60+ Energy Workforce Group Interview Questions and Answers

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 and indicates its financial health.

• Double-entry bookkeeping is a system where every transaction is recorded in at least two accounts, ensuring accuracy and balance.

• The three types of accounting are financial accounting, management accounting, and tax accounting.

• The three golden rules of accounting are: Debit the receiv...read more

Various financial ratios are used to analyze different aspects of a company's performance and financial health.

• Liquidity ratios measure a company's ability to meet short-term obligations (e.g. current ratio, quick ratio)

• Leverage ratios assess the level of debt a company has taken on (e.g. debt to equity ratio, debt to capital)

• Efficiency ratios evaluate how well a company utilizes its assets to generate revenue (e.g. asset turnover ratio)

• Profitability ratios indicate a company...read more

Various financial instruments with different durations and types.

• Bond: Debt security with fixed interest rate and maturity date (e.g. 10-year Treasury bond)

• Derivatives: Financial contracts derived from an underlying asset (e.g. options, futures)

• ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds): Investment funds traded on stock exchanges (e.g. SPDR S&P 500 ETF)

• Equity: Ownership in a company represented by shares of stock

• Share: Unit of ownership in a company

• Mutual Fund: Investment vehicle that pool...read more

Dividends are payments made by corporations to their shareholders, while interest is the cost of borrowing money.

• Dividends are payments made by corporations to their shareholders as a distribution of profits.

• Interest is the cost of borrowing money, paid by borrowers to lenders.

• Instruments such as stocks typically pay dividends, while bonds and savings accounts pay interest.

Indices are measures of the performance of a group of stocks or assets, while benchmarks are used to compare the performance of a specific investment.

• Indices are used to track the performance of a specific group of stocks or assets, providing a snapshot of the overall market or a specific sector.

• Benchmarks are used as a reference point to evaluate the performance of a particular investment or portfolio.

• Global market indices include the S&P 500 (US), FTSE 100 (UK), Nikkei 225 ...read more

Merger and acquisition refer to the consolidation of companies through various financial transactions.

• Merger is when two companies combine to form a new entity, while acquisition is when one company takes over another.

• Examples of mergers include Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox and Exxon's merger with Mobil.

• Examples of acquisitions include Facebook's acquisition of Instagram and Amazon's acquisition of Whole Foods.

• The two types of mergers are horizontal mergers (betwe...read more

Various modes of financing include venture capital, angel investor, equity financing, private equity, bootstrapping, hedge fund, and joint venture.

• Venture capital involves investors providing funding to startups and small businesses in exchange for equity.

• Angel investors are individuals who provide financial backing for small startups or entrepreneurs.

• Equity financing is when a company raises capital by selling shares of the company.

• Private equity involves investing in privat...read more

SQL Server is a relational database management system, while SQL Server Management Studio is an integrated environment for managing SQL Server databases.

• SQL Server is a relational database management system used for storing and retrieving data.

• SQL Server Management Studio is a graphical user interface tool used for managing SQL Server databases.

• SQL Server is the actual database software, while SQL Server Management Studio is the tool used to interact with and manage the datab...read more

Trade life cycle refers to the stages involved in a trade from initiation to settlement.

• Various stages include trade initiation, trade execution, trade confirmation, trade settlement, and trade reconciliation.

• Departments involved may include front office (traders), middle office (risk management), back office (settlements), and compliance.

• Example: In a stock trade, the trade initiation involves placing an order, trade execution involves matching the order with a seller, trade...read more

Data cleaning is the process of identifying and correcting errors or inconsistencies in data to improve its quality and reliability.

• Data cleaning involves removing duplicate records, correcting inaccuracies, handling missing values, and standardizing data formats.

• Tools commonly used for data cleaning include OpenRefine, Trifacta, and Talend.

• Data cleaning is necessary to ensure accurate analysis and decision-making, prevent errors in reporting, and improve overall data quality...read more

Share class refers to different types of shares issued by a company, each with its own set of rights and privileges.

• Types of share class include common shares, preferred shares, and class A shares.

• Common shares typically have voting rights and receive dividends after preferred shareholders.

• Preferred shares usually have a fixed dividend rate and priority over common shareholders in case of liquidation.

• Class A shares may have special voting rights or other benefits compared to ...read more

Stock exchanges in India include BSE and NSE. Oldest stock exchange is BSE. Stock brokers facilitate buying and selling of stocks. Demat account holds securities in electronic form.

