Online exam puts accountants to test

Photo / Thinkstock

A Hawke's Bay HR consultant has developed an online test for the technical ability of job-seeking accountants.

The online accountancy technical competency test will go some way to preventing costly recruitment decisions.

Steve Evans said he developed the test after discussions with disillusioned employers and developed questionnaires validated by professionals and academics.

"It was important that we developed a tool that had been thoroughly tested - both in outcomes and functionality.

"It had to be easy to use and the test takes just 30 minutes.

"When combined with structured interviews and assessments of ability and personality, it will strengthen the decisions for appointing the most suitable candidate.

"We have spent a lot of time getting it right and we're now ready to offer it to accountancy firms, businesses and recruitment companies in New Zealand and then throughout the world."

Chartered accountant Giles Pearson said assessing job applicants' technical expertise was "a bit of a hit and miss".

"In many instances the candidate will have a good CV, will interview well and the referees are glowing, but when it came down to technical proficiency, our clients didn't really have a tool to test them on," he said.

"You can ask candidates about their experience, and although many are qualified, some can't apply their skills practically to the benefit of their client or employer."

One hundred accountants took the test to develop a base for comparing performance. Their average score was 52 per cent and many only scored well in their specialist area.