Accountant Test: Role-Based Skills Assessment

Accountant Test Overview (What This Measures)

This accountant test provides structured insight into job-relevant accounting skills used in common accounting roles—especially staff accountant / GL accountant / financial accountant / AP/AR. It is intentionally role-specific, job-relevant, and actionable.

Who this is for

• Candidates (Interview Prep): Understand what you may be tested on in staff/senior accounting interviews and close-cycle work
• Employers (Structured Pre-employment Screening): Use consistent administration and transparent scoring to support more informed decisions and clearer documentation

What’s included

• Knowledge + application questions (not just definitions)
• Work-sample style scenarios (journal entries, reconciliation logic, error-spotting)
• Scoring framework with domain weights and readiness bands
• Development roadmap tied to your results

Domain Framework (Role-Relevant)

This assessment uses a structured domain blueprint aligned to common accounting tasks (knowledge, practical skills, and reasoning applied to close work).

Domains assessed (core accountant capabilities)

• Accounting Fundamentals: debits/credits, accounting equation, normal balances, accrual vs. cash
• Journal Entries & Adjusting Entries: prepaids, accruals, deferrals, depreciation, corrections
• Financial Statements & Linkages: balance sheet vs income statement impacts, retained earnings, cash flow classification
• Trial Balance & Error Detection: posting errors, out-of-balance logic, reasonableness checks
• Working Capital (AR/AP): allowances, aging, accrual cutoffs, reconciliations
• Inventory & COGS: FIFO/LIFO/weighted average concepts and financial statement impact
• Fixed Assets: capitalization policy, depreciation, disposals
• Month-End Close Workflow: reconciliations, tie-outs, documentation, controls mindset
• Basic Analysis for Accountants: variance explanation, key ratios (current ratio, gross margin, DSO)
• Excel/Data Readiness (optional but recommended): SUMIFS, XLOOKUP, pivots, data cleanup logic

Why these domains? They reflect what accounting teams do during the close and what hiring teams often want to discuss: accuracy, judgment, control orientation, and the ability to explain results.

Assessment Methodology (How to Use This Test)

Formats

• Exam Mode (recommended for benchmarking): 35–45 minutes, no immediate feedback; review explanations at the end
• Practice Mode (recommended for learning): review explanations after each question; retake by domain

Difficulty tiers

• Level 1 (Entry/Staff): core JE logic, statements, basic reconciliation
• Level 2 (Senior/Experienced): complex adjustments, error chains, multi-step impacts, controls and prioritization

Suggested modules by role

• Bookkeeper / AP / AR (30–35 min): Fundamentals, Working Capital, Close Workflow
• Staff Accountant / GL (40–45 min): All core domains + adjusting entries
• Senior Accountant (45–60 min): Add harder error-detection, variance narratives, and controls case prompts

Sample Accountant Test Questions (Realistic Scenarios)

Use the questions below as a representative slice of the full assessment. Each is designed to mirror tasks you’ll face in interviews or during month-end.

1) Debits/Credits + Normal Balances (Fundamentals)

Scenario: You record a vendor invoice for $4,800 for January utilities, to be paid next month.
Which entry is correct at invoice receipt?

A. Dr Utilities Expense 4,800; Cr Cash 4,800
B. Dr Utilities Expense 4,800; Cr Accounts Payable 4,800
C. Dr Prepaid Expense 4,800; Cr Accounts Payable 4,800
D. Dr Accounts Payable 4,800; Cr Utilities Expense 4,800

Correct answer: B

2) Accrual vs Cash (Adjusting Entries)

Scenario: Payroll of $18,000 is paid every Friday. The month ends on Wednesday. No accrual has been booked yet for the three days worked (Mon–Wed). Assume a 5-day workweek.
What is the month-end adjusting entry?

A. Dr Wages Expense 10,800; Cr Cash 10,800
B. Dr Wages Expense 10,800; Cr Wages Payable 10,800
C. Dr Wages Expense 18,000; Cr Wages Payable 18,000
D. Dr Wages Payable 10,800; Cr Wages Expense 10,800

Correct answer: B (18,000 ÷ 5 × 3 = 10,800)

3) Revenue Recognition (Cutoff)

Scenario: On 12/30, you ship goods FOB shipping point. The customer receives them 1/2. Invoice is issued 12/30. The goods cost $9,000 and sell for $15,000.
Under typical U.S. GAAP reasoning for FOB shipping point, when should revenue be recognized?

A. 12/30
B. 1/2
C. When cash is received
D. When the customer acknowledges receipt

Correct answer: A

4) Financial Statement Linkage (Statements)

Scenario: You discover $6,000 of expenses were incorrectly capitalized as equipment this month. No depreciation has been recorded yet.
What is the immediate impact of correcting it (same month)?

A. Net income increases; assets increase
B. Net income decreases; assets decrease
C. Net income decreases; liabilities increase
D. Net income increases; liabilities decrease

Correct answer: B

5) Trial Balance Error Detection (Close Quality)

Scenario: Your trial balance is out of balance by $2,500. You find a credit entry was posted as $1,250 instead of $2,500.
If this was the only error, what would be the out-of-balance amount?