• Stock exchanges in India: BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) and NSE (National Stock Exchange)

• Oldest stock exchange in India: BSE (established in 1875)

• Stock brokers help investors buy and sell stocks on the stock exchanges

• Demat account: A dematerialized account that holds securities in electronic form ins...read more

Primary market is where securities are created and sold for the first time. Instruments include IPOs, bonds, and preferred stock.

• Primary market is where companies issue new securities to raise capital

• Instruments in primary market include Initial Public Offerings (IPOs), bonds, preferred stock

• Investors buy these securities directly from the issuing company

Invesco is a global investment management company providing a wide range of financial services. Competitors include BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity.

• Invesco is in the business of investment management and financial services

• Competitors include BlackRock, Vanguard, and Fidelity

• Invesco offers a variety of products such as mutual funds, ETFs, and retirement plans

Secondary market refers to the buying and selling of previously issued financial instruments.

• Secondary market allows investors to buy and sell securities from other investors, rather than from the issuing company.

• Examples of instruments in secondary market include stocks, bonds, options, and futures.

• Secondary market provides liquidity to investors by allowing them to easily buy and sell securities.

Different data types include char, varchar, and string. Char is fixed length, varchar is variable length, and string is a generic data type.

• Char is a fixed-length data type that stores a specific number of characters, padding with spaces if necessary.

• Varchar is a variable-length data type that stores a varying number of characters up to a specified maximum length.

• String is a generic data type that can store any type of character data, with no specific length restrictions.

Aggregate functions perform calculations on a set of values and return a single value, while scalar functions operate on a single value and return a single value.

• Aggregate functions include SUM, AVG, COUNT, MAX, MIN. Example: SELECT SUM(salary) FROM employees;

• Scalar functions include UPPER, LOWER, ROUND, CONCAT. Example: SELECT UPPER(first_name) FROM employees;

Structured data is organized and easily searchable, while unstructured data lacks a specific format or organization.

• Structured data is typically stored in databases with a clear schema.

• Unstructured data includes text documents, images, videos, and social media posts.

• Structured data can be easily analyzed using SQL queries, while unstructured data requires more advanced techniques like natural language processing.

• Examples of structured data include customer information in a CR...read more

Option contracts give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a specified price, while future contracts obligate the parties to buy or sell an asset at a specified price on a future date.

• Option contracts provide the holder with the choice to exercise the contract or not, while future contracts require the parties to fulfill the contract at the agreed-upon terms.

• Option contracts have a premium that the holder pays to acquire the right, while fu...read more

Drop deletes the table structure and data, delete removes specific rows, truncate removes all rows but keeps the table structure.

• Drop: removes the table structure and all data within it

• Delete: removes specific rows based on a condition

• Truncate: removes all rows from a table but keeps the table structure

• Example: DROP TABLE table_name, DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition, TRUNCATE TABLE table_name

Data mart is a subset of a data warehouse focused on a specific business line, data lake is a centralized repository for raw data, and data repository is a general term for any storage system for data.

• Data mart is a subset of a data warehouse, containing a specific set of data relevant to a particular business line or team.

• Data lake is a centralized repository that stores large amounts of raw data in its native format until needed.

• Data repository is a general term for any sto...read more

Financial markets regulators in India include SEBI, in the USA it is the SEC, and other countries have their own regulatory bodies.

• India: SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)

• USA: SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission)

• Other countries: FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) in the UK, ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission) in Australia, etc.

SQL commands are used to interact with databases. Examples include SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE.

• SELECT: retrieves data from a database

• INSERT: adds new records to a table

• UPDATE: modifies existing records in a table

• DELETE: removes records from a table

Invesco is a global investment management company known for its wide range of investment products and services.

• Invesco offers a variety of investment options including mutual funds, ETFs, and retirement plans

• The company has a strong focus on research and innovation in the financial industry

• Invesco has a global presence with offices in over 20 countries

Alias is a temporary name given to a table or column in SQL. Clause is a keyword used to filter, group, or order data in SQL queries.

• Alias is used to give a temporary name to a table or column in SQL.

• Aliases are commonly used to make column names more readable or to reference the same table multiple times in a query.

• Example: SELECT column_name AS alias_name FROM table_name;

• Clause is a keyword used to filter, group, or order data in SQL queries.

• Common clauses include WHERE, GR...read more

Joins in SQL are used to combine rows from two or more tables based on a related column between them.

• Types of joins include INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, RIGHT JOIN, and FULL JOIN.

• INNER JOIN returns rows when there is at least one match in both tables.

• LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table.

• RIGHT JOIN returns all rows from the right table and the matched rows from the left table.

