Mastering Competency-Based Finance Interview

FRS 102 Revised Seminar Brings South Yorkshire Finance Leaders Together

In collaboration with Shorts Chartered Accountants, we recently hosted a seminar for senior finance professionals from across the region.The event brought together a number of Finance Directors, Financial Controllers and senior leaders from across the region for a morning of insight, discussion and networking over breakfast. It was a pleasure to welcome so many familiar faces, alongside new contacts, reflecting the strength and depth of the Yorkshire finance community. The seminar was presented by Howard Freeman, Audit & Accounts Partner, and Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Partner at Shorts. We are extremely grateful to both speakers for sharing their time and expertise, and for delivering a clear, practical overview of the forthcoming changes to FRS 102, which came into effect on 1 January 2026 and are expected to impact a significant number of UK businesses. The session explored what is changing and why, particularly in relation to lease accounting and revenue recognition, and considered what the updates mean in practice for finance teams and business leaders. The speakers also addressed the new reporting requirements under FRS 102, the potential impact on EBITDA and valuation methodologies, and the key considerations for organisations as they prepare for implementation. Rather than focusing purely on technical detail, the seminar encouraged broader discussion around readiness, communication with stakeholders and the commercial implications of the changes. This led to a highly engaged Q&A session, with attendees sharing perspectives and experiences from their own organisations. At Sharp Consultancy, we are committed to supporting the finance community beyond recruitment alone. Events such as this form part of our ongoing effort to create opportunities for connection, knowledge-sharing and professional development among senior finance professionals. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Shorts for partnering with us on this event, and in particular to Howard and Andy for delivering such an informative and thought-provoking session. We are also grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. We look forward to hosting further events in the coming months and continuing to work closely with our network of finance leaders across the region.If you would like to discuss how these changes may impact your finance team, or if you are considering strengthening your leadership function, please contact us for a confidential conversation.

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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.

Mastering Competency-Based Finance Interview Questions with the STAR Technique