Top 46 Tally Interview Questions & Answers – 2026
| Summary: Tally proficiency becomes more useful when you connect software functions to real accounting work. Knowing why and when to use different vouchers, reports, and features can help you handle tasks more accurately. As TallyPrime remains widely used in accounting roles, combining software knowledge with strong accounting fundamentals can make your skills more relevant to employers. |
Tally plays an important role in business accounting, from recording daily transactions to tracking inventory and managing payroll. Its wide use across industries makes Tally proficiency a valuable skill for aspiring accountants and finance professionals. If you’re preparing for a role that involves accounting operations, a good grasp of Tally can help you stand out. Practicing Tally interview questions and answers will help you revise key concepts, understand practical applications, and prepare for questions related to everyday accounting tasks. This blog will help you strengthen your understanding of Tally and approach interview questions with greater confidence.
Basic Tally Interview Questions and Answers
Basic Tally interview questions involve testing your understanding of the software’s core features and how they support everyday accounting tasks. Before moving to advanced concepts, you should be comfortable with functions such as creating ledgers, recording vouchers, managing company data, and generating reports. These questions help interviewers assess whether you can use Tally accurately in practical accounting situations. Reviewing the basics can also help you answer follow-up questions with greater confidence.
1. What is Tally? What are its applications?
Tally is an accounting software suite used to record a company’s business data. It is an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for small and medium enterprises that automates and integrates business operations. The common applications of Tally include:
- Accounting
- Tax management
- Invoicing
- Inventory management
- Forecasting
- Payroll management
To learn more about Tally, you can consider taking a Tally course.


2. List some common accounting features in Tally ERP 9.
The following are some common accounting features in Tally ERP 9:
- Invoicing for all dealers
- Cost/profit center management for better ledger maintenance
- Budget supervision
- Features like cheques and cash vouchers for improved management
3. List the features of Tally 18.
The following are the key features of Tally 18, the latest version of Tally:
- Simplifies tax compliance and makes it easy to file GST and prepare electronic invoices.
- Enhanced user interface for streamlined navigation and a productive accounting experience.
- Provides major customization options to integrate a variety of business structures.
- Improved multitasking capacity to manage multiple operations at once.
- Enables users to access data remotely.
- Strong data protection and backup options to secure financial data.
4. List the most important features of Tally software.
The most important features of Tally software are:
- Tally supports multiple regional languages so that users can view reports in their preferred language.
- Using the payroll feature, users can automate employee records management.
- Tally allows the user to update transactions maintained in multiple locations.
- With a single Tally software license, users can create and maintain 99,999 company accounts.
5. What are intangible assets? Give examples.
Intangible assets are non-physical assets or resources that cannot be recorded on a balance sheet. They have no shape or form and cannot be held or manipulated. Some examples of intangible assets are as follows:
- Domain names
- Trademarks
- Patents
- Copyright
- Brand names
6. Explain the significance of vouchers in Tally ERP 9.
Vouchers in Tally ERP 9 record different types of transactions, such as sales, purchases, payments, receipts, and journal entries. They help maintain accurate records of financial transactions.
7. State the difference between accounting and inventory vouchers in Tally.
Accounting vouchers in Tally record financial transactions, while inventory vouchers aecord the movement of goods in and out of the business. These accounting vouchers update only accounts, while inventory vouchers update both accounts and inventory. Accounting vouchers directly affect a business’s financial statements. Inventory vouchers primarily affect the inventory and may indirectly impact financial statements through inventory valuation adjustments.
8. How can we create a new company in Tally ERP 9?
To create a new company in Tally ERP 9, select the ‘Create Company’ option from the Gateway of Tally menu. Then provide basic company details such as the name, address, financial year, and other related information.
9. How to create a ledger in Tally?
To create a ledger in Tally, go to the ‘Accounts Info’ menu, select ‘Ledgers,’ and then click ‘Create.’ Then enter the details, such as the ledger name, group, and other required information.