• FULL JOIN returns rows when there is a match in one of t...read more

Count the frequency of each alphabet in a string

• Create an array of size 26 to store the count of each alphabet

• Iterate through the string and increment the count of each alphabet in the array

• Convert characters to lowercase to handle case-insensitivity

• Ignore non-alphabetic characters

RDBMS stands for Relational Database Management System. It is a type of database management system that stores data in a structured format.

• RDBMS organizes data into tables with rows and columns.

• It uses SQL (Structured Query Language) for querying and managing the data.

• Examples of RDBMS include MySQL, Oracle Database, SQL Server, and PostgreSQL.

Equity represents ownership in a company while fixed income represents a loan to a company or government.

• Equity represents ownership in a company while fixed income represents a loan to a company or government.

• Equity holders have a claim on the company's assets and earnings while fixed income holders have a claim on the company's debt payments.

• Equity is generally considered riskier than fixed income as the value of equity can fluctuate greatly while fixed income has a set int...read more

pgAdmin is a graphical user interface tool for managing PostgreSQL databases, while PostgreSQL is the open-source relational database management system itself.

• pgAdmin is a GUI tool used for managing PostgreSQL databases

• PostgreSQL is the open-source RDBMS that stores and manages the data

• pgAdmin allows users to interact with PostgreSQL databases through a visual interface

• PostgreSQL is the actual database system where the data is stored and managed

Primary key uniquely identifies each record in a table, foreign key links two tables, unique key ensures uniqueness of values in a column.

• Primary key: uniquely identifies each record in a table

• Foreign key: links two tables together

• Unique key: ensures uniqueness of values in a column

Put and call options are financial contracts that give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a specified price within a specific time period.

• Put option: Gives the buyer the right to sell an asset at a specified price before a certain date.

• Call option: Gives the buyer the right to buy an asset at a specified price before a certain date.

• Options are commonly used in stock trading to hedge risk or speculate on price movements.

• Example: A put optio...read more

Deferred revenue is revenue received in advance before it is earned, resulting in a liability on the balance sheet.

• Deferred revenue is also known as unearned revenue.

• Journal entry for deferred revenue: Debit Cash (or Accounts Receivable) and Credit Deferred Revenue.

• As the revenue is earned, the deferred revenue is recognized as revenue on the income statement.

• Common examples include magazine subscriptions, annual maintenance contracts, and gift cards.

Hedge funds are typically more risky and exclusive, while mutual funds are more diversified and accessible to the general public.

• Hedge funds are typically only available to accredited investors, while mutual funds are open to the general public.

• Hedge funds often use more complex investment strategies and can be riskier than mutual funds.

• Mutual funds are typically more diversified, spreading investments across a range of assets, while hedge funds may focus on specific sectors ...read more

Trade settlement is the process of transferring securities and funds between parties involved in a trade.

• Trade settlement involves the finalization of a trade by exchanging securities for cash or other securities.

• It typically involves the clearing, matching, and confirmation of trade details.

• Settlement can be done through various methods such as delivery versus payment (DVP) or payment versus payment (PVP).

SQL stored procedures are precompiled SQL code that can be stored and executed on a database server.

• Stored procedures are used to encapsulate and execute frequently used SQL queries or operations.

• They can improve performance by reducing network traffic and optimizing query execution plans.

• Stored procedures can also enhance security by controlling access to data and enforcing business rules.

• Examples include procedures for inserting, updating, or deleting records in a database.

IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. It is the process by which a private company becomes a public company by offering shares to the public.

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

• The IPO process involves a company working with investment banks to determine the offering price, file necessary paperwork with regulatory bodies, and market the offering to potential investors.

• Once the IPO is completed, the co...read more

Fields are individual pieces of data within a record, while records are a collection of fields that represent a single entity.

• Fields are columns in a database table or attributes in an entity

• Records are rows in a database table or instances of an entity

• Example: In a customer database, 'Name' and 'Email' are fields, while a row containing 'John Doe' and 'john.doe@example.com' is a record

I will assess the situation, communicate with the client, and work on a plan to recover the defaulted portfolio.

• Assess the reasons for default and the extent of the damage

• Communicate with the client to understand their situation and concerns

• Work on a plan to recover the defaulted portfolio, which may involve restructuring the loan or collateral

• Monitor the progress of the recovery plan and make adjustments as necessary

• Maintain open communication with the client throughout the ...read more

Money market instruments are short-term, low-risk securities that provide liquidity to the financial system.

