Proposed Interview Questions

Q1- Explain the cost principles of USAID.

Q2- What are the qualities of Financial Reporting?

Q3- What is task prioritization?

Q4 – Tell us about a time when you had to prioritize deadline and tasks and how did you manage it?

Q5 – Have you managed teams? If yes, how do you promote teamwork?

Q6 – How do you ensure segregation of duties in your team?

Q7 – How do you keep your team’s morale high in difficult times?

Q8 – As a Senior Finance Officer, how do you ensure compliance and transparency in your day-to-day
work?

Q9 – Explain the payroll process, the required supporting documents, and how will you deal with an
advance deduction from an individual employee payment.

Q10 – What are USAID geographical codes?

Q11 – What is an annual income tax return and while filing, what supporting documents are required to
attach?

Q12 – What is USAID vetting and when it is required to obtain?

Q13 – How do you minimize the risk of errors in your work?

Q14 – If a team member was not meeting goals or expectations, how would you handle the situation?

Q15 – What are the three financial statements and what do they show you?

Q16 – If you are selected for this role, what improvements you will bring to our finance department?

Q17 - How do you maintain accounting accuracy? What are the common mistakes in accounting?

Q18 - What is your experience with the allocation of expenses, including salaries, by activity?

Q19 - Please take us through the bank reconciliation steps also how would you go about reconciling
differences in bank balance and book records?

Q20 - What are the principles (components) of internal controls? How do you ensure that MSH’s
finances are not abused?

Q21 - What is your experience with accounting for donors, especially U.S. Government funds? If USG
experience - Can you describe how an accountant ensures compliance with the Cost Principles?

Q22 - Have you ever dealt with fraud? Describe the situation and resolution.
Q23 - What do you know about submitting the Tax documents to MTO (Medium Taxpayer Office)?
Please take us through the process.

Q24 – How do you prevent fraud in the payroll? Take us through the steps.

Q25 – While preparing a wire transfer (fund transfer application) to the bank, how would you prevent
duplication of payment?

Q26 – The program team asks the finance department to pay a training participant, and what supporting
documentation is required to be attached to the package?

Q27 - What are M&IE and Per-Diem? How do you ensure an employee put the correct M&IE rate in their
expenses claim form?

Q28 – What is NICRA? And when NICRA is applied?

Q29 – What is cost extension?

Q30 – What is cost-share, and how would you manage the cost-share in the project?

Q31 – How would you distribute staff pay slips? For example, if you have more than 400 staff in your
project?

Q32 – What is the difference between depreciation and amortization?

Q33 – What are allowable costs, and can you give us some examples of disallowed costs?

Q34 - In the USAID-funded projects, what is the obligated budget?

Q35 - What do Accountant Reports show in QuickBooks? (It shows Account Listing, Trial Balance, Profit
and Loss statement, Transactions detail by account, Recent automatic transactions, Cash flow
statement, and Transaction list by date.

Q36 – If you have multiple projects, how will you set up your projects in QuickBooks? So you can charge
your project expenses to the correct project code.

Q37 - Explain how to check for duplicate payments in QuickBooks.

Q38 - How does the Accrual Basis of Accounting differ from Cash Basis?

Q39 – Have you ever used QuickBooks online? Explain the features of the QBO online. What is the
difference between a billing invoice and a bill payment, and how will you record this?

Q40 - When analyzing Financial Reports, such as Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss, what is the best way
to spot potential classification errors?

Q41 – How do you perform the bank and cash reconciliations in QuickBooks online?

Q42 – You are asked by your colleague that a transaction that you have entered related to ABC supplier
is not correct and you must delete it. How will you delete the transaction in QBO online?

Q43 – What are the types of reports in QuickBooks?

Q45 – How will you calculate and pay the vendors’ and salaries taxes to the government? Please take us
through the process and steps. How is the new tax payment system of the government works?

Q46 – What forms need to be filled and attach with the vendor’s tax payment?

Q47 – How will you obtain the tax exemption certificate for an NGO? Take us through the steps. How
will you manage if someone asks you for a bribe?

Q48 – what is the tax law for a daily wage, and for monthly payroll? How many days do you need to be
in the country in a tax year to pay taxes to the government?

Q49 - Can you outline your experience in financial management, specifically highlighting your roles and
responsibilities in previous positions?

Q50 - How do you approach budgeting and forecasting to ensure accurate financial planning and
resource allocation?

Q51 - Describe your familiarity with financial systems and tools, and how you've utilized technology to
streamline financial processes in your previous roles.

Q52 - Can you share an example of a challenging financial problem you encountered and successfully
resolved in your previous position?

Q53 - How do you stay updated on changes in accounting standards, tax regulations, and financial best
practices relevant to your role?

Q54 - In your current role, how did you ensure compliance with financial regulations and policies, and
how did you handle any instances of non-compliance?

Q55 - Explain your experience in managing cash flow and working capital to support the financial health
and sustainability of an organization.

Q56 - How do you collaborate with other departments, such as operations, HR, Program or
procurement, to align financial strategies with overall organizational goals?

Q57 - Can you discuss your approach to financial risk management and mitigation, especially in volatile
economic environments?

Q58 - Describe your experience in leading or participating in financial audits, and how you ensure a
smooth audit process.

Q59 - How do you prioritize and manage multiple financial projects or initiatives simultaneously,
ensuring deadlines are met?

Q60 - Can you share instances where you've implemented process improvements to enhance the
efficiency and effectiveness of financial operations?

Q61 - Discuss your experience with financial reporting and analysis, including how you present complex
financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
Q62 - How do you approach staff development and training within your finance team to enhance their
skills and capabilities?

Q63 - What do you consider the key qualities of a successful Senior Finance Officer, and how do you
embody these qualities in your professional approach?

Q64 – Describe your experience in working with diverse stakeholders, including donors, program
managers, SPMs, partners, and sub-awardees to achieve financial goals.