What is your greatest strength that benefits your career as a fintech financial analyst?

"I'd say that one of my biggest strengths is my ability to communicate effectively with others, which is helpful within this role for several reasons. First, since I'm personable and a strong verbal communicator, I tend to work well with others in a team environment. Second, I'm also able to take numbers, trends, financial models, and graphs and communicate them in such a way that non-analytical folks are able to easily understand my takeaways and recommendations. And I can do this whether it's via a presentation or a written report. So while I have many strengths that complement the fintech financial analyst role, I believe that my capacity to communicate well with others is the one that benefits my career most."

Interviewees frequently hear the 'what's your greatest strength' question during an interview. In this case, however, the interviewer wants you to connect one of your strengths to the fintech financial analyst role in particular. Discuss a strength of yours and how it will specifically help you to excel in this role.

Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?

"Honestly, I like working both independently and on a team. But even though I enjoy working alone, many times I prefer working with others because I find collaboration to be fun and a good chance to learn. Recently, I worked with a colleague of mine on a project that required him to build a sales model while I worked on a vendor model. We also had to share and combine our data to build an overall business model, which we later presented to the company's executives. The executives were very happy with the outcome, and the entire process was enjoyable and filled with friendly collaboration. So while I like to work alone, I get a lot out of working with others as well."

There's really no wrong answer to this question. Be honest and tell the interviewer what you prefer as it will help both of you decide if you will fit into the company or not. Whichever way you answer, try to back up your preference with an example or two of when you've successfully worked either alone or on a team.

Do you have any experience benchmarking?

"There are many different situations when benchmarking might be used by a financial analyst. For example, I know that competitive benchmarking is sometimes used when a company wants to assess its position within its industry or when it needs to determine performance targets (by looking at the performance of industry leaders). Sometimes companies also use benchmarking for internal purposes too. In this case, it is usually done to share best practices throughout the company. Personally, I have used prior year financial statements as benchmarks for comparing the current year's financial statements. When I do this, I compare the financial ratios between statements, which helps me to see how the company is performing year over year."

Explain to the interviewer what benchmarking is and then talk about any experience you have doing it. If possible, cite examples. If you don't have any experience in this area, emphasize that you are willing and eager to learn.

What process do you use to create a financial analysis report?

"The process I've developed over time to generate a financial analysis report starts with gathering the information I need from the company's financial statements, which usually includes its income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, as well as quarterly and annual records and financial notes. Next, I work on calculating ratios like ROI to show the company's financial health, and then I conduct a risk assessment. Finally, I estimate the value of the business and its stock. When I assemble the report, I typically include a company overview, an investment analysis (reviewing the company's cash flow, liquidity, and debt levels), a valuation section, a risk analysis, details, and a summary."

One of the primary job responsibilities of a fintech financial analyst is to put together financial analysis reports that highlight the financial strengths and weaknesses of a business. Walk the interviewer through the steps you typically take to produce this type of report.

After you work as a financial analyst in fintech, what kind of role do you plan to move into?

"My plan is to stay a financial analyst in the fintech industry throughout the entirety of my career. I really have no desire to move into a different type of role at a later date. I do, however, look forward to gaining more experience and knowledge so that I can graduate into more senior financial analyst roles after some time. In particular, I hope to hone my leadership skills so that eventually I can run and manage a team of finance professionals. Many years down the road, I might look to move into a CFO or controller position."

This is the interviewer's way of determining if you really want to be and stay a financial analyst or if your heart belongs elsewhere. Mentioning that you want to move into a role that has nothing to do with financial analysis or accounting would be a big red flag. Instead, discuss your desire to develop your analysis and leadership skills so that you can eventually move into a senior financial analyst role and perhaps manage others.

What was your greatest achievement in your last role?

"I'm most proud of how I evolved in a leadership capacity during my last role. When I started out, I didn't have much experience under my belt, but after a few years, I was able to establish myself as a mentor to some of the newer team members. They started coming to me with questions or to check their models and reports. In one instance, our manager implemented new software for financial modeling, and I was able to quickly pick up on it and then ended up training the rest of the team. I look forward to continuing to hone my leadership skills within a new position because I really enjoy helping and managing others."

You can choose to talk about whatever accomplishment you'd like, but plan to connect it to the skills and personality traits that the interviewer is interested in seeing. Some skills you might choose to highlight include being a self-starter, problem-solver, and strong communicator, in addition to being analytical and/or collaborative. Also, be sure to share the credit if you worked with a team.

