Question 1

How do you reconcile a bank statement each month?

Accepted Answer

I match every transaction on the bank statement to the general ledger, investigate discrepancies like outstanding checks or bank fees, and don't close the month until the reconciled balance ties out to zero.

Question 2

How do you handle miscategorized expenses you find in the books?

Accepted Answer

I research the original transaction and receipt, reclassify it to the correct account with a journal entry, and note the reason in the memo field for audit trail purposes.

Question 3

What's your process for accounts payable?

Accepted Answer

I verify invoices against purchase orders or approvals before entering them, track due dates to catch early payment discounts, and batch payments weekly to keep cash flow predictable.

Question 4

How do you handle a client who wants to record personal expenses through the business?

Accepted Answer

I explain that commingling creates tax and liability risk, and I won't record personal expenses as business deductions since that's something the IRS can flag in an audit.

Question 5

What's your approach to closing the books at month end?

Accepted Answer

I reconcile all bank and credit card accounts, review the trial balance for anything unusual, post accruals like unpaid bills, and generate the P&L and balance sheet for the client's review.

Question 6

How do you catch errors before they become bigger problems?

Accepted Answer

I review the trial balance monthly for accounts that don't make sense, like negative asset balances, and I reconcile every balance sheet account, not just the checking account.

Question 7

What software do you use and how do you stay organized across multiple clients?

Accepted Answer

I primarily use QuickBooks Online, keep a standardized chart of accounts template, and use a monthly close checklist for each client so nothing gets missed across different books.

Question 8

How do you handle sales tax tracking for a client selling in multiple states?

Accepted Answer

I track nexus by state based on sales volume, use software like Avalara to calculate rates, and file returns by each state's due date to avoid penalties.

Question 9

What's your process for tracking accounts receivable and following up on late payments?

Accepted Answer

I run an aging report weekly, flag anything over 30 days, and send a polite follow-up email at 30, then a firmer one at 60 days before escalating to the client.

Question 10

How do you prepare financials for a client's tax accountant at year end?

Accepted Answer

I make sure all accounts are reconciled through December, fixed assets are recorded correctly, and I provide a clean trial balance and P&L so the CPA isn't cleaning up my work.

Bookkeeper interview questions and sample answers

Job-specific questions

1. How do you reconcile a bank statement each month?

2. How do you handle miscategorized expenses you find in the books?

3. What's your process for accounts payable?

4. How do you handle a client who wants to record personal expenses through the business?

5. What's your approach to closing the books at month end?

6. How do you catch errors before they become bigger problems?

7. What software do you use and how do you stay organized across multiple clients?

8. How do you handle sales tax tracking for a client selling in multiple states?

9. What's your process for tracking accounts receivable and following up on late payments?

10. How do you prepare financials for a client's tax accountant at year end?

Behavioral questions

11. Tell me about a result you are proud of.

12. Describe a time you improved how something was done.

13. Tell me about a time you had to deliver under pressure.

14. Give an example of working with a difficult colleague or customer.

15. What is something you learned from a mistake?

Before the interview

Interview questions for related jobs