Junior Accountant Interview Questions

1.1GAAP and IFRS - the frameworks that govern how financial statements are prepared

1.2The accounting equation and how every transaction maintains the balance

1.3Fundamental accounting concepts - going concern, consistency, prudence, and accruals

1.4The role of the junior accountant in the finance team and month-end close process

2.1Preparing and posting journal entries - structure, supporting documentation, and approval

2.2The general ledger - how it works, chart of accounts, and maintaining accuracy

2.3Correcting journal entries - identifying errors, reversals, and reposting correctly

2.4Recurring journals - setting up, reviewing, and maintaining automated monthly entries

3.1Balance sheet reconciliation - purpose, process, and what good documentation looks like

3.2Bank reconciliation - identifying reconciling items and clearing them promptly

3.3Intercompany reconciliation - matching balances between entities and resolving differences

3.4Prepayments and accruals reconciliation - tracking and releasing on schedule

4.1The month-end close cycle - timelines, tasks, and the junior accountant responsibilities

4.2Cut-off procedures - ensuring income and expenses fall in the right period

4.3Variance analysis - comparing actuals to budget and prior period and explaining differences

4.4Producing the trial balance and supporting schedules for the senior review

5.1The income statement - revenue, cost of sales, gross profit, and operating expenses

5.2The balance sheet - current and non-current assets, liabilities, and equity

5.3The cash flow statement - operating, investing, and financing activities

5.4Notes to the financial statements - what they contain and why they matter

6.1Capital expenditure vs revenue expenditure - the distinction and its impact on the accounts

6.2Fixed asset register - additions, disposals, transfers, and maintenance

6.3Depreciation methods - straight-line vs reducing balance, calculation, and journal entries

6.4Impairment of assets - when to test, how to calculate, and how to record it

7.1Corporate tax fundamentals - taxable profit, timing differences, and current tax provision

7.2VAT compliance - returns, reconciliation, and common errors in an accounting context

7.3Deferred tax - the concept, temporary differences, and why it appears on the balance sheet

7.4Tax in the financial statements - current tax, deferred tax, and effective tax rate

8.1How external audits work - the process, key stages, and what auditors are testing

8.2Providing audit evidence - schedules, reconciliations, and responding to auditor queries

8.3Internal controls - segregation of duties, authorisation, and why they matter in accounting

8.4Common audit findings - the issues auditors typically identify and how to prevent them

9.1Excel fundamentals for accountants - VLOOKUP, SUMIF, pivot tables, and data validation

9.2Building a reconciliation template - structure, formulas, and making it audit-friendly

9.3Data analysis in accounting - identifying trends, anomalies, and presenting findings clearly

9.4Accounting software - how ERP systems support the close process and reporting

10.1Technical questions - journal entries, reconciliations, financial statements, and accounting standards

10.2Scenario questions - how you handle a month-end deadline, an error, or an audit request

10.3Behavioural questions - attention to detail, working under pressure, and learning on the job

10.4Salary negotiation, questions to ask the interviewer, and how to position yourself as a strong candidate