Interview questions for: CFO

Character quality: Leadership

? How have you developed untapped potential in your staff?
? How have you reinforced behavior you want repeated (in a non-monetary way)?
? How have you built and maintained morale with your staff in a non-monetary way?
? How have you demonstrated that you value people for who they are rather than for what they
accomplish?
? See the important questions about virtue and honesty below!
? What are the primary management styles? Describe each. Which is your predominant style? How
have you applied those characteristics? What successes and shortcomings have you experienced with
your management style?

Interview questions for: CFO
Character quality: Virtue
? Have you ever suffered for doing what is right? Any regrets? Why were you willing to suffer loss for
that?
? How have you responded in the past when you learned another employee was stealing?
? What was the first thing you stole as a child? Did you get away with it? What is the last thing you
stole? When?
? Have you ever made restitution for anything?
? How do you respond when cashiers give you too much change?
? Would your previous employer say you are trustworthy? Why or why not?
? What was the last thing you found? ... Then ask, Where?, ... What did you do with it? [Does the
applicant take advantage of opportunities of the moment or do they have a heart to restore lost items
to the owner?]

Interview questions for: CFO
Character quality: Honesty
? Describe a situation for me where it would be okay to lie.
? What would you do if a delivery driver accidentally left double the number of an item that his
company charges us a lot of money for?

attribution http://www.citehr.com/21632-what-top-10-questions-ask-cfo-interview.html#ixzz31U5KWknL
*********************************************