A. $1,250
B. $2,500
C. $3,750
D. $5,000

Correct answer: A (credit understated by 1,250, leaving a 1,250 imbalance)

6) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (AR)

Scenario: Ending AR is $200,000. You estimate 3% will be uncollectible. The allowance currently has a $1,500 credit balance.
What adjusting entry is needed?

A. Dr Bad Debt Expense 4,500; Cr Allowance 4,500
B. Dr Bad Debt Expense 6,000; Cr Allowance 6,000
C. Dr Bad Debt Expense 4,500; Cr Accounts Receivable 4,500
D. Dr Allowance 4,500; Cr Bad Debt Expense 4,500

Correct answer: A (required allowance = 6,000; current credit = 1,500; increase by 4,500)

7) Inventory & COGS Impact (Core Technical)

Scenario: Prices are rising. Under FIFO vs LIFO, which outcome is generally true?

A. FIFO produces higher COGS and lower gross profit than LIFO
B. FIFO produces lower ending inventory than LIFO
C. FIFO produces lower COGS and higher gross profit than LIFO
D. FIFO and LIFO produce the same gross profit when prices rise

Correct answer: C

8) Fixed Assets & Depreciation (Adjustments)

Scenario: You purchase equipment for $120,000 on 4/1. Useful life is 5 years, no salvage, straight-line. Year-end is 12/31.
What depreciation expense should be recorded for the year?

A. $24,000
B. $18,000
C. $20,000
D. $30,000

Correct answer: B (120,000 ÷ 5 = 24,000 per year; 9/12 of year = 18,000)

9) Bank Reconciliation Logic (Work-Sample Thinking)

Scenario: Bank statement ending balance: $52,400. Book cash balance: $49,900.
Reconciling items:

• Outstanding checks: $6,700
• Deposits in transit: $8,200
• Bank service charge not recorded: $60

What should you conclude?

A. Reconciled cash is $53,900
B. Reconciled cash is $49,840
C. There is a missing reconciling item; the reconciliation does not balance as presented
D. The service charge should be added to the book balance

Correct answer: C

Bank side: 52,400 − 6,700 + 8,200 = 53,900
Book side: 49,900 − 60 = 49,840
Because these don’t match, a control-minded approach is to flag the mismatch and look for the missing reconciling item(s).

10) Excel for Accountants (Tools Readiness)

Scenario: You need to sum invoice amounts for Vendor = “ACME” and Month = January.
Which function is most appropriate?

A. SUM
B. SUMIF
C. SUMIFS
D. VLOOKUP

Correct answer: C

Scoring System (Transparent and Role-Based)

Domain weights (default: Staff Accountant / GL)

Total score = 100 points.

• Fundamentals (10)
• Journal Entries & Adjusting Entries (18)
• Financial Statements & Linkages (12)
• Trial Balance & Error Detection (10)
• Working Capital: AR/AP (12)
• Inventory & COGS (8)
• Fixed Assets (8)
• Month-End Close Workflow & Controls (12)
• Basic Analysis (5)
• Excel/Data (5)

How points are calculated

• Multiple-choice knowledge/application: 1 question = 2–4 points depending on difficulty
• Work-sample scenarios (recommended add-on): graded for:
  • Accuracy (70%): correct numbers/entries
  • Method (20%): clear steps, tie-outs, sound assumptions
  • Documentation (10%): brief explanation suitable for reviewer

Readiness bands (benchmark guidance)

Use these as practical decision bands, not as a substitute for job-specific validation.

• 90–100 (Ready to Lead Tasks): strong close-readiness; minimal technical supervision
• 75–89 (Job-Ready Staff): can execute core close tasks with normal review
• 60–74 (Developing): understands basics but may struggle with multi-step close work; benefits from targeted practice
• <60 (Foundation Gaps): higher risk of posting/recon errors; focus on fundamentals and structured practice

Employer cut-score suggestions (starting point)

• AP/AR Specialist: 65–70
• Staff Accountant / GL: 75
• Senior Accountant: 85 + work-sample requirement

Professional note: In the U.S., treat cut scores as part of a broader, job-related selection process; pilot with incumbents when possible and monitor for consistency and potential adverse impact.

Skill-Level Interpretations (What Your Score Says About You)

Level 1: Foundation Gaps (<60)

What it typically looks like:

• Confuses accrual vs deferral
• Posts entries that don’t balance or misclassifies accounts
• Struggles to translate a transaction into financial statement impact

Your best next moves (2–3 weeks):

• Drill debits/credits + normal balances until automatic
• Practice 10 adjusting entries (prepaids, accruals, depreciation, unearned revenue)
• Rebuild statement linkages: net income → retained earnings → equity

Level 2: Developing (60–74)

What it typically looks like:

• Gets single-step questions right but misses multi-step scenarios
• Reconciliations are “mechanical” rather than control-minded
• Excel is adequate but slow

Your best next moves (3–5 weeks):

• Do weekly mini-cases: bank rec + 3 adjustments + short variance note
• Focus on error detection (what could cause differences?)
• Improve speed: build Excel templates and learn SUMIFS/XLOOKUP/pivots

