Top Finance Manager Interview Questions with Example Answers [2020] (2024)

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of why he or she should be hired. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if he or she is confident in his or her abilities and is able to communicate his or her strengths.

Sample Answer: I am confident that I can help your company grow. I have a strong background in finance and have worked with similar companies in the past. I am very familiar with your company's products and services.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in one's abilities
• - Strong communication skills
• - Knowledge of the company

Question Overview: As a finance manager, you will need to motivate your subordinates. The ideal candidate will have experience motivating others and will be able to explain his or her methods for doing so. The applicant's answer should help you determine what motivates the candidate and if he or she is able to motivate others.

Sample Answer: I will motivate my subordinates by giving them opportunities to grow within the company. I will also provide them with a comfortable work environment and a flexible schedule.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Interpersonal skills
• - Ability to motivate others
• - Team-building skills

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a plan for his or her future. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if the candidate is a long-term planner or someone who is more interested in immediate gratification. The applicant's answer to this question should also help you determine if the candidate is interested in your company's future.

Sample Answer: I see myself as a finance manager for a large corporation. I want to be able to work with a team of analysts and help them grow in their careers.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Long-term planning skills
• - Interest in your company's future
• - Confidence in oneself

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude and a desire to work with the company. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if he or she is interested in the company's products and services. The applicant should be able to explain why he or she wants to work for the company.

Sample Answer: I am interested in working for your company because I have used your products and services for years. I am familiar with your products and services and would like to be a part of the team that brings them to market.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Positive attitude
• - Desire to work with the company
• - Knowledge of the company's products and services

Question Overview: The applicant should be able to explain the purpose of the company. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of the company's mission statement and goals.

Sample Answer: Diageo is a global spirits company that produces, markets, and sells alcoholic beverages worldwide. The company is headquartered in London and was founded in 1997.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of the company's mission statement
• - Ability to explain the company's goals

Question Overview: As a finance manager, you will be working with other employees and managers. The ideal candidate will have experience resolving conflicts at work. The applicant's answer should help you determine how the candidate deals with conflict and if he or she has any experience resolving conflicts.

Sample Answer: I use a variety of methods to resolve conflicts at work. I try to understand the other person's point of view and then explain my own. If that does not work, I try to compromise. If that does not work, I try to find a solution that works for both parties.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to resolve conflicts
• - Ability to work with others
• - Ability to think on one's feet

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience managing a team of employees. The applicant's answer should help you determine what level of management the candidate has achieved.

Sample Answer: I am a level 4 manager. I have experience managing a team of 15 employees.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Experience managing a team
• - Knowledge of management techniques
• - Ability to work with a team

Question Overview: As a finance manager, you are responsible for helping the business. The ideal candidate will have experience in helping the business in some way. The applicant's answer should help you determine how the candidate helped the business. Did the applicant improve efficiency? Did he or she increase revenue?

Sample Answer: I helped the business by improving efficiency. I created a new system for processing invoices and it saved us $50,000 per year.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to help the business
• - Creativity in helping the business
• - Dedication to helping the business

Question Overview: A zero based budget environment is a company that has no budget for the upcoming year. The ideal candidate will have experience planning in this type of environment. A zero based budget environment can be difficult to plan for as there is no previous year's budget to use as a guideline. The applicant's answer should help you determine how he or she would plan in this type of environment.

Sample Answer: I would start with the previous year's budget and make adjustments based on the company's current financial situation. I would also take into account any changes in the company's goals and objectives.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to work in a zero based budget environment
• - Creativity
• - Ability to think outside the box

Question Overview: As a finance manager, it is important to have a creative mind. The ideal candidate will have experience with saving or making money for the company. The applicant's answer to this question should help you gauge how creative the applicant is and how he or she goes about saving or making money.

