200+ Associate Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Technical analysis involves using historical price and volume data to predict future price movements in trading.

• Knowledge of chart patterns and indicators

• Understanding of support and resistance levels

• Ability to interpret volume and price trends

• Familiarity with technical analysis tools like moving averages and RSI

• Experience in backtesting trading strategies

It is impossible to accurately determine the exact number of tennis balls in America without specific data.

• The number of tennis balls in America would vary depending on factors such as sales, usage, and production.

• One could estimate the number by considering the population of tennis players, tennis courts, and tennis tournaments in America.

• It would also be helpful to look at the sales figures of tennis balls from major retailers and manufacturers.

• Without specific data, it is ...read more

Working capital is calculated by subtracting current liabilities from current assets.

• Current assets include cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and short-term investments.

• Current liabilities include accounts payable, short-term loans, and accrued expenses.

• The formula for working capital is: Working Capital = Current Assets - Current Liabilities.

• A positive working capital indicates that a company has enough short-term assets to cover its short-term liabilities.

• A negative wor...read more

ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. CSR stands for Corporate Social Responsibility.

• ESG refers to the three central factors in measuring the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a company or business.

• CSR is a company's initiative to take responsibility for the environmental and social wellbeing of the communities around them.

• ESG and CSR are both important factors in evaluating a company's impact on society and the environment.

• Examples of ESG ...read more

DSA stands for Data Structures and Algorithms.

• DSA is a fundamental concept in computer science that involves organizing and storing data efficiently.

• Data Structures refer to the way data is organized and stored in a computer's memory.

• Algorithms are step-by-step procedures or formulas for solving problems.

• Understanding DSA is crucial for writing efficient code and solving complex problems in programming.

• Examples of DSA include arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, sorting algo...read more

Primary research involves collecting data directly from original sources, while secondary research involves analyzing existing data collected by others.

• Primary research is conducted by the researcher themselves, while secondary research involves using data collected by others.

• Primary research is time-consuming and expensive, while secondary research is quicker and more cost-effective.

• Examples of primary research include surveys, interviews, and experiments, while secondary re...read more

OOPS stands for Object-Oriented Programming System.

• OOPS is a programming paradigm that focuses on objects and their interactions.

• It allows for encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism.

• Encapsulation means that data and methods are kept together in a single unit, or object.

• Inheritance allows for the creation of new classes based on existing ones.

• Polymorphism allows for the same method to be used for different objects.

• Examples of OOPS languages include Java, C++, and Python.

Private companies are owned by a small group of individuals and do not trade shares publicly, while public companies are owned by shareholders and trade shares on the stock market.

• Private companies have fewer regulatory requirements compared to public companies.

• Public companies have more transparency as they are required to disclose financial information to the public.

• Private companies have more flexibility in decision-making as they are not accountable to shareholders.

• Exampl...read more

A mutual fund is a type of investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to purchase securities.

• Investors buy shares in the mutual fund, which represents a portion of the fund's holdings

• The fund is managed by a professional portfolio manager who invests the money in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities

• Investors benefit from the fund's returns and share in any profits or losses

• Mutual funds offer investors a convenient way to diversify the...read more

There is no one-size-fits-all answer as the best tool for analysis depends on the specific needs and goals of the analysis.

• Consider the type of data being analyzed (structured, unstructured, big data, etc.)

• Evaluate the specific requirements of the analysis (statistical analysis, data visualization, machine learning, etc.)

• Take into account the user's familiarity and expertise with different tools (Excel, R, Python, Tableau, etc.)

• Choose a tool that provides the necessary featur...read more

Prepaid expenses are expenses that have been paid for in advance but have not yet been incurred.

• Prepaid expenses are considered assets on a company's balance sheet until they are used up or expire.

• Common examples of prepaid expenses include prepaid rent, insurance premiums, and subscriptions.

• Prepaid expenses are initially recorded as assets and then gradually expensed over time as they are used up.

• Prepaid expenses are typically classified as current assets if they are expecte...read more

Different types of life cycles include linear, circular, and spiral.

