Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Overhead Allocation • Purchase Cycle • Revenue Recognition

Month-End Close

Term from Accounting industry explained for recruiters

Month-End Close is a crucial accounting process that happens at the end of each month where accountants review, verify, and finalize all financial transactions. Think of it like taking a financial snapshot of a company's activities for that month. This process ensures all money coming in and going out is properly recorded, mistakes are caught, and financial reports are accurate. It's a fundamental skill that almost every accounting position requires, similar to balancing a checkbook but on a much larger scale. When recruiters see this term, it indicates the candidate has experience with systematic financial record-keeping and reporting.

Examples in Resumes

Managed Month-End Close process for a manufacturing company with $50M annual revenue

Reduced Month End Close timeline from 10 days to 5 days through process improvements

Led team of 3 accountants in completing Month-End Closing procedures

Implemented new software system to streamline Month End closing process

Typical job title: "Accountants"

Also try searching for:

Staff Accountant Senior Accountant Accounting Manager Financial Accountant General Ledger Accountant Corporate Accountant Financial Analyst

Where to Find Accountants

Professional Associations

Online Communities

Job Boards

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How have you improved or streamlined a month-end close process in your previous role?

Expected Answer: Strong answers should include specific examples of reducing closing time, implementing new procedures or software, training staff, or creating better documentation methods. They should mention measurable improvements and team leadership.

Q: How do you handle tight deadlines and competing priorities during month-end close?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate organization skills, ability to prioritize tasks, delegation experience, and stress management. They should mention specific strategies for meeting deadlines while maintaining accuracy.

Mid Level Questions

Q: Walk me through your typical month-end close process.

Expected Answer: Should describe a clear sequence of activities including reconciliations, accruals, adjusting entries, and report generation. Should demonstrate understanding of timing and dependencies between tasks.

Q: How do you ensure accuracy in your month-end close work?

Expected Answer: Should mention review procedures, cross-checking methods, documentation practices, and common error-prevention techniques. Look for emphasis on attention to detail and verification steps.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic accounting concepts are important for month-end close?

Expected Answer: Should mention basic concepts like accrual accounting, matching principle, account reconciliation, and the importance of proper documentation. Basic understanding of these concepts is essential.

Q: What software have you used for month-end close activities?

Expected Answer: Should be familiar with common accounting software like QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle. Should demonstrate basic understanding of how these tools help in the closing process.