Account Payable Clerk questions and answers

Accounts Payable Clerk Job Description

Accounts Payable Clerks are responsible for paying employees, checking over and verifying expenses, requesting receipts, and also paying advances and paychecks on a regular and consistent basis. An Accounts Payable Clerk will also have to keep and maintain accounting ledges and post account transactions accurately and consistently. They will also need to reconcile the monthly statements and relevant or related transactions. Attention to detail and timely payments are an absolute must in this position, and these two skills will be particularly assessed during the Accounts Payable interview.

Accounts Payable Interview Assessable Skills, Qualities & Attributes:

• FOCUS ON ATTENTION TO DETAIL - An Accounts Payable Clerk must be able to focus intently on their task and not make mistakes. A mistake can cost the organization dearly in financial terms, and can also have a negative impact on employee morale, especially if payments are late or inaccurate.
• NUMERICAL ABILITY - Although the majority of accounting software packages will do this for you, you should have a thorough understanding of tax rates applicable for your country, including VAT and National Insurance. You should also be able to carry out basic numerical calculations.
• WORKING TO DEADLINES AND TIMESCALES - It is essential that, as an Accounts Payable Clerk, you are able to work to strict timescales in respect of paying invoices and also paying employee wages and bills.
• CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - You will need to demonstrate an ability to be self-motivated, embrace changes that come into the organization in respect of financial regulations and tax rates, and also keep up-to-date with new accounting software and financial industry regulations.

Q1. What interests you about working in accounts payable at a company like ours?

"There are three specific things that interest me. Firstly, I get great job satisfaction from working in a role where attention to detail is a must. The level of responsibility the Accounts Payable Clerk requires is very attractive to me, and you are an organization that sets itself high standards. Secondly, you are an organization that will support me in this role and I will have the opportunity to grow and develop. I want to be kept busy, and having read the Accounts Payable Clerk job description for this role, I will definitely not have time to sit around! Finally, I want to work for an organization who are innovative, and forward-thinking, and that allows its employees to thrive. For those three reasons, I would very much like to be an Accounts Payable Clerk for your company."

Q2. This Accounts Payable position requires an ability to carry out repetitive tasks. How would you handle repetitive and monotonous tasks?

Q3. What training or experience has prepared you for the role of Accounts Payable Clerk?

Q4. Describe your familiarity with accounting software. Which ones have you used?

Q5. What skills and qualities do you have that are a match for this accounts payable position?

Q6. Describe a time when you completed a difficult, time-sensitive task whilst under pressure.

Q7. Attention to detail is very important within this Accounts Payable Clerk role. Describe a time when you made a mistake at work?

Q8. What would you do if you didn't get on with someone in our accounting team?

Q9. Within this particular Accounts Payable Clerk role, you will often have to deal with difficult clients or employees. How would you deal with an irate client or employee?

Q10. Tell me about a time when you showed extraordinary attention to detail?

Q11. Why do you want to work in this Accounts Payable Clerk role, and what can you specifically bring to our organization?

Q12. Describe a stressful situation at work and how you handled it?

5 TIPS FOR PASSING THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE CLERK INTERVIEW!

TIP #1 - Ensure you are familiar with the type of accounting software the organization you are being interviewed for are using. This will put you ahead of the majority of candidates at the Accounts Payable Clerk interview, as it will save them invaluable time having to train you up if you are successful in the role. If the accounting software they use is not detailed on the job description, give their accounts team a quick call and ask them if they will disclose this to you.

TIP #2 - Remember, attention to detail and being able to complete monotonous and repetitive tasks is a vital competency of the Accounts Payable Clerk position. Prior to your interview, be ready to answer questions such as: "How would you deal with repetitive tasks within this role?"

TIP #3 - Be prepared for a full list of behavioral interview questions at the Accounts Payable Interview. These include:

1. When have you delivered excellent client service?
2. When have you demonstrated great attention to detail in a similar role?
3. Tell me about a time when you worked alone on a mundane or repetitive task?
4. Explain a situation you were in where you went above and beyond for your employer?
5. Describe a time when you had to deal with a difficult or irate client or customer?

TIP #4 - When answering the Accounts Payable Clerk interview questions, make use of the STAR interview technique, as this method will ensure you provide evidence-based answers. Those candidates who answer the questions in a generic manner will not gain high marks.

TIP #5 - Be prepared to explain the 'accounts payable process' at the interview. Although this is something every accounts payable clerk should be familiar with, most will not be able to answer it. Be prepared for your interview by downloading a copy of our Accounts Payable Clerk Interview Questions and Answers guide available on this page