Accounting Assessment Test: 30 Questions and Practice Guide

We may earn a commission from some links on this page. Recommendations remain editorially independent.

Employers may use an accounting assessment test to screen practical bookkeeping and accounting skills for accounting clerk, bookkeeper, accounts payable or receivable, payroll, and finance-support roles. This page sits under the Skills Assessment Tests hub. It covers employer screening, not CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or other professional licensing exams.

There is no single universal accounting employment test. Format, difficulty, and topics vary by employer and provider. Confirm the exact test name and format in your invitation. This guide does not invent a universal pass mark, timing, or item count for every employer.

The 30 questions on this page are original practice-style exercises. They are not official questions from any employer, testing platform, accounting software vendor, or certification body, and they do not reproduce a live hiring assessment.

Key Takeaways

• Accounting employment tests are not professional licensing exams.
• Debits, credits, statements, reconciliations, and terminology matter more than general numerical speed alone.
• Spreadsheet tasks may appear, but this page is not an Excel-only guide.
• There is no universal employer format, duration, or passing score.
• Numerical reasoning practice can support related number skills without replacing accounting knowledge.

What Is an Accounting Assessment Test?

An Accounting Assessment Test measures whether a candidate can perform practical accounting and bookkeeping tasks accurately. Employers use these tests for roles such as bookkeeper, accounting clerk, accounts payable or receivable clerk, payroll clerk, staff accountant, accounting assistant, and finance support positions.

These tests generally focus on applied skills rather than full professional certification depth. A test may still assume familiarity with basic accounting terminology and the accounting equation.

Accounting Employment Screening Versus CPA Licensing

Employment accounting assessment versus CPA and related intents

Intent	What it usually means	What this guide covers
Employer accounting assessment	Role-specific bookkeeping and accounting skills screening	Yes, primary focus
CPA examination	Professional licensure pathway through official boards and exam providers	Distinction only
ACCA or CIMA pathways	Professional body qualifications with their own syllabi	No
General numerical reasoning	Broader number, table, and percentage skills	Supporting skill only
Excel-only testing	Spreadsheet proficiency without accounting content	See the Excel guide when spreadsheet tasks dominate

The CPA Exam is a professional licensure exam administered through official state boards of accountancy and a national testing structure. Passing an employer accounting screen does not grant a license or credential.

Common Topics on Accounting Assessment Tests

Depending on the role, you may be tested on basic bookkeeping, journal entries and debits or credits, the accounting equation, financial statements, bank reconciliation, accounts payable and receivable, financial ratios, payroll calculations and accruals, basic Excel or spreadsheet tasks, numerical accuracy, and workplace ethics. Some employers also include a short numerical reasoning section.

Numerical reasoning practice on AptitudeTests.org can help with percentages, ratios, and tables. It does not replace accounting-specific knowledge such as journal entries, statements, reconciliation, or payroll.

Topic Notes

Journal-entry questions test whether you understand how a transaction affects accounts using debits and credits, and how the accounting equation stays in balance. Financial-statement questions distinguish income statement content from balance sheet content. Bank reconciliation questions cover outstanding checks, deposits in transit, and bank service charges. AP and AR questions track what a business owes and what it is owed. Ratio questions may include current ratio, gross margin, and debt-to-equity. Payroll items may include overtime and net pay. Ethics items may cover confidentiality, conflicts of interest, and internal controls.

Accounting Assessment Test Practice Questions

The 30 questions below are original practice-style examples grouped into seven categories. Work through each calculation before checking the answer.

Journal Entries

Question 1

A company pays $500 cash for office supplies. Which journal entry correctly records this transaction?

• A. Debit Cash $500; Credit Supplies $500
• B. Debit Supplies $500; Credit Cash $500
• C. Debit Supplies $500; Credit Accounts Payable $500
• D. Debit Cash $500; Credit Accounts Payable $500

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Supplies (an asset) increases, so it is debited. Cash (an asset) decreases, so it is credited.

Question 2

A company provides $1,200 of services to a customer on account (the customer will pay later). Which entry is correct?

• A. Debit Accounts Receivable $1,200; Credit Service Revenue $1,200
• B. Debit Cash $1,200; Credit Service Revenue $1,200
• C. Debit Service Revenue $1,200; Credit Accounts Receivable $1,200
• D. Debit Accounts Payable $1,200; Credit Service Revenue $1,200

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Since the customer has not yet paid, the amount owed increases Accounts Receivable (debit), and Service Revenue is earned (credit).