1. Share an experience you had in dealing with a difficult person and how you handled the
situation.
2 Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.
3 Share an experience when you applied new technology or information in your job. How did it
help your company?
4 Would you consider analyzing data or information a strength? How so?
5 What is the key to a successful budget?
6 Share an experience in which your ability to consider the costs or benefits of a potential action
helped you choose the most appropriate action.
7 Provide a time when you were able to identify a complex problem, evaluate the options, and
implement a solution. How did the solution benefit your employer?
8 Name a time when you identified strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to
problems. What was the impact?
9 How would you rate your writing skills? (Ask for an example that demonstrates great writing
skills.)
10 Provide an example of a time when you were able to demonstrate excellent listening skills.
What was the situation and outcome?
11 Share an experience in which your understanding of a current or upcoming problem helped your
company to respond to the problem.
12. Provide an example when your ethics were tested.
13 Provide an experience that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively. What were
the challenges and results?
14 What are some long-range objectives that you developed in your last job? What did you do to
achieve them?
15 How do you balance cooperation with others and independent thinking? Share an example. (Try
to determine if the candidate has a cooperative attitude or is otherwise good-natured.)
16 What have you found to be the best way to monitor the performance of your work and/or the
work of others? Share a time when you had to take corrective action.
17 Give me an example of when you thought outside of the box. How did it help your employer?
18 Share an experience in which you successfully coordinated with others. How about a
coordination effort that was not as successful?
19 Tell me about the last time you oversaw the work of someone else. How did you effectively
motivate, develop, and direct the worker(s)?
20 Tell me what kind of reports you prepared and/or directed the preparation of at your last job.
21 Tell me about the last tax return you prepared and filed.
22 Share an experience in which you supervised employees performing difficult financial reporting,
accounting, billing, collections, payroll, and budgeting duties.
23 Share an experience in which your attention to detail and thoroughness had an impact on your
last company.
24 Share an example of when you went above and beyond the "call of duty". (Look for answers that
show the candidate is dependable.)
25 Share an experience in which you delegated authority for the receipt, disbursement, banking,
protection, or custody of funds, securities, or financial instruments and were happy with the results.
How about a time that you were unhappy with the results of your delegation?
26 Provide an example when you were able to prevent a problem because you foresaw the
reaction of another person.
27 Tell me about a time when you developed your own way of doing things or were self-motivated
to finish an important task.
28 Provide an example of when you were persistent in the face of obstacles.
29 Tell me about your last experience receiving, recording, and authorizing requests for
disbursements in accordance with your company's policy.
30 Provide an experience in which you successfully conducted a difficult audit of company accounts
and financial transactions to ensure compliance with state and federal requierments and statutes.
31 Describe a time when your current knowledge of new policies, procedures, and standards
helped your company.
32 Share a time when you willingly took on additional responsibilities or challenges. How did you
successfully meet all of the demands of these responsibilities? (Make sure the candidate is a self-starter
and can demonstrate some initiative.)
33 Describe a time when your monitoring of financial activities and details helped your company
meet a legal or regulatory requirement, that may have been overlooked.
34 Provide an example of when you set expectations and monitored the performance of
subordinates. What guidance and direction did you find most effective?
35 Share an example of when you established and accomplished a goal that was personally
challenging. What helped you succeed?
36 Describe an experience in which facilitating financial activities was made easier by your
relationship with personnel in another financial department.
37 Share your last experience monitoring and evaluating the performance of a financial staff. How
did you deal with peronnel actions like promotions or dismissals?
38 Describe a time when your advisement to management or other personnel on financial
objectives produced good results.
39 Share a time when your analysis of past, present, and future finances helped your company
develop or improve in a certain area.
40 Tell me about a time you successfully developed a policy or procedure for budgeting, cash and
credit management, or accounting which helped your company.
41 Tell me about an experience you had coordinating and directing the financial planning,
budgeting, procurement, or investment activities of an organization. What helped you be successful?
42 Name a time when your creativity or alternative thinking solved a problem in your workplace.
43 Name a time when your patience was tested. How did you keep your emotions in check?
44 Share an experience in which you assisted an organization on accounting, budgeting, or efficient
control or utilization of financial resources. What led to your success?
45 Tell me about a time your recommendation for procurement or investment in your company
had good results.
46 Tell me about a time when your ability to analyze needs and product requirements helped you
create an effective design or make an informed decision to benefit your company.
47 Share an experience in which you used new training skills, ideas, or a method to adapt to a new
situation or improve an ongoing one. (Look for the candidate's ability to learn.)
48 Provide a time when you dealt calmly and effectively with a high-stress situation.
49 Share an experience in which your willingness to lead or offer an opinion helped your company.
50 Describe a time when you successfully persuaded another person to change his/her way of
thinking or behavior.
51 Provide a time when you worked in a rapidly evolving workplace. How did you deal with the
change? (Make sure the candidate is flexible.)
52 Tell me about a time you successfully trained a staff in budgeting or financial management.
53 Please share an experience in which you successfully taught a difficult principle or concept. How
were you able to be successful?
54 Provide an experience in which you were sensitive to somone's needs or feelings. How did your
helpfulness affect your work environment?
55 Tell me about your last experience computing, withholding, and accounting for payroll
deductions.
56 Provide an example of a time when you successfully organized a diverse group of people to
accomplish a task.
57 Describe an experience in which your ability to work well with others and reconcile differences
helped your company or employer. (Make sure the candidate knows how to negotiate.)
58 Share an experience in which personal connections to coworkers or others helped you to be
successful in your work. (Make sure candidate works well with others.)
59 Tell me what tax planning work you did in your last job.
60 Please share with me an example of how you helped coach or mentor someone. What
improvements did you see in the person's knowledge or skills?
61 Provide an experience in which your ability to actively find ways to help people improved your
company or your own work ethic.
62 Share an experience in which you determined depreciation rates of capitalized items and
advised your management to purchase, lease, or dispose of an item with good results.
63 In your experience, what is the key to developing a good team? (Look for how they build mutual
trust, respect, and cooperation.)
Energy Efficiency Finance Manager Interview Questions
1. Share an experience you had in dealing with a difficult person and how you handled the situation.
2. Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.
3. What are some long-range objectives that you developed in your last job? What did you do to achieve
them?
4. Share an experience when you applied new technology or information in your job. How did it help
your
company?
5. Give me an example of when you thought outside of the box. How did it help your employer?
6. Name a time when you identified strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems.
What was
the impact?
7. Share an experience in which your attention to detail and thoroughness had an impact on your last
company.
8. Share an effective method you have used to determine the prices at which securities should be
sydicated
and/or offered to the public.
9. Would you consider analyzing data or information a strength? How so?
10. How would you rate your writing skills? (Ask for an example that demonstrates great writing skills.)
11. Provide an example of a time when you successfully organized a diverse group of people to
accomplish a
task.
12. Provide an example of when you set expectations and monitored the performance of subordinates.
What
guidance and direction did you find most effective?
13. Provide an example of a time when you were able to demonstrate excellent listening skills. What
was the
situation and outcome?
Page 1/5Energy Efficiency Finance Manager Interview Questions
14. Provide a time when you dealt calmly and effectively with a high-stress situation.
15. Provide an example when your ethics were tested.
16. Share an example of when you went above and beyond the "call of duty". (Look for answers that
show the
candidate is dependable.)
17. Provide an example of when you were persistent in the face of obstacles.
18. Share an experience in which your ability to consider the costs or benefits of a potential action
helped you
choose the most appropriate action.
19. Provide a time when you worked in a rapidly evolving workplace. How did you deal with the change?
(Make sure the candidate is flexible.)
20. Share a time when you willingly took on additional responsibilities or challenges. How did you
successfully meet all of the demands of these responsibilities? (Make sure the candidate is a self-starter
and
can demonstrate some initiative.)
21. Share an experience in which you recommended an investment or investment timing to a company,
staff,
or the public with good results. How about a time when your recommendation was not very effective?
22. Share an experience in which your understanding of a current or upcoming problem helped your
company
to respond to the problem.
23. Please share with me an example of how you helped coach or mentor someone. What
improvements did
you see in the person's knowledge or skills?
24. Share an example of when you established and accomplished a goal that was personally challenging.
What
helped you succeed?
25. Provide a time when you were able to identify a complex problem, evaluate the options, and
implement a
solution. How did the solution benefit your employer?
Page 2/5Energy Efficiency Finance Manager Interview Questions
26. In your experience, what is the key to developing a good team? (Look for how they build mutual
trust,
respect, and cooperation.)
27. What factors do you consider when evaluating the quality of securities?
28. Describe a plan of action for investment you prepared which was successful. What methods led to
your
success?
29. How do you balance cooperation with others and independent thinking? Share an example. (Try to
determine if the candidate has a cooperative attitude or is otherwise good-natured.)
30. Describe an effective chart or graph you drew to illustrate a technical report. What methods made
you
successful?
31. Share an experience in which your analysis of financial information helped you accurately forecast a
business, industry, or economy condition. How did this benefit you in your work?
32. Name a time when your patience was tested. How did you keep your emotions in check?
33. Share an experience in which your willingness to lead or offer an opinion helped your company.
34. How do you keep up-to-date with developments in industrial technology, business, finance, and
economic
theory?
35. What factors do you consider when interpreting data affecting investment programs?
36. Tell me about a time when you successfully presented a report. What methods made you
successful?
37. What have you found to be the best way to monitor the performance of your work and/or the work
of
others? Share a time when you had to take corrective action.
38. Provide an experience in which you were sensitive to somone's needs or feelings. How did your
helpfulness affect your work environment?
Page 3/5Energy Efficiency Finance Manager Interview Questions
39. Provide an experience that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively. What were the
challenges and results?
40. Describe a time when you successfully persuaded another person to change his/her way of thinking
or
behavior.
41. Tell me about a time when you developed your own way of doing things or were self-motivated to
finish
an important task.
42. Share an experience in which collaborating with an investment banker helped you attract new
clients.
43. Name a time when your creativity or alternative thinking solved a problem in your workplace.
44. Share an experience in which personal connections to coworkers or others helped you to be
successful in
your work. (Make sure candidate works well with others.)
45. Share an experience in which you successfully coordinated with others. How about a coordination
effort
that was not as successful?
46. Describe an experience in which your ability to work well with others and reconcile differences
helped
your company or employer. (Make sure the candidate knows how to negotiate.)
47. Provide an example when you were able to prevent a problem because you foresaw the reaction of
another
person.
48. Share an experience in which you recommended an environmentally-related financial product which
produced good results for your company. How did you find the product?
49. Share an experience in which you identified a potential financial investment which was
environmentally
sound.
50. Describe a time when you accurately forecasted the financial costs associated with a climate change.
What
factors did you consider?
Page 4/5Energy Efficiency Finance Manager Interview Questions
51. Share an effective method you have used to secure capital investments.
52. Provide a time when you accurately determined the financial viability of alternative energy
generation or
fuel production systems.
53. Tell me about a time when your ability to analyze needs and product requirements helped you
create an
effective design or make an informed decision to benefit your company.
54. Provide an experience in which your ability to actively find ways to help people improved your
company
or your own work ethic.
55. Share an experience in which you used new training skills, ideas, or a method to adapt to a new
situation
or improve an ongoing one. (Look for the candidate's ability to learn.)
56. Please share an experience in which you successfully taught a difficult principle or concept. How
were you
able to be successful?



