I need some advice, my young son is going for his first interview with a Chartered Accountancy Firm in Mayfair London, he really wants to make a good first impression and to get the job it's a career he is really passionate about.
What we would like to know what questions would any one of you as a Chartered accountant or Accountant Firm would ask to a candidate you would employ at your Accountancy firm? Also what would you look for in a candidate. I have gone through possible questions but as his mother it makes it difficult! He has been checking the Firm's website since getting the interview date learning about the firm, reading about accountancy firm in papers etc. He is ready to take on an accounting assistant job but one can never prepare what questions the Firm would ask at an interview.
What questions are likely to be asked is as wide ranging a question as how long is a peice of string.
Some go to interview and are asked little more than their name.
Others are taken over the coals with serious maths and logic tests to confirm numeracy and lateral thinking.
The main qualities that the firm will be looking for in someone straight from school will be presentability, confidence (but not cockyness) and the ability to answer the questions asked.
They will ask such things as Why accountancy? Why this firm? Why chartered? Does he have any prior knowledge in the field? What does he enjoy doing in his spare time? etc.
Advice would be to look at the person talking not at his shoes, the desk, out the window.
Don't ask about money at interview.
Study the firm and know something about it before the interview (there may be something on their website).
Smile occassionally.
Accept the offered cup of tea even if you don't want it.
An interview for a school leaver will not be about accountantancy although if he can show that he knows something about the subject matter that will help. i.e. current VAT rate, how to calculate a Margin and a Markup, difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion (says the person who wrote the wrong one in a reply the other day, lol), his views the current celebrity witch hunt by the press over tax issues, his views on Starbucks & Amazon tax situations, where does he see himself in five years... Actually, on that last one do not say "sitting in your seat" go instead with something like "I would hope to be near completion of my professional qualification".
They will ask whether your son wants to know anything about them.
One angle of questioning is will they support his studies and will the qualification be chartered (ICAEW) or Chartered Certified (ACCA).
They are likely to say that they will be putting him through AAT rather than straight to the major league but thats not bad and it gives him chance to learn his stuff and prove his competence before major investment in his future.
I wish him the very best of luck.
Sure that here wil be a lot of competition but if the firm are good they will spot talent even if such is not from the candidate with the best bits of paper to wave at them.
Kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Be smart, polite and well mannered that's always a good start.
If he's not already got AAT, perhaps he can ask if they would be willing to put him through his studies, most firms will.
Don't gabble away, let them do the talking, and show an interest in what ever they say, who knows you may just get a bubbly person talking to him that won't send him to sleep!
They will probably ask why he has chosen accountancy, don't say its because he wants to earn big money later, say things like he has always been good at maths and really enjoys anything to do with maths, and wants to further his career and learn about different businesses and how they operate, because every client that I have no one is the same as the next one, they are all very different.
What are your strengths...as Shaun says, tell him not to be too cocky with this but tell it as it is.
What are your weaknesses...again turn this into a positive, 'impatient to get things done', kind of says he is a worker. I once answered I was a lousy dancer which made them laugh before going into 'I'm a bit impatient at times'
Best advice I ever got when recruiting someone was to look for the candidates attitude before the technical ability as most things can be taught to someone with the right attitude plus who wants a miserable sod around the office!
Good luck to him and if Mayfair doesn't work out there's plenty between that and the Old Kent Road!
What questions are likely to be asked is as wide ranging a question as how long is a peice of string.
Some go to interview and are asked little more than their name.
Others are taken over the coals with serious maths and logic tests to confirm numeracy and lateral thinking.
The main qualities that the firm will be looking for in someone straight from school will be presentability, confidence (but not cockyness) and the ability to answer the questions asked.
They will ask such things as Why accountancy? Why this firm? Why chartered? Does he have any prior knowledge in the field? What does he enjoy doing in his spare time? etc.
Advice would be to look at the person talking not at his shoes, the desk, out the window.
Don't ask about money at interview.
Thank you so much for your reply we appreciate all the good advices, yes that's something I've told him first thing do not talk about money concentrate about representing yourself well, sell yourself, give the interviewer
all your attentions and try your best to get the job make them want you. He has been asked by recruitment companies what salary he is looking for and told them he is not worry about salary it's more important he gets a job with a good
accountancy firm that will give him the opportunity to grow and further his career, he intend to run his own practice one day in the future!Whilst he is not a cocky lad but I am a bit worried that he is quiet laid back and they get the wrong impressionthat he is not a do and go getter!
Study the firm and know something about it before the interview (there may be something on their website).
Yes he's been doing that since he got the interview date!
