800+ Senior Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

Capital markets involve buying and selling of securities, investment banking is a service that helps companies raise capital, and reconciliation is the process of comparing financial records to ensure accuracy.

• Capital markets involve trading of stocks, bonds, and other securities

• Investment banking involves underwriting and issuing securities, as well as providing advisory services to clients

• Reconciliation involves comparing financial records to identify discrepancies and ensu...read more

Types of AP challenges include invoice processing errors, duplicate payments, and missing discounts.

• Invoice processing errors

• Duplicate payments

• Missing discounts

Types of invoices include proforma, commercial, utility, and credit invoices.

• Proforma invoice: issued before the actual sale takes place, used for customs purposes

• Commercial invoice: issued after the sale, includes details of the transaction

• Utility invoice: bill for services like electricity, water, or gas

• Credit invoice: issued to correct errors on a previous invoice

Sourcing is the process of finding, evaluating, and selecting suppliers for goods and services.

• Identifying potential suppliers through research and networking

• Evaluating suppliers based on criteria such as quality, price, and reliability

• Negotiating contracts and terms with selected suppliers

• Managing relationships with suppliers to ensure timely delivery and quality

• Monitoring supplier performance and making improvements as needed

Production issues are common and require quick resolution to minimize downtime and losses.

• Equipment breakdowns can cause delays and require maintenance or replacement.

• Supply chain disruptions can lead to shortages and delays in production.

• Quality control issues can result in defective products and require process improvements.

• Communication breakdowns between departments can cause delays and errors.

• Regular maintenance and training can prevent issues and improve efficiency.

• Impl...read more

Power Query in Power Point can be used to connect two table data for analysis and visualization.

• Open Power Point and go to the Data tab

• Click on Get Data and select the source of your data (e.g. Excel file)

• Choose the tables you want to connect and load them into Power Query

• Use Power Query to merge or append the tables based on common columns

• Once the data is combined, you can analyze and visualize it in Power Point

Macro variables can be created using the %LET statement in SAS programming.

• Use %LET statement followed by the macro variable name and its value.

• Macro variables can be created with or without quotes around the value.

• Macro variables can be referenced using & symbol followed by the variable name.

• Example: %LET var1 = 10; %LET var2 = 'Hello';

• Example: %LET var3 = &var1.;

A calculative field in SAS is a field that is created by performing calculations on existing fields.

• Calculative fields are created using SAS functions and expressions.

• They can be used to perform complex calculations and transformations on data.

• Examples include calculating averages, percentages, and ratios.

• Calculative fields can be added to existing datasets or created as part of a data transformation process.

To maximize profit, buy when the stock price is low and sell when it is high.

• Identify the lowest price point to buy the stock

• Identify the highest price point to sell the stock

• Consider market trends and analysis for optimal buying and selling days

I would assess the risk triggers, analyze the potential impact, develop a mitigation plan, and communicate with stakeholders.

• Assess the nature and severity of the risk triggers

• Analyze the potential impact on the project or organization

• Develop a mitigation plan to address the identified risks

• Communicate with stakeholders to keep them informed and involved in the risk management process

The market size for Grofers is estimated to be in the range of several billion dollars.

• Grofers is a leading online grocery delivery platform in India.

• It operates in multiple cities and has a large customer base.

• The market for online grocery delivery has been growing rapidly in recent years.

• Competitors like BigBasket and Amazon Pantry also contribute to the overall market size.

• Factors like increasing internet penetration, convenience, and changing consumer behavior drive the m...read more

Mandatory fields to check bond income in Bloomberg

• To check bond income in Bloomberg, mandatory fields to be checked are bond identifier, coupon rate, maturity date, and price.

• The bond identifier can be ISIN, CUSIP, or Bloomberg ticker.

• Coupon rate is the interest rate paid by the bond issuer to the bondholder.

• Maturity date is the date when the bond will be redeemed.

• Price is the current market price of the bond.

• Other optional fields to check are yield, credit rating, and durati...read more

Corporate Actions refer to events initiated by a publicly-traded company that can affect the stock's value.

• Corporate Actions can be voluntary or mandatory

• Examples of Corporate Actions include stock splits, dividends, mergers and acquisitions, and spin-offs

• Corporate Actions can have a significant impact on a company's stock price and shareholder value

• Investors need to stay informed about Corporate Actions to make informed investment decisions

Networking is the practice of connecting devices to share resources. DHCP assigns IP addresses. Proxy server acts as an intermediary. VPN creates a secure connection over the internet.

• Networking is the process of connecting devices to share resources such as files, printers, and internet access.

• DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) is a network protocol that assigns IP addresses to devices on a network automatically.

• A proxy server acts as an intermediary between a client...read more

I prefer a combination of techniques including interviews, surveys, and observation.

• I have used interviews to gather detailed information from stakeholders.

• I have used surveys to collect data from a larger group of people.

• I have used observation to understand how users interact with a system.

• I also like to review existing documentation and conduct focus groups.

• I tailor my approach based on the project and stakeholders involved.

Transit time is the duration taken for goods to be transported from one location to another, while lead time is the duration between placing an order and receiving the goods.