Finance Manager (checker) Interview Questions

1. Share an experience you had in dealing with a difficult person and how you handled the situation.
2. Share an effective method you have used to compile and analyze credit information. Provide an
experience.
3. Share an experience when you applied new technology or information in your job. How did it help
your
company?
4. Provide an example of a time when you were able to demonstrate excellent listening skills. What was
the
situation and outcome?
5. Tell me how you organize, plan, and prioritize your work.
6. Name a time when your patience was tested. How did you keep your emotions in check?
7. Provide an example when your ethics were tested.
8. Share an experience in which your attention to detail and thoroughness had an impact on your last
company.
9. Share an effective method you have used to verify applicants' references, employment, health
history, and
social behavior.
10. Share an example of when you went above and beyond the "call of duty". (Look for answers that
show the
candidate is dependable.)
11. Name a time when you identified strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions to problems.
What
was the impact?
12. Provide an effective method you have used to obtain information about potential creditors. Share an
experience.
13. How do you balance cooperation with others and independent thinking? Share an example. (Try to
determine if the candidate has a cooperative attitude or is otherwise good-natured.)
Page 1/3Finance Manager Interview Questions
14. Provide a time when you dealt calmly and effectively with a high-stress situation.
15. How would you rate your writing skills? (Ask for an example that demonstrates great writing skills.)
16. Tell me about a time when you developed your own way of doing things or were self-motivated to
finish
an important task.
17. Share an experience in which you successfully prepared reports of findings and recommendations.
18. Share an experience in which your ability to consider the costs or benefits of a potential action
helped you
choose the most appropriate action.
19. Share a time when you willingly took on additional responsibilities or challenges. How did you
successfully meet all of the demands of these responsibilities? (Make sure the candidate is a self-starter
and
can demonstrate some initiative.)
20. Share an experience in which personal connections to coworkers or others helped you to be
successful in
your work. (Make sure candidate works well with others.)
21. Provide an example of when you were persistent in the face of obstacles.
22. Share an example of when you established and accomplished a goal that was personally challenging.
What
helped you succeed?
23. Provide an experience in which you were sensitive to somone's needs or feelings. How did your
helpfulness affect your work environment?
24. Provide an example when you were able to prevent a problem because you foresaw the reaction of
another
person.
25. What have you found to be the best way to monitor the performance of your work and/or the work
of
others? Share a time when you had to take corrective action.
26. Share an experience in which your understanding of a current or upcoming problem helped your
company
Page 2/3Finance Manager Interview Questions
to respond to the problem.
27. Share an experience in which your willingness to lead or offer an opinion helped your company.
28. Would you consider analyzing data or information a strength? How so?
29. Share an experience in which you successfully coordinated with others. How about a coordination
effort
that was not as successful?
30. What are some long-range objectives that you developed in your last job? What did you do to
achieve
them?
31. Provide a time when you worked in a rapidly evolving workplace. How did you deal with the change?
(Make sure the candidate is flexible.)
32. Name a time when your creativity or alternative thinking solved a problem in your workplace.
33. Provide an experience that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively. What were the
challenges and results?
34. Provide a time when you were able to identify a complex problem, evaluate the options, and
implement a
solution. How did the solution benefit your employer?
35. Provide an experience in which your ability to actively find ways to help people improved your
company
or your own work ethic.
36. Describe an experience in which your ability to work well with others and reconcile differences
helped
your company or employer. (Make sure the candidate knows how to negotiate.)

