Finding a great bookkeeper for your small businesses can be difficult. With an influx of resumes streaming in and several interviews set-up, it’s all about asking the right questions. The best bookkeeper interview questions will determine which candidates are right for your businesses and will most likely succeed in the role.
Your first step is deciding what is most important for your businesses. From there, you’ll want to write down the questions that get to the heart of those important factors. You should know your goals, what tools or software you frequently use, and the immediate needs of your company.
These are the bookkeeper interview questions to put on your list.
What interests you about this position?
Getting to know why someone is interested in the position is key in knowing whether they’ll be a good fit. It’s insight into who they are, what they’re hoping to accomplish, and whether they’ll find that in your company.
It seems like a hyper-typical question, but it’s one for a reason. Make sure this is at the top of your list, and you know what answer you’re looking for.
What do you know about our company?
This question will allow you to know whether your candidate put time into researching your company. It’s one of the most important ones you can ask, especially for a small business. You want to know that they took the time to get a sense of what you do and how your work might factor into that.
What are your goals for your career?
Getting a sense of what someone wants to accomplish will allow you to see if they’ll develop the skills they need to get there through your position.
It doesn’t help a company or candidate get into a role where they can’t grow and thrive. When you know upfront what someone is looking for, you can avoid a lot of wasted time and financial investment for both of you.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Hiring someone with goals and a plan generally means they’re willing to put in the hard work to get there. They’re not simply moving from one position to the next for a paycheck. They have an ultimate goal they’re trying to reach.
Knowing their plan can not help you ensure you prepare them to take steps to get there, but it will also allow insight into their fit for your position. How do you fit into their plan? What can you do to make this position a stepping stone to their ultimate goal?
As an employer, you’re not only responsible for paying your employees; you’re responsible for helping them move forward and grow. You can hope that it’s within your company, but you want to provide them with a stepping stone that matters to them either way.
Asking the right interview questions is a big deal because of what they can reveal. For small businesses, making the right hiring choice is critical. It ensures that you can have someone that meets all of your needs and someone that will learn something from your position.
Good luck with the hiring process!