30+ FactSet Research Analyst Interview Questions and Answers for Freshers

Assets are resources owned by an individual or organization, while liabilities are debts or obligations owed to others.

• Assets can include cash, property, investments, and inventory.

• Liabilities can include loans, mortgages, and unpaid bills.

• Assets are typically viewed as positive, while liabilities are viewed as negative.

• The difference between assets and liabilities is known as net worth or equity.

Factset is a financial data and software company that provides research, analytics, and data solutions to investment professionals.

• Factset offers a wide range of financial data and analytics tools

• It provides real-time market data, news, and research reports

• Factset's software platforms help investment professionals in portfolio management, risk analysis, and quantitative research

• The company serves clients in the financial industry, including asset managers, investment banks, a...read more

Accumulated depreciation is the total amount of depreciation expense that has been recorded for an asset over its useful life.

• It is a contra-asset account that reduces the value of an asset on the balance sheet.

• It is calculated by subtracting the asset's salvage value from its original cost and dividing the result by the asset's useful life.

• It represents the total amount of wear and tear or obsolescence that an asset has undergone over time.

• It is important for calculating the...read more

Semi-variable costs have both fixed and variable components, while variable costs change proportionally with output.

• Semi-variable costs have a fixed portion that remains constant regardless of output, and a variable portion that changes with output.

• Examples of semi-variable costs include utilities, phone bills, and maintenance costs.

• Variable costs change proportionally with output, such as direct materials and labor costs.

• Understanding the difference between these costs is im...read more

Depreciation reduces net income and increases cash flow.

• Depreciation is a non-cash expense that reduces net income.

• Since it is a non-cash expense, it is added back to net income in the cash flow statement.

• This results in an increase in cash flow from operating activities.

• For example, if a company has a net income of $100,000 and depreciation expense of $20,000, the cash flow from operating activities would be $120,000.

• Depreciation also affects cash flow from investing activit...read more

Marginal costs refer to the cost of producing one additional unit of a product, while additional costs refer to any extra costs incurred beyond the initial cost.

• Marginal costs are the cost of producing one more unit of a product, while additional costs are any extra costs incurred beyond the initial cost.

• Marginal costs are variable costs that increase or decrease with the production of one more unit, while additional costs can be fixed or variable costs.

• For example, if a comp...read more

Accrued expenses are liabilities that have been incurred but not yet paid for.

• Accrued expenses are recorded on the balance sheet as a current liability.

• They represent expenses that have been recognized but not yet paid for.

• Examples of accrued expenses include salaries payable, interest payable, and utilities payable.

• Accrued expenses are typically recorded through adjusting entries at the end of an accounting period.

Provision is a liability that is uncertain in timing or amount, while reserve is a portion of profits set aside for specific purposes.

• Provision is a liability that is recognized in the financial statements when there is uncertainty about the timing or amount of an obligation.

• Reserve is a portion of profits that is set aside by a company for specific purposes, such as future investments, contingencies, or dividends.

• Provisions are made for known liabilities, such as bad debts, ...read more

An equity stock holder is an individual or entity that owns shares of a company's stock.

• Equity stock holders have ownership in a company and are entitled to a portion of its profits.

• They can vote on important company decisions and attend shareholder meetings.

• Examples of equity stock holders include individual investors, mutual funds, and pension funds.

Activities in Cash Flow Statement include operating, investing, and financing activities.

• Operating activities involve cash flows from day-to-day business operations, such as sales and expenses.

• Investing activities include cash flows from buying or selling long-term assets, like property or equipment.

• Financing activities involve cash flows related to raising or repaying capital, such as issuing stocks or paying dividends.

• Examples of operating activities: cash received from cus...read more

The golden rules of accounting are basic principles that guide the recording of financial transactions.

• The first golden rule is the Personal Account rule, which states that all personal accounts are debited for the receiver and credited for the giver.

• The second golden rule is the Real Account rule, which states that all real accounts are debited for what comes in and credited for what goes out.

• The third golden rule is the Nominal Account rule, which states that all nominal ac...read more

Direct expenses are related to production while indirect expenses are not directly related to production.

• Direct expenses are incurred in the production process and can be easily traced to a product or service.

• Indirect expenses are not directly related to production and cannot be easily traced to a product or service.

• Direct expenses are variable costs while indirect expenses are fixed costs.

• Examples of direct expenses include raw materials, labor costs, and manufacturing overh...read more

Retained earnings are the accumulated profits of a company that are reinvested into the business instead of being distributed to shareholders.

• Retained earnings represent the portion of net income that is retained by the company after dividends are paid out to shareholders.

• They are reported on the balance sheet under the equity section.

• Retained earnings can be used for various purposes such as funding growth, paying off debt, or acquiring assets.

• They can be positive or negativ...read more

GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. It is a set of accounting standards and principles used in the preparation of financial statements.

• GAAP is a set of guidelines and principles that govern the accounting and financial reporting practices of companies.

• The main goal of GAAP is to ensure consistency, comparability, and transparency in financial reporting.

• GAAP provides a framework for recording, summarizing, and presenting financial information.

• Some of the ...read more

IFRS stands for International Financial Reporting Standards.

• IFRS is a set of accounting standards developed by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

• It provides a common framework for financial reporting across different countries.

• IFRS aims to enhance transparency, comparability, and reliability of financial statements.

