Interview Base - Knowledge & Practical
Interview Base - Knowledge & Practical
Interview Base - Knowledge & Practical
like
2 Try to look at big picture like if we increase sales staff then we may need to extra HR person to hire them
3
erall business and aspects like expenses and revenue
o extra HR person to hire them and may be any accounts person to handle increased transaction and bills
SI No Skills Required
1 Budgeting
2 Forecasting
Analysis
3 (Variance,cost,profit,Market,Financial)
4 Profitability
5 Commentaries
6 Working Capital Management
7 Capex
8 Contracts
9 Pricing
10 Recharges
11 Finance Modelling
12 Advance Excel
13 Tableau
14 Power BI
15 Cash Flow
16 Scenario and Sensitivity Analysis
17 Capital Expenditure Proposals
18 Costing new product Lines
19 Process Improvement
20 Imrovement suggestions to Management
21 Current FP&A Tools in market
Budgeting
Status 9+ years FP&A and accounting experience across g
Ratios
Need to check basis of different allocations like rent to be shared on per square feet use by teams
Revenue Budget
accounting experience across gaming and postal services
unting skills - Excellent in budgeting and forecasting, cash flows and variance analysis
ial modelling (Excel), financial and market analysis, scenario/sensitivity analysis, capital expenditure proposals and costing new produc
ls and costing new product lines
Involvement in preparing annual budgets and monthly forecasting of
revenue and expenses.
Provide routine and ad hoc reporting and analysis to the team and to
business partners in a form that accurately and clearly articulates the
key points.
Variance Analysis
2 Difficult dicision
3 changes in the financial industry - Update
11 How do you use financial modelling and analytics to identify trends and opportunities?
How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure financial objectives are
15 met?
16 What experience do you have with preparing and analyzing financial budgets?
17 How do you effectively manage multiple financial projects at the same time?
What steps do you take to ensure everyone is on the same page when it comes to
23 financial planning and analysis?
27 How do you ensure that deadlines are met when working with financial data?
28 How do you motivate yourself to complete challenging financial tasks?
How do you build trust with the management team to ensure accurate financial
29 reporting?
I have plenty of experience within similar roles to prove my worth and being someone
who can fit in to the organisation seamlessely and start contributing positively
immidiately and I feel based on my skills and experience I will prove to be a good asset
for the company.
Also, the core skills and qualities I posses are a match for the person specification. This
includes strong communication and interpersonal skills, solid financial analytical and
reporting capabilities, commercial awareness, strategic acumen and also a desire and
capacity for innovative methods of working.
market trends, sales projections, and cost assumptions.
Assumtions and projections should be realistic and accurate
New product launch
candidate's commitment to ongoing learning and professional development.
* Scenario palnning, predictive planning (more focus on future), collaboration (Intigrated
business planning)
Process of Jubilant foodworks * for Budgeting and forecasting ( revenue, foodcost, rent, )
was responsible for preparing and presenting monthly and quarterly financial reports to the
executive team and the board of directors. These reports included detailed analyses of the
company's financial performance, including revenue, expenses, cash flow, and profitability.
* What role i have played in accounting
First I will understand the objective and goal of the organisation then work with stakeholders
to determine which specific metrics will be most effective. For example like if in my previous
organisation we have to see customer satisfaction then retention rate will be a good metrics.
or if I want to see how individual store is growing the SSSG metrics will be good.
To collaborate with other departments to ensure financial objectives are met, I first work to
understand the goals and needs of these departments.
For example, in my prvious role I made it a priority to maintain regular communication with
other departments. Then regular meetings to understand their goals and needs and provide
any kind of financial data if they need from our end. then i am always open to reveive
feedback from other teams.
Prioritizing tasks: focused on the most important or time-sensitive projects first.
Breaking project in Small tasks based on their prority
Communicating with stakeholers and updating them on progress and also, sought their feed to
ensure that all parties are aligned and working toward same goal.
“I have had experience with several software programs, including Excel, PowerBI and Python.
In my previous role, I used Excel to create financial models, analyze data, and develop reports
for senior management. I also used PowerBI to create visualizations and dashboards that
helped to illustrate key trends and insights in the data.
I try to have a look on these areas as I was in food industry so wastage is one of the major
thing. I always took an eye on that through store wise and commissiory wise wastage. Also I
always keep an eye on GST also and done saving of 25 Cr est.
“In order to use data-driven insights to inform financial decisions, I would analyze relevant
financial data, such as market trends, competitive landscape, and company performance, to
identify key trends, opportunities, and challenges. Example: Printing & Stationary cost, stamp
duty cost
* the most important aspects was to work to ensure that the financial data and
reports are accurate, timely,
* being transparent, honest, and reliable. Which means information you are providing is
concise and clear
* being present by giving updates and being responsive to requests and
concerns.
* open to feedback and suggestions
The IF function allows me to create logical tests and conditions, and to specify different
actions
or outputs based on the results of the tests.
The SUMIF and COUNTIF functions allow me to sum or count cells based on specific criteria,
such
as values, formulas, or cell formats.
The VLOOKUP function allows me to search for a value in a specified range and return a
corresponding value from another column in the same row.
For example, I used the VLOOKUP function to search for a product name in a product list and
return the corresponding price for that product.
