How it works
Three steps, no setup.
- 1
Invite
Choose the role and send the candidate a link. Up to three roles on one link.
- 2
Test
15 questions in about 20 to 30 minutes, set at the level of the role. Extra time if needed.
- 3
Report
A score, a band and skill areas, plus suggested interview questions on the weaker topics.
Built for the role, not a generic test.
Generic aptitude tests ask everyone the same questions. Verbench tests what the job actually needs.
Accounts Assistant
Transactional · level 1 of 5
- Bookkeeping and ledgers
- Month-end close
- Systems and data
- Tax and compliance
Financial Controller
Management · level 4 of 5
- Month-end close
- Controls, risk and audit
- Financial reporting and year-end
- Cash and treasury
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Tax and compliance
Topic areas in each test, most questions first. The dots show how hard the questions are for the role, from 1 (entry level) to 5 (expert).
Designed by qualified finance leaders (ACCA, ACA, CIMA) with 25 years’ experience in finance roles.
See the kind of questions: try Finance IQ (opens in a new tab)A sample report
Clear enough to act on.
The report compares the candidate with what the role needs, not with other candidates.
Each report gives a score out of 100, a band against the role, how the candidate did in each skill area, their strengths, the topics to probe, and interview questions on those topics. It never shows the test questions or answers.
Integrity notes record anything unusual during the test, such as time away from the test window or blocked copy attempts. They are records, not findings.
Interview questions included. Every report suggests interview questions on the candidate’s weaker topics, so you know what to ask at the next interview.
Agencies: send the report to your client with your shortlist.
- Below role
- Developing
- Meets role
- Strong
- Exceeds role
Answered above the level expected of a Financial Controller on most topics tested.
- Accounting and close
- Strong
- Planning and analysis
- Meets role
- Cash, tax and controls
- Exceeds role
- Accruals
- 13-week cash flow
- Segregation of duties
- Forecasting
- Intercompany
Suggested questions on the weaker topics, to use in your next interview.
- How do you keep a forecast realistic when managers are too hopeful?
- Intercompany differences delay the group close every month. How would you fix this?
- Accruals keep reversing with large differences. How would you find out why and fix it?
- Left the test window once, for about 40 seconds, during question 9.
These are records of what happened during the test, not findings. There can be ordinary reasons for them. If one matters to you, ask the candidate about it.
Fair to candidates, hard to game.
Fair to candidates
Plain English
Short questions in everyday words, for finance people whose first language may not be English.
Extra time
Clients can give extra time to candidates who need it.
A person decides
The report supports a hiring decision. It is never the only basis for one.
Hard to game
Timed questions
No time to look answers up.
Copying blocked
Attempts are recorded.
Time away recorded
Leaving the test window shows in the report.
Different for each candidate
Questions adapt to the answers, so sharing answers doesn’t help.
Answers stay private
They never reach the candidate’s browser.
Every report includes integrity notes: records, not findings.
Roles covered
Twelve roles. Twelve different tests.
Choose a role to see the topic areas in its test.
Transactional
Accounts Assistant
- Bookkeeping and ledgers
- Month-end close
- Systems and data
- Tax and compliance
Part-qualified
Assistant Accountant
- Bookkeeping and ledgers
- Month-end close
- Management accounting
- Tax and compliance
- Controls, risk and audit
- Financial reporting and year-end
- Systems and data
Qualified
Financial Accountant
- Month-end close
- Financial reporting and year-end
- Tax and compliance
- Systems and data
- Controls, risk and audit
Management Accountant
- Management accounting
- Month-end close
- Commercial and business partnering
- FP&A and modelling
- Systems and data
FP&A Analyst
- Systems and data
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Commercial and business partnering
Management
Finance Manager
- Month-end close
- Cash and treasury
- Financial reporting and year-end
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Commercial and business partnering
- Controls, risk and audit
- Systems and data
- Tax and compliance
Senior Finance Manager
- Month-end close
- Cash and treasury
- Financial reporting and year-end
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Commercial and business partnering
- Controls, risk and audit
- Systems and data
- Tax and compliance
Group Finance Manager
- Cash and treasury
- Consolidation and group
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Month-end close
- Commercial and business partnering
- Controls, risk and audit
- Financial reporting and year-end
- Systems and data
- Tax and compliance
FP&A Manager
- Cash and treasury
- FP&A and modelling
- Systems and data
- Commercial and business partnering
- Management accounting
- Strategy, board and leadership
Financial Controller
- Month-end close
- Controls, risk and audit
- Financial reporting and year-end
- Cash and treasury
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Tax and compliance
Group Financial Controller
- Consolidation and group
- Controls, risk and audit
- Month-end close
- Financial reporting and year-end
- Cash and treasury
- FP&A and modelling
- Management accounting
- Tax and compliance
Leadership
Head of Finance
- Month-end close
- Cash and treasury
- Financial reporting and year-end
- FP&A and modelling
- Commercial and business partnering
- Controls, risk and audit
- Management accounting
- Strategy, board and leadership
- Systems and data
- Tax and compliance
Pricing
Pay per test. No subscription.
Essentials test
£29 + VAT
One candidate, one entry-level role: Accounts Assistant or Assistant Accountant. Use within 12 months.
Professional test
£49 + VAT
One candidate, one role from Financial Accountant up to Head of Finance. Use within 12 months.
Extra role
£10 + VAT
Test the same candidate for a 2nd or 3rd role on the same invite. Use within 12 months.
5-test pack
£129 + VAT
£25.80 + VAT per test
5 tests for any role (first role on an invite). Use within 6 months.
10-test pack
£239 + VAT
£23.90 + VAT per test
10 tests for any role (first role on an invite). Use within 12 months.
One test = one candidate for one role. Every test includes a full skills report.
Paid at purchase by card. Your first test is free with a company email address.
Questions
Frequently asked
Is the first test really free?
Yes. When you sign up with a company email address, you get one free test for any role. It is one per company email domain, and you don't need a card.
How is this different from an exam?
The questions are about the everyday work of the role, at its level. They are not exam technique or trick questions, and the candidate doesn't need to revise.
Can I test for more than one role?
Yes. One candidate can take tests for up to three roles on the same link. Each extra role is a separate test with its own report.
How long does a test take?
About 20 to 30 minutes for 15 questions, with a timer on each question and one short break.
Can candidates have extra time?
Yes. Choose 25% or 50% extra time when you send the invite.
What do candidates see?
Their questions, then a thank-you email. You choose whether it also shows their band and skill areas.
How long is candidate data kept?
It is deleted automatically 12 months after the test.