• It is used by companies to prepare their financial statements in a consistent and standardized manner.

• IFRS covers various aspects of financial re...read more

EPS stands for Earnings Per Share, which is the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock.

• EPS is a financial metric used to evaluate a company's profitability.

• It is calculated by dividing the company's net income by the number of outstanding shares.

• EPS can be used to compare the profitability of different companies or to track a company's performance over time.

• A higher EPS indicates that a company is more profitable and may be a good in...read more

The gross profit formula calculates the profit made after deducting the cost of goods sold from the total revenue.

• Gross profit = Total revenue - Cost of goods sold

• Total revenue includes all sales revenue generated by the company

• Cost of goods sold includes the direct costs associated with producing or purchasing the goods sold

• Gross profit is an indicator of a company's profitability before considering other expenses

• Example: If a company has total revenue of $100,000 and cost o...read more

Goodwill can be calculated using the acquisition method or the impairment method.

• Acquisition method involves subtracting the fair value of net assets acquired from the purchase price.

• Impairment method involves comparing the carrying value of goodwill to its implied fair value.

• Goodwill is only recognized in a business combination.

• Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or when there is a triggering event.

• Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to impairment testing.

Bond interest rate is called yield.

• The bond interest rate is commonly referred to as yield.

• Yield represents the return on investment for bondholders.

• It is expressed as a percentage of the bond's face value.

• Yield can be fixed or variable depending on the type of bond.

• For example, a 5% yield means the bond pays 5% interest annually.

Derivatives are financial contracts that derive their value from an underlying asset or security.

• Derivatives can be used for hedging or speculation.

• Examples of derivatives include futures, options, and swaps.

• Derivatives can be traded on exchanges or over-the-counter.

• Derivatives can be used to manage risk or to take on additional risk for potential profit.

• Derivatives can be complex and require specialized knowledge to understand and trade.

Preferred stock is a type of stock that pays fixed dividends, while debenture is a type of debt instrument with no collateral.

• Preferred stock represents ownership in a company, but usually does not come with voting rights.

• Preferred stockholders receive fixed dividends before common stockholders.

• Debentures are unsecured debt instruments issued by corporations or governments.

• Debenture holders are considered creditors of the company and have a higher claim on assets in case of b...read more

IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. It is the first time a company's stock is offered to the public.

• IPO is a way for companies to raise capital by selling shares of their stock to the public

• It is a process where a private company becomes a public company

• The company hires an investment bank to underwrite the IPO and help set the price of the shares

• Examples of successful IPOs include Facebook, Alibaba, and Uber

Depreciation methods include straight-line, declining balance, and sum-of-the-years' digits.

• Straight-line method charges an equal amount of depreciation each year.

• Declining balance method charges a higher percentage of depreciation in the early years of an asset's life.

• Sum-of-the-years' digits method charges more depreciation in the early years and less in the later years.

• Other methods include units of production and MACRS.

• Depreciation methods are used to allocate the cost of...read more

Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities.

• Mutual funds provide diversification, allowing investors to spread their risk across multiple securities.

• They are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of the investors.

• Mutual funds offer liquidity, allowing investors to buy or sell their shares at the end of each trading day.

• They provide access to a wide range...read more

Equity represents ownership in a company, while mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of securities.

• Equity is a type of security that represents ownership in a company, giving shareholders voting rights and a share of profits.

• Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities.

• Equity investments carry higher risk but also offer the...read more

Working capital is the difference between a company's current assets and current liabilities.

• Working capital is essential for a company's day-to-day operations.

• It indicates the company's liquidity and ability to meet short-term obligations.

• Formula: Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities

• Examples: Cash, accounts receivable, inventory are current assets. Accounts payable, short-term loans are current liabilities.

Accounting concepts and principles are the fundamental guidelines for preparing financial statements.

• Accounting concepts are basic assumptions, rules, and guidelines that underlie the preparation of financial statements.

• Accounting principles are specific rules and standards that companies should follow when preparing their financial statements.

• Examples of accounting concepts include going concern, consistency, and materiality.

• Examples of accounting principles include the reve...read more

Balance sheet is a financial statement that shows a company's assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity at a specific point in time.

• It provides a snapshot of a company's financial position.

• Assets are what the company owns, liabilities are what it owes, and shareholders' equity is the difference between the two.

• The balance sheet equation is: Assets = Liabilities + Shareholders' Equity.

• It helps investors and analysts assess the financial health and stability of a company.

• Ex...read more

Merger and acquisition is the process of combining two companies into one entity through various financial transactions.

• Merger involves two companies coming together to form a new company

• Acquisition involves one company buying another company

• Mergers and acquisitions can help companies expand their market share, diversify their products, or achieve cost savings through synergies

• Examples include Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox and the merger of Exxon and Mobil to form ...read more

Cash flow statement is a financial report that shows the inflows and outflows of cash in a business over a specific period of time.

• It provides information on how well a company manages its cash position.

• It consists of three sections: operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities.

• Operating activities include cash received from sales and cash paid for expenses.

• Investing activities include cash spent on investments like property, plant, and equipment.

• Finan...read more

A derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying asset or group of assets.

• Derivatives can be used for hedging, speculation, or arbitrage.

• Common types of derivatives include options, futures, forwards, and swaps.

• For example, a stock option derives its value from the underlying stock.

• Derivatives allow investors to take on leverage and potentially increase returns.