By using these formulas and functions, I can analyze and manipulate financial data in Excel in a
flexible and efficient manner.”
To use Excel to create charts and graphs, I would select the data that I want to visualize, and
then use the charting tools in Excel to create a chart or graph that represents the data in an
effective and meaningful way.
First I choose the chart or graph that is most appropriate for the data, such as a bar chart, line
chart, or pie chart.
Then I customize the appearance and layout of the chart to suit the data and the audience
I think that it is important to declutter the chart to have more impact and make sure it fits the
story I want to tell.
I would also use data labels, legends, and other visual elements to help the audience interpret
and understand the chart or graph.
By using Excel to create charts and graphs, I am making financial data more accessible and
engaging, and can support decision-making and communication.”
I have experience creating pivot tables, adjusting their layout and design, and using them to
perform complex analysis, such as calculating ratios and trends, and comparing data across
different dimensions and categories.
have also used pivot tables to create custom reports and dashboards, and to support data
exploration and discovery which were done manually before.
This might include using formulas and functions to calculate and summarize financial metrics,
using pivot tables and charts to visualize and compare data, and using templates and styles to
create a consistent and professional look and feel for the reports.
To use Excel to create forecasting models, I would use a range of tools and techniques, such as
formulas, functions, and charts, to create a model that can predict and project future financial
performance based on historical data and assumptions.
This might include developing a framework or structure for the model, such as a profit and loss
statement or a balance sheet, and using formulas and functions to link the different
components
of the model and to calculate key financial metrics.
I always make sure I have 4 different sheets: one to show the raw data, one to show the
assumptions, one to have an explanation sheet and one to show the results.
This might include developing templates and forms for data entry and review, implementing a
system for reconciling and verifying financial transactions, and conducting regular audits and
reviews to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the financial data.
I would also use formulas and functions to automate data management tasks, such as
calculations and updates, and would use pivot tables and charts to summarize and visualize
the
financial data.
I also use a special sheet to track changes in order to have a history of the different versions
and
how they connect to each other.
First I make sure that my columns and rows are well labeled.
Then I use a clear color code and keep the same type of color for actuals Y-1, budget, actuals
and delta columns.
When in the presentation, I will add visual elements to help the audience interpret and
understand the table (highlight of a figure, comment with an arrow to explain one figure, color
to link text and figures together, frame to highlight a part of a table, etc).
In the end, my goal is to make sure I decrease the cognition overload and help the
management
in his decision-making process.”
1
Revenue Budget
EXCOM Team will come up some numbers based on past trends and market growth.
Then this initial budget will be shared with Marketing team and the MT will consider these numbers and also consider opening
closing stores and update it based on numbers provided by top management.
Then FP&A team will do bottoms up budgeting based growth trend on last 3 years numbers and also consider if any change in
in last 3 months and share with Marketing team.
Then marketing team will provide their numbers after considering the variables like new store opening, closing stores and assu
like market growth and other factors also like new discount schemes.
Then FP&A team will challenge these numbers if find something unusual.
*For stores closing - Store growth will be analysd based on monthly forecast and if any store sale is declining continously even
efforts then FP&A team will propose to take a look on these store then marketing team will see the issue and then can procee
close the store.
- Timeline to close the store will be considered by Mkt team while finalising revenue budget.
* For new Stores : New store target will be set based on estimated revenue, per store sale and SSSG. Then these numbers will
shared with operations team and they will come up with locations on continuos basis and estimated sale will be considered in
forecast.
Forecasting
Rolling forecasting
Countries India Tax saving on Chicken
Nepal 246 new stores in 50 ne
Food Street
e key drivers of your Business and they reflect the performance and the progress of your business in Key areas
Non-Financial
Customer satisfaction
Customer Complain
evments (£) Time to serve one order (Sec or Min)
ons growth ( No.) Order per store (Numbers)
Order per hour (Numbers)
New store opening - Growth
Mystery Shopper
Employees Turnover (Learning and Growth)
SI No KPI Type
1 Sales Achievement Actual vs Budget
Actual/Budgeted*100 Percentage
Actual/Budgeted*100 Percentage
Actual/Budgeted*100 Percentage
Repeated Customer/Total*100
Use
This KPI considered the most important KPI for QSR according to
interviewees.
Sales growth percentage is one of financial KPIs used to evaluate QSRs
strength in the market.
This KPI is used to assess the financial performance and estimate future
net profit.
Net profit growth KPI is a core fundamental part of the QSR that help to
establish and estimate accurate net profit.
This KPI helps QSRs to measure and assess operations to achieve the
planned food cost.
Home delivery sales growth KPI is a core fundamental part of the QSR
since that HD sale of some restaurants exceed 50% of the total sales.
Suggestive selling technique while taking the customer order may help to
increase the average check and hence increase the overall sales.
It is very important to know how quickly QSR customers are being served
to identify possible areas that need improvement. Slow service may lead
to customer dissatisfaction. Service time KPI helps QSRs to identify the
training needs for employees or processes that need to be fixed.
Now I would like to share my skills that includes but not limited budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, performance,Varia
presentation for supporting better decision making by the management.
On my stregth part, I am a very collaborative person and that helps me in a very positive way. Being in FP&