Why Do You Want to Become an Accountant?
A job of an accountant is a routine job, and it can get boring sometimes, especially if you work in a big company (and respond only for a limited number of tasks each day)… That’s why it makes sense to ask about your motives, and goals.
In fact, “Why did you choose this career?”, “Why accounting?”, or “Why do you want to become an accountant”, are some of the most typical starting questions in accounting job interviews.
You should not refer to the past while answering this one. To say that you want to become an accountant because you studied the field would be like saying you had to do it, instead of wanting to do it. I suggest you to speak about the future, your career goals, your motivation and skills.
Sample answers:
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I really like to work with numbers. To discover ways of cutting tax expenses in a legal way has always fascinated me. Basically I love to do this job, recording transactions, analyzing it, and looking for legal ways of saving money for my employer.
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My goal is to become a financial manager one day. But I need to understand the financial processes in a typical company, before I can even apply for the role in management. I hope to gain the knowledge as an accountant in your company.
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Every one has some skills and is good in doing something. I am good in accounting. People like to do what they do well. That’s a simple reason for my job preferences.
Remember: You should know why you want to become an accountant. If you did not know the answer, the interviewers would hardly find the reasons to hire you… Refer to your skills, abilities, career plans, and love for the job of an accountant.
More difficult questions await you in your interview
- Describe a time when you faced a particularly demanding deadline to prepare a financial statement or report. How did you react?
- Describe a time when you had to explain a complex accounting issue to someone without an accounting background. How did you help your audience understand the situation?
- When you hear an expression creative accounting, what do you imagine? How do you approach it?
Interviews for accounting jobs belong to the most difficult job interviews. But I can help you to pass your interview, with a cool head.
Have a look at the eBook I wrote for you, the Accountant Interview Guide. Multiple great answers to all difficult interview questions will make your life much easier. And you will find some answers directly on the eBook page, so it makes sense to check it out even if you do not want to purchase anything.
Thank you, I wish you good luck in your interview!
Caren Mayers, PhD
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