Sample Interview Questions for Financial Analysts (with Answers)

This post provides a huge collection of common interview questions for financial analysts, to help you prepare adequately for the interview and get hired.

To be successful in a financial analyst interview, you need to learn about the kind of questions you will be asked and make your preparation with them before going for the interview.

This is important to help you get familiar with the financial analyst interview questions and build confidence for the actual interview.

Please, continue reading:

What do Interviewers look for in a Financial Analyst?

When hiring for a financial analyst position, interviewers look for characteristics like critical thinking, researching skills, and judgment and decision-making abilities.

Interviewers often want to know how capable candidates are in problem solving and research abilities, including personality and aptitude.

10 Most Common Interview Questions for Financial Analysts (and Answers)

Here are some of the most common interview questions (with suggested answers) for financial analyst job that you may be asked:

1. What is the one thing you like about your previous position?

I liked the flexibility of my previous position as well as the work environment.

2. Why are you interested in our company?

I’m looking for a company with strong integrity and business practices, where I can cultivate my talents and skills to contribute to its growth.

3. What is your experience with financial analysis?

My experience in financial analysis includes budgeting and forecasting in the agricultural sector using computer models.

4. What was the last book that you read and what made it interesting to you?

The last book I read was “Annie’s Ghosts: A Journey Into a Family Secret” by Steve Luxenberg.

It was interesting to me because its primary focus is on the difficult relationship between a father and daughter and how it went unstated for years before finally exploding in 2004.

5. Tell me about a time when there was a conflict between staff/co workers, what did you do or say to resolve it?

I had a conflict with one member of staff in particular. I was worried that they would have a problem with the way I was approaching the project, so I spoke directly to this person about it.

After having an honest discussion, we agreed that our ideas complemented each other well. The project was more successful because of this.

6. In one sentence briefly describe the type of work that interests you.

I am interested in a job that will allow me to use and explore my skills and knowledge in the field of financial analysis.

More Common Interview Questions for Financial Analysts (and Answers)

7. What tools have you used in Excel before and how much experience have they given us regarding financial modeling programs such as P&Ls, balance sheets, cash flow statements etc.?

I have experience using Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Visual Basic. The only financial modeling programs that I have experience with are P&Ls, balance sheets, cash flow statements etc. because I learned all of them at my previous job.

8. How would you prioritize the following: Risk Management, Financial Planning and Analysis, Product Development and Operations.

I would prioritize Risk Management first because it helps to reduce losses and maintain a stable business.

I would prioritize Financial Planning and Analysis second because it assists in making informed decisions on how to best allocate capital for growth purposes.

Finally, I would prioritize Product Development and Operations last because it does not have a direct effect on the company’s core business.

9. How do you handle stressful situations?

When I encounter a stressful situation, I try to keep a positive attitude and remain calm. I focus on identifying the problem and thinking of solutions to make the best of a bad situation.

10. What do you know about our competitors?

I know that your company has high standards of integrity and values its employees for their hard work and dedication.

Your competitor however is more focused on controlling market prices, which may lead to negative effects on your company’s business.

More Sample Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

Here are additional questions you may be asked in a financial analyst interview:

Sample Behavioral Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. Where do you picture yourself in five years?
2. Walk me through a time you failed at something?
3. Give me an example of how you have handled conflict with another person.
4. How do you prioritize your work?
5. Who is the most difficult person that you have dealt with in the past year, and how did it affect your job performance?

Sample Case Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. How would you calculate the price/earnings ratio?
2. How do I calculate Beta?
3. Give me four ways to value a company.
4. What are the drawbacks of stock options?
5. When can you ignore depreciation in financial reports?

Sample Competency Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. How motivated are you to work as a financial analyst?

2. What do you find most challenging about being a financial analyst?

3. What is the biggest change you have been able to make as a financial analyst?

4. How would your previous supervisor characterize you and your work ethic?

5. What is one of your greatest strengths and why do you think that is?

Sample Problem-solving Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. Why did you apply for this position?
2. Do you work well in a team or independently?
3. How do your previous experiences give your interview an advantage over other candidates’ interviews?
4. What’s been your best accomplishment to date and what happened exactly when it occurred?
5. In general, how do you deal with adversity or challenges on the job in order to keep going and maintain momentum during long projects with obstacles along the way.

Sample Situational Interview Questions for Financial analysts

1. A new client needs financial advice on how to invest their assets. What would you do first?
2. You receive a phone call from an old client who wants to withdraw all of his funds. How do you respond?
3. There are two projects that your company is equally invested in. One project yields 10% return and the other 20%. Which one should they continue funding?
4. Your employer has asked you to make three choices about where to allocate capital for investment purposes, what criteria will guide your decisions?
5. Suppose there’s a technology start up that needs $20 million dollars of seed money. What criteria would determine if this start up is viable enough for investment?

Sample Communication Skills Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. How do you feel about public speaking?
2. Are you good at presenting data to a group of people?
3. In what environment is your best work produced?
4. What can be done to avoid workplace discrimination today?
5. Would you rather have the freedom to say whatever is on your mind or stay quiet and not rock the boat?

Sample Interpersonal Skills Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. What is the best way to deal with customer complaints?
2. How do you handle difficult people who don’t like your ideas and confrontation?
3. Describe a time in which you’ve had to convince someone of something.
4. What is it about your work that makes it fun for you?
5. When was the last time someone came back and thanked you for doing a good job.

Sample Company Culture Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. What does a perfect day at work look like to you?
2. Have you or would you ever consider working more than 8 hours without overtime compensation?
3. If we hired someone, and then 2 weeks later they didn’t work out, how long of a notice would we expect from them before quitting (assuming it’s not for another job)?
4. Do you prefer face to face or phone interviews with prospective employers?
5. Do you think only qualified people should speak up, even if they are unpopular with others in the office?

Sample Technical Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. Does the company use cloud-based software?
2. What is ERP and how does it help streamline financial workflow?
3. How would an investor find out about the daily trading activity for Apple?
4. What is double entry bookkeeping and why is it important to businesses today?
5. Describe what happens in a typical day as a financial analyst.

Sample Finance Interview Questions for Financial Analysts

1. What is a credit default swap?
2. Why do you need a risk management plan?
3. What is an interest rate swap and how does it work?
4. How do derivatives affect the value of an investment portfolio?
5. Describe the risks of investments that are tied to commodities.

Financial Analyst Interview Success Tips

When it comes to your financial analyst job interview, you need to be prepared for the above questions.

Here are some useful tips to help you impress the hiring manager:

1. There are many ways to prepare for a financial analyst interview. One rule of thumb is to have a clear understanding of the company or employer you will be interviewing with so you can point out specifics about the company and how your experience relates to its culture.

Doing extensive research on the company you’re interviewing with is key, as it’s likely that you’ll be asked specific questions about it.

The more information you have at your fingertips before going into an interview, the better off you’ll be.

2. In addition, if there are any industry-specific laws or regulations that might come up in the conversation, make sure to brush up on them beforehand.

3. Most job interviews will likely include typical questions but for financial analyst interviews, you should anticipate more detailed and specific questions about your experience in finance.

Conclusion

The interview process is just one of the many hurdles you will need to cross in order to land a financial analyst position.

However, it’s important that you’re prepared for this process and know how to answer certain types of questions which have been discussed on this page.