• Transit time is the time taken for goods to be transported from one location to another

• Lead time is the time between placing an order and receiving the goods

• Transit time can be affected by factors such as distance, mode of transportation, and customs clearance

• Lead time can be affected by factors such as p...read more

Adj. EBITDA is calculated by adding back non-recurring expenses to EBITDA. Non-recurring items include one-time expenses or gains.

• Adj. EBITDA = EBITDA + non-recurring expenses

• Non-recurring items include one-time expenses or gains such as restructuring costs, legal settlements, or gains from asset sales

• Non-recurring items are typically disclosed in the footnotes of financial statements

Market size is calculated by multiplying the total number of potential customers by the average price of the product. Market share is calculated by dividing a company's sales by the total market sales.

• Market size = Total number of potential customers x Average price of the product

• Market share = Company's sales / Total market sales

• Data sources for market size and share include surveys, industry reports, and sales data

• Market size and share can vary by geographic region, custome...read more

Microservices communicate with each other through APIs and messaging protocols.

• Microservices communicate via RESTful APIs, allowing them to make requests and receive responses.

• Message brokers like RabbitMQ or Kafka are used for asynchronous communication between microservices.

• Service discovery tools like Consul or Eureka help microservices locate and communicate with each other.

• Microservices can also use gRPC for high-performance, low-latency communication between services.

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

• Types of joins include inner join, left join, right join, and full outer join.

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

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

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

• Full outer join returns all rows from both tables, with NULL values for non-matchi...read more

Switch is used to connect devices within a network while route is used to connect different networks.

• Switch operates at layer 2 of OSI model while route operates at layer 3.

• Switch forwards data based on MAC address while route forwards data based on IP address.

• Switch is used to create a LAN while route is used to connect different LANs or WANs.

• Switch is faster than route as it does not require any processing.

• Example of switch: Ethernet switch. Example of route: Router.

Our current company uses a variety of technologies including cloud computing, data analytics, and machine learning.

• Cloud computing services such as AWS or Azure

• Data analytics tools like Tableau or Power BI

• Machine learning algorithms implemented using Python or R

SWOT analysis and ability to gel up with the organization are crucial for success in the role of Senior Analyst.

• I have experience in conducting SWOT analysis and have used it to identify areas of improvement and growth opportunities for the organization.

• I am a team player and have the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues from different departments and levels of seniority.

• I am adaptable and can quickly adjust to changes in the organization's goals and priorities.

• I h...read more

Add function is used to concatenate two or more strings or add numbers, while sum function is used to add numbers only.

• Add function can be used to concatenate strings like 'hello' and 'world' to form 'helloworld'

• Add function can also be used to add numbers like 2 and 3 to form 5

• Sum function is used to add numbers only, like sum(2,3) will return 5

CSV is a plain text file format while Excel is a binary file format.

• CSV files contain data separated by commas while Excel files can contain multiple sheets and complex formatting.

• CSV files can be easily opened in any text editor while Excel files require Microsoft Excel or a compatible program.

• CSV files are smaller in size compared to Excel files.

• CSV files are commonly used for data exchange between different systems while Excel files are used for data analysis and reporting...read more

Script to delete files older than 7 days in a Linux VM

• Use the find command to locate files older than 7 days

• Pipe the output of find to the rm command to delete the files

• Make sure to test the script in a safe environment before running it on important files

Digital marketing involves promoting products or services using online platforms and strategies.

• Digital marketing includes various tactics such as social media marketing, email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.

• It focuses on reaching target audiences through digital channels like websites, social media, and mobile apps.

• Data analytics plays a crucial role in digital marketing to track and measure the effectiveness of campaigns.

• Exa...read more

Direct procurement involves purchasing goods and services directly related to the core business, while indirect procurement involves purchasing goods and services not directly related to the core business.

• Direct procurement includes raw materials, components, and finished goods for production.

• Indirect procurement includes office supplies, IT services, and maintenance services.

• Direct procurement is essential for the production process, while indirect procurement supports the o...read more

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) assigns IP addresses to devices on a network.

• DHCP is a network management protocol used to automatically assign IP addresses to devices on a network.

• It helps in reducing the administrative burden of manually assigning IP addresses.

• DHCP operates on the client-server model where a DHCP server assigns IP addresses to clients.

• It also provides other network configuration information such as subnet mask, default gateway, and DNS server add...read more

Query to find duplicate value, highest salary, and generate report using multiple tables

• To find duplicate values, use a query with GROUP BY and HAVING clause

• To find the highest salary, use the MAX() function on the salary column

• To generate a report using multiple tables, use JOIN clauses to combine data from different tables

Balance groups can be created by analyzing usage patterns and grouping similar items together.

• Analyze usage patterns to identify similar items

• Group similar items together to create balance groups

• Consider factors such as frequency of use and importance of items in the group

• Examples include grouping similar products in a store or grouping tasks by priority in a to-do list

To create Changes only extra, identify existing changes and add new ones without modifying the existing ones.

