Interview practice / Bookkeeper

Bookkeeper interview questions remote clients ask, with tips

Questions for a remote bookkeeper role with Singapore and APAC clients, from what our listings ask for. Under each one: what the client is listening for.

Practice these against a timer

Bookkeeper questions

  1. Which accounting software have you used, and for how long? Name the software and the tasks you did in it, not just the logo.
  2. A bank account doesn't match the books. How do you find the difference? Walk through your reconciliation steps in order.
  3. How do you keep receipts and invoices organised for a client? Describe your folder and naming system, and how often you file.
  4. How do you categorise a transaction you're not sure about? Show you'd park it, ask the client one clear question, and note the answer for next time.
  5. What does your month-end close look like? List your steps in order: reconcile, review, adjust, report.
  6. Which reports do you prepare, and what do you check before you send them? Name the reports, such as profit and loss and the balance sheet, and one check you always run.
  7. The client sends receipts late every month. How do you keep up? Mention a shared folder or app and one weekly reminder, not chasing them every day.
  8. You find a mistake you made last month. What do you do? Fix it, tell the client what changed and why, and say what you'll check from now on.

Questions every remote interview asks

  1. Tell me about yourself. Two or three sentences on your experience, one result with a number in it, and why this role. Aim for about a minute.
  2. Why do you want to work remotely, and how do you stay focused at home? Describe your setup and routine: where you work, your internet and your backup, and how you keep track of tasks.
  3. Tell me about a mistake you made at work and what you did next. Pick a real, small one. Spend most of the answer on how you fixed it and what you changed afterwards.
  4. What do you do when the instructions for a task aren't clear? Clients want someone who asks one clear question early, then gets on with the work.
  5. Which tools do you use every day, and for what? Name the tool and the job: 'Google Sheets for a 400-row lead list' says more than 'MS Office'.
  6. What hours can you work, and what's your setup if the power or internet goes out? Give your hours in your own time zone and your backup plan. Clients ask so they know how you'd handle a brownout.

See bookkeeper jobs

Questions

How long should my answers be?

About one to two minutes for most questions. Give one example with a number in it, then stop.

Will I be asked these exact questions?

Not word for word. They're the kind of questions remote clients ask for this role, so practice the ideas rather than a script.

How do I practice out loud?

Use the free practice tool: it shows one question at a time with a timer, and you can record yourself. The video stays on your device.