10. How to create multiple ledgers in Tally?
Here are the steps to create multiple ledgers in Tally:
- Go to ‘Gateway of Tally’ > ‘Accounts Info’ > Ledgers.
- Find and select multiple ledgers.
- Click on Create.
- Enter the details under the group and update the ledger name on the multiple ledger creation tab.
- Click ‘Enter’ and select ‘Yes’ to create the ledgers.
11. Mention the Tally ERP 9 ledger types commonly used by businesses.
The common Tally ERP 9 ledger types used by businesses are:
- Tax Ledger
- Bank Account Ledger
- Current Liabilities
- Party Ledger
- Sales/Purchasing Ledger
- Income/Expense Ledger
12. Explain the use of trial balance in Tally.
A trial balance summarizes all ledger balances. In Tally, it checks the accuracy of accounting entries by verifying the debit and credit balances of all ledgers. The trial balance is accurate when the total debit balances equal the total credit balances.
13. How to generate a profit loss statement in Tally?
To generate a profit and loss statement in Tally, go to the ‘Display’ menu, select ‘Trial Balance,’ and then click ‘Profit and Loss Account’ to view the report. A profit and loss statement indicates a company’s financial health over a specified period.
14. What is the shortcut for retrieving the last line removed in Tally ERP 9?
The shortcut for retrieving the last line that was removed in Tally ERP 9 is Ctrl+U.
15. Mention the shortcut used for recalling the last narration saved for the first ledger within the voucher.
The shortcut used for recalling the last narration saved for the first ledger within the voucher is Alt+R.
16. How can you check company statutory details?
You can check the company statutory details by using the Tally shortcut key, Ctrl + Alt + B.
17. Explain the use of budget in Tally.
Budgets in Tally help plan and control expenses and revenues for a financial period. The user can create budgets for different accounts or groups and compare them with actual expenses to track variances.
Intermediate Tally Interview Questions and Answers
As you gain experience with Tally, interviewers may move beyond basic functions and ask how you handle common accounting tasks in more detail. Intermediate Tally interview questions and answers can cover areas such as management, GST, bank reconciliation, payroll, and financial reports. Practicing these questions can help you connect Tally features with practical accounting requirements and explain how you would handle them in a work setting.
18. What is the shortcut to filter the information based on the monetary value of almost all the report screens in Tally ERP 9?
Alt+F12 is the shortcut to filter the information based on the monetary value of almost all the report screens in Tally ERP 9.
19. How can you view the Books of Accounts within Tally ERP 9?
Books of accounts in Tally ERP 9 record the transaction details as entered. You can view and print all your transactions here. To view the books of accounts, follow these steps:
- Press D to open the ‘Display’ menu.
- In this menu, click on A to see ‘Books of Accounts’.
20. How can you view the profit and loss account in Tally ERP 9?
To view the profit and loss account in Tally ERP 9, follow these steps:
- Go to Gateway of Tally > Display > Profit & Loss A/c.
- Click ‘F1: Detailed’ to view the ‘Profit & Loss Account’ in detailed format.
- The ‘Profit & Loss Account’ will appear.
- Press ‘F2: Period’ to change the period as required.
21. What is a group in Tally ERP 9?
When you compile ledgers of the same nature together, it’s called a group in Tally ERP 9. By default, Tally ERP 9 has 28 groups, divided into primary and subgroups (15 and 13, respectively). Within these groups, you enter expenses like telephone bills, electricity bills, conveyance, etc.
22. What is the use of an Inventory Report?
An inventory report records information about goods and materials the business holds for sale. These reports help a business run smoothly without any interruptions and are used for the following:
- Inventory management (maintaining stock levels)
- Inventory tracking (keeping a record of product location)
- Inventory categorization (differentiating the raw products, those in process, and ready to sell)
23. Where does Tally ERP 9 store the data after a company’s creation?
The directory stores the folder path where Tally ERP 9 accumulates data. However, Tally lets you add or change the path where it stores language, data, and configuration files. To make these changes, go to ‘Gateway of Tally’ or the ‘Company Info’ menu. Then, press ‘F12:Configure’ and select ‘Data Configuration’. Make the required changes and save them by selecting ‘Accept’.
