6 Ways to Master Your Assistant Controller Interview

Landing an assistant controller role is a crucial step in your finance career path and can help you gain the experience needed to eventually work in senior level roles. As the support system for a company’s controller, assistant controller candidates must demonstrate to hiring managers their aptitude for accounting-related responsibilities, along with the soft skills indicative of a successful overall employee.

Master your assistant controller interview with these tips: 

1. Do a Deep Dive Into the Job Description

Each job and workplace is unique, so don’t make assumptions on what the position will entail. You can’t effectively convince the hiring manager you are the best choice for their assistant controller role without thoroughly understanding the duties, so do a deep dive into the job description. Carefully review each task or duty, then prepare explanations to describe both your experience and high performance in those areas.  

2. Research the Company Extensively 

Hiring managers are more likely to extend offers to candidates who clearly demonstrate interest in working for their company, rather than just trying to get an assistant controller position in general. Research the company extensively to uncover as much as you can, including annual reports and financial performance, recent press releases, LinkedIn page, and official website. Include small, but specific mentions about the company in your interview responses to show that you have done your homework.  

2. Highlight What Sets You Apart

When you’re competing for an assistant controller role, you will be up against candidates who have the same skill sets and baseline qualifications. Stand out from the competition and make yourself memorable by highlighting what sets you apart. Be ready to bring up any proficiencies you have in addition to your financial expertise that will make you a well-rounded employee, such as excellent writing, technology, or presentation skills.  

3. Prepare Specific Examples as Supporting Points 

Hiring managers will likely hear much of the same content in the responses from all the assistant controller candidates. To make your interview more remarkable, focus on storytelling in your answers. Prepare specific examples as supporting points for your interview responses. This way, when you are asked about your strengths or experience, you can back them up with anecdotes from your past work history. Not only is this more memorable for your interviewer, it also adds credibility to your claims.  

4. Ace Your First Impression 

The initial introduction at the start of your interviewer is a pivotal moment, as they will likely form an instant impression of you based on your body language and the level of confidence you convey. Ace your first impression by practicing your greeting ahead of time until it comes naturally and you don’t come across as timid. Make eye contact, smile, introduce yourself, and give a firm handshake while thanking them for the opportunity.

5. Ask Thoughtful, Relevant Questions

The quality of the questions you ask during your interview is just as important as how you respond to your interviewer’s questions. When the hiring manager opens up the interaction to see if you have any questions, it’s not just out of professional courtesy – it is yet another way to assess what type of employee you would be and how committed you are to the assistant controller role. Ask thoughtful, relevant questions, such as about the specific duties or about the company’s goals or mission, to show you would be an engaged, top performer if hired.

6. Achieve Your Professional Goals

Here at IFG, our mission is to utilize our industry and recruitment expertise to match you with the opportunities that align with your finance career objectives. We have built relationships with companies throughout the US and Canada, so whatever direction you want your finance career to take, we will work with you to make it happen. Contact us today to connect with one of our accounting and finance job recruiters.