Top Auditor Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Prepare for your Auditor interview by going through these most asked Auditor interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Interview Practice

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  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to make an unpopular decision.
  • Question Overview: Auditors have to make tough calls sometimes, and they have to be able to stand by their decisions. This question will help you learn about a potential hire's ability to make tough choices and stick with them.

    Sample Answer: I had to fire an employee who was not performing up to par. I explained my decision to him and his coworkers, and I made sure they understood why I had to let him go.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Examples of unpopular decisions the candidate made
    • - How the candidate handled the situation
    • - How the candidate explained the decision to others

  • Question: What do you know about the company?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire an auditor who will be able to work well with your team and understand the company's goals. The answers to this question will help you learn about a potential hire's knowledge of the industry and your company specifically.

    Sample Answer: I know that you're a mid-sized manufacturing company that has been in business for over 20 years. I'm familiar with your products and your main competitors. I'd like to learn more about your goals for the next few years.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed knowledge of the company
    • - Ability to explain how the company works
    • - A desire to learn more about the company

  • Question: What motivates you to work?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire an auditor who is driven to succeed, but you also want to make sure they're motivated by the right things. Answers to this question will help you learn more about the candidate's personality and what drives them.

    Sample Answer: I'm motivated by the challenge of a new project and the opportunity to learn something new. I also like to see my clients succeed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The candidate's personal goals
    • - How the candidate motivates themselves
    • - The candidate's work ethic

  • Question: What kind of entities have attributes?
  • Question Overview: Potential hires should be able to explain the different types of entities and how they affect the auditing process. This question can also help you learn about the applicant's knowledge of the industry.

    Sample Answer: There are three main types of entities: sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. Each one has its own set of attributes that affect how it is audited.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed understanding of different entities
    • - Ability to explain how each entity affects auditing
    • - Knowledge of what makes each entity unique

  • Question: Tell me about your self.
  • Question Overview: This is a very open-ended question, so you want to make sure that you're asking it in a way that will elicit a good response. You want to know about the person's interests, their personality, and their goals.

    Sample Answer: I'm a very hard worker who is always looking for new ways to improve my skills. I'm very dedicated to my job and I'm always looking for ways to improve my performance.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A well-rounded answer that shows the candidate's personality
    • - A desire to learn new skills and take on new challenges
    • - A willingness to work hard and be dedicated

  • Question: Why did you choose to attend this school?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to learn about a candidate's interests and goals. You want to hire someone who has a passion for the field and a desire to learn more about it.

    Sample Answer: I chose this school because it offered a strong curriculum in auditing and was close to home. I'm interested in learning more about the industry and working hard to achieve my goals.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specifics about why the candidate chose this school
    • - A desire to learn more about the industry
    • - A willingness to work hard to achieve their goals

  • Question: How do you conduct an audit?
  • Question Overview: This question will help you learn about the candidate's experience and how they approach their work. You want to hire someone who is detail-oriented and takes the time to do things right.

    Sample Answer: I start by reviewing the client's financial statements and comparing them to the previous year's statements. I then go through each line item and make sure that it matches up with the client's records.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed explanation of the audit process
    • - Ability to explain the process in layman's terms
    • - Examples of how the candidate uses technology

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to deal with a difficult situation.
  • Question Overview: Any potential hires should be able to explain how they handle difficult situations. This question can help you learn about their problem-solving skills and how they respond to pressure.

    Sample Answer: I had to deal with a difficult client who was very upset about a charge on their bill. I was able to talk them through the issue and explain why it was necessary.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed description of the situation
    • - How the candidate handled the situation
    • - How they feel about the situation now

  • Question: When can you join us?
  • Question Overview: This question is a straightforward one that gives you a chance to learn about the candidate's availability.

    Sample Answer: I can start on May 1st. I have a few things to wrap up before then, but I'm available to come in as soon as possible.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific dates the candidate can start
    • - Flexibility in terms of start date
    • - Reasons for any delays in availability

  • Question: What are your current job responsibilities?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to find out what the candidate is doing in their current position and how they feel about it. You can also learn about their career goals and how they plan to achieve them.

