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Controller Interviews

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Controller Interview Questions

"When hiring a controller, a company will look for candidates who have the business mindset, accounting experience, and essential soft skills to oversee the entire accounting department. Before interviewing for a controllership, prepare to answer questions not only about your knowledge of accounting, but also about your management strategies, communication skills, and knowledge of business operations."

Top Controller Interview Questions & How to Answer

Question 1

Question #1: What would you do if you found a discrepancy in a document an executive provided?

How to answer
How to answer: A controller reports to the top of the management hierarchy. The individual may report directly to a board of directors or a CEO. With this question, your interviewer wants to know how you'll handle a sensitive matter such as this one. Think about ethics. The company interviewing you will want you to demonstrate strong ethics in handling sensitive information.
Question 2

Question #2: Can you tell me about a time you set up accounting or financial controls?

How to answer
How to answer: In answering this question, focus on how you've set up controls at previous jobs to prevent fraud and errors. The interviewer wants to know how your knowledge and skills will improve the company you're interviewing for, especially regarding reducing fraud and financial mistakes. If you don't have previous experience setting up controls, mention industry standards and briefly talk about how you will successfully implement controls for the company in question.
Question 3

Question #3: What is your approach to working with your financial team?

How to answer
How to answer: Highlight your leadership skills as you describe how you work with other financial professionals. Let the interviewer know that you can balance motivating a team to work while insisting on financial accuracy. Demonstrate your soft skills because controllers need to see the big picture, the details, and the financial team's operations.

6,843 controller interview questions shared by candidates

I was contacted out of the blue and asked to interview for this position. I accepted the interview and was told it would happen in 1-2 days. A week later after no contact I touched base with the HR rep and was told she had a 1hr window on her schedule to talk. I proposed a different time and sent my phone number. I never heard back. I was *ghosted* by this company after they initiated contact with me. It was almost like I was being used to "check the box" of x amount of applicants. Once I could be counted in that process they ghosted me.
avatar

Data Center Controller

Interviewed at GLP

3.9★
May 16, 2023

I was contacted out of the blue and asked to interview for this position. I accepted the interview and was told it would happen in 1-2 days. A week later after no contact I touched base with the HR rep and was told she had a 1hr window on her schedule to talk. I proposed a different time and sent my phone number. I never heard back. I was *ghosted* by this company after they initiated contact with me. It was almost like I was being used to "check the box" of x amount of applicants. Once I could be counted in that process they ghosted me.

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Glassdoor has 6,843 interview questions and reports from Controller interviews. Prepare for your interview. Get hired. Love your job.