Had first round HR chat - honestly she came off as pretty cold comparable to other interviews I've done (especially in media where the personality types generally are more warm - whether that's a bit of acting - is disputable but not part of this chat now), I didn't even think I made it past her as the interview was over inside the planned time (usually not a great sign) to be honest.
Red Flag #1. Never ignore your gut with these things if something feels off.
So it came as a surprise to find out i'd been moved to the 2nd round to chat with the CFO. Red Flag number 2 comes up here - CFO while busy, isn't super responsive and we spend over 1+ week playing email tag to try and schedule the next round for us to chat. Finally we agree on a time and we get to speak. For a role they are looking for, it's not hard to respond to an email and setup time to chat.
I'm told of a situation you will find out about regarding the person in the current role moving to part-time, and the company needing more help. Sure, no issues there.
Next steps in the process is something else entirely. It's a straight up Excel test you take while you are screen-sharing with the CFO and while you are in real-time talking through it. Also note the CFO is not good at time management as I had no idea how long I needed for this interview - keep that in mind for you folks with other jobs you are balancing during this process to lock that part down.
Note that this Excel Test is something for a college student - it's nothing related to Accounting at all and is more about following specific/explicit instructions and to see how well you take orders as well as what you do when you get to something you don't know.
Given that it's 2021, and we're online while doing this - I searched for a faster way to solve a problem vs. the instructions given - I found something cleaner/easier to read to get the same answer, and was admonished by the CFO for doing so.
Also note that she lied during the process and told me there was no Excel Formula to convert units of Measurement in the program - when in fact it does exist and it's the "=Convert" function.
Red Flag #'s 3, 4, 5, etc.
A CFO that uses an Excel Test to see how well she can successfully micro-manage you is an ill-suited thing to do at any time - but doubly so in 2021 with better opportunities out there.
To be honest - the whole situation was pretty sad - and I was more upset about my time wasted than anything else.
To anyone looking to jump at this role - REALLY think if you want to work with this kind of boss, this kind of CFO who micromanages via the interview rounds - REMEMBER you are interviewing them as much as they are you.
You'd think the company would want to put it's best foot forward when it's in a tight spot and needs some real help, instead - you get treated to a child-watching exercise that's not handled in a professional way at all.
Bad look for the company and more than likely indicative of leadership/culture issues at the organization overall.
Do Better.