1. What motivates you?

This is your chance to detect what drives your finance candidates. Dig further to find out whether its
about the money or the finance industry itself. Keep in mind, the desire to make money doesnt
necessarily equate to a sufficient drive to succeed or real passion for the business. It often comes with
limitations.

2. What is your greatest achievement?

For some finance candidates, the answer may be related to a specific project they undertook or an
award they received. If they dont share insightful details about why they feel this was their greatest
achievement, be sure to question further. Ask yourself: Is this relevant to the role theyre interviewing
for?

3. What can you bring to this role that youre certain other applicants cant?

Get to the bottom of why this finance candidate truly deserves your attention. It could be their precise
role-related experience, achievements within the industry, or even their unique personality. This
question is also important for testing your candidates level of confidence is it too much or just right?

RELATED: How to Answer Why Do You Want This Job? in an Interview

4. What hurdles or obstacles have you overcome?

Posing this question will help you key into your finance candidates ability to overcome adversity or
challenges throughout their career. If youre particularly interested in a piece of information on their
resume, like a layoff, ask them directly about how they overcame that situation.

5. What would previous coworkers and managers say about you?

Zeroing in on how others perceive your interviewee is essential to finding out whether theyre a match
for the position and your company as a whole. Jot down what your candidate shares with you and
follow-up with their references to see if the descriptions match.

6. Where do you see yourself in five years?

Its important to understand whether your finance candidates career path is aligned with the position
to which they are applying. Bringing on a candidate whos just looking for a here and now type of
position wont do you any favors in terms of a long-term hire. Watch out for cookie cutter answers that
end up sounding more like wishful thinking than actual long-term plans.

7. Are you willing to relocate?

This should be a no-brainer for candidates who are truly passionate about the role. Any hesitation in
answering this question should lead you to question them further.

8. Are you willing to work all hours?

Depending on the available position and the company culture, it may be necessary for your potential
finance hire to work late to ensure their responsibilities are completed. Their answer to this question
will reveal if theyre dedicated and passionate about the role.

9. Do you play sports?

By: Body&Mind Solutions
By: Body&Mind Solutions
If a competitive spirit is crucial for thriving in the role youre interviewing for, this question will do the
trick. Playing sports, whether currently or previously, is a great way to determine whether your finance
candidates have a competitive nature.

10. What other industries are you looking into?

Are your candidates really interested in the finance industry, or are they just exploring their options?
Passion for finance is essential to staying afloat in this industry.

11. What was the worst class you had in college?

What would that professor say about you? These two questions will allow you to dig deeper into the
potential weaknesses and challenges of your finance candidates. Youll also be able to take a closer look
at how well they handled this situation. While they may have hated their creative writing class, would
their professor say they put their best foot forward in spite of it all?

12. If you could only pick one, what stock would you pick and why?

This is one the few industry-specific questions that will give you a better sense of your candidate. Are
they a risk-taker, or do they play it safe?

13. What do you know about our company, our competition, and our industry as a whole?

Asking your candidates to sum up your company and their industry knowledge will give you insight into
how much homework they did prior to the interview. Candidates who blank on this question may be
unfamiliar with your company and the finance industry as a whole, and applying to this role on a whim.
You dont want an employee who lacks the ability or desire to research.

Better interview questions are a key component in landing better finance hires. Carefully track their
body language and reactions to the questions you present, as these are also effective indicators.
Remember, you want a candidate who is truly passionate about the opportunity and not just trying to
win the job. Always read between the lines.

What do you think is the most effective interview question for finance candidates?

Q: Will you be out to take my job?

A: Maybe in about twenty years, but by then, I suspect youll be running the entire company and will
need a good, loyal lieutenant to help you manage this department!

Q: What if you work here for five years and dont get promoted? Many of our employees dont. Wont
you find it frustrating?

A: I consider myself ambitious, but Im also practical. As long as I am continuing to learn and grow within
my position, Ill be a happy camper. Different companies promote people at different rates, and Im
pretty confident that working for you will keep me motivated and mentally stimulated for several years
to come.