Smile occassionally.
Definitely a big bonus and he's been told!
Accept the offered cup of tea even if you don't want it.
Thanks for that advice didn't think about that one but shall tell him about it.
An interview for a school leaver will not be about accountantancy although if he can show that he knows something about the subject matter that will help. i.e. current VAT rate, how to calculate a Margin and a Markup, difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion (says the person who wrote the wrong one in a reply the other day, lol), his views the current celebrity witch hunt by the press over tax issues, his views on Starbucks & Amazon tax situations, where does he see himself in five years... Actually, on that last one do not say "sitting in your seat" go instead with something like "I would hope to be near completion of my professional qualification".
Good answer that's what he has been practicing on saying because I've told him already do not say I want to run your company or be in your seat lol that would be it!
They will ask whether your son wants to know anything about them.
He's been making notes about the company, owner, partners and staff as much information he could get from their website.
One angle of questioning is will they support his studies and will the qualification be chartered (ICAEW) or Chartered Certified (ACCA).
We hope so that's why he is looking to work direct with a Chartered Accountant Company instead of a commercial firm or other
They are likely to say that they will be putting him through AAT rather than straight to the major league but thats not bad and it gives him chance to learn his stuff and prove his competence before major investment in his future.
He has already taken his AAT Level 2 & 3 and passed both last year with very good results that's why now he prefer to do his AAT Level 4 in a proper Chartered Accountancy Firm instead of more studying, he's had enough of
studying which I've agreed with him! I left school at 16 years old and went straight to work on the following Monday!
I wish him the very best of luck.
Thank you I shall pass the message on!
Sure that here wil be a lot of competition but if the firm are good they will spot talent even if such is not from the candidate with the best bits of paper to wave at them.
I agree certificates though are important but I believe it's who you are as a person/worker and have the drive in you to go further in your career it's more important!
Be smart, polite and well mannered that's always a good start.
Thank you for your reply appreciate your advices, yes he's had himself measured at a well known suit company and bought his suit to fit, he's asked advices about what shirts, ties to wear with what suits and told the shop assistant what job he is going for to look his best!
If he's not already got AAT, perhaps he can ask if they would be willing to put him through his studies, most firms will.
He passed his AAT Level 2 & 3 but now prefer to do Level 4 with an Accountancy Firm instead of further studying!
Don't gabble away, let them do the talking, and show an interest in what ever they say, who knows you may just get a bubbly person talking to him that won't send him to sleep!
I've made him practiced to speak loud and clear at instead of mumbling as they do those young ones, I've made him practice how to speak on the telephone too and deal how to with difficulties with colleagues or clients
They will probably ask why he has chosen accountancy, don't say its because he wants to earn big money later, say things like he has always been good at maths and really enjoys anything to do with maths, and wants to further his career and learn about different businesses and how they operate, because every client that I have no one is the same as the next one, they are all very different.
Yes we have that same thoughts in mind, money was the first thing I've told him not to talk about but talk about how he can be a valuable staff for their company!
What are your strengths...as Shaun says, tell him not to be too cocky with this but tell it as it is.
Thank you for your advice appreciate it, yes I've told him not to be too cocky and not to be too laid back either or be normal!
What are your weaknesses...again turn this into a positive, 'impatient to get things done', kind of says he is a worker. I once answered I was a lousy dancer which made them laugh before going into 'I'm a bit impatient at times'
Yes that is a question I have put a bit more thoughts into because I think if he say, I work too hard, I want to finish everything etc, I find that not so realistic answers which perhaps they might not believe either, instead say something about himself, like love my pet persians too much, he love his cats dearly, or my weakness is food etc something that would make them laugh it's more realistic answers!
Best advice I ever got when recruiting someone was to look for the candidates attitude before the technical ability as most things can be taught to someone with the right attitude plus who wants a miserable sod around the office!
Agree he need to give that impression that he will do or prepare to do anything that has been asked of him and make sure he does it correct too!
Good luck to him and if Mayfair doesn't work out there's plenty between that and the Old Kent Road!
Thank you I shall pass your wishes to him and of course we shall check out Old Kent Road, perhaps I could get him to ring some of the Accountancy Firm there to see if they have any vacancy going, we'll see after his interview.
I'm so chuffed to let you all know that my son did well during his interview yesterday! The firm told him they'll let him know by Tuesday next week
but they rang him first thing this morning and invited him for a second interview with them on Monday 9th June.
I've told him to be humble, concentrate on his second interview because the firm will dig a bit deeper and ask more questions and for him to
do his best to get the job, he feels it's a good job and he really wants to work there.
