Thanks to Dan T. Ramey, CPA, CIA Director - Strategic Business Solutions Harper and Pearson Company, P.C.  for the following behavior based interview questions that he uses regardless of the position. Due to the nature of the questions, you can adapt them to accounting, clerical, new grad, internal auditor, management level, etc. for a very good interview session.

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·        Describe one of the most difficult or complicated problems or issues you have faced recently.

·        How did you become aware of the issue?

·        What information did you collect?

·        What solution did you reach?

·        How did it work out?

Alternate Questions

Tell me about an interesting issue or topic you’ve spent time learning about that is outside of your primary area of expertise.

Tell me about the toughest problem you’ve faced where the economic issues were at least as important as the technical ones.

Tell me about a time you made a decision or handled an assignment where the procedures or instructions you had been given were unclear, ambiguous, or con­tradictory.

Describe an unusual or creative approach you have taken to solving a problem.

 

·        Tell me about a recent time when someone didn’t agree with your approach to or analysis of a problem, but where your analysis proved to be right. (H)

·        What were the circumstances?

·        What was your approach?

·        How did you learn about the other person’s disagreement?

·        What did you do?

·        How did it all turn out?

Alternate Questions

Tell me about a time when you went along with the group’s wishes, even though you had serious reservations about what they wanted to do. (C)

Describe a time when you reacted constructively to criticism you received about your work. (H)

Sometimes priorities at work or at school change pretty quickly. How have you had to shift priorities and how effectively do you feel you handled these shifts? (A)

Tell me about a time when you used a different ap­proach to handle an assignment because the usual method was not completely appropriate. (A)

Describe the most frustrating group project you have worked on where the group had difficulty accomplish­ing anything. (C)

 

·        Tell me about a recent time you did something important because it needed to be done, even if it wasn't your responsibility.

·        How did it come to your attention that something needed to be done?

·        What exactly did you do?

·        How much effort was required on your part?

·        What level of urgency did you feel?

·        What other things did you have to set aside in order to attend to this issue or problem?

·        What was the end result?

·        What feedback, if any, did you get regard­ing your actions?

 

Alternate Questions

Give me a good example of when you demonstrated initiative, that is, you set out to learn something or do something without having anyone else prompt you or remind you.

Describe a situation where you set challenging objec­tives for yourself and accomplished them.

Tell me about the biggest risk you have taken recently.

Describe a time recently when you put in more time and effort than was required or expected.

·        Tell me about the most difficult or unreasonable client (or other person) you’ve dealt with recently.

·        What was the situation?

·        What made the person so difficult to deal with?

·        What was your approach?

·        How did the person react?

·        How did the situation turn out?

·        Have you had additional interactions with this person since that time?

Alternate Questions

Tell me about the time when you had an important job (task, project) to accomplish and had to deal with lots of competing demands for your attention.

Tell me about a recent situation that best reflects your business orientation.

Tell me about a time when you were not successful in your efforts and it seemed like the "cards were stacked against you."

Tell me about a time when you refused to take "the easy way out"–you avoided compromising yourself and your values even though it would have given you a short-term advantage.

Tell me about the most disappointing time for you when you got less credit or recognition than you felt you deserved.

·        What types of things have you done that illustrate your ability to apply the technical infor­mation and concepts you have learned at school to "real world" issues or  problems?

·        What was the problem or issue you faced?

·        What technical information or concepts were necessary?

·        In what way did you apply them to the problem?

·        What additional knowledge would have been helpful to have?

·        What feedback did you receive about how you handled problem or issue?

Alternate Questions

What do you do to keep up on new trends and devel­opments in your field?

Describe a time when you accomplished very high quality technical work in a short period of time.

Tell me about the last time you had difficulty with a particular task or project because you lacked the nec­essary technical skills.

Describe a recent time that you were unexpectedly asked to articulate a complicated concept.

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The following questions were provided by Johan van Rooyen

 

TECHNICAL ISSUES:

• What would you say are the key differentiators between internal and external audit?
• What is your philosophy / understanding about the modern day internal auditor’s roles and responsibilities – name the key ones?
• What do you understand by the term “value add”?
• What do you understand by the term “auditor independence / objectivity”?
• What do you understand by the terms “providing assurance and consulting services”?…what are the key differences?
• What is your understanding of the term “CPD” and what benefits are there /why is it important, for an Internal Auditor?
• What in your opinion are the meanings / differences between being effective, efficient and economical?
• What are the key phases in a risk based internal audit methodology?
• What is your understanding of the key aspects of King 2 / COSO / Turnbull / SOX?
• In the event that our roles were reversed and you were interviewing me for a vacancy, would you consider accounting skills, general business management skills or internal auditing skills a prerequisite….why?

SOFT SKILLS ISSUES:

• How do you manage confrontational situations in the workplace, whether between audit staff or audit staff and client management? Provide a real life example.
• How would you deal / interact with an autocratic manager? Provide a real life example.
• How would you describe your management style? Provide a real life example/s.
• How do you make decisions – in a crisis situation and under normal working pressures? Provide a real life example.
• In your opinion, is being attentive critical for an Internal Auditor….why?
• In a nutshell, how would you describe yourself….provide both strengths as well as weaknesses and development areas?
• What is your understanding of the term “teamwork” and how would you contribute to / manage staff productivity in the workplace?

GENERAL:

• What exposure to business / internal audit report writing have you had?
• What exposure to working with computers have you had?
• What software packages have you worked on?
• Are you a member of any Professional Bodies?
• Where do you see your career taking you in the immediate, medium and long term?
• What is your opinion on the term “balance of work and home life”?
• Would you be prepared to travel out-of-town on business as and when required?
• What is your opinion on the current local economy?…and global?
• Why should I select you as the successful candidate for this position?
• Are you familiar with our company / related industry? In your opinion, what would five key risks be to our company / industry?
• What in your opinion are the key “selling” tools of an Internal Auditor i.e. what makes an Internal Auditor successful in business?
  

CLOSURE:

• Any questions from your side?