24. Explain the steps to create a cost center.
A cost center in Tally is a unit or department of an organization to which you can allocate transactions. They track expenses and revenue for specific departments within a company. They help analyze the profitability of different departments and control costs.
The following are the steps to create a cost center in Tally:
- Go to ‘Gateway of Tally’ > Create > Cost Center> press Enter.
- Specify a name for your center.
- Select any from the primary or existing cost centers.
- Accept the ‘Cost Center Creation’ screen.
- Press Ctrl + A to save changes.
25. Explain the use of the Voucher Class in Tally.
Voucher Class in Tally automates allocations in transactions. It lets you create customized vouchers with unique formats and fields. Businesses also use voucher classes to capture additional transaction details and generate reports based on specific criteria. They make invoice entry easier. Voucher classes are available for all major vouchers like payment, receipt, sales order, credit note, purchases, and more.
26. How to set up Automatic Bank Reconciliation in Tally?
To set up Automatic Bank Reconciliation in Tally, go to the ‘Banking’ menu, select ‘Bank Reconciliation,’ and then click ‘Auto Bank Reconciliation.’ Then enter the bank statement file, and Tally will automatically reconcile the transactions.
27. How to track Multiple Currencies in Tally?
Multiple Currencies in Tally can be tracked by going to the ‘Accounts Info’ menu, selecting ‘Currencies’, and then clicking on ‘Create’. Here, enter the foreign currency details, exchange rate, and other information.
28. How to create Multiple Bills of Materials in Tally?
To create Multiple bills of Materials in Tally, the user should go to the ‘Inventory Info’ menu, select ‘Bill of Materials’, and then click on ‘Create’. Enter the details of the product and then select the option ‘Multiple Bill of Materials’. They can also add the details of the different raw materials and their quantities required for the product.
29. Explain the use of Manufacturing Journal in Tally.
It records transactions related to the production process, such as raw material consumption, overheads, and labor expenses. It helps analyze production costs and identify areas for improvement.
Advanced Tally Interview Questions and Answers
Advanced TallyPrime interview questions and answers focus on how well you can apply the software to complex accounting and business requirements. Interviewers can ask about GST, payroll, inventory, banking, reporting, and other features used in day-to-day operations. Preparing the following questions will help you explain your approach to practical accounting tasks and demonstrate that you can use TallyPrime beyond its basic functions.
30. What are the different vouchers in Tally ERP 9? Explain them briefly along with shortcuts.
Various types of vouchers in Tally ERP 9 are:
- Memo Voucher: Used to record an unknown expense at the moment, which can be converted to an actual sales voucher or deleted later. The shortcut for this voucher is Ctrl + F10.
- Reversing Journals: A special entry that is automatically reversed after the issue date. The shortcut for this voucher is F10.
- Debit Note Voucher: Used to record returns to suppliers for damaged goods. The shortcut for this voucher is Ctrl + F9.
- Purchase Voucher: It is used to track the purchase of items essential for businesses. The shortcut for this voucher is F9.
- Credit Note Voucher: Use this voucher when products weren’t distributed correctly and the customer returned them. The shortcut for this voucher is Ctrl + F8.
- Sales/Invoice Voucher: It records sales and is used to display sales invoices. The shortcut for this voucher is F8.
- Journal Voucher: It journals the expenses related to the organization’s running costs. The shortcut for this voucher is F7.
- Receipt Voucher: It records transactions related to payments received. The shortcut for this voucher is F6.
- Payment Voucher: It records each account’s historical payments, such as rent, salary, etc. The shortcut for this voucher is F5.
- Contra Voucher: It records fund transfers from a cash account to a bank account, from a bank account to a cash account, or between bank accounts in different banks. The shortcut for this voucher is F4.