    Sample Answer: I am responsible for auditing a variety of different companies in the area. I'm also responsible for training new auditors. I enjoy the variety of my job and the opportunity to help others learn.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed description of current job responsibilities
    • - A desire to learn new skills
    • - A willingness to take on more responsibility

  • Question: Why do you think we should hire you?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great opportunity for the candidate to sell you on their skills and experience. They should be able to explain why they're the best person for the job.

    Sample Answer: I have a lot of experience with auditing and I'm ready to put it to work for your company. I know that I can help you improve your financial processes and save money.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of experience
    • - Details of how the candidate will benefit the company
    • - A positive attitude

  • Question: What do you know about our company?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire an auditor who is interested in your company and can show you that they have done their research. The answers to these questions will help you learn about a potential hire's knowledge of your business and their ability to communicate.

    Sample Answer: I know that you were founded in 20XX and have grown steadily ever since. I know that you have a focus on quality and customer service.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed knowledge of the company
    • - Ability to explain the company's history
    • - An understanding of the company's goals

  • Question: What drives you?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can help you get to know the candidate's personality and work ethic better. It's a good way to see how they respond to questions and if they're a good fit for your business.

    Sample Answer: I'm driven by the challenge of learning new things and helping people. I want to be the best at what I do, and I'm always looking for new ways to improve my skills.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - A desire to learn
    • - A desire to help others
    • - A desire to succeed

  • Question: What is your understanding of Internal Audit?
  • Question Overview: Internal auditors are responsible for making sure that an organization is running smoothly and efficiently. They are often called in to help with specific projects or to review a certain aspect of the business. This question will help you learn about the candidate's understanding of the industry.

    Sample Answer: Internal auditors are responsible for making sure that an organization is running smoothly and efficiently. They are often called in to help with specific projects or to review a certain aspect of the business.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed knowledge of internal auditing
    • - Ability to explain how internal auditing fits into the big picture
    • - Understanding of the role of internal auditing in a company

  • Question: What was the most difficult day at your current job?
  • Question Overview: Any potential hires should be able to explain a difficult day at work and how they dealt with it. This question can help you learn about their problem-solving skills and how they handle pressure.

    Sample Answer: I was working on an audit that was due in a few days when I realized that I had forgotten to include a few important figures. I had to go back and double-check my work, but I was able to get it done in time.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Detailed explanation of the situation
    • - How the candidate reacted to the problem
    • - How the candidate resolved the issue

  • Question: The manager may show you financial statements and ask you: " What do you think about the current financial position of a company?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire an auditor who can look at a company's financial statements and see what they need to see. This question will help you learn how the candidate thinks about numbers and what they look for when examining a company's financial records.

    Sample Answer: I would look at the balance sheet first. I would want to know how much cash the company has on hand, how much debt they have, and what their current assets are. I would also want to know if they have any long-term debt.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The candidate should be able to explain their reasoning behind their opinion
    • - The candidate should be able to explain how they would use the information to make a recommendation

  • Question: How will you convince your team member if he/she has a different idea?
  • Question Overview: You want to hire an auditor who can work well with others and can communicate effectively. This question will help you learn more about the candidate's interpersonal skills.

    Sample Answer: I would first try to understand why my team member has a different idea. I would then try to find a way to incorporate his or her ideas into my own.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to explain how the candidate handles disagreements
    • - Ability to explain how the candidate handles conflict
    • - Ability to explain how the candidate handles stress

  • Question: What did you like/dislike the most about your prior role?
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to help you get a better idea of what the candidate is looking for in their next job. It will also help you determine if they are a good fit for your business.

    Sample Answer: I enjoyed the variety of clients I worked with and the chance to travel. I disliked the long hours and the pressure to meet deadlines.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Specific examples of what the candidate liked or disliked about their prior role
    • - A desire to work in a specific industry or field
    • - A willingness to work in a specific location

  • Question: What was the hardest skill for you to learn?
  • Question Overview: A candidate's answer to this question will give you some insight into how they learn new skills. You want to hire someone who is willing to put in the time and effort to learn new things.

    Sample Answer: The most difficult thing for me to learn was how to use auditing software. I had to take a class and practice it on my own until I felt comfortable with it.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - The most difficult skill the candidate had to learn
    • - How they learned the skill
    • - The steps they took to master the skill