• Linear life cycle: Progresses in a straight line from start to finish, with no repeating stages. Example: human life cycle.

• Circular life cycle: Repeats the same stages in a continuous loop. Example: water cycle.

• Spiral life cycle: Combines elements of linear and circular life cycles, with some stages repeating while others progress forward. Example: butterfly life cycle.

Fraud scenarios refer to situations where individuals or organizations deceive others for personal gain.

• Fraud can occur in various forms such as identity theft, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, and investment fraud.

• Perpetrators of fraud often use tactics such as phishing, social engineering, and hacking to gain access to sensitive information.

• Fraud can have serious consequences for victims, including financial loss, damage to credit scores, and emotional distress.

• Preventin...read more

Cash flow statement is a financial statement that shows the inflow and outflow of cash in a business over a period of time.

• It shows the sources of cash inflow and the uses of cash outflow.

• It is divided into three sections: operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities.

• It helps in analyzing the liquidity and solvency of a business.

• Example: If a company has a negative cash flow from operating activities, it may indicate that the company is not generating ...read more

Wipro has faced challenges in terms of stability due to changes in leadership, market competition, and industry trends.

• Wipro has experienced frequent changes in leadership which can impact stability.

• The IT industry is highly competitive, leading to challenges in maintaining stability.

• Shifts in technology and industry trends can also affect Wipro's stability.

• Despite these challenges, Wipro has a strong track record and continues to adapt to market dynamics.

LLM output assessment involves categorizing the results into different groups based on specific criteria.

• Assess the LLM output based on predetermined categories such as accuracy, relevance, and completeness.

• Evaluate the results to determine if they meet the desired criteria for each category.

• Assign scores or ratings to the LLM output in each category to provide a comprehensive assessment.

• Use a structured approach to ensure consistency and objectivity in the assessment process...read more

Potential red flags in an analysis

• Inconsistencies in data or methodology

• Lack of transparency in sources or calculations

• Unrealistic assumptions or projections

• Significant outliers or anomalies

• Conflicts of interest or bias

• Poor quality or outdated data

• Inadequate sample size or representation

VLOOKUP is a function in Excel used to search for a value in a table and return a corresponding value from another column.

• VLOOKUP stands for 'vertical lookup'

• It is commonly used to search for a value in the leftmost column of a table and return a value in the same row from a specified column

• Syntax: =VLOOKUP(lookup_value, table_array, col_index_num, [range_lookup])

• Example: =VLOOKUP(A2, B2:D10, 3, FALSE) - searches for the value in cell A2 in the range B2:D10 and returns the va...read more

Primary research involves collecting data directly from original sources, while secondary research involves analyzing existing data collected by others.

• Primary research is conducted by the researcher themselves, while secondary research uses data collected by others.

• Primary research is time-consuming and expensive, while secondary research is quicker and more cost-effective.

• Examples of primary research include surveys, interviews, and experiments, while secondary research inc...read more

OOPs stands for Object-Oriented Programming. It is a programming paradigm based on the concept of objects.

• OOPs focuses on creating objects that contain both data and functions.

• Encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism are the three main concepts of OOPs.

• Encapsulation is the process of hiding the implementation details of an object from the outside world.

• Inheritance allows a class to inherit properties and methods from another class.

• Polymorphism allows objects of different ...read more

SQL commands are used to interact with databases, while DSA questions test problem-solving skills.

• SQL commands include SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE for querying and modifying data in databases

• Basic DSA questions may involve sorting algorithms, data structures like arrays, linked lists, trees

• Understanding of time complexity, space complexity, and problem-solving strategies is important

Big data analysis involves collecting, processing, and interpreting large and complex data sets to extract valuable insights.

• Identify the problem and define the objectives

• Collect and clean the data

• Choose appropriate analytical techniques

• Apply statistical and machine learning algorithms

• Visualize and communicate the results

• Iterate and refine the analysis

• Examples: sentiment analysis, predictive modeling, clustering

Python is a high-level programming language known for its simplicity and readability.

• Python is an interpreted language, meaning code is executed line by line.

• It supports multiple programming paradigms like procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming.