31. What is the difference between Tally ERP 9 and Tally Prime?
Tally Prime is a comprehensive business management software that offers many advanced features compared to ERP 9. It was introduced in 2020 to make navigation easier and improve the user experience. Here is a comparison table to differentiate between Tally ERP 9 and Tally Prime:
| Parameters | Tally ERP 9 | Tally Prime |
| Accessibility | You are required to specify the path of the data to access it. | You can access data from anywhere, whether it’s a path, drive, or remote. |
| Multi-Tasking | You have to open various instances to multitask. | You can multitask without switching between different instances. |
| Opening Accounts | You need to go through Tally Gateway > Display > List of Accounts to launch an account. | The ‘Chart of Accounts’ option allows you to access all your masters (ledgers, groups, voucher types, etc.) on a single screen. |
| Changing Voucher Mode | Switching between the voucher modes in Tally ERP 9 requires you to navigate through menu options. | In Tally Prime, the process is much more streamlined. You can switch between voucher modes directly from the voucher screen. |
| Copy/Paste Shortcut Keys | Shortcut keys are Ctrl + Alt + C for copying and Ctrl + Alt + V for pasting. | It utilizes global shortcut keys Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V for copying and pasting. |
| Supplementary Information | You are required to fill in supplementary details every single time. | You can save any information as ‘permanent’ to ensure only that information is considered supplementary. |
| Printing Invoice | Printing invoices is costly | It offers the option of optimizing printing to save paper. |
| Updating Details in Transaction | You need to go through all the items to update a specific item. | The ‘More Details’ functionality helps you to update specified items efficiently. |
32. Explain Tally ERP 9 default configuration for the Balance Sheet. How can you view the configuration sheet?
The default balance sheet configuration shows ‘Liabilities’ and ‘Assets’ as two different columns. It displays primary group balances and capital accounts. Organizations can also view net profit for the specified period.
Here are the steps to view the configuration of a balance sheet:
- Go to ‘Gateway of Tally’.
- Select ‘F12: Configuration’.
- Choose ‘General’.
- The ‘System Configuration’ screen will appear.
- Set ‘Accounting terminology of’ to ‘India/SAARC’ under the ‘Country Details’.
33. Explain the use of Multi-currency in Tally. How do you enable multi-currency in Tally?
It is used to manage transactions in different currencies. This allows a business to deal with international customers and suppliers and generate reports in multiple currencies.
Follow these steps to enable multi-currency in Tally:
- Go to ‘Gateway of Tally.’
- Click ‘F11:Features’ > ‘F1: Accounting Features’.
- Set the option ‘Enable multi-currency’ to ‘Yes’.
- Press Ctrl+A to save.
34. Explain what features of Tally you can use to convert data to encrypted form.
You can use the TallyVault feature to encrypt your company data. A TallyVault password encrypts all details, including the company name and transactions. It helps businesses keep the confidentiality of their data. Here are the steps to use the feature:
- Load the company you wish to secure.
- Proceed to the ‘Gateway of Tally’ and press ‘F3: Company Info’.
- Click on ‘Change TallyVault’.
- Select the required company from the list of companies.
- Enter the password in the ‘New Password’ field.
- Re-enter the password in the ‘Repeat New Password’ field.
- Accept the password change.
Now, only professionals who have valid passwords can see the decrypted data, for everyone else, it will be encrypted.
35. How do you calculate interest on a group in Tally? Explain the use of the Interest Calculator in Tally.
Here are the steps to calculate interest on a group in Tally:
- Go to ‘Gateway of Tally’ > Display > Statements of Accounts > Interest Calculations > Groups.
- Now, select a group. For example, you can select ‘Loans.’
- Press ‘Enter’ to get the ledger-level interest report.
Tally’s interest calculator calculates interest on outstanding balances, such as overdue payments or loans. It helps manage cash flow and analyze the impact of interest charges on profitability.
36. Explain the use of Stock Categories in Tally. How do you create them in Tally?
Stock categories classify inventory items by characteristics such as size, color, or quality. They help manage inventory levels, generate reports, and analyze sales patterns based on specific criteria.
The following are the steps to create stock categories in Tally:
- Go to Gateway of Tally > Inventory Info. > Stock Categories.
- Select ‘Create’ under Single Stock Category.
