Can you describe a time when you identified a financial discrepancy? What steps did you take to resolve it?
Behavioral
Attention To Detail
Problem-solving
Analytical Thinking
This question assesses your attention to detail and problem-solving skills, which are critical in finance roles to ensure accuracy and compliance.
How to answer
- Use the STAR method to structure your answer: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
- Clearly describe the nature of the discrepancy and how you discovered it.
- Detail the steps you took to investigate and resolve the issue.
- Highlight any tools or software you used to assist in the resolution.
- Conclude with the outcome and what you learned from the experience.
What not to say
- Being vague about the discrepancy or not providing specific details.
- Failing to mention how you followed up to ensure the issue was resolved.
- Taking sole credit without acknowledging teamwork or collaboration.
- Downplaying the importance of accuracy in financial reporting.
Sample answer
“At my internship with Deloitte, I noticed a discrepancy in expense reports which didn't align with our budget. I gathered all relevant documents and cross-referenced them with invoices. I found an entry that had been duplicated. After correcting this, I communicated the change to my supervisor, and we updated our records. This experience taught me the importance of meticulousness in finance and the value of double-checking data.”