Why did you choose to become a fintech financial analyst?

"I've always been analytical and someone who enjoys math and numbers. So by the time I went to college, I knew I wanted to do something in the financial field. I felt pulled between becoming an accountant or a financial analyst. Ultimately, I decided that being a financial analyst appealed to me more because I enjoy making predictions about the future. I like the idea that I can help direct the course of the company and the business. So I see myself staying in this type of role going forward because it really suits me. Also, working for a fintech startup like yours as a financial analyst really excites me because I know I'll be able to directly see the impact of my work."

The interviewer wants to know your reasons and motivations for becoming a fintech financial analyst. Discuss what led you to pursue this career path and where you see yourself going in the future. Emphasize the soft skills and enthusiasm you have that make you a good fit for this career. It's also a good idea to mention why you're interested in the fintech field.

Why do you want to work for our company?

"I put a lot of thought into the kind of company I wanted to work for as a financial analyst since there are so many different options out there. I'm really drawn to startups in particular, like yours, because of their agility and determination to succeed and disrupt the status quo. When I looked into your company's culture as well, it looked fun, social, and hard-working, which is also the type of atmosphere I would love to work in. I'm also very interested in the overall idea of software that automates and simplifies financial tasks for people, and I would love to be a part of helping to guide a company like yours in doing just that."

Financial analysts are hired by a variety of different types of companies, including banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, nonprofits, and pension funds, among others. The interviewer wants to know why you applied for a role at their company in particular. Be able to speak to their company and why you would be a great fit there, as well as why you want to work in the fintech field.

Have you or are you considering getting any licenses or certifications?

"Earlier this year, I became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) after putting a lot of time and effort into earning the certification. I did so because I felt it would strengthen my knowledge and ability to perform my job. I'm glad I did it because it taught me so much more about accounting, valuations, various financial instruments, and regulations. It has helped me to be a better financial analyst. I'm thinking about perhaps becoming a Certified Fund Specialist (CFS) or Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) in later years as I progress in my career."

There are many different designations and certifications that fintech financial analysts can choose to earn. If you've already completed any, discuss what motivated you to get them and how they have helped you in your career. Emphasize the self-discipline, dedication, and time it took you to earn these credentials. If you haven't earned any yet, talk about what certifications you plan to get in the future and why you want to do this.

Tell me what you would do if you noticed an inconsistency in our company's financial records.

"I enjoy working with numbers, looking for patterns and spotting inconsistencies. When I notice something like this, I immediately look into what might have caused the mismatch. Uncovering the source of the problem is something I view as a fun challenge. Being very detail-oriented by nature, I am quick to pick up on errors. Generally, I am able to figure out what happened and fix it. If this is the case, I let my manager know what I discovered and the actions I took to fix it. If I'm unable to determine what caused the inconsistency, I would also approach my manager and explain what was going on so they could provide me with further guidance around how to resolve the issue."

It's important that you assure the interviewer that you would take appropriate action if you ever spotted an inconsistency in their financial records. Talk through the steps you would take, which might include reviewing the records, trying to locate the source of the problem, and bringing the issue to the attention of a supervisor.

How would you handle an unhappy colleague or executive in a business meeting?

"When I put forth recommendations, they are backed up by the financial models and statements that I've built and gathered. I don't make random suggestions, so, in other words, I believe in what I'm proposing, and I'm willing to stand up for it. Having said that, I respect that people might have different opinions. If a conflict arose, I wouldn't let it derail the entire meeting. I would address the person's concerns within the meeting in a friendly and non-judgmental way, supporting my assertations with data. If the discontent continued, I would request to meet one-on-one after the meeting so we could share our perspectives without an audience. Ultimately, the final decisions aren't made by me, so if all the decision-makers aren't on board, I might go back to the drawing board and look to modify and improve my recommendations."

There may be times as a fintech financial analyst when your recommendations aren't welcomed. In many cases, you will be suggesting that the company make changes and not everyone loves change. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this kind of conflict. Discuss how you will remain calm and look to diffuse the situation. If possible, throw in a real-life example of when you've successfully done this before.

Describe how you would develop an investment recommendation for company decision-makers.

