Accounting Tests for Applicant Interviews
Administration time: 25-30 minutes (estimated)
Difficulty Level: Basic, Intermediate and Advanced (depends on test selected).
Question Type: Multiple choice with terminology, principles and basic math questions.
Target jobs: Accounting and finance jobs in public/private companies, as well as accounting firms and government (including contractors).
The number of accounting jobs has a "bright outlook" and is expected to grow by more than 100,000 positions in the next decade. This growth will bring more people (both qualified and unqualified) into your hiring process. More applicants can be good, as you will have a wider pool of applicants to choose from. But it can be challenging to know which applicants are the most qualified.
How will you know?
Accounting.com says there are ten top skills for success in the accounting field. Analytical skills, interpersonal skills, industry knowledge and spreadsheet proficiency are all "must haves" for new hires. You'll need an action plan to measure those skills during the interview process, because HR staff and hiring managers can't be knowledgeable about every skill set for every position.
Read more about the issue of skills gaps in our article based on the latest research: Accounting Skills Gap No Longer an Unlikely Possibility.
Is industry knowledge and experience enough?
Accounting knowledge is a starting point, but your new employees also need the "soft skills" to be the right fit. Soft skills can include flexibility, responsibility and great communication skills. Even beyond soft skills, the applicants need attention to detail and software skills (Microsoft Excel, Quickbooks and more).
How we help
Our Accounting tests show what each applicant knows and, more importantly, what they don’t know. You'll pick which tests to administer, based on the needs of your job. The accounting test titles are shown below and you can view the topics. (Use form above for a free sample.)
How will I know which Accounting tests to administer?
Our team can provide guidance, based on the job description, the test topic lists and your review of any actual test. Customers also use our Reasoning tests, which are strong predictors of job success. Other commonly used tests include Microsoft Excel tests, Attention to Detail tests and our Professional Success Profile, which measures behavioral traits relevant to accounting jobs (and other jobs).
Tell me more about the questions.
Questions are multiple choice and short answer format, requiring test takers to answer knowledge questions as well as calculate mathematical answers to common accounting problems. Each test has approximately 30-40 questions. These tests have been created by subject matter experts who identified the most important topics and tasks in the accounting and finance fields. Questions include real-world examples and illustrations to accurately measure a candidate’s abilities.
Avoiding bias
Using pre-employment tests, such as our Accounting Knowledge tests, is one way to avoid bias in the hiring process. Bias can be conscious or unconscious and recruiters may not be aware that they have them. But using research-based, validated pre-hire tests reduces bias that may come from work or educational experience. All of our tests follow the guidelines of the EEOC and US Department of Labor's Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection.
How are the Accounting tests scored?
Our system instantly generates the score and the test administrator is emailed the report as soon as each test is completed (no "scoring by hand" or waiting on us). The test taker does not receive or view the results. The score reports will be in-depth, providing scores and detailed descriptions of a candidate’s knowledge. Overall scores (by percentage) will be followed by scores for each topic. View Sample Accounting Score Report
How does it work?
It's simple. You'll email a test session link to the applicants from our easy-to-use admin dashboard. The applicant clicks on the link to start the test session. The test session can include either a single test or multiple tests, based on your needs. Tests are taken either in your office or from your applicants' home/office, at any time--day, night or weekends. Our team is available if you or the applicants need help at any time.
Can I customize the Accounting tests?
With our TestBuilder tool, we can customize tests from our question bank. A 25 credit purchase ($450) provides one custom test, built to your specs. You can purchase TestBuilder separately to create your own custom tests from the question bank.
How much does it cost?
We have two pricing plans, "per test" and an annual license. If you're testing fewer than 100 people per year, the "per test" pricing is often better for you. "Per test" pricing start around $20 per test for low volumes with FREE account set up. Testing more than 100 applicants? An annual plan may be better.
Either way, you have access to not only the Accounting tests, but also our list of 100+ tests. Let's talk to see option which works best. Call 1.800.836.1901, Ext. 1, or complete the form above and we’ll send a free sample test.
"EmployTest has the best customer service anywhere, hands-down. We've made fewer hiring mistakes and improved our process through the use of the tests.”