Question 3

The owner invests $10,000 cash into the business. Which entry correctly records this?

• A. Debit Owner’s Equity $10,000; Credit Cash $10,000
• B. Debit Cash $10,000; Credit Owner’s Equity $10,000
• C. Debit Cash $10,000; Credit Accounts Receivable $10,000
• D. Debit Revenue $10,000; Credit Cash $10,000

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Cash increases (debit), and the owner’s claim on the business (equity) increases (credit).

Question 4

A company purchases equipment for $3,000, paying $1,000 cash and financing the remaining $2,000 with a note payable. What is the net effect on total assets?

• A. Total assets decrease by $1,000
• B. Total assets increase by $2,000
• C. Total assets increase by $3,000
• D. Total assets stay the same

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Equipment increases assets by $3,000, and cash decreases assets by $1,000. Net effect on assets = $3,000 - $1,000 = $2,000 increase. The $2,000 note payable increases liabilities, keeping the accounting equation balanced.

Question 5

A bookkeeper records a $400 cash payment for rent by debiting Rent Expense $400 and crediting Cash $40. What is wrong with this entry?

• A. Nothing; the entry is correct
• B. The debit and credit amounts do not match, so the entry does not balance
• C. Rent Expense should never be debited
• D. Cash should never be credited

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Every journal entry must have equal total debits and total credits. Debiting $400 and crediting only $40 leaves the entry out of balance by $360.

Financial Statements

Question 6

Which financial statement reports revenues and expenses over a period of time and shows net income?

• A. Balance Sheet
• B. Income Statement
• C. Statement of Cash Flows
• D. Trial Balance

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The income statement reports revenues and expenses for a period, with the difference equal to net income (or net loss).

Question 7

Which financial statement reports assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time?

• A. Income Statement
• B. Balance Sheet
• C. Statement of Retained Earnings
• D. Budget Report

Correct answer: B

Explanation: The balance sheet is a snapshot at a specific date, showing assets, liabilities, and equity, consistent with the accounting equation.

Question 8

A company has total assets of $150,000 and total liabilities of $60,000. What is the company’s owners’ equity?

• A. $60,000
• B. $90,000
• C. $150,000
• D. $210,000

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Assets = Liabilities + Equity, so Equity = Assets - Liabilities = $150,000 - $60,000 = $90,000.

Question 9

A company reports revenue of $85,000 and total expenses of $62,000 for the year. What is net income?

• A. $147,000
• B. $23,000
• C. $85,000
• D. $62,000

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Net income = Revenue - Expenses = $85,000 - $62,000 = $23,000.

Question 10

A balance sheet extract lists Cash $12,000, Accounts Receivable $8,000, and Inventory $15,000, all classified as current assets. What is the total of current assets?

• A. $20,000
• B. $23,000
• C. $27,000
• D. $35,000

Correct answer: D

Explanation: $12,000 + $8,000 + $15,000 = $35,000.

Reconciliation

Question 11

A bank statement shows a balance of $5,400. Outstanding checks (written by the company but not yet cleared by the bank) total $650. What is the adjusted bank balance?

• A. $4,750
• B. $5,400
• C. $6,050
• D. $650

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Adjusted bank balance = bank statement balance - outstanding checks = $5,400 - $650 = $4,750.

Question 12

A company’s book balance is $3,200. The bank charged a $25 service fee that has not yet been recorded in the company’s books. What is the adjusted book balance?

• A. $3,225
• B. $3,175
• C. $3,200
• D. $3,250

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Bank fees reduce the book balance once recorded: $3,200 - $25 = $3,175.

Question 13

A check written by the company has not yet cleared the bank. How should this item be classified during bank reconciliation?

• A. A deposit in transit, added to the bank balance
• B. An outstanding check, subtracted from the bank balance
• C. A bank error, ignored entirely
• D. An accrued expense, added to the book balance

Correct answer: B

Explanation: A check the company has written but the bank has not yet processed is an outstanding check. It is subtracted from the bank statement balance during reconciliation.

Question 14

Which of the following reconciling items requires an adjustment to the book balance rather than the bank balance?

• A. Outstanding check
• B. Deposit in transit
• C. Bank service charge
• D. A check still in transit to the bank

Correct answer: C

Explanation: A bank service charge is recorded by the bank first. The company must adjust its own books to recognize it, unlike outstanding checks or deposits in transit, which adjust the bank-side balance.