Sample Answer: I was able to save the company $10,000 by negotiating with vendors and suppliers. I was able to negotiate a lower price for our office supplies and equipment.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Creativity
• - Ability to think outside the box
• - Initiative

Question Overview: As a finance manager, the applicant will be responsible for handling budgets. The ideal candidate will have experience with budgets in the past. The applicant's answer should help you determine how much money he or she has handled in the past.

Sample Answer: I have handled budgets of up to $1 million in my past projects. I have experience with budgeting techniques and can handle large budgets.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Experience with budgets
• - Knowledge of budgeting techniques
• - Ability to handle large budgets

Question Overview: As a finance manager, you will be required to complete a variety of tasks. The ideal candidate will have experience dealing with difficult assignments. The applicant's answer should help you determine what the most difficult assignment was and how he or she dealt with it.

Sample Answer: I had to create a new budget for the entire company. I had to deal with the fact that my budget was not approved by upper management. I was able to use my creativity and initiative to create a new budget that was approved by all parties involved.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to handle a difficult assignment
• - Confidence in oneself
• - Creativity

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic and be driven by the desire to succeed. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine if he or she is motivated by money, recognition, or a sense of accomplishment.

Sample Answer: I am motivated by the desire to succeed. I want to be the best at what I do.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - A strong work ethic
• - Desire to succeed
• - Ability to work independently

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have confidence in his or her abilities. The applicant's answer should help you determine how confident the candidate is in his or her abilities and what makes him or her stand out from the rest of the candidates.

Sample Answer: I am a hard worker who is always looking for ways to improve my skills. I have a strong work ethic and I am always looking for ways to improve my skills.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in one's abilities
• - High level of initiative and creativity
• - Knowledge of motivational techniques

Question Overview: As a finance manager, you will be working with business partners on a daily basis. The ideal candidate will have experience influencing business partners to change their decisions. The applicant's answer should help you determine how the applicant handled the situation and if he or she was successful.

Sample Answer: I was able to influence a business partner to change his decision by explaining the new financial information and how it would affect his company.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to influence others
• - Ability to work with others
• - Ability to work under pressure

Question Overview: The applicant should be prepared to explain any item on his or her resume in more detail. This question will help you determine the applicant's ability to explain his or her resume in a clear and concise manner.

Sample Answer: I was in charge of the company's accounting department. I was responsible for all financial documents and reports.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to explain items on resume
• - Communication skills

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience working as a software engineer for at least three years. The applicant's answer should help you determine how long the candidate has been working in the field. The amount of time may vary significantly among candidates. How did the applicant divide his or her time while working as a software engineer?

Sample Answer: I have been working as a software engineer for three years. I spend most of my time writing code and testing my programs.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of software engineering
• - Ability to translate data from software engineering
• - Confidence in oneself

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have experience working on projects that are similar to the job you are hiring for. The applicant's answer should help you determine if he or she has the skills and experience to do the job. The applicant's answer should also provide you with an example of how he or she would be able to contribute to your company.

Sample Answer: I worked on a project that was similar to this position. I was in charge of creating a new budget for the company. I was able to create a budget that was more efficient and saved the company $10,000.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Experience with projects similar to this role
• - Ability to explain how a project would be beneficial to the company
• - Ability to work well with others

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a clear understanding of what he or she can bring to the company. The applicant's answer to this question should help you determine how the candidate views his or her own value. The applicant should be able to explain how his or her skills and experience will benefit the company.

Sample Answer: I will be able to provide you with a strong financial plan and help you reach your goals. I am a hard worker and will do whatever it takes to make sure your company is successful.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of company's needs
• - Ability to communicate with upper management
• - Creativity

Question Overview: The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic and be willing to work hard. The applicant's answer should help you determine what the candidate considers hard work. Does the applicant consider working long hours to be hard work? Does the applicant consider working with little sleep to be hard work?

Sample Answer: Hard work is putting in extra effort when needed. I am willing to stay late or come in early if it means getting a project done.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - A strong work ethic
• - Ability to work long hours
• - Ability to work with little sleep