An example of how to best answer this question for experienced candidates:
"My ideal job would involve training others on best practices in auditing. In my current job, I've had the opportunity to spend time training others in our office on the latest updates in GAAP. In this past year I've also had the opportunity to travel to other offices in our region to train their new hires. It was quite an honor to be selected in the central region to do this training, since it has been only the elite auditors at our company who have been selected for this role. So being able to leverage my skills to help develop others around me would be part of my ideal job."
An example of how to best answer this question for entry level candidates:
"My ideal job would involve working toward certification in my field. I've already completed the first test for industry certification and passed it the first time, which is a big first step forward. Most professionals, even with experience, don't pass the first test on the first try. I have two more tests to pass, one of which I already have scheduled to complete before graduation. So my ideal job is to become a subject matter expert in my field. Going beyond just being certified to becoming the go-to person for others at my company."
An example of how you should not answer this question:
"Wow, well I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be in this field! I just do this work to pay the bills. My ideal job would be one where I wouldn't have to work very hard, but get paid a lot of money. Where I could set my own hours so that I could do my own thing when and where I wanted. I think most people are working stiffs. My father worked for 45 years for the same company, then retired and died a year later. That's not what I want to do with my life. I would love to travel for a living, yeah, I guess that would be my ideal job.