30 Accounting Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Starting a career in accounting can be both thrilling and daunting, especially for fresh graduates stepping into the field. To help ease this transition, we’ve put together 30 essential questions and answers that address common concerns and key concepts in accounting for those beginning their career in accounting. Be sure to craft a compelling self-introduction to set a positive tone for interviews and networking opportunities, these will help you to make a memorable impression. Dive into this article to boost your accounting knowledge and learn how to present yourself confidently as you embark on your new career path.

30 Accounting Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

1. What is the difference between cash basis and accrual basis accounting?
The cash basis accounting method records revenue when cash is received and expenses when cash is paid. The accrual basis accounting method records revenue when it is earned and expenses when they are incurred, regardless of when the actual cash changes hands.

2. What are the components of a balance sheet?
The main components of a balance sheet are assets, liabilities, and equity. Assets are what the company owns, liabilities are what the company owes, and equity is the residual interest in the company's assets after subtracting its liabilities.

3. How do you calculate the current ratio?
The current ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company's ability to pay its short-term obligations. It is calculated by dividing the total current assets by the total current liabilities. Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities.

4. What is the difference between cash flow from operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities?
Cash flow from operating activities reflects the cash generated or used by the company's core business operations. Cash flow from investing activities shows the cash used for acquiring or disposing of long-term assets, such as property, plant, and equipment. Cash flow from financing activities represents the cash raised from or paid to shareholders and lenders.

5. How do you calculate the debt-to-equity ratio?
The debt-to-equity ratio measures a company's financial leverage. It is calculated by dividing the company's total liabilities by its total shareholders' equity.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Shareholders' Equity

6. What is the purpose of a trial balance?
The purpose of a trial balance is to ensure that the total debits equal the total credits in the general ledger. It is an important step in the accounting cycle to identify and correct any recording errors before preparing financial statements.

7. What is the difference between a debit and a credit?
In double-entry accounting, a debit increases asset or expense accounts and decreases liability, equity, or revenue accounts. A credit has the opposite effect, decreasing asset or expense accounts and increasing liability, equity, or revenue accounts.

8. How do you calculate gross profit margin?
Gross profit margin is a profitability ratio that measures the percentage of revenue remaining after subtracting the cost of goods sold. It is calculated by dividing the gross profit by the total revenue. Gross Profit Margin = Gross Profit / Total Revenue

9. What is the purpose of a journal entry?
A journal entry is a record of a financial transaction in the accounting journal. It details the accounts, amounts, and whether debits or credits are involved. Journal entries are the foundation for the general ledger and financial statements.

10. How do you calculate the acid-test (quick) ratio?
The acid-test or quick ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company's ability to use its near-cash assets to immediately pay off its current liabilities. It is calculated by dividing the sum of cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable by the total current liabilities.
Acid-Test Ratio = (Cash + Marketable Securities + Accounts Receivable) / Current Liabilities

11. What is the difference between a balance sheet and an income statement?
The balance sheet shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. The income statement, on the other hand, shows a company's revenues, expenses, and net income over a period of time.

12. How do you calculate net profit margin?
Net profit margin is a profitability ratio that measures the percentage of revenue that remains as net income after all expenses have been paid. It is calculated by dividing the net income by the total revenue.
Net Profit Margin = Net Income / Total Revenue

13. What is the purpose of a cash flow statement?
The cash flow statement shows the inflows and outflows of cash for a company over a period of time. It is used to assess a company's liquidity, solvency, and financial flexibility by analyzing its operating, investing, and financing activities.

14. What is the difference between a ledger and a journal?
A journal is the chronological record of financial transactions, while a ledger is the organized compilation of those transactions summarized by account. The journal is where transactions are first recorded, and the ledger is where they are classified and stored.

15. How do you calculate return on assets (ROA)?
Return on assets (ROA) is a profitability ratio that measures how efficiently a company is using its assets to generate net income. It is calculated by dividing the net income by the average total assets.
ROA = Net Income / Average Total Assets

16. What is the purpose of a cost of goods sold (COGS) statement?
The cost of goods sold (COGS) statement details the direct costs associated with producing the goods or services a company sells. It is used to calculate the gross profit by subtracting COGS from the total revenue.

17. How do you calculate the debt-to-asset ratio?
The debt-to-asset ratio is a leverage ratio that measures the proportion of a company's assets that are financed by debt. It is calculated by dividing the total liabilities by the total assets. Debt-to-Asset Ratio = Total Liabilities / Total Assets

18. What is the difference between a T-account and a general ledger?
A T-account is a visual representation of an individual account, with debits on the left and credits on the right. The general ledger is the complete compilation of all the T-accounts for a company, organized by account number or name.

19. How do you calculate return on equity (ROE)?
Return on equity (ROE) is a profitability ratio that measures how effectively a company is using its shareholders' equity to generate net income. It is calculated by dividing the net income by the average shareholders' equity. ROE = Net Income / Average Shareholders' Equity

20. What is the purpose of a variance analysis?
Variance analysis compares actual financial results to budgeted or expected results. It identifies and explains the differences, which can then be used to improve future budgeting and decision-making.

21. How do you calculate inventory turnover?
Inventory turnover is an efficiency ratio that measures how quickly a company sells and replaces its inventory. It is calculated by dividing the cost of goods sold by the average inventory.
Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Sold / Average Inventory

22. What is the purpose of a reconciliation?
Reconciliation is the process of comparing two sets of records to ensure they match and identifying/correcting any discrepancies. It is commonly done for bank statements, payroll, and other accounts to verify the accuracy of the accounting records.

23. How do you calculate days sales outstanding (DSO)?
Days sales outstanding (DSO) is a liquidity ratio that measures the average number of days it takes a company to collect payment from its customers after a sale has been made. It is calculated by dividing the accounts receivable by the average daily credit sales.
DSO = Accounts Receivable / (Credit Sales / 365 days)

24. What is the purpose of a budget?
A budget is a detailed plan that outlines a company's projected revenues, expenses, and cash flows for a specific period of time. Budgets help organizations allocate resources, identify potential problems, and measure financial performance.

25. How do you calculate the asset turnover ratio?
The asset turnover ratio is an efficiency ratio that measures how effectively a company is using its assets to generate revenue. It is calculated by dividing the total revenue by the average total assets.
Asset Turnover Ratio = Total Revenue / Average Total Assets

26. What is the purpose of a management report?
A management report provides key financial and operational information to a company's executives and managers. It helps them analyze the organization's performance, identify issues, and make informed decisions.

27. How do you calculate the break-even point?
The break-even point is the level of sales or production at which a company's total revenue equals its total costs, resulting in zero profit. It is calculated by dividing the total fixed costs by the contribution margin per unit.
Break-Even Point = Total Fixed Costs / Contribution Margin per Unit

28. What is the purpose of a cost-volume-profit (CVP) analysis??
A CVP analysis examines the relationship between a company's costs, volume of production or sales, and profits. It helps management understand how changes in these factors will impact the bottom line.

29. How do you calculate the payment period?
The payment period, also known as the days payable outstanding (DPO), measures the average number of days a company takes to pay its suppliers. It is calculated by dividing the accounts payable by the average daily purchases.
Payment Period = Accounts Payable / (Purchases / 365 days)

30. What is the purpose of a segment report?
A segment report provides financial information about the different operating segments or business units within a company. It allows management and investors to evaluate the performance and contributions of each segment.