[jombe]

So, I finally have my first interview coming up after passing the CPA Exam.
It’s for entry level audit associate at a regional firm in Denver, CO.

I’ve been preparing for the general questions w/o any issues… (such as tell us about yourself, your strength, weakness, accomplishments, failures, reason for leaving, etc), but I was wondering if anyone who’s been there & done that can chime in and tell me the interview questions he/she found difficult at his/her interview.

Should I review any sections of FAR or AUD? Any journal entries? Any audit procedures?

Please note I have no accounting related experience and firm I applied to is obviously aware of that, too. The reason I ask, however, is because that didn’t stop Kia Motors from asking me accounting related questions when I was applying for account related field right after college… about 5 yrs ago and I really bombed those.

AUD - 99
BEC - 91
FAR - 94
REG - 96

--------------------------------------------
Done with exam. On with life.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[caotran]

Hi,
I had some interview questions that I found they are interesting and a little bit surprising:
1. An auditor position (no related experience before that): ” Being an auditor means sometimes, you have to speak up and address your opinions even it conflicts with other people's opinions. For example, if your manager said: The sky is red and you think the sky is blue, what will you do ?”- I answered it honestly and got the offer.
2. An interview with a Big 4 firm: there is no JE or GAAP related questions but a case study which I answered it with knowledge from studying BEC: cutting cost methods, improving employees' morality, segregation of duties…
Hope it helps.

[jombe]

Thank you, Ashely. I really appreciate it. 🙂

AUD - 99
BEC - 91
FAR - 94
REG - 96

--------------------------------------------
Done with exam. On with life.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[hasy]

As it is entry level, I'm almost positive that they WILL NOT ask you about auditing and whatnot. It is COMPLETELY personality and I can totally see why a big 4 mgr asked Ashley those questions. As a place with a higher caliber, they wanted to know her thought process.

Also, your scores clearly show that you don't need to review. There's no way they're going to ask you how you would first audit inventory.

I would be prepared for a LOT of behavioral questions and being able to apply your recent job experience to what the job that you're applying for. “What about your recent work experience applies to auditing? What interests you about audit?”

Research the company. Have at least 3 questions of your own for EACH interviewer, it doesn't have to be different for each one. Just as long as you HAVE questions. If you know who they are, do some research and ask them how they got to the firm and whatnot.

Be yourself.

AUD - 83
BEC - 80
FAR - 83
REG - 78

BEC - 80 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

FAR - 72; 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

AUD - 83 (Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB)

REG - 52; 78 (Roger + NINJA MCQ)

Ethics - 68, 96 (how I dislike you)
-
This forum is more addictive than drugs. Still returning after licensure.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved - Helen Keller

-

BEC 80 (10/23/15)
FAR 72 (4/2/15); 83 (7/11/16)
REG 52 (4/28/15)
AUD (9/9/16)

Roger + NINJA MCQ + WTB

[caotran]

I think the reason they asked those accounting questions is to evaluate a candidate's critical thinking and analysis skill. There is no right or wrong answer but they want to see the thinking process. Auditors need to make recommendations to clients sometimes. Luckily, I was studying BEC at the time I interviewed and got the offer. I will take BEC as well as start the position at that Big 4 firm next week.
@jombe, you have a very impressive CPA scores so I bet you are very hard-working and smart. You will get the job.
Good luck

[OhWilson10]

One that caught me off guard during an interview was: Who is your biggest role model? Why?

I took my time to answer the question and even told them that was a good question that I had never seen asked. Gave a good thorough thought out response and they loved it.

I did not want to say someone like Michael Jordan or something that's cliche and easy.

I was never asked any accounting related questions. They basically want to see your personality, your thought process and how you would fit in.

"The only rule is it begins"

[livealittle]

something to think about for life and in general:

do you have a 5 year plan? 10 year? etc?

getting the CPA has probably occupied every nanosecond of your thoughts for the last however long. Taking some time to really think about what you want out of life as far as your

career
family life/relationships
further education or additional certifications
personal growth
financial position
any number of other areas

If you sit down and spend some time really thinking about these things, then map out a way to get there, if you are asked in an interview “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” you will already have an answer and an idea of how much of that you want to share. When interviewing people and training people who are new to the accounting world, I often ask that. I am always surprised how almost everyone has absolutely no idea and hasn't thought about it at all.

I have 10 years between getting my accounting degree and my 150 hours so I could sit for the CPA and when I actually started sitting. When I was in college getting my accounting degree, a very good friend talked to me a little about a 5 year plan. This has changed my life in a lot of ways. It makes a huge difference in your life if spend time thinking about where you are now, where you want to be when you are 40, 50, 60. 70 and how to get there.

It makes a difference in how you think about everything and that comes across in interviews as maturity. If you are interviewing for a staff position, this kind of thinking and planning can really give you an “edge”.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[jombe]

really appreciate the inputs. you guys are awesome!

AUD - 99
BEC - 91
FAR - 94
REG - 96

--------------------------------------------
Done with exam. On with life.

FAR - 94 (10/4/15), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
AUD - 99 (1/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
REG - 96 (4/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ
BEC - 91 (7/19/16), Local Prep Online Lectures, BISK & NINJA MCQ

581 days of listening to lectures, reading texts & 10,000+ MCQs...

[Author]

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