Q: What is your biggest weakness thats really a weakness, and not a secret strength?

A: I am extremely impatient. I expect my employees to prove themselves on the very first assignment. If
they fail, my tendency is to stop delegating to them and start doing everything myself.

To compensate for my own weakness, however, I have started to really prep my people on exactly what
will be expected of them.

Q: You have changed careers before. Why should I let you experiment on my nickel?

A: As a career-changer, I believe that Im a better employee because Ive gained a lot of diverse skills
from moving around. These skills help me solve problems creatively.

Awkward Interview Questions

Q: If you knew that things at your company were rocky, why didnt you get out of the company sooner?

A: I was working so hard to keep my job while everyone around me was being cut that I didnt have any
time left over to look for another job. With all of the mergers that have been happening in our field,
layoffs are a way of life. At least I gave it my best shot!

Q: From your resume, it looks like you were fired twice. How did that make you feel?

A: After I recuperated from the shock both times, it made me feel stronger. Its true that I was fired
twice, but I managed to bounce back both times and land jobs that gave me more responsibility, paid
me more money, and were at better firms.

The morale here is very high. Ive been exposed to the seamy underbelly of this business, but Im still
passionate about working in it.

Q: I see from your resume that you worked at CC&L for four years, and thats terrific. But I also noticed
that you werent promoted during that time. Why not?

A: CC&L is a great company, and thanks in part to my teams contributions, they are doing very well
these days. But that wasnt always the case.

During the first two years that I worked there, people were being fired left and right, and just hanging
onto my job was a feat.

Once the company began to turn around, [my boss] was offered a terrific job at a rival organization and
it took CC&L six months to replace him, and when they did, the new boss was eager to bring in his own
people. Once again, I tenaciously hung on to my job, and, even though I was long overdue for a
promotion, I really didnt think that the timing was right for me to broach it. No one from the old staff
was there to even vouch for my performance!

Q: If you were running a company that produces X and the market was tanking for that product, what
would you do?

interview talking thinking serious

A: I would search for new markets for the product while I spurred the engineers to change the product
to make it more marketable to its original core audience.

Q: Are you telling me that, now that youre forty-something, you would be willing to start at an entry-
level position just to get your foot in the door here?

A: Sometimes you need to take a step backward to move your career forward. Starting in an entry-level
role would allow me to learn your business from the ground up.

The career that Ive been in is so different than yours that I would love the opportunity to start over
again in your field. The salary cut will be well worth it.

Q: From your resume, I notice that you interned at a small investment banking boutique. Did you pursue
a full-time job offer with them? What happened?

A: Yes, I did very well at my internship, and I had originally assumed that I would come on staff once I
graduated from college. However, BB&L drastically cut back the number of new hires they were
planning. As fate would have it, they will not be hiring any of the interns they had last summer.

I love working at BB&L, and I brought some references with me today to show you that my job
performance there was stellar. Still, in some ways, I consider this new turn of events to be a lucky break
for me, believe it or not.

Q: We love women at this company, but our clients are Chinese and so we were thinking of hiring a man
for this particular job.

A: Why is that, exactly? It seems to me that I am probably more qualified to handle this position than
anyone, man or woman.

My fathers career as a diplomat took our family around the world seven times, and I even spent my
junior year abroad in the Far East. I would need far less training than an American man who grew up
here and has never worked outside our borders.

interviewing
Dells Official Flickr Page/Flickr
Q: Our clients feel more comfortable with ethnic writers. So, while I would love to recommend you for
the position, Im worried that our clients will feel uneasy about us hiring you.

A. I sincerely believe that being a great writer requires one major skill beyond being able to string
sentences together, and that quality is empathy. I think that, rather than looking at my skin colour, your
company needs to consider whether or not I can empathize with our target market, and the answer is
certainly yes.

Advertisement

Q: Why did you take so much time off from work, and why do you wish to get a job now?

A: When I first had the twins, my husband was working 24/7, and I really needed to be there to raise the
kids. But during that time, I really missed working.

Fortunately, I kept my hand in the business during those years by consulting for several of my ex-clients.

Q: What would you do if you really wanted to hire a woman under you, and you knew the perfect
candidate, but your boss really wanted to hire a man for the job?

A: Id recommend that we perform an on-site test, by hiring both candidates on a freelance basis for
two weeks each.

Q: What if you worked with someone who managed to take credit for all your great ideas. How would
you handle it?

A: First, I would try to credit her publicly with the ideas that were hers. Sometimes, by being generous
with credit, it spurs the other person to return the favour.

If that doesnt solve it, Id try to work out an arrangement where we each agreed to present the ideas
that were our own to our bosses. If that doesnt work, I would openly discuss the situation with her.

However, if the person taking credit for my ideas was my boss, I would tread cautiously. To some extent,
I believe that my job is to make my superiors shine. If I were being rewarded for my ideas with raises
and promotions, I would be happy.

Q: How many hours a week do you usually work, and why?