- The ‘Stock Category Creation’ screen will be displayed.
- Enter the name of the Stock Category.
- In the field ‘Under’, specify whether it is a primary category or a sub-category.
- If you do not have a parent group, select ‘Primary’ from the list.
- If you do not find the required category in the list, create a parent group using Alt+C.
37. Explain the use of Price Levels in Tally. How do you set the Price Level in Tally?
Price levels let you set different selling prices for the same item based on criteria like customer type, region, or quantity. They help you manage pricing strategies, increase sales, and analyze profit margins.
Here is how you can set the price level in Tally:
- Go to ‘Gateway of Tally.’
- Select F11: Inventory Features.
- Set ‘Use Multiple Price Levels’ to ‘Yes’ by selecting a category suitable for transactions.
38. Explain the use of Reorder Levels in Tally. How do you specify the simple reorder level and minimum quantity in Tally?
Reorder levels are used to set the minimum and maximum stock levels for each inventory item. This helps in maintaining optimal inventory levels, reducing holding costs, and avoiding stockouts or excess inventory.
Here are steps to specify the reorder level and minimum quantity in Tally:
- In ‘Gateway of Tally’, select ‘Inventory Info.’ and then ‘Reorder Levels.’
- Select ‘Stock Groups,’ and from the ‘List of Groups’, select a group.
- In the ‘Specify Reorder Levels’ screen, enter the required reorder quantity and minimum order quantity.
- Press ‘Enter’ to save.
39. Explain the use of the Bill of Materials in Tally.
Tally uses it to list the components, quantities, and costs required to produce a finished product. This helps manage inventory levels, improve production efficiency, and analyze production costs. Further, it supports cost analysis and pricing decisions by outlining the costs associated with each component. It helps businesses determine overall manufacturing costs and set competitive prices. Since the bill of materials accurately reflects production costs in financial statements, it supports informed decision-making.
40. Explain the use of Batch-Wise Costing in Tally.
It tracks the cost and revenue of inventory items based on the buying or purchase batch. It helps manage inventory levels, analyze sales patterns, and generate reports based on specific criteria. Batch-wise costing helps businesses maintain accurate inventory records and optimize inventory management by providing detailed insights into cost dynamics and batch-level profitability.
41. Explain the use of Job Costing in Tally.
Job costing is a type of specific order costing used for jobs to meet customers’ requirements and specifications. It tracks and analyzes the costs and revenues associated with specific projects or jobs. It helps estimate the profitability of different projects and improve project management. Job costing allocates overhead costs to each job to track costs and identify project losses.
42. How would an employee manage a scenario where a customer has multiple outstanding invoices, but only pays a partial amount?
In Tally ERP 9, we can allocate partial payments against multiple invoices using the Receipt Voucher function. The voucher lets you allocate partial payments to specific invoices, ensuring the adjusted outstanding balance is accurate for each invoice.
You can create a ‘Receipt Voucher’ for specific invoices with the following steps:
- Go to the ‘Gateway of Tally’.
- Select ‘Accounting Vouchers’ to access the voucher entry screen.
- Choose the ‘Receipt Voucher’ option (F6).
- Enter the Date of the receipt.
- In the ‘Account’ field, select the ledger account of the customer who made the payment.
- Choose the mode of payment in the ‘Debit’ field.
- Enter the amount received in the ‘Amount’ field.
- In the ‘Particulars’ section, you will see the option to allocate the payment to specific invoices. Press “Alt + A” to access this feature.
- Select the invoice against which the payment is received by pressing the spacebar next to the invoice number.
- Enter the amount allocated to each invoice in the ‘Amount’ column next to the respective invoice.
- Press “Ctrl + A” to save the voucher.
43. How would an employee generate a Sales Order report in Tally ERP 9?
An employee can generate a Sales Order report in Tally ERP 9 by using the Sales Order Book option under the Display menu. Then, set the required period and generate the report, which will display all the sales orders entered during the selected period.
