Goldman Sachs Financial Controller Interview Questions and Answers

SUMIF is used to sum values based on a single criteria, while COUNTIF is used to count values based on a single criteria.

• SUMIF is used to sum values in a range that meet a certain criteria.

• COUNTIF is used to count the number of cells in a range that meet a certain criteria.

• Example: =SUMIF(A1:A10, ">10") will sum all values in the range A1:A10 that are greater than 10.

• Example: =COUNTIF(B1:B10, "=Red") will count the num...read more

Forecast is a prediction of future financial outcomes, while budget is a plan for managing financial resources.

• Forecast is an estimate of future financial performance based on current trends and data.

• Budget is a detailed financial plan for a specific period, outlining expected revenues and expenses.

• Forecasting helps in setting realistic financial goals, while budgeting helps in allocating resources efficiently.

• Forecast...read more

I will use statistical methods and trend analysis to forecast future financial performance based on previous years data.

• Utilize historical financial data to identify trends and patterns

• Apply statistical techniques such as regression analysis and time series analysis

• Consider external factors that may impact future performance, such as market conditions or industry trends

• Use forecasting models like moving averages or exp

Types of employees cost include salary, benefits, training, turnover, and productivity losses.

• Salary: the amount paid to employees for their work

• Benefits: additional perks provided to employees such as healthcare, retirement plans, and paid time off

• Training: costs associated with training new employees or providing ongoing professional development

• Turnover: expenses related to hiring and onboarding new employees due to ...read more

To save costs with limited money, focus on reducing unnecessary expenses, negotiating with vendors, optimizing processes, and increasing efficiency.

• Identify and eliminate unnecessary expenses

• Negotiate with vendors for better pricing or discounts

• Optimize processes to reduce waste and improve productivity

• Increase efficiency by streamlining operations and automating tasks

Depreciation in cash flow statement is a non-cash expense that reduces net income but does not impact cash flow.

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

• It represents the allocation of the cost of an asset over its useful life.

• Depreciation is important for assessing the true cash flow generated by a business.

• It is typically found in the operating activities se

Excel formulas are used to perform calculations and manipulate data in Excel spreadsheets.

• Excel formulas start with an equal sign (=) followed by the function or calculation.

• Common Excel functions include SUM, AVERAGE, IF, VLOOKUP, and CONCATENATE.

• Formulas can reference cells, ranges, or other worksheets in the same workbook.

• Excel formulas can be used to perform mathematical operations, logical comparisons, text manipu

I am proficient in various Excel formulas including VLOOKUP, SUMIF, COUNTIF, INDEX-MATCH, and IF functions.

• VLOOKUP: Used to search for a value in the first column of a range and return a value in the same row from another column.

• SUMIF: Adds the cells specified by a given condition or criteria.

• COUNTIF: Counts the number of cells within a range that meet the given condition.

• INDEX-MATCH: Used together to look up a value i...read more

My salary expectation is based on my experience, qualifications, and the market rate for the position.

• Consider my years of experience in the financial industry

• Take into account my educational qualifications and certifications

• Research the average salary range for Financial Associates in this location

• Open to negotiation based on benefits package offered