Level 3: Job-Ready Staff (75–89)

What it typically looks like:

• Solid journal entries and classification
• Understands statement impacts
• Can reconcile common accounts with reviewer guidance

Your best next moves (4–8 weeks to accelerate):

• Learn close documentation standards (tie-outs, support, sign-offs)
• Add complexity: inventory/fixed asset disposals, allowance rollforwards
• Practice writing 5-sentence variance explanations for non-finance partners

Level 4: Ready to Lead Tasks (90–100)

What it typically looks like:

• Consistently accurate with strong reasoning
• Spots mismatches and missing recon items
• Communicates clearly and documents like a reviewer

Your best next moves:

• Target senior-level responsibilities: own a full close area, improve controls, mentor juniors
• Prepare for advancement interviews: process improvement stories, controls mindset, stakeholder management

Professional Development Roadmap (By Result Tier)

If you scored <60: Rebuild the base (Weeks 1–3)

• Daily: 20 minutes debits/credits drills + T-accounts
• 3 sessions/week: adjusting entries sets (with self-review)
• Weekly: create a one-page “cheat sheet” for:
  • accruals vs deferrals
  • prepaid vs expense
  • unearned vs revenue
  • common normal balances

If you scored 60–74: Become close-capable (Weeks 4–6)

• Bank reconciliation practice (include one deliberate mismatch each time)
• Trial balance review checklist (reasonableness + tie-out steps)
• Start a “close binder” habit: support, explanations, version control

If you scored 75–89: Move from performer to owner (Weeks 6–10)

• Own a simulated close area end-to-end (e.g., fixed assets): additions, depreciation, rollforward, review notes
• Build Excel efficiencies: pivots for subledger-to-GL tie-outs; SUMIFS dashboards
• Draft variance narratives: what changed, why it changed, what to do next

If you scored 90+: Prove senior readiness (Ongoing)

• Design a control improvement: reduce recon aging, automate tie-outs, add exception reporting
• Practice reviewer-level feedback: identify risks, propose corrective entries, document rationale

Industry Benchmarks & Standards (How to Compare Yourself)

What hiring teams typically expect

Staff accountant readiness: accurate journal entries, clean reconciliations, strong classification judgment, and basic Excel competence.
Senior accountant readiness: multi-step adjustments, error chains, review mindset, and clear documentation.

Benchmarks you can use (practical guidance)

• Close speed benchmark (staff level): complete a bank rec (with 6–10 recon items) in 20–30 minutes with support
• Accuracy benchmark: fewer than 1 material logic error per close area case (e.g., misclassification that flips balance sheet vs P&L)
• Excel benchmark: ability to build a pivot + SUMIFS summary without step-by-step help

Compliance and fairness notes for employers (U.S.)

If you use this accountant test for hiring:

• Keep the test job-related and aligned to role requirements
• Use standardized administration (same time limit, same instructions, same rubric)
• Retain score sheets and interviewer notes as selection records
• Monitor outcomes for consistency and potential adverse impact; adjust based on evidence

Curated Resources (To Improve Fast)

Accounting knowledge & practice

Books:
Financial Accounting (Libby/Libby/Hodge) for fundamentals and statement logic
Warren Buffett and the Interpretation of Financial Statements for linkage intuition (lightweight)

Study targets:
Accruals/deferrals and adjusting entries
Revenue/expense matching and cutoff
Inventory and fixed assets (core close areas)

Excel for accountants

Learn and drill:
SUMIFS, XLOOKUP (or INDEX/MATCH), PivotTables, Power Query basics

Practice projects:
Subledger-to-GL tie-out
Aging + allowance calculation
Variance bridge (month over month)

Tools familiarity (nice-to-have language)

ERP concepts: subledger, posting, approval workflow, batch, audit trail
Close concepts: reconciliations, tie-outs, rollforwards, flux analysis

Career Advancement Strategies (Based on Your Outcomes)

If you’re job-searching

Turn your domain scores into interview stories:
“I’m strongest in reconciliations and adjusting entries; here’s a close issue I found and corrected.”

Build a portfolio artifact:
A sanitized bank rec + JE support pack (PDF) and a short variance memo.

Ask smarter questions in interviews:
“How do you structure your close calendar and reconciliation ownership?”
“What does ‘good documentation’ look like for your reviewers?”

If you’re hiring

Combine this test with a structured interview:
Use the same domains and a 1–5 anchored rubric.

Prefer work-sample evidence for senior roles:
Require a mini-close case: reconcile cash, post 3 adjustments, explain 2 statement impacts.

Improve quality-of-hire measurement:
Compare assessment scores to 90-day outcomes (rework rates, recon aging, manager ratings).

Next Steps (How to Use This Assessment Well)

• Candidates: Take Exam Mode once, then retake only your bottom two domains weekly until you hit the next readiness band
• Employers: Start with one role module (e.g., Staff Accountant), pilot internally, set a defensible cut score, and document your rubric

If you want this accountant test to match your exact target role (AP/AR vs staff vs senior vs nonprofit vs tax), use the same framework but reweight domains and add a role-specific work sample—because that’s what separates a generic quiz from a more structured, role-aligned assessment.