"Over the past several years, I have developed and honed a process that I typically follow when I'm asked to come up with a recommendation for company executives. I start by determining what the end goal of the investment is according to the company decision-makers and make sure that I'm clear on any requirements or limitations. For example, does there need to be a quick ROI or does the investment include an acquisition? I also identify and consider what thresholds exist that might deem the investment too risky. Next, I pull together all the financial statements that are needed for me to make decisions. These can include the company's balance sheet, income statements, and cash flow statements. Sometimes I need to generate these documents or updated versions of them. In the end, I make sure that I provide several options for the executives to consider."

It's important that in answering this question you walk the interviewer through the steps you would take in this situation. They want to understand your process. Discuss the information you would need to gather, the stakeholders you would have to take into account, and what thresholds would deem the investment too risky.

Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did it go?

"Recently, I was told that I needed to put together a presentation with recommendations for a client. The deadline was very tight, which created some stress because I was concerned about having everything done, accurately, prior to the presentation date. To help alleviate the stress, I chose to come into the office early for several days so I had some extra time to work without the interruption of people around. I also delegated some of the more tedious data-gathering tasks to an intern who we had working with us. Finally, after I had constructed several models, I also requested some feedback from trusted colleagues to make sure that in my rush I hadn't overlooked anything. In the end, I was able to give a flawless presentation and provide several solid recommendations. The client ended up adopted three of them, and the feedback in regards to the presentation was all positive."

There may be times as a fintech financial analyst when you're put under pressure or stress. The interviewer wants to know how you would handle this type of situation. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to outline a time when you had to deal with a strict deadline. Explain the situation, your role in it, what you ended up doing, and the outcome.

What do you do when you don't have all the information you need for a project?

"I consider myself a creative problem solver, and if the situation ever arises where I don't have all the information I need for a project, I calmly brainstorm ways to locate the data myself. I'm not opposed to asking questions if needed, but I am a strong believer in relying on myself first and foremost, and I don't like to waste anyone else's time. Occasionally in the past, there have been times when information is missing when I'm conducting a financial analysis. I know that there are a variety of ways to gather this information so I begin by thinking through the options. Many times I can contact the client directly and politely ask for the missing information. Sometimes I'm able to look at the customer's transactional history and filter out the data I need. Other times, I dig through files or work with the accounting team to find the past results or reports that I need. Whatever the case, I strive to be self-sufficient, resourceful, and a problem-solver in every instance."

This is the interviewer's way of finding out how resourceful you are. When confronted with an obstacle or a lack of information some people will just give up or run to someone else for the answers. Explain to the interviewer that you will logically think through different ways to find the missing data on your own before going to your manager. Show that you can think outside of the box to solve problems. If possible, cite an example.

Describe a time when you had to present financial data to others.

"I have presented various types of financial data to executives and clients before. This is a skill I've had to teach myself because although I have always had a knack for numbers, talking in front of others took practice. Over time, I have become skilled in this area, however, and even enjoy doing it these days. Within my current role, I had to build a predictive financial model to show where the business would be in five years. Going into the project, I determined what numbers were most important to the executives in my company. After I had built the model and had taken feedback from colleagues under consideration, I created a slide deck with my conclusions and recommendations. I then presented my model and slides to the decision-makers in my company who of course had some follow-up questions. In the end, they decided to adopt several of my recommendations and commended me on the presentation itself."

Many times fintech financial analysts have to present financial data to others, including company executives and high-level clients. The interviewer is trying to gauge whether you've done this before or not. If you have, use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to talk through an example of a presentation you gave, what your role was, how you prepared and carried out the presentation, and what the outcome was. If you haven't done this before, be honest but express how willing and eager you are to do so in the future.

Tell me about a time when an analysis didn't go as planned. What did you learn?

"Earlier in my career, I worked for a fintech startup and was asked to build a predictive financial model that forecasted sales for the next three years. A year later, it became apparent that my model wasn't as accurate as I had hoped. After taking a deep dive and investigating why my model was off, it became clear that I had made some false assumptions when it came to the sales cycle and how quickly our salespeople could close larger clients. I learned a valuable lesson about making sure to talk to all stakeholders during the planning stage of a financial model. If I had better understood the sales cycle in advance it would have allowed for my model to be more accurate. Since then I have made sure to more thoroughly research and talk to all important parties prior to building a model."

The interviewer knows that everyone makes mistakes. The important thing here is to take responsibility for the error you made and then show how you grew from it. Describe the mistake clearly and honestly; then go into the lessons you learned and carry with you.

