16 CPA Interview Questions Every Hiring Manager Should Ask

Whether you’re hiring to fill openings in your accounting department or for mission-critical projects and cyclical needs like tax season and year-end close, you’ll want to be prepared for the interview.

Certified Public Accountants (CPA) perform general financial transactions, monitor bookkeeping activities, and conduct regular audits to make sure documents, expenditures, and investments are accurate.

Ideal candidates for this role will hold an Accounting or Finance degree along with a CPA certification.

Here are 16 questions every hiring manager should ask:

  1. If you missed the deadline for paying our company’s taxes, what would you do? How would you inform your manager if we had to pay a fine, in this case?

  2. How would you help a manager decide if an investment was a good idea?

  3. Tell Me About Your Background.

  4. What Accounting Processes Are You Most Familiar With?

  5. What Is Your Technical Experience With Accounting Software?

  6. How would you set up an internal control system for processing invoices?

  7. If you had to explain a financial procedure to a non-financial audience, how would you ensure they understand all the details? For example, tell us in plain terms about the process of preparing a department’s budget.

  8. What accounting software have you used? What features increase your productivity?

  9. How do you check large datasheets for accuracy?

  10. Describe your familiarity with accounting standards such as FASB and GAAP.

  11. What information and tools do you need to create an annual tax return forecast?

  12. Describe a time when you helped your company or a client decrease costs.

  13. How do you keep up with tax law changes?

  14. Recall a time you analyzed financial risks and prevented senior executives from making a bad investment.

  15. How do you stay motivated while doing repetitive tasks, like processing invoices?

  16. Describe a time when your attention to detail saved you from making a mistake at work (e.g. in a report.)

Let us help you find the right candidate.

Complimentary Talent Review

Our firm is committed to providing personalized staffing solutions that meet your unique business needs. With our extensive network and expertise in recruiting, we ensure that your organization gains a competitive edge by hiring the best in the field.

Hiring Insights Start Here


Vanessa McClure-Leach

An adaptable, knowledge-driven professional, I bring a creative, problem-solving mindset and a genuine passion for building strong relationships. I specialize in executive and leadership hiring across industries such as aerospace, manufacturing, and non-profits, as well as recruitment for HR, Accounting/Finance, Administration, and a variety of other roles. My approach is centered on listening and learning- gathering comprehensive insights from both clients and candidates to ensure the best possible match. I take pride in creating outcomes that lead to mutual success and long-term happiness for everyone involved. Beyond my professional expertise, I am passionate about humankind, equality, the environment, and animal welfare. Guided by kindness and a commitment to making a positive difference, I strive to use my voice to advocate for others and contribute to a better, more compassionate world.

We’re Social!

0 Comments

Accounting & Finance Job Titles to Watch in 2026

Accounting & Finance Job Titles to Watch in 2026

Finance teams are changing fast. This guide spotlights 2026 titles that reflect real work: AI enabled FP&A Strategist, Finance Data Product Manager, Autonomous Close Controller, Treasury Liquidity and Funding Strategist, Sustainability Accounting Lead, Pricing Partner, Digital Asset Policy Lead, and an M&A Value Creation Architect. Use it to sharpen scopes, refresh descriptions, and plan training.

Hiring Without Burnout: How to Support Your Internal Teams During High Growth

Hiring Without Burnout: How to Support Your Internal Teams During High Growth

High growth should not mean late nights and frayed quality. This guide shows how to plan capacity, make load visible, run a sane interview cadence, and centralize candidate communication. You will also learn how to blend internal stretch with smart external support, track early signs of overload, and build a ready bench with an onboarding ramp so new hires contribute quickly without burning out the team.