idea of what to expect. Doing stuff like that helped me feel prepared, which made me feel less nervous during the interview.

Good luck with your interview, and remember, its not the end of the world if you don't get it. It took me nearly three years after graduation before I landed the staff accountant position I am starting next month. You just have to keep trying if you really want it.

--
B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Dog pounder1977]

Thanks AScott. I have some experience under my belt. I was honorably discharged from the Navy on Friday after 4 years of doing administrative clerk type work. In addition, I worked part time as an admin assistant while full time in the military and Also completed 85 percent of my BA in Accounting while on active duty. So I believe that speaks volume on my ability to prioritize and manage time. I really hope I get this job though. I am researching the company now. Thanks for your feedback and I will keep you guys updated after tomorrow.

One day I will face that exam.

[AScott89]

Good luck Tre

--
B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Author]

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