What kinds of tools do you use for advanced financial modeling?

"Almost exclusively, I use Microsoft Excel when I build financial models. Other the years, I've learned how to best use the program; it has many different capabilities when it comes to modeling. In one of my earlier jobs, however, I did have the opportunity to use Quantrix for a while, which is a forecasting and modeling software platform in the cloud. I liked using it but have since reverted back to using Excel in most cases. A few years back, I took an online course that really solidified my knowledge of how to use Excel effectively for modeling. If you decide to hire me, I can definitely carry out any necessary financial modeling using Excel, but I'm also a quick learner, tech savvy, and capable of easily learning another modeling program or tool if needed."

Given that financial analysts spend a lot of their time building financial models, the interviewer wants to know what kind of tools and programs you use to do this. For many analysts, the program of choice is Microsoft Excel. If this is the case for you, consider talking about some of the various functions you use within Excel for modeling. If you use other tools, let the interviewer know.

Tell me what you know about different valuation methods.

"There are several different ways that one can determine the valuation of a business or asset. Since I've been a financial analyst in the fintech field for several years now, I've had the opportunity to use three methods in particular: cost approach, market approach, and the discounted cash flow approach. The cost approach takes into account what it costs to rebuild or replace an asset, which can then be used to value a stock. The market approach, meanwhile, relies on public company comparables and precedent transactions. Finally, the discounted cash flow approach forecasts future cash flows and then discounts it back to today at the company's weighted average cost of capital (WACC). It's the most detailed approach but many times its outcome is the most accurate."

Financial analysts are frequently called upon to determine the valuation of a company or asset. There are various ways to do this, and the interviewer wants to know that you are aware of these different methods. Talk through the valuation techniques you're familiar with, and, if possible, give examples of times when you've used them in the past.

Tell me what financial modeling is and why it's important.

"To date, I've built multiple financial models, which I've used to successfully estimate company valuations, test different scenarios, advise company leadership on budgeting decisions, conduct comparisons, and more. Basically, it's a type of quantitative analysis that looks at a company's earnings and expenses in order to make predictions about the future. There are various types of financial models, including discounted cash flow (DCF), initial public offering (IPO), consolidation, and leveraged buyout (LBO), and I have experience building them all. Financial modeling is an important skill for analysts to have because it allows us to help guide company leadership when it comes to strategic planning, calculating the cost of new projects, determining budgets, and allocating corporate resources."

It's highly important that you are able to clearly and concisely explain what financial modeling is to the interviewer. As one of the key responsibilities of a financial analyst, it's imperative that you show your mastery in this area. If possible, give examples of times when you've successfully built financial models and talk about the outcomes.

Can you tell me what EBITDA is?

"EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, and it's one way you can measure the overall financial performance of a company. It gives a more accurate picture of a company's operating profitability because it ignores non-operating factors like interest, taxes, and intangible assets. This makes it useful when comparing companies that have different capital investment, debt, and tax profiles; as a result, many analysts like myself use this metric when conducting financial analyses."

The interviewer will expect you to understand basic financial concepts so be sure to brush up on them prior to the interview. In this case, explain what EBITDA stands for and how it can be used to assess the health of a company. You should also be prepared to complete tasks like reading a financial statement, conducting an analysis, and using Excel to solve a problem.

What metric would you use to analyze a company's stock and why?

"If I had to choose one metric to analyze a company, I would pick the P/E (price to earnings) ratio because it allows you to see if a stock is under or overvalued. When compared to similar companies, a low P/E ratio might indicate that the price of the stock is currently inexpensive relative to its earnings, whereas a high P/E would show that its valuation has become too high. While it's important to look at multiple metrics in order to see the full story around a stock, I think the P/E ratio would be most helpful in this situation."

A fintech financial analyst should be aware of various financial concepts and metrics. Walk the interviewer through your thought process as you answer this question; you'll want to show that you can think critically. Explain why you think the metric you chose is the best one to use when evaluating a company.

What four financial statements are used to monitor a company's financial health?

"There are four main financial statements, which include balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and statement of shareholders' equity. The balance sheet shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity (the difference between the assets and liabilities). The income statement is also called a profit and loss statement, and it tracks how a business' net revenue translates into earnings. Meanwhile, the statement of cash flow shows how cash is moving in and out of the business, while the statement of shareholders' equity reports changes in the value of the shareholders' ownership interest in the company."