• Identify existing changes

• Add new changes without modifying existing ones

• Ensure new changes do not conflict with existing ones

• Document all changes made

GDP stands for Gross Domestic Product. It is a measure of the total value of goods and services produced within a country in a specific time period.

• GDP is used to assess the economic health and growth of a country.

• It includes the value of all final goods and services produced within the country's borders.

• GDP can be calculated using the expenditure approach, income approach, or production approach.

• It is often used to compare the economic performance of different countries.

• GDP ...read more

DoT stands for Days on Therapy and carryover patients are calculated by determining the number of patients still on therapy at the end of a specified time period.

• DoT is a metric used to track the number of days a patient is on a specific therapy or medication.

• To calculate carryover patients, you would count the number of patients who were on therapy at the beginning of the time period, subtract any patients who stopped therapy during that time, and add any new patients who st...read more

Patient based forecasting model involves analyzing historical patient data to predict future patient outcomes.

• Collect and analyze historical patient data including demographics, medical history, treatments, outcomes, etc.

• Identify patterns and trends in the data to create a predictive model.

• Use statistical methods and machine learning algorithms to forecast future patient outcomes.

• Validate the model using test data and adjust as needed.

• Apply the forecasting model to predict pa...read more

The process for renewing certificates involves submitting an application, meeting renewal requirements, and paying any associated fees.

• Submit a renewal application with required information

• Meet any renewal requirements such as continuing education credits

• Pay any associated renewal fees

• Certificates may need to be renewed annually or biennially

Indirect procurement refers to the purchase of goods and services that are not directly related to the production of goods or services.

• Indirect procurement includes items such as office supplies, IT equipment, and travel expenses.

• It is often managed separately from direct procurement to ensure better control and cost savings.

• Indirect procurement can be a significant expense for companies and requires careful management to optimize spending.

• Examples of indirect procurement cat...read more

Mitigating risks in a service agreement involves identifying potential risks, setting clear expectations, and implementing contingency plans.

• Identify potential risks and assess their likelihood and impact

• Set clear expectations and responsibilities for both parties

• Include clauses for termination, indemnification, and liability

• Implement contingency plans and regularly review and update them

• Establish communication channels and protocols for addressing issues

• Ensure compliance wit...read more

Winzip is a paid software for commercial purposes.

• Winzip is a file compression and encryption software used for compressing files and folders.

• It offers a free trial version for personal use, but a paid license is required for commercial purposes.

• Businesses and organizations need to purchase a license to use Winzip for commercial activities.

Setting up failover clustering involves several steps to ensure high availability and reliability of systems.

• Install the Failover Clustering feature on all servers that will participate in the cluster.

• Configure shared storage for the cluster, such as a SAN or NAS.

• Create a cluster by running the Failover Cluster Manager and following the wizard to add servers to the cluster.

• Configure cluster networks and assign IP addresses for the cluster and each node.

• Install and configure c...read more

Distribution list is used for sending emails to multiple recipients, while shared mailbox is a mailbox that multiple users can access and send emails from.

• Distribution list is used for sending emails to multiple recipients at once.

• Shared mailbox is a mailbox that multiple users can access and send emails from.

• Distribution list can be created by an individual user, while shared mailbox is typically created by an administrator.

• Examples: A distribution list named 'Marketing Team...read more

We manufacture electronic devices for home and office use.

• Our products include smart home devices, routers, and printers.

• We focus on creating user-friendly and innovative technology.

• Our devices are designed to improve productivity and simplify daily tasks.

• We also offer customer support and maintenance services.

• Examples of our products include smart thermostats, wireless speakers, and all-in-one printers.

Derivatives help the capital market by providing risk management tools and increasing liquidity.

• Derivatives allow investors to hedge against potential losses and manage risk

• They provide a way to speculate on market movements without owning the underlying asset

• Derivatives increase liquidity by allowing investors to easily enter and exit positions

• Examples include futures contracts, options, and swaps

SAP is an enterprise resource planning software used for managing business operations. Company code is a unique identifier for a company in SAP. Chart of accounts is a list of all the accounts used by a company.

• SAP is used for managing business operations

• Company code is a unique identifier for a company in SAP

• Chart of accounts is a list of all the accounts used by a company

Visits in Adobe Analytics refer to the number of sessions initiated by users on a website or app.

• A visit is counted when a user enters a website or app and interacts with the content.

• If a user is inactive for 30 minutes or more, a new visit is counted when they interact with the content again.

• Visits are a key metric in analyzing user engagement and behavior on digital platforms.

There are no RailwayStations in Mars and Jupiter as they are planets without any human settlements.

• Mars and Jupiter are planets in our solar system, not habitable for humans.

• There are no known human settlements or infrastructure like railway stations on Mars or Jupiter.

• Space exploration missions have not reported any railway stations on these planets.

GARP stands for Global Association of Risk Professionals. It is a non-profit organization that provides education and certification in risk management.

• GARP offers various certifications such as FRM (Financial Risk Manager) and ERP (Energy Risk Professional).

• The organization also conducts research and publishes articles on risk management.

• GARP has a global network of members and partners in the financial industry.

• The organization aims to promote best practices in risk manageme...read more