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable

Question 15

A company’s Accounts Payable balance starts at $12,000. During the month, it makes $8,000 in new purchases on account and pays $9,500 to suppliers. What is the ending Accounts Payable balance?

• A. $9,500
• B. $10,500
• C. $12,000
• D. $29,500

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Ending AP = Beginning AP + Purchases on account - Payments = $12,000 + $8,000 - $9,500 = $10,500.

Question 16

A company’s Accounts Receivable balance starts at $20,000. During the month, it makes $15,000 in sales on account and collects $18,000 from customers. What is the ending Accounts Receivable balance?

• A. $17,000
• B. $23,000
• C. $18,000
• D. $53,000

Correct answer: A

Explanation: Ending AR = Beginning AR + Sales on account - Collections = $20,000 + $15,000 - $18,000 = $17,000.

Question 17

Which term best describes a document that requests payment for goods or services already delivered?

• A. Purchase order
• B. Invoice
• C. Ledger
• D. Trial balance

Correct answer: B

Explanation: An invoice is a request for payment for goods or services already provided. A purchase order, by contrast, is issued before goods or services are delivered.

Question 18

An invoice was issued 45 days ago with payment terms of “net 30” (payment due within 30 days). How should this invoice be classified today?

• A. Current, not yet due
• B. Past due by 15 days
• C. Past due by 30 days
• D. Not yet issued

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Payment was due 30 days after issuance. Since 45 days have passed, the invoice is past due by 45 - 30 = 15 days.

Financial Ratios

Question 19

A company has current assets of $80,000 and current liabilities of $40,000. What is the current ratio?

• A. 0.5
• B. 1.0
• C. 2.0
• D. 4.0

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Current ratio = current assets / current liabilities = $80,000 / $40,000 = 2.0.

Question 20

A company has sales of $200,000 and cost of goods sold (COGS) of $120,000. What is the gross margin percentage?

• A. 20%
• B. 40%
• C. 60%
• D. 80%

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Gross profit = $200,000 - $120,000 = $80,000. Gross margin % = $80,000 / $200,000 = 0.40, or 40%.

Question 21

A company has total liabilities of $90,000 and total equity of $60,000. What is the debt-to-equity ratio?

• A. 0.67
• B. 1.0
• C. 1.5
• D. 2.0

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Debt-to-equity ratio = total liabilities / total equity = $90,000 / $60,000 = 1.5.

Question 22

A company’s current ratio is 0.8. What does this generally suggest?

• A. The company has more current assets than current liabilities
• B. The company’s current liabilities exceed its current assets, which may signal a short-term liquidity concern
• C. The company has no liabilities
• D. The ratio has no meaning for liquidity

Correct answer: B

Explanation: A current ratio below 1.0 means current liabilities are greater than current assets, which can indicate a potential short-term liquidity concern depending on the broader context.

Payroll and Accruals

Question 23

An employee’s gross pay for the week is $1,000. Deductions include $150 for taxes and $60 for insurance. What is the employee’s net pay?

• A. $940
• B. $850
• C. $790
• D. $1,210

Correct answer: C

Explanation: Net pay = Gross pay - Deductions = $1,000 - $150 - $60 = $790.

Question 24

An employee worked 45 hours in one week. The regular hourly rate is $20, and overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40. What is the employee’s gross pay for the week?

• A. $900
• B. $950
• C. $1,000
• D. $1,350

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Regular pay = 40 x $20 = $800. Overtime pay = 5 x ($20 x 1.5) = 5 x $30 = $150. Total gross pay = $800 + $150 = $950.

Question 25

A company receives a utility bill for services used in December but does not pay it until January. Under accrual-basis accounting, when should the expense be recorded?

• A. In January, when it is paid
• B. In December, when the expense was incurred
• C. It should be split evenly between December and January regardless of usage
• D. It should never be recorded since it was not paid in December

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Accrual-basis accounting follows the matching principle, recording expenses in the period they are incurred, regardless of when payment occurs.

Question 26

Which of the following best describes an accrued expense?

• A. An expense that has been paid in full and fully recorded
• B. An expense that has been incurred but not yet paid or recorded through a regular invoice
• C. An expense that will never be paid
• D. A refund owed to a customer

Correct answer: B

Explanation: An accrued expense is an expense that has been incurred during the period but has not yet been paid or formally invoiced, requiring an adjusting entry to record it in the correct period.