• Python has a large standard library with built-in modules for various tasks.

• Popular frameworks like Django and Flask are built using Python.

• Python is widely used in data science, machine learning, web development, and ...read more

JAVA is a high-level programming language used to develop applications for various platforms.

• JAVA is an object-oriented language.

• It is platform-independent.

• It is used to develop web, mobile, and desktop applications.

• It is widely used in enterprise applications.

• Examples of JAVA-based frameworks include Spring, Hibernate, and Struts.

Fire brigade tax is a fee charged by local governments to fund fire departments.

• It is a form of property tax or a separate fee on utility bills

• The revenue generated is used to maintain and improve fire department services

• The amount of tax varies by location and property type

• Examples include the Fire Brigade Services Levy in Australia and the Fire Protection Fee in California

Drag is the force that opposes motion through a fluid. There are two types of drag: parasitic and induced.

• Parasitic drag is caused by friction between the fluid and the surface of an object moving through it.

• Induced drag is caused by the creation of lift, which results in vortices trailing behind the object.

• Examples of parasitic drag include skin friction drag and pressure drag.

• Examples of induced drag include wingtip vortices and wake turbulence.

Experience in SAP Basis involves managing the technical infrastructure of SAP systems.

• Installation, configuration, and maintenance of SAP systems

• Performance monitoring and tuning

• User administration and security

• Transport management

• Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues

• Working with databases and operating systems

• Knowledge of SAP NetWeaver technology

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors are criteria used to evaluate a company's impact on society and the environment.

• Environmental factors: Examples include carbon emissions, waste management, and renewable energy usage.

• Social factors: Examples include diversity and inclusion practices, labor relations, and community engagement.

• Governance factors: Examples include board diversity, executive compensation, and transparency in financial reporting.

Financial statements provide a snapshot of a company's financial health and performance.

• Financial statements include the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.

• The balance sheet shows a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time.

• The income statement shows a company's revenues, expenses, and profits over a period of time.

• The cash flow statement shows how cash is generated and used by a company over a period of time.

• For example, a co...read more

Subquery is a query within another query. Truncate is used to delete all data from a table. Delete is used to remove specific rows from a table.

• Subquery is used to retrieve data from a table based on another query's result

• Truncate is faster than delete as it removes all data at once

• Delete is used to remove specific rows based on a condition

• Example: SELECT * FROM table1 WHERE column1 IN (SELECT column2 FROM table2)

• Example: TRUNCATE TABLE table1

• Example: DELETE FROM table1 WHERE...read more

DCF Analysis is a valuation method used to estimate the value of an investment based on its expected future cash flows.

• Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis calculates the present value of expected future cash flows by discounting them back to their current value.

• It is commonly used in finance to determine the intrinsic value of a company or investment.

• DCF Analysis requires making assumptions about future cash flows, discount rate, and terminal value.

• The formula for DCF Analysi...read more

SQL join algorithms are used to combine data from multiple tables based on a common column.

• SQL join algorithms include nested loop join, hash join, and merge join.

• Nested loop join is the simplest and slowest algorithm, where each row in one table is compared to every row in the other table.

• Hash join is faster, where a hash table is created for one table and the other table is scanned to match the hash values.

• Merge join is the fastest, where both tables are sorted on the join ...read more

Items not included in PGBP calculation

• Personal expenses

• Capital expenses

• Expenses not related to business

• Expenses related to exempt income

• Expenses related to non-taxable income

Share market is where buying and selling of company stocks takes place. IPO stands for Initial Public Offering, which is when a company offers its shares to the public for the first time.

• Share market is a platform where investors can buy and sell shares of publicly traded companies.

• IPO is the first time a company offers its shares to the public to raise capital.

• Investors can participate in IPOs to become shareholders of a company.

• Share market prices are determined by supply a...read more

COVID-19 cases surge in major cities

• Increase in COVID-19 cases reported in urban areas

• Concerns rise over the spread of the virus in densely populated regions

• Health officials urge stricter measures to contain the outbreak

• Possible impact on healthcare systems and economy

• Examples: 'COVID-19 cases spike in New York City', 'Rapid rise in infections seen in London'

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

• Joins are used in SQL to retrieve data from multiple tables.

