This Accounts Receivable Clerk interview profile gives you an idea of what to look for in candidates and a good selection of accounts receivable (AR) interview questions. Similar job titles include Accounts Receivable Manager.
Former Community Manager at Workable specialized in employee experience, talent brands and our event series, Workable Ideas.
If you have an interview coming up for an accounts receivable role, solid preparation will be key to stand out from the competition. This crucial finance position involves managing incoming payments, invoicing, collections, and financial reporting.
Companies want to hire detail-oriented, analytical, and communicative candidates who can optimize cash flow and contribute to the bottom line.
In this comprehensive guide I’ll cover the key accounts receivable interview questions you should prepare for and examples of strong responses. Master these answers and you’ll be ready to ace your next accounts receivable interview!
Common Accounts Receivable Interview Questions with Sample Answers
1. What do you consider the most challenging aspects of accounts receivable work?
For this question, draw from your experience to share both soft skills and technical abilities critical in accounts receivable. Highlight areas you find engaging or rewarding rather than just “challenging.”
Example: “The most crucial aspects of accounts receivable work involve attention to detail, organization, time management, and analytical skills. It takes meticulous yet efficient processes to produce accurate financial reports while also contacting customers about past due invoices. I enjoy this fast-paced environment and find it very rewarding to have a positive impact on the company’s cash flow.”
2. How would you go about collecting on an overdue invoice from a client?
Demonstrate understanding of timeline escalations and communication protocols. Emphasize relationship preservation.
Example “I would first gently remind the client of the payment terms and overdue status via email, copying their accounts payable department. If unpaid after one week, I would follow up via phone to discuss the status in a friendly tone and see if any issues need resolving on our end After 3 weeks overdue, I would draft a more urgent letter warning of potential order delays or service interruptions if the invoice remains unpaid”
3. What metrics or reports do you rely on most in accounts receivable?
Discuss using aging reports to prioritize collections and KPIs like DSO to gauge team effectiveness. Show understanding of data-driven role.
Example: “The accounts receivable aging report is vital for prioritizing collections outreach and identifying issues. I also track metrics like Days Sales Outstanding to measure how efficiently we collect and the overall health of receivables. Additionally, I analyze trends in late payments by customer segment or geography. These data-driven insights help me fine tune processes and set tactical goals to boost receivables performance.”
4. How would you go about organizing the accounts receivable system and ledger at a new company?
Highlight reviewing existing processes first, then identifying improvement areas like automation and standardization based on volume and pain points.
Example: “If I were establishing organization methods for a new company’s A/R system, I would start by thoroughly reviewing the existing workflows and tools in place. I would interview team members to identify what’s working smoothly and any areas causing bottlenecks or errors. With that knowledge, I could develop recommendations for optimization, such as standardizing invoice numbering schemes, implementing automation for collections outreach, and developing SOPs for recurring tasks.”
5. What qualities do you think are most important for an accounts receivable professional to be successful?
Focus on top strengths needed like organization, communication, analytics, attention to detail, and problem-solving. Tie your skills to the role.
Example “Key qualities like analytical thinking, organization, attention to detail, and customer service skills are crucial for accounts receivable professionals. The ability to manage high volumes of financial data accurately, reconcile discrepancies, and provide excellent client experiences distinguishes top talent in this role These strengths have contributed to my success throughout my career in accounts receivable thus far”
6. How would you go about training a new accounts receivable clerk?
Highlight techniques like job shadowing at first and then layering on responsibilities. Emphasize mentoring and open communication. Share examples from your experience.
Example: “I would start by having a new accounts receivable clerk shadow me and learn the ins and outs of our key processes. I would walk them through examples like processing payments, generating statements, aged reports, and contacting customers. Once they have the basics down, I would gradually assign them responsibilities, starting with lower risk tasks. I would encourage questions and be available to provide ongoing guidance to set them up for success.”
7. How do you stay up-to-date on the latest best practices in accounts receivable work?
Demonstrate proactive learning and growth mindset by mentioning networking, industry events, publications, and continuing education.
Example: “I make a point to continuously strengthen my accounts receivable skillset by attending industry conferences, reading respected publications like CFO Magazine, and networking with accounts receivable peers at other companies to share best practices. I’m also currently pursuing my Certified Credit & Risk Analyst certification to elevate my expertise in collections, credit analysis, and risk mitigation.”
8. What experience do you have with accounts receivable software and tools?
Discuss platforms you’ve used and capabilities leveraged like invoice generation, payments, customer portals, and data/reporting. Show comfort adapting tools.
Example: “I have extensive experience with major accounts receivable software platforms such as Oracle NetSuite and SAP Ariba. I’m well-versed in leveraging these tools’ key capabilities including creating and emailing invoices, sending payment reminders, accepting online payments, providing customer self-service portals, and generating analytical reports for data-driven insights. I learn new software quickly and am comfortable training others to maximize adoption.”
