Family office interviews test three things: technical skill, discretion and fit with the family. Expect several rounds, including one with the principal.
Questions for accounting and finance roles
- How would you consolidate 20 entities with different year-ends?
- A K-1 arrives three weeks late. What do you do?
- How do you track capital calls and distributions across private funds?
- How would you set up bill pay approvals for a small office?
- What reporting would you give the family each quarter?
Questions about discretion
- Tell me about a time you handled sensitive information for a person rather than a company.
- A friend asks who you work for. What do you say?
- How would you respond if a family member asked you to keep something from another family member?
Questions about fit
- Why a family office rather than a firm?
- Tell me about a time you did work far outside your job description.
- How do you handle a principal who wants things done differently from best practice?
- Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Questions to ask them
- Who does this role report to day to day?
- How involved is the principal?
- What happened to the last person in the seat?
- Which work is done in-house and which is outsourced?
Role-specific questions are on each role page, for example the controller and chief of staff.
Questions
How many interviews does a family office job take?
Usually three to five, often including a meeting with the principal or a family member.
What do family offices look for in candidates?
Technical skill, discretion, flexibility and a good fit with the family's culture.