A: I work pretty long hours most of the time. With the extra time, I try to find ways to add value to
each assignment, both my own and the firms. When our clients read our reports, I want them to think
that no one else could have possibly written them, except for our company.

Q: Does a company need B players? Or is it better off only having A players on staff, and why.

A: I believe that a company needs both A and B players. When youre pitching new business, you want
the A players on the front line. But behind the A players, you need the B players who can hammer out
the details of the projects and stick with them on a day-to-day basis. Having too many A players on the
team leads to ego clashes and a disorganized, anarchical way of doing business.

Q: Are you better at managing up or managing down?

A: If you arent good at managing up, you rarely get the opportunity to manage down. Fortunately,
Ive always been quite good at self-management. Ive never had a deadline that I didnt meet.

Q: This ad agency is a TV shop. But I see from your resume that you have far more experience handling
print. Youre weak on TV compared to other candidates. Why should I hire you for the job and not
someone else who has the credentials that were really looking for?

A: One thing I learned from these ad agencies is that print and TV are only mediums. The real thing that
we offer clients is our ideas. And a strong, solid award-winning idea will work just as beautifully in TV as
in print.

So while I may have fewer TV spots on my reel as other candidates, hopefully youll agree that my ideas
are stronger than theirs. Hire me for my ideas, and when you do, I promise you that they will translate
seamlessly into TV.

Q: Would you rather get permission from your boss before undertaking a brand-new project, or be given
enough rope to hang yourself?

A: During my first week on the job, I would ask my boss how she would prefer me to handle projects. If
she indicated that she wanted a take-charge person under her, I would take the ropes. If she told me she
wanted me to run ideas by her first, I would comply. I think the real challenge is being able to adapt to
your work environment, and Im flexible.

Q: Please give an example of the most difficult political situation that youve dealt with on a job.

A: I was hired by a woman who was on her way out. She asked me to be her fall guy on a number of
assignments. I just learned to drop the assignments off with my boss on the day that they were due, and
when the managers would ring me up, I would recommend that they simply follow up with her. This
kept me out of hot water with my boss and with her superiors.

Phone Interview
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Q: Did you ever make a mistake that cost your company money?

A: I suppose that asking for name-brand vodka at the Christmas party, instead of the generic swill that
they normally serve, doesnt count, right? No, really honestly, Im delighted to report that I never made
a mistake that cost my company money.

Q: Is it more important to be lucky or skillful?

A: I think that its more important to be lucky, although being very skilled can help to create more
opportunities. Certainly, [at my former job, my boss'] confidence in me inspired the decision makers at
our firm to trust that I could do the job. But clearly, I also happened to be in the right place at the right
time.

Q: When do you think youll peak in your career?

A: I come from a long line of healthy, hardy, mentally active types, and so I confess that I never even
think about peaking in my career. That having been said, I do think its important to have some self-
knowledge, and to recognize when one is past ones prime.

Q: Under what circumstances have you found it acceptable to break confidence?

A: When the person doing the confiding has shared the fact that she was doing something unethical
and if I felt that I might be able to stop her behavior by telling someone else about it.

Q: Do you consider yourself a leader?

A. Oh, yes, absolutely. I have all of the leadership qualities. Im extroverted, but I also happen to be a
terrific listener. I consider myself a big idea person, but I can also be hard-nosed and practical when
necessary.

Q: What do you view as your risks and disadvantages with the position we are interviewing you for?

A: I think that with the home office located halfway across the globe, there is a very small risk that one
might not have the chance to interact with the key decision makers as often as might be ideal. On the
other hand, teleconferencing, email, faxing, and having a 24/7 work ethic will go a long way towards
bridging the gap.

Q: What are a couple of the most courageous actions or unpopular stands that you have ever taken?

A: I used to work for a boss who managed four offices making his time ultra-limited he eventually
called me one day, and begged me to review their work unofficially. But there had been a long history
in my office of people who would act like the boss, sans any official title, only to be beheaded a few
months later for overstepping their bounds.

man, speech, presentation, suit, business, interview

statigr.am/itsumayr
I told my supervisor that if he wanted me to be acting boss in his absence, he needed to let people
know officially, and that giving me a new title wouldnt hurt either.

Q: Can you describe your dream job?

A: This is my dream job and thats why I approached you about it in the first place. I am excited about
the prospect of helping your promotion agency upgrade and fine tune your loyalty programs.

Q: How aware are you of internal politics that may affect your performance?

A: Im sensitive to internal politics and respect authority figures. But I also do my best to never become
embroiled in office politics. At my level, I consider this to be a wise course of action. I like people and
can pretty much work with anyone. So I concentrate on doing my job, listening to directions, surpassing
expectations, and leaving the internal political battles to the politicians.

A strong finance manager, with superior relationship building skills, can transform a team from subpar
to extraordinary. Here are the top five questions to ask a finance manager in an interview.

accounting job interviewsIn a job interview, how do you differentiate between a finance manager who
will lead your team to greatness, or one who will mire it in the muck of predictable routine?

Interviewing well is as much a science as it is an art, and the questions that you craft must be designed
to reveal thought processes and values, as much as technical skill. Consider these questions when hiring
a finance manager.