• There are different types of joins such as inner join, left join, right join, and full outer join.

• Inner join returns only the matching rows from both tables.

• Left join returns all the rows from the left table and matching rows from the right table.

• Right join returns all the rows from the right table and matching rows from the...read more

Difference between what?

• Please specify what you are comparing

• Without context, it is impossible to provide a meaningful answer

• Examples of possible comparisons include: two products, two concepts, two companies, etc.

AI, or artificial intelligence, is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.

• AI is used in various industries such as healthcare, finance, transportation, and marketing.

• It can be used for tasks like data analysis, pattern recognition, and decision-making.

• Examples include virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, self-driving cars, and fraud detection systems.

• AI can improve efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in many applications.

TDS stands for Tax Deducted at Source. It is a type of tax that is deducted from the income of an individual or entity at the time of payment.

• TDS is a form of advance tax that is deducted by the payer and deposited with the government on behalf of the payee.

• It is applicable to various types of income such as salary, interest, rent, commission, etc.

• The rate of TDS varies depending on the type of income and the amount being paid.

• TDS can be claimed as a credit while filing incom...read more

The next number in the series needs to be identified based on the pattern in the given numbers.

• Identify any mathematical operations or patterns in the series

• Look for relationships between consecutive numbers

• Consider factors such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, or other mathematical operations

• Examples: 2, 4, 8, 16 - the next number is 32 (each number is doubled)

Delete removes rows from a table while truncate removes all rows from a table without logging individual row deletions.

• Delete is a DML command while truncate is a DDL command.

• Delete can be rolled back while truncate cannot be rolled back.

• Delete triggers delete triggers and delete constraints while truncate does not trigger them.

• Delete is slower than truncate as it logs individual row deletions.

• Example: DELETE FROM table_name WHERE condition;

• Example: TRUNCATE TABLE table_name;

ATA chapters are used to categorize aircraft maintenance manuals and documents.

• ATA stands for Air Transport Association.

• There are 100 chapters in total.

• Each chapter covers a specific area of the aircraft.

• For example, ATA chapter 21 covers air conditioning and pressurization systems.

• ATA chapter 32 covers landing gear systems.

• ATA chapter 78 covers engine exhaust and reverser systems.

MSA stands for Master Service Agreement and SOW stands for Statement of Work.

• MSA is a contract between a service provider and a client that outlines the terms and conditions of the services to be provided.

• SOW is a document that defines the scope of work, deliverables, timelines, and responsibilities for a specific project or service.

• MSA typically covers the overall relationship between the parties, while SOW focuses on the specific details of a project.

• Examples: A software de...read more

Syndicated loans are loans provided by a group of lenders to a single borrower, often used for large financing needs.

• Syndicated loans involve multiple lenders coming together to provide a loan to a single borrower.

• These loans are typically used for large financing needs, such as corporate acquisitions or project funding.

• The lenders in a syndicated loan may include banks, financial institutions, or private investors.

• Syndicated loans can be structured in different ways, such as...read more

Yes, ADC stands for Analog-to-Digital Converter. It is a device that converts continuous analog signals into discrete digital signals.

• ADC is commonly used in electronics to convert physical quantities such as sound, light, and temperature into digital signals for processing.

• Examples of ADC applications include digital audio recording, digital photography, and temperature sensing in electronic devices.

I will talk about my passion for data analysis and how I have used it to solve complex problems in previous projects.

• I have always been fascinated by the power of data analysis in uncovering insights and driving decision-making.

• In my previous role, I used data analysis to identify trends and patterns in customer behavior, leading to a 10% increase in sales.

• I am proficient in various data analysis tools such as Excel, SQL, and Python, and have a strong foundation in statistica...read more

IAM stands for Identity and Access Management. It is used for managing user identities and their access to resources.

• IAM helps organizations control who has access to what resources

• It ensures that only authorized users can access certain data or systems

• IAM can also help with compliance by providing audit trails of user access

• Examples of IAM tools include Okta, Azure AD, and AWS IAM