Experience counts for most of the jobs in the financial sector but, the career in financial modeling opens doors for fresher’s too. There are different types of career tracks you can enter into like investment banking, equity research, accounting, financial planning, and analysis. A well learned professional will always have ability gate through key roles in the organization as fresher. You need to skill out in the conceptual knowledge and analyzing financial statements. Financial modelling job Interview questions and answers are focused on retrieving these two skills to check out the ability to fulfill your job responsibility effectively. Wisdomjobs portal has now launched a new feature of interview questions to aid fresher and experienced in preparing for the interviews to launch their career in Financial Modelling successfully.
Answer :
Question 2. What Is Working Capital And How Do You Forecast It?
Answer :
If we deduct current liabilities from current assets of the company during a period (usually a year) we would get working capital. Working capital is the difference between how much cash is tied up in inventories, accounts receivables etc. and how much cash needs to be paid for accounts payable and other short-term obligations.
From the working capital, you would also be able to understand the ratio (current ratio) between current assets and current liabilities. The current ratio will give you an idea about the liquidity of the company.
Generally, when you forecast Working Capital, you do not take Cash in “Current Assets” and any debt in the “Current Liabilities”.
Working Capital Forecast essentially involves forecasting Receivables, Inventory, and Payables.
Accounts Receivable Forecast:
Generally modeled as Days Sales Outstanding;
Receivables turnover = Receivables/Sales * 365
A more detailed approach ma include aging or receivables by business segment if the collections vary widely by segments
Receivables = Receivables turnover days/365*Revenues
Inventories Forecast:
Inventories are driven by costs (never by sales);
Inventory turnover = Inventory/COGS * 365; For Historical Assume an Inventory turnover number for future years based on historical trend or management guidance and then compute the Inventory using the formula given below
Inventory = Inventory turnover days/365*COGS; For Forecast
Accounts Payable Forecast:
Accounts Payables (Part of Working Capital Schedule):
Payables turnover = Payables/COGS * 365; For Historical Assume Payables turnover days for future years based on historical trend or management guidance and then compute the Accounts Payables using the formula given below
Accounts Payables = Payables turnover days/365*COGS; for Forecast.
Question 3. What Are The Design Principles Of A Good Financial Model?
Answer :
this Financial Modeling using an acronym – FAST.
F stands for Flexibility: Every financial model should be flexible in its scope and adaptable in every situation (as contingency is a natural part of any business or industry). Flexibility of a financial model depends on how easy it is to modify the model whenever and wherever it would be necessary.
A stands for Appropriate: Financial models should not be cluttered with excessive details. While producing a financial model, the financial modeller always should understand what financial model is, i.e. a good representation of reality.
S stands for Structure: The logical integrity of a financial model is of utter importance. As the author of the model may change, the structure should be rigorous and integrity should be kept at the forefront.
T stands for Transparent: Financial models should be such and based on such formulas which can be easily understood by other financial modellers and non-modellers.
Also, note the color standards popularly used in Financial Models:
Question 4. What Is An Array Function And How Would You Use It?
Answer :
If you have a laptop with you, it would be easier to show and answer this Financial Modeling Interview Question. If not, then just explain how it is done.
An array formula helps you to perform multiple computations one or more sets of values.
There are three steps one should follow to compute array function in excel –
In the Financial model, we make use of arrays in Depreciation Schedule where the breakup of Assets (shown horizontally) are transposed vertically using Transpose Function with Arrays.
Question 5. What Is The Difference Between Npv And Xnpv?
Answer :
The answer to this Financial modeling Question will be clear cut. There is a clear difference between NPV and XNPV. Both of these compute Net Present Value by looking into the future cash flows (positive & negative).
The only difference between NPV and XNPV is:
When there will be monthly or quarterly or yearly payments, one can easily use NPV and in the case not-so-regular payments, XNPV would be suitable.
Question 6. What Is The Worst Financial Forecast You Have Made In Your Life?
Answer :
You should never pick one financial model and talk about it. Rather pick two models – one that you couldn’t forecast right and another where you have hit the nail. And then give a comparison between these two. And tell the interviewer why one went belly up and another has become one of your best predictions.
Question 7. How Do You Forecast Revenues?
Answer :
For most companies, revenues are a fundamental driver of economic performance. A well designed and logical revenue model reflecting accurately the type and amounts of revenue flows is extremely important. There are as many ways to design a revenue schedule as there are businesses.
Some common types include:
Revenue for Hotels should be calculated as follows –
Question 8. How Do You Consider Stock Options In Financial Models?
Answer :
Stock Options are used by many companies to incentivise their employees. Employees get an option to buy the stock at the Strike Price.
If the market price is greater than the stock price, then the employee can exercise its options and profit from it.
When the employees exercise their options, they pay the strike price to the company and get shares against each option. This results in the increase in the number of shares outstanding. This results in lower Earnings Per Share.
The options proceeds received by the company can be thereby used either to buy back shares or can be deployed in the projects.
Question 9. Which Financial Model Layout Do You Prefer?
Answer :
There are primarily two types of Financial Model layouts – Vertical and Horizontal.
Question 10. Which Ratios Do You Calculate For Financial Modeling?
Answer :
There can be many ratios that are important from Financial Modeling point of view.
Some of the important ones are listed below:
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