44. How would an employee handle a scenario where a customer requires a credit note for returned goods?
Employees can use the Credit Note Voucher function in Tally ERP 9 to create a credit note for returned goods. The credit note will automatically adjust the customer’s outstanding balance. The employee can also generate a report to track the credit note transactions.
45. How would an employee handle a scenario where a supplier requires a debit note for overcharged goods?
The employee can use the Debit Note Voucher function in Tally ERP 9 to create a debit note for overcharged goods. The debit note will automatically adjust the supplier’s outstanding balance. The employee can also generate a report to track the debit note transactions.
46. What are the steps to back up and restore company data in Tally ERP 9?
Tally ERP 9 provides an option to back up data. The user can take a backup by using the appropriate menu option and selecting the location where they want to save the backit these steps to back up the company data:
- Press Alt+Y (Data) > Backup.
- This will open the ‘Backup Companies’ screen.
- Select the required company, or select ‘All Items’ to back up all the companies.
- Press ‘Enter’ to proceed.
To configure the backup destination path, press Alt+Y (Data) > Data Path and select the path.
Follow these steps to restore the company data:
- Press Alt+Y (Data) > Restore.
- This will open the ‘Restore Companies’ screen.
- Select the required company, or select ‘All Items’ to restore all the companies.
- Press ‘Enter’ to proceed.
Tips to Crack Your Tally Interview
Preparing for Tally interview questions and answers involves more than knowing how the software works. You also need to communicate your knowledge clearly and show that you can apply what you have learned in a professional setting. Good preparation helps you organize your thoughts, handle different types of questions, and feel more comfortable during the interview. Keep the following tips in mind to make your preparation more focused and effective.
- Be Well-Versed With the Software: You should have an in-depth knowledge of the Tally software and its fundamentals. You can take up a short online course or practice on your own to polish your skills and expertise. This will assist you in solidifying your grasp of the basic and advanced Tally concepts.
- Shortcuts Are the Key: Tally interviews often feature questions about keyboard shortcuts to Tally commands and operations. Therefore, ensure that you know them thoroughly.
- Be Confident: Practice your answers beforehand to answer questions confidently in the interview.
- Research About the Business: You can research the organization you are interviewing for to tailor your answers accordingly.
- Prepare Work Samples: You can take work samples and prepare a portfolio to highlight how skilled you are with the software. Projects completed as part of an online Tally class or certificate program can help you convince the interviewer of your skills.


Conclusion
You should practice Tally interview questions and answers before appearing for the personal interview round of the recruitment process. These help you review the basic concepts, craft unique answers, and prepare to handle tricky questions with confidence. You should study the questions appropriate to your experience level to be able to answer effectively.
FAQs
Freshers should start with Tally basics such as company creation, ledgers, vouchers, inventory, GST, and financial reports. Practice recording common transactions in Tally and revise frequently used shortcuts. Reviewing Tally interview questions and answers can also help you get familiar with the types of questions interviewers may ask.
TallyPrime is the newer version of Tally ERP 9, with a more modern interface and improved navigation. It also offers features and updates designed to make accounting, inventory, taxation, and business management easier. Tally ERP 9 is an older version that many businesses used before moving to TallyPrime.
Common voucher types in Tally include Payment, Receipt, Contra, Sales, Purchase, Journal, Debit Note, and Credit Note. Knowing when to use each voucher is important because these vouchers help record different types of business transactions accurately.
Tally knowledge can be useful in roles such as accountant, accounts executive, junior accountant, finance assistant, payroll executive, and tax assistant. Small businesses and accounting firms may also look for candidates who can use Tally for routine accounting and financial tasks.
Yes, Tally remains useful for accounting and finance roles, particularly in businesses that use TallyPrime for bookkeeping, taxation, inventory, and payroll. Learning Tally alongside accounting fundamentals, GST, Excel, and basic financial reporting can help you prepare for a wider range of entry-level roles.
You may be asked to create a company, set up ledgers, record sales and purchase transactions, enter vouchers, manage inventory, apply GST, reconcile bank transactions, or generate financial reports. Some interviews may also give you a sample transaction and ask you to record it correctly in Tally.
