Mastering Competency-Based Finance Interview

The Power of Togetherness in Recruitment

At Sharp Consultancy, recruitment is about much more than filling job roles. It is about bringing people together, building lasting relationships, and creating opportunities where businesses and individuals can thrive. That's why one of our core values, Togetherness, is at the heart of everything we do. Successful recruitment isn't simply about matching a CV to a job description. It's about understanding people, their ambitions, and the culture of the organisations they will become a part of. That's why we meet with both clients and candidates alike, taking the time to get to know them, understand what they're looking for, and ensure we achieve the perfect match. We work closely with everyone involved to understand what success looks like from both perspectives. By working together, we create stronger matches that benefit businesses, employees, and teams for the long term.Togetherness means investing in relationships For our clients, this means becoming a trusted recruitment partner who understands their business, challenges, and future goals. We don't just recruit for today's vacancy, we help build a team that aligns with your values and ambitions. For our candidates, it means providing honest advice, guidance, and support throughout their career journey. Whether someone is looking for their first opportunity, career progression, or a complete change of direction, we're there every step of the way. The best recruitment decisions happen through collaboration We believe open communication, transparency, and shared goals lead to better hiring decisions. By encouraging honest conversations between employers, candidates, and our recruitment consultants, we create an environment where everyone feels heard and valued. When people work together, better decisions follow. Togetherness doesn't stop once a placement has been made At Sharp Consultancy, we continue to support our clients as their businesses evolve. From workforce planning to recruitment strategy and talent advice, we're committed to building long-term partnerships that grow alongside our clients. Creating Opportunities for People Every placement represents more than a job. It's a new chapter in someone's career, a fresh opportunity for a business, and the beginning of new working relationships. We never lose sight of the impact recruitment has on people's lives. By treating every candidate with respect and every client as a valued partner, we create experiences built on trust, professionalism, and mutual success. Togetherness is more than one of our values, it’s how we work every day It's reflected in every conversation, every recommendation, and every successful placement we make. We believe recruitment works best when it's built on collaboration, trust, and genuine relationships. At Sharp Consultancy, we're proud to bring people together, helping businesses find exceptional talent while supporting individuals to achieve their goals.

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When interviewing for roles in accountancy and finance—from Assistant Accountant to Finance Director—it’s common to face competency-based or behavioural interview questions.

These questions help employers understand how you’ve handled real-life situations and assess your ability to succeed in their finance team.

They’re typically phrased as:

“Tell me about a time when you…”
“Give me an example of…”
“Describe a situation where you had to…”

Answering these effectively requires structure and preparation. That’s where the STAR technique becomes an essential tool.

What is the STAR Technique?

Diagram illustrating the STAR technique for job interviews, highlighting Situation, Task, Action, and Result steps.

The STAR method provides a clear and concise way to structure your answers:

S – Situation: Describe the scenario you faced. Include relevant details such as the department, project, or financial challenge you were addressing.
T – Task: Explain the task or responsibility you were given. For example, improving month-end reporting accuracy or leading a budgeting process.
A – Action: Outline the steps you personally took to resolve the issue or achieve the objective. Highlight your technical finance skills (e.g., forecasting, variance analysis, system improvements).
R – Result: Conclude with the outcome. Quantify your success where possible—cost savings achieved, efficiency gains, successful audits, or revenue growth influenced by your actions.

Preparation is Key

Competency-based questions often focus on areas such as:

Working under pressure to meet reporting deadlines
Resolving discrepancies during audits
Managing conflict within finance teams
Influencing non-finance stakeholders with data-driven insights
Leading projects such as ERP implementations or process improvements

Preparing examples ahead of your interview is crucial. Think of 3–4 scenarios from your career that demonstrate leadership, problem-solving, and technical expertise. Practising these using STAR will help you answer confidently without losing track or omitting key details.

Focus on “I”, Not “We”

A bunch of wooden scrabble letters thrown onto a purple table with the word 'interview' shown.

Finance and accountancy interviews are about your individual contribution, not the wider team. When using STAR, speak in the first person and clearly define your role in achieving the result.

Example:

✅ “I redesigned the monthly management reporting pack, which reduced month-end close by two days.”
❌ “We updated the reports…”

Always end on a positive note and, where relevant, quantify your results—such as improving forecasting accuracy by 15% or reducing departmental spend by £50k annually.

Secure Your Next Finance Role

By mastering the STAR technique, you’ll be prepared to handle even the toughest competency-based questions and demonstrate your ability to add value to an organisation’s finance function.

Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let's chart your career path together.