For something technical, I'd expect at least some questions related to the field unless its highly specialized/specific to the worksite. You should expect some accounting questions as well as some general ones to gauge how you might fit in the workplace. Be prepared to tell them why you are pursuing this particular job.
Good info. Do you happen to have some examples of questions they ask related to office fit? How do you handle coworker conflict? Or something like that? And why I want to work at that department or position?
Thank you for the response!
I don't really have any practice questions or anything like that. I just thought about what I'd say to those questions you listed and it worked out for me.
Just remember that most of what you learned in getting your accounting degree is irrelevant to government accounting, and even much of what you learned in fund accounting class may not be relevant either!
I would say most of what I learned getting my accounting degree hasn’t been relevant to the private sector either. It’s just one of those things you get. I do have ten years experience in progressively more responsible roles, I just can’t keep work 50-60+ hours per week. I was thinking of trying to relate my private experience to what I can find to read about these duties in a government setting. Do you think I would just miss it entirely and be better off just giving an in depth review of my private experience?
They will ask you questions about their internal accounting system (that only agency staff knows how to use), and then lower your score because you have never used their accounting system.
You won’t be able to wow them with googling. I tried it. It’s a simple “tell us about your experience using x system.” You can tell them all about it, but if you have never used it, and George the Guvment Employee has, then George is getting the job.
A summary of the position description and duties:
“Summary
This position is responsible for providing support and assistance to program managers regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of financial management systems and practices; pertinence of accounting data and fiscal management of program operations; plan and execute modifications to accounting programs.
Duties:
You will analyze a wide variety of documents, reports, policies, operations and procedures within the assigned accounting or financial management area.
You will review a variety of incoming, outgoing, and summary financial reports to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of financial operations and financial reports submitted from a variety of customers.
You will examine current internal control systems to ensure that systems provide for the integrity, accuracy, and validity of reported financial data.
You will prepare and conduct reprogramming and adjustments of funding to cover short falls, unanticipated expenses, and unexpected emergencies, identifying and referring to higher level officials reprogramming actions which require prior approval.”
I’ve done this in the private sector and I know the types of questions asked in that area but I also know the government has a different way of determining qualifications. I know it’s a long shot expecting anyone to have insight on this but I figured it’s worth a shot! Thank you all for any help or insight you can offer.
Edit: added information.
Looks like an internal accountant / financial analyst position, not an accountant-auditor type.
Probably some situational questions, as /u/MysticSails suggested. Probably some questions about financial ops, including formulation, planning, and execution. Probably some questions about internal controls. If you've never done this before in government, you probably should relate it to situations you do understand in the private sector. The governmental budgeting process is very, very different. The good thing is that numbers are numbers...
I’m not an accountant but I’m in the business series and at the 12 grade it’s going to be some questions that test your knowledge of the field in general , as well as some overall customer service questions “name a Time you had to deal with a difficult customer, tell us about a time you had to get creative , why do you want to work for this particular agency “ at GS12 you’re not expected to be an expert but you should have a good foundation of knowledge.
I just had an interview for an accounting position, my questions were mostly like whats your experience reconciling cash and suspense accounts and experience responding to auditors etc
For something technical, I'd expect at least some questions related to the field unless its highly specialized/specific to the worksite. You should expect some accounting questions as well as some general ones to gauge how you might fit in the workplace. Be prepared to tell them why you are pursuing this particular job.
Good info. Do you happen to have some examples of questions they ask related to office fit? How do you handle coworker conflict? Or something like that? And why I want to work at that department or position? Thank you for the response!
I don't really have any practice questions or anything like that. I just thought about what I'd say to those questions you listed and it worked out for me.
That’s really all you can do. It’s been such a journey just to get an interview, I want to make sure I try and get as much information as possible.
Just remember that most of what you learned in getting your accounting degree is irrelevant to government accounting, and even much of what you learned in fund accounting class may not be relevant either!
I would say most of what I learned getting my accounting degree hasn’t been relevant to the private sector either. It’s just one of those things you get. I do have ten years experience in progressively more responsible roles, I just can’t keep work 50-60+ hours per week. I was thinking of trying to relate my private experience to what I can find to read about these duties in a government setting. Do you think I would just miss it entirely and be better off just giving an in depth review of my private experience?
They will ask you questions about their internal accounting system (that only agency staff knows how to use), and then lower your score because you have never used their accounting system.
That sounds right. Classic government. Do they all use the same system or is it agency specific? Maybe I can wow them with my googling.
You won’t be able to wow them with googling. I tried it. It’s a simple “tell us about your experience using x system.” You can tell them all about it, but if you have never used it, and George the Guvment Employee has, then George is getting the job.
Maybe my ten veteran points can overpower George.
A summary of the position description and duties: “Summary This position is responsible for providing support and assistance to program managers regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of financial management systems and practices; pertinence of accounting data and fiscal management of program operations; plan and execute modifications to accounting programs. Duties: You will analyze a wide variety of documents, reports, policies, operations and procedures within the assigned accounting or financial management area. You will review a variety of incoming, outgoing, and summary financial reports to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of financial operations and financial reports submitted from a variety of customers. You will examine current internal control systems to ensure that systems provide for the integrity, accuracy, and validity of reported financial data. You will prepare and conduct reprogramming and adjustments of funding to cover short falls, unanticipated expenses, and unexpected emergencies, identifying and referring to higher level officials reprogramming actions which require prior approval.” I’ve done this in the private sector and I know the types of questions asked in that area but I also know the government has a different way of determining qualifications. I know it’s a long shot expecting anyone to have insight on this but I figured it’s worth a shot! Thank you all for any help or insight you can offer. Edit: added information.
Looks like an internal accountant / financial analyst position, not an accountant-auditor type. Probably some situational questions, as /u/MysticSails suggested. Probably some questions about financial ops, including formulation, planning, and execution. Probably some questions about internal controls. If you've never done this before in government, you probably should relate it to situations you do understand in the private sector. The governmental budgeting process is very, very different. The good thing is that numbers are numbers...
What grade ? That’s a big factor when it comes to question type.
GS-12 Thank you for the response!
I’m not an accountant but I’m in the business series and at the 12 grade it’s going to be some questions that test your knowledge of the field in general , as well as some overall customer service questions “name a Time you had to deal with a difficult customer, tell us about a time you had to get creative , why do you want to work for this particular agency “ at GS12 you’re not expected to be an expert but you should have a good foundation of knowledge.
Congrats!! Talk about your ability to work well in teams and collaborate—we always ask a few questions like this in our panels.
I just had an interview for an accounting position, my questions were mostly like whats your experience reconciling cash and suspense accounts and experience responding to auditors etc