Interview Question #1: You discover an error that a colleague has made that could cause significant
impact to the organization. What do you do?

This question allows you to see how effectively the candidate assesses the scenario. Can they determine
a reasonable timeline for informing upper management of the error, and do they offer a unified front
with their colleague when it comes to that conversation? How your prospective finance manager
answers this question will reveal their views on leadership invaluable information when you are trying
to make a hiring decision.

Interview Question #2: When have you been the happiest working with a manager? Why?

This question is useful in determining behavioural traits. The way a prospective candidate likes to be
managed offers insight into their core values. For example, if they speak highly about a manager who
offered them flexibility and independence, and you know that this will not work for your team, then this
particular hire is not suitable for your organization.

Interview Question #3: Even if you were generally happy with a former manager, go back to a time when
you were not as content. Why was this the case? Did the situation improve? Why?

A multi-part question such as this will reveal how your prospective finance manager navigates
challenging waters. Do they rise to the occasion, communicate clearly and foster win-win partnerships,
or are they more likely to say nothing and carry-on. Ultimately, a finance manager is a liaison to several
different departments, supporting them to achieve their strategic objectives, while managing their own
team. You need a strong problem solver and communicator in this role.

Interview Question #4: Why does this role make sense for you at this point in your career?

An interview question such as this assesses whether the candidate thinks analytically about his or her
career. Are they making a decision that will help them stay at the company long-term? Fundamentally,
you want someone who is invested in the role and the organization.

Interview Question #5: What do you think the difference is between a manager and a leader?

Finance managers must be able to plan, organize and coordinate the various moving parts of the finance
department. A true leader, however, also connects people to the vision of their organization and
empowers them to achieve it. A leader is transformative, establishes a culture of continuous
improvement and inspires those around them.

A finance manager plays a critical role in the success of the company. Ask questions designed to
determine core values, as much as technical skill. Hire a leader, not just a manager and make sure their
values align with the core values of the company. Asking these top five questions will help you ensure
that your candidate of choice will be a forward thinking asset for your organization for years to come.

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the
questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

Tips to answer Financial manager interview questions

Doing a little research or learn more about the proposed company and the kind of work you want done.

Enthusiastic and proactive in providing information and not talk about the negative things about the
company or the job you want left.

Identify key duties, tasks, job specs, job standards of Financial manager positions then ask question:
How to do, how to become, how to measure performance, how to monitor, how to control

Always ask by yourself : what are things related to your position field in this interview questions before
answering.

Research the company and its business carefully: company history, organization structure, your division
structure, product/service list, competitive advantages and disadvantages.
.
Always ask by yourself: What are proofs that are needed for this interview questions/this job?

Interview questions samples of Financial manager

You can use free interview questions samples of Financial manager as below:
Please tell me a little about yourself?
Do you know anyone who works here?
What have you learned from your past jobs that related to Financial manager?
Why did you leave your last job?
Tell me about your last position and what you did?
Where would you like to be in 3 years? 5 years?
What made you choose to apply to Financial manager?
What goals have you established for yourself?
What are key tasks for Financial manager?
Why have you applied for this particular position?
How to do each Financial manager position task/function?
If we hired you for the job, what would you be doing?
What is the hardest thing that you have ever done?
How to control each task/function of Financial manager? Etc
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are top top 3 skills for Financial manager?
Why did you choose this career path?
How to measure job performance of your position: Financial manager?
What do you know about this company?
What is it about you that makes you the best fit for this position?
What do you know about the position of your Financial manager position?
What about your educational background qualifies your for this job?
Describe two or three major trends in your did you choose this profession/field?
What tertiary qualifications have you attained that related to Financial manager?
What is the most recent skill you have learned that related to Financial manager?
What tertiary qualifications have you attained that related to your Financial manager position?
What is the most recent skill you have learned that related to your Financial manager position?

Job titles related

The above interview questions also can be used for job titles related to Financial manager as follows:

Financial accountant
Financial analyst
Financial assistant
Financial auditor
Financial controller
Financial control analyst
Financial manager
Financial officer
Financial planner
Financial specialist

attribution http://www.citehr.com/460986-interview-questions-answers-finance-manager-
position.html#ixzz31UJ9Bd8j

