Role-specific Financial Analyst Interview Questions & Answers:

1. Financial Analyst General Finance interview questions:

What is EBITDA and how does it figure into revenues?
What is a DCF analysis and can you walk me through how it works?
What is EVA and in what scenarios would you use it?
How do you define cash flow?
What steps would you take to determine a company's cash flow?
When would you use a ratio analysis?
How would you define present value analysis?
What is a capital market and how does the concept apply to our clientele?
What methods would you use to value a company?
Can you explain in which scenarios you would use marginal costing, standard costing and activity-based costing?
Which profitability models do you find the most accurate for forecasting?
What impact can accounts receivable and inventory levels have on an income statement?

2. Tell me how many hours a week do you usually work, and why?

I work pretty long hours most of the time. With the extra time, I try to find ways to "add value" to each assignment, both my own and the firm's. When our clients read our reports, I want them to think that no one else could have possibly written them, except for our company.

3. Tell me are you better at "managing up" or "managing down"?

If you aren't good at "managing up," you rarely get the opportunity to "manage down." Fortunately, I've always been quite good at self-management. I've never had a deadline that I didn't meet.

4. From your resume, it looks like you were fired twice.Tell me how did that make you feel?

After I recuperated from the shock both times, it made me feel stronger. It's true that I was fired twice, but I managed to bounce back both times and land jobs that gave me more responsibility, paid me more money, and were at better firms.
The morale here is very high. I've been exposed to the "seamy underbelly" of this business, but I'm still passionate about working in it.

5. Tell me because you have changed careers before. Why should I let you experiment on my nickel?

As a career-changer, I believe that I'm a better employee because I've gained a lot of diverse skills from moving around. These skills help me solve problems creatively.

6. Tell me about your biggest weakness that's really a weakness, and not a secret strength?

I am extremely impatient. I expect my employees to prove themselves on the very first assignment. If they fail, my tendency is to stop delegating to them and start doing everything myself.

To compensate for my own weakness, however, I have started to really prep my people on exactly what will be expected of them.

7. Tell me what if you work here for five years and don't get promoted? Many of our employees don't. Won't you find it frustrating?

I consider myself ambitious, but I'm also practical. As long as I am continuing to learn and grow within my position, I'll be a happy camper. Different companies promote people at different rates, and I'm pretty confident that working for you will keep me motivated and mentally stimulated for several years to come.

8. Tell me will you be out to take my job?

Maybe in about twenty years, but by then, I suspect you'll be running the entire company and will need a good, loyal lieutenant to help you manage this department!

9. Financial analyst top common interview questions part 2:

► What do you know about our organization?
► What kind of salary are you looking for?
► How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
► Do you know anyone who works for us?
► Why should we hire you?
► What Is Your Dream Job
► What are you looking for in a job?

10. Financial analyst top common interview questions part 1:

► Tell me about yourself?
► What are your biggest strengths?
► Why did you leave your last job?
► What are your career goals?
► Why do you want to work here?
► What is your greatest weakness?
► What do co-workers say about you?
► Are you applying for other jobs?