Workplace Ethics

Question 27

You have access to confidential payroll and bank account details. A coworker outside the payroll team asks to see this information out of curiosity. What is the best response?

• A. Share the information since it is just a coworker
• B. Decline and direct the request to the appropriate authorized channel
• C. Share only the parts that seem harmless
• D. Ask the coworker to keep it a secret and then share it

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Confidential financial and payroll information should only be shared through authorized channels, regardless of how harmless a request may seem.

Question 28

A vendor offers you a personal gift in exchange for prioritizing their invoices ahead of other vendors. What is the appropriate response?

• A. Accept the gift since it does not affect your judgment
• B. Decline the gift and follow your company’s policy on vendor relationships and conflicts of interest
• C. Accept the gift but keep it secret from your supervisor
• D. Ask the vendor for a larger gift before agreeing

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Accepting a gift in exchange for preferential treatment creates a conflict of interest. The appropriate response is to decline and follow company policy.

Question 29

You discover that a coworker made a data entry error that understated a large expense. What should you do?

• A. Ignore it since it is not your responsibility
• B. Correct or report the error through the proper channel and document it appropriately
• C. Quietly adjust unrelated accounts to make the numbers look consistent
• D. Confront the coworker publicly in front of other staff

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Accounting accuracy depends on correcting or reporting errors through the proper channel and documenting the correction, not ignoring the issue or making unrelated adjustments.

Question 30

Why is segregation of duties (for example, separating the person who approves payments from the person who records them) an important internal control in accounting?

• A. It slows down the accounting department for no reason
• B. It reduces the risk of errors and fraud by preventing one person from controlling an entire transaction from start to finish
• C. It is only relevant for large corporations
• D. It eliminates the need for any review of financial records

Correct answer: B

Explanation: Segregation of duties is a core internal control. By dividing responsibilities such as approval, recording, and custody of assets, no single person can complete and conceal an entire transaction alone, which reduces the risk of errors and fraud.

Accounting Assessment Test Practice Answer Key

1. B
2. A
3. B
4. B
5. B
6. B
7. B
8. B
9. B
10. D
11. A
12. B
13. B
14. C
15. B
16. A
17. B
18. B
19. C
20. B
21. C
22. B
23. C
24. B
25. B
26. B
27. B
28. B
29. B
30. B

How to Score This Practice Test

• 26-30 correct: Strong baseline across bookkeeping, statements, and workplace judgment.
• 20-25 correct: Good readiness. Review the categories where you missed the most questions.
• 14-19 correct: Moderate readiness. Practice journal entries, reconciliation, and ratios separately.
• 8-13 correct: Needs improvement. Review basic bookkeeping and the accounting equation before adding time pressure.
• 7 or fewer correct: Start with untimed review of accounting terminology and the accounting equation.

This scoring guide applies only to the unofficial practice questions on this page. It is not an official employer score, passing threshold, or hiring outcome. No employer-specific accounting assessment format is defined here, since formats vary by provider and role.

How to Prepare for an Accounting Assessment Test

1. Confirm the exact test name, provider, and format from your employer or recruiter.
2. Review basic accounting terminology and the accounting equation.
3. Practise journal entries, statements, reconciliation, AP/AR, ratios, and payroll as named in your invitation.
4. Add spreadsheet practice only when Excel or similar tasks are included.
5. Complete mixed, timed practice only after untimed review of weak topics.
6. Do not treat CPA or other licensing materials as interchangeable with employer screening.

Common Mistakes

Confusing debits and credits, mixing bank-side and book-side reconciling items, using the wrong percentage base, forgetting accruals, rounding too early, treating ethics items as informal common sense, and assuming numerical reasoning alone equals accounting readiness are frequent errors.

Additional Accounting and Skills Practice Options

JobTestPrep skills test preparation may be useful as a broader office and job-skills practice option when your process also includes Excel, typing, or related skills alongside accounting content. Confirm what is free versus paid at checkout. JobTestPrep and AptitudeTests.org are independent third-party preparation providers. Neither is your employer, a testing platform, an accounting software vendor, or a certification body, and preparation cannot guarantee a score or hiring outcome.

For ranked-response or work-style sections, cognitive ability test preparation may also be useful when you need extra drills under time pressure.

Related Guides

• Skills Assessment Tests
• Excel Assessment Test
• Microsoft Office Skills Assessment
• Data Entry Practice Test
• Clerical Skills Test
• Numerical Reasoning Test
• Federal Accounting Exam

FAQ