During the interview, you will inevitably be asked several questions that test your financial knowledge. Brush up on this type of information before the interview so you come across as capable and competent. The interviewer wants to feel confident that you are an expert when it comes to financial concepts and terminology.

What is NVP and why is it important?

"NPV is a financial metric that stands for Net Present Value. It takes into consideration the time value of money, translating future cash flows into today's dollars. As a financial analyst, I frequently calculate ROIs for potential projects and expenditures; NPV is a method that calculates the ROI by looking at the money you expect to make and converting those returns into today's dollars so you can tell whether the project or investment is worthwhile. NPV is important because it takes into account the fact that the buying power of today's money is greater than the same amount of money in the future, thereby allowing a financial analyst to determine the total value of a potential investment opportunity."

You can expect to be asked several questions that test your financial knowledge. Familiarize yourself with this kind of information before the interview so you appear capable and competent. You will want to show that you are an expert when it comes to financial concepts and terminology.

What financial statement would you pick to make a decision about a company?

"If I had to pick one financial statement to use to make a decision about a company, I would choose the cash flow statement. Unlike the balance sheet, which shows the assets and debt of a company at a specific point in time, a cash flow statement shows liquidity and how a company is using and generating cash, which is helpful in determining how the health of the company is currently. On the other hand, I would use an income statement to compare year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter performance and a shareholder's equity statement to see what's been paid into the company and what exists net of assets and liabilities."

It's important that a fintech financial analyst be familiar with and understand when to use various financial statements, including income, shareholder equity, and cash flow statements, as well as balance sheets. Talk to the interviewer about which financial statements you would use in different scenarios and why.

Fintech Financial Analyst Interview Questions

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1. What is your greatest strength that benefits your career as a fintech financial analyst?
2. Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
3. Do you have any experience benchmarking?
4. What process do you use to create a financial analysis report?
5. After you work as a financial analyst in fintech, what kind of role do you plan to move into?
6. What was your greatest achievement in your last role?
7. Why did you choose to become a fintech financial analyst?
8. Why do you want to work for our company?
9. Have you or are you considering getting any licenses or certifications?
10. Tell me what you would do if you noticed an inconsistency in our company's financial records.
11. How would you handle an unhappy colleague or executive in a business meeting?
12. Describe how you would develop an investment recommendation for company decision-makers.
13. Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did it go?
14. What do you do when you don't have all the information you need for a project?
15. Describe a time when you had to present financial data to others.
16. Tell me about a time when an analysis didn't go as planned. What did you learn?
17. What kinds of tools do you use for advanced financial modeling?
18. Tell me what you know about different valuation methods.
19. Tell me what financial modeling is and why it's important.
20. Can you tell me what EBITDA is?
21. What metric would you use to analyze a company's stock and why?
22. What four financial statements are used to monitor a company's financial health?
23. What is NVP and why is it important?
24. What financial statement would you pick to make a decision about a company?

Fintech Financial Analyst Interview Questions

1. What is your greatest strength that benefits your career as a fintech financial analyst?

2. Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?

3. Do you have any experience benchmarking?

4. What process do you use to create a financial analysis report?

5. After you work as a financial analyst in fintech, what kind of role do you plan to move into?

6. What was your greatest achievement in your last role?

7. Why did you choose to become a fintech financial analyst?

8. Why do you want to work for our company?

9. Have you or are you considering getting any licenses or certifications?

10. Tell me what you would do if you noticed an inconsistency in our company's financial records.

11. How would you handle an unhappy colleague or executive in a business meeting?

12. Describe how you would develop an investment recommendation for company decision-makers.

13. Tell me about a time when you had to meet a tight deadline. How did it go?

14. What do you do when you don't have all the information you need for a project?

15. Describe a time when you had to present financial data to others.

16. Tell me about a time when an analysis didn't go as planned. What did you learn?

17. What kinds of tools do you use for advanced financial modeling?

18. Tell me what you know about different valuation methods.

19. Tell me what financial modeling is and why it's important.

20. Can you tell me what EBITDA is?

21. What metric would you use to analyze a company's stock and why?

22. What four financial statements are used to monitor a company's financial health?

23. What is NVP and why is it important?

24. What financial statement would you pick to make a decision about a company?