9. How would you handle a discrepancy between a customer invoice and payment amount?
Share a structured approach like investigating specifics, contacting the customer for clarification, and updating records accordingly. Emphasize following up to prevent recurrence.
Example: “If a customer payment did not match the invoiced amount, I would methodically determine if the difference stemmed from an overpayment, underpayment, or application error on our end. I would contact the customer to discuss the discrepancy in a friendly, collaborative tone. Once resolved, I would ensure our records reflect the accurate paid amount and follow up on process improvements needed to prevent similar mismatches going forward.”
10. How would you prioritize your day-to-day workload in accounts receivable?
Highlight balancing urgent requests with critical processes using organization tools. Share how you maximize productivity and maintain accuracy under pressure.
Example: “I use tools like request tracking logs and task schedulers to stay organized across all of my ongoing accounts receivable responsibilities. This allows me to balance competing priorities between time-sensitive requests like billing questions with vital daily processes like collections outreach and new invoice generation. No matter the day’s workflow, I maintain productivity and accuracy by staying laser-focused with limited distractions to achieve both speed and quality.”
11. What steps would you take during the monthly accounts receivable close process?
Demonstrate understanding of key month-end closing activities like reconciliations, unearned revenue analysis, and bad debt write-offs.
Example: “During month-end close, I follow a rigorous process including reconciling sub-ledgers against the general ledger and investigating any discrepancies. I also analyze unearned revenue accounts and ensure revenue is properly recognized based on work delivered to date. Lastly, I review past due accounts, compile supporting documentation, and record any necessary bad debt write-offs prior to generating the final monthly report.”
12. How would you handle a credit balance or overpayment in a customer account?
Share process for refunding or applying credit balances promptly. Emphasize clear communication to the customer throughout.
Example: “If a customer account had a credit balance, I would first verify that the amount was indeed owed back to the client through overpayment or similar. Then I would email the customer to confirm the proper handling of the credit – whether they prefer applying it to future invoices or processing a refund. Upon receiving their direction, I would promptly action the credit balance according to their preferences and follow up to ensure proper application.”
13. Why do you want to work in accounts receivable specifically?
Share your motivation and passion for the role beyond just needing a job. Demonstrate understanding of how vital cash flow management and collections are for any company.
Example: “I have always enjoyed working with detailed financial records and contributing my analytical skills in a customer-facing capacity. Managing accounts receivable has very tangible business impacts by ensuring steady cash flow. I find it motivating to have so much influence driving on-time customer payments and collections through data-driven processes and customer partnerships. This role allows me to add value through my strengths.”
14. How would you go about organizing accounts receivable files or records?
Highlight best practices like standardized, clearly labeled file structures, digitization for speedy access, and regular maintenance for purging outdated info.
Example: “I would establish organized accounts receivable files using standardized naming formats, succinct but descriptive labeling, and clear structures such as by date or customer. To allow fast access to information, I prioritize digitizing records into systems like shared drives or CRMs. Regular reviews help ensure we purge outdated records in compliance with data retention policies. These best practices maximize efficiency, transparency, and proper knowledge management.”
15. What KPIs or metrics would you track to measure the effectiveness of the accounts receivable
In your own words, explain the accounts receivable process.
This question tests the candidate’s understanding of the core functions of the role.
“Accounts receivable involves issuing invoices, tracking payments, and ensuring timely collection. It’s about maintaining accurate records and ensuring cash flow. ”.
What are the most important goals of AR?
This question aims to understand the candidate’s perspective on the objectives of accounts receivable.
“To keep a healthy cash flow, the main goals are to make sure that bills are sent out correctly, collected on time, and records are kept correctly.” ”.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (Pass an Accounts Receivable Clerk job Interview!)
How many accounts receivable interview questions are there?
Get all 21 accounts receivable interview questions and suggested answers for your interview, plus FREE bonus access to our bestselling online interview training course, which contains over 50 powerful video modules to quickly get you interview ready (and they work for ANY interview).
What questions should you ask in an accounts receivable interview?
Open-ended and situational questions in an accounts receivable interview will encourage your candidates to speak at length about their relevant AR experience. Listen closely to their interview answers to learn how they explain accounts receivable processes and terminology. How deeply do they understand the function of the role?
What skills do you need to work in accounts receivable?
Communication and interpersonal skills are vital working in accounts receivable. You need good working knowledge of accounting principles, be aware of the organizations accounting policies and procedures, and possess excellent mathematical and numeracy skills.
What is an Accounts Receivable interview?
An Accounts Receivable interview consists of various stages designed to assess your technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and cultural fit within the organization. These stages may include phone screenings, face-to-face interviews, behavioral assessments, case studies, and sometimes even role-playing scenarios.