• Treasury bills

• Commercial paper

• Certificates of deposit

• Repurchase agreements

• Federal funds

• Municipal notes

Schema is a structure that represents the logical view of the entire database.

• Schema defines the organization of data in a database

• It includes tables, columns, relationships, constraints, and other elements

• Schema helps in understanding how data is stored and accessed in a database

Derivatives are financial instruments whose value is derived from an underlying asset or group of assets.

• Types of derivatives include options, futures, forwards, and swaps.

• Options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell an asset at a specified price before or on a specified date.

• Futures are contracts to buy or sell an asset at a predetermined price on a specified future date.

• Forwards are similar to futures but are customized contracts between two par...read more

Various tools are used for data quality such as data profiling tools, data cleansing tools, data monitoring tools, and data quality management tools.

• Data profiling tools help in analyzing the structure, content, and quality of data.

• Data cleansing tools assist in identifying and correcting errors in data.

• Data monitoring tools track data quality over time and alert users to any issues.

• Data quality management tools provide a comprehensive solution for ensuring data quality throu...read more

The six data quality dimensions are accuracy, completeness, consistency, timeliness, validity, and uniqueness.

• Accuracy - data is correct and free from errors

• Completeness - data is whole and not missing any parts

• Consistency - data is uniform and follows the same format

• Timeliness - data is up-to-date and relevant

• Validity - data conforms to defined rules and constraints

• Uniqueness - data is distinct and not duplicated

Analyze the reasons for underperformance and take corrective measures.

• Identify the reasons for underperformance

• Analyze market trends and economic conditions

• Rebalance the portfolio

• Consider diversification

• Consult with investment experts

• Communicate with clients and provide regular updates

Lease accounting refers to the accounting treatment of lease agreements by lessees and lessors.

• Lease accounting involves recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet.

• There are two main types of leases: operating leases and finance leases.

• Under operating leases, lease payments are expensed over the lease term.

• Under finance leases, the lessee recognizes both an asset and a liability on the balance sheet.

• Lease accounting standards, such as ASC 842 and IFRS 16, h...read more

IFRS 16 is the new lease accounting standard that requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets.

• IFRS 16 eliminates the distinction between operating and finance leases for lessees, requiring them to recognize all leases on their balance sheets as liabilities with corresponding assets.

• Lessees must calculate the present value of lease payments and recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet.

• The standard also introduces new disclos...read more

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

• Mutual funds can be categorized based on their investment objective, such as equity funds, debt funds, hybrid funds, etc.

• Equity funds invest primarily in stocks, while debt funds invest in fixed income securities like bonds and treasury bills.

• Hybrid funds invest in a mix of equity and debt securities.

• Index funds track a specific market index, such as...read more

Yes, I am open to relocation for the right opportunity.

• I am willing to relocate for a position that aligns with my career goals and offers growth opportunities.

• I am open to considering relocation packages and assistance.

• I am excited about the prospect of exploring new cities and cultures.

• Examples: I have previously relocated for a job and found it to be a positive experience.

• I am willing to discuss relocation during the interview process.

I am a detail-oriented and organized individual with strong analytical skills.

• I have a proven track record of accurately managing large amounts of data

• I am skilled in using Excel and other financial software

• I am able to identify and resolve discrepancies in financial records

• I am able to prioritize and manage multiple tasks effectively

• I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Types of testing include functional, non-functional, manual, automated, regression, performance, and security testing.

• Functional testing focuses on verifying that the software functions correctly according to the requirements.

• Non-functional testing includes performance, usability, reliability, and compatibility testing.

• Manual testing involves testers executing test cases manually without the use of automation tools.

• Automated testing involves using tools to automate the execut...read more

Prepayment is the payment of a debt before it is due.

• Prepayment is the act of paying off a loan or debt before the scheduled due date.

• It can help save on interest costs by reducing the overall amount owed.

• Common examples include making extra mortgage payments or paying off a car loan early.

Yes, I would appreciate relocation assistance.

• I am open to discussing relocation assistance options.

• I would like to know more about the relocation package offered.

• Relocation assistance would greatly help me transition smoothly into the new role.

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

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

• Investors can buy shares of mutual funds, which represent a portion of the holdings in the fund.

• Mutual funds offer diversification, liquidity, and professional management to investors.

• Types of mutual funds include equity funds, bond funds, ...read more

A call option is considered in the money when the strike price is below the current market price of the underlying asset.

• In the money call options have intrinsic value

• Investors can exercise in the money call options to buy the underlying asset at a lower price

• Example: If a stock is trading at $50 and the call option strike price is $45, the call option is in the money