Interview questions often targeted at Financial Manager,
Controller and Director level
1. Summarise the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the financial position of the
company as
you understand them.
2. We view the accounting/financial management functions in this position as more than tracking
numbers,
but more the analysis to reduce expenditure and income revenue. What experience do you have in
using your
accounting and financial management skills to identify waste and opportunity? What were the results
of your
efforts?
3. How have you increased revenues in the previous companies you have worked for?
4. How much success have you had with budgets you have developed or assisted in developing? Explain.
5. Can you give me an example where you improved the quality/timeliness of the financial information?
6. What are the most important policies and procedures in your philosophy to cash management?
7. When analysing your group budget, what would you be looking for?
8. Describe an instance when you had to work weekends or evenings to meet expectations and/or fill
the gap
from other employees and/or subordinates?
9. What types of reports would you like to review in your first month on the job and why?
10. What kind of regular meetings would you schedule with your division managers?
11. What experience do you have in team leadership? How would you describe your leadership style
and
how has it contributed to the success of the project/department? Talk through how you impacted the
careers
of the staff you mentored.
12. What do you want staff to tell you about their position in your first week on the job? After the first
month?
13. How will you determine your expectations from your staff? At what point do you believe it is
important to give
staff a review?
14. How will you help staff change from a This is how it is always done it to new processes you
implement?
15. How do you reward excellence, innovation, initiative, teamwork?
16. How many performance evaluations have you conducted in the last 12 months? How did your
reports fare?
How did you help them do well? What could you have done to help them perform at the highest level?
Did you
expand the team?
17. What is your commercial experience and how do you feel you could create impact in this role?
Commonly asked interview questions
1. What is it about this role/the company that motivated you to apply for this position?
2. Describe a situation where you facilitated a project that spanned across several
departments/countries or
functions. What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
3. Give me an example of an occasion when you found yourself with competing priorities - more to do
than you
could possibly get done. What did you do to resolve the situation? Would you do anything different
now?
4. Why should I hire you?
5. What are your strongest abilities?
6. How do your skills relate to our needs?
7. Tell me something about yourself?BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK FOR 2007
100 WERE WINNERS!
Commonly asked interview questions - Continued
8. What are your greatest strengths/weaknesses?
9. Where do you want to be in 5 years?
10. Why do you want to work for us?
11. Where did you grow up?
12. What does success mean to you?
13. What does failure mean to you?
14. What are your three major accomplishments?
15. What have you disliked in your past jobs?
16. What type of people do you enjoy working with?
17. What type of people frustrate you?
18. ln the past year, what have you been dissatisfied about in your performance?
19. What is your ideal job?
20. What can you tell me about your past bosses?
21. Which is more important to you: money or the type of job?
22. What have you learned from your activities?
23. What two attributes are most important in your job?
24. What major problem have you encountered and how did you deal with it?
25. What have you done that you consider creative?
26. Who do you admire? Why?
27. What do you get passionate about?
28. Have you ever managed a conflict? How?
29. What concerns you about our company?
Ideas on how to handle difficult questions

1. You may be over-qualified for the position we have to offer. Strong companies need strong people. A
growing,
energetic company is rarely unable to use its people talents. Emphasise your interest in a long-term
association,
pointing out that the employer will get a faster return on investment because you have more experience
than
required.
2. What is your management style? Open-door management is best and you get the job done on time
or
inform your management.
3. Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel you have top managerial potential? Keep
your
answer focused on achievements and tasks; emphasise management skills - planning, organising,
controlling,
interpersonal, etc.
4. What do you look for when you recruit people? Skills, initiative, adaptability.
5. Have you ever fired anyone? lf so, what were the reasons and how did you handle it? You have had
experience
with this and it worked out well.
6. What do you see as the most difficult part of being a manager? Getting things planned and done on
time
within the budget.
7. What do your subordinates think of you? Be honest and positive, they can easily check.
8. What is your biggest weakness as a manager? Be honest and end on a positive note, e.g. I dont
enjoy
reprimanding people, so l try to begin with something positive first.BEST SMALL COMPANIES TO WORK
FOR 2007
100 WERE WINNERS!
A sample of questions to consider asking the interviewers:
1. What are your companys strengths and how do you capitalise on them?
2. What are your companys weaknesses and how are you dealing with them?
3. What changes do you anticipate in the industry?
4. What risks will your company face due to industry changes?
5. How would you describe the business culture?
6. How have you strategically responded to the competition?
7. What legislation is pending that will affect the firm?
8. Where will the major sources of your business be in the next 5 years?
9. How is worker performance measured and reviewed?
10. Do you have a mentor program? What formal training programs are in place?
11. What is the companys management style?
12. What challenges are facing the finance department currently? How is the business currently acting
on them?
13. What are the key skills that you require for the role?
14. Describe my initial assignments?
15. How is this position likely to change in the next year to two year period?
16. From all the accountabilities on the job description, what duties are likely to take most time?
In summary:
If the role is of interest, ALWAYS re-confirm your enthusiasm for the job/company before you leave.
Summarise
how you believe your attributes/previous experience would be beneficial in making the role a success.
Clarify what stage the interview process is at, when the second interview will be and how many
applicants are
being considered. This will give you a time frame for how quickly a decision is likely and how many
competitors
you have for the role. On some occasions, the interview may tentatively give you the proposed dates for
the next
stage, so that you can make yourself available for them.
Leave a copy of testimonial or character reference with the interviewer before you leave, which creates
a strong
sales document on your behalf.
Above all, be yourself, empathise with the needs of the business, demonstrate good listening skills and
close the
interview with a confident smile.
If the interviewer asks what other opportunities you are considering, it can have positive results to
communicate
that you do have other interviews in the pipeline. Do not, though, give further details.
When asked what salary/package you are looking for, answer simply that you are open to a competitive
offer
and let us close the offer for you. This will ensure you are not under or over selling yourself. On your
behalf, we
will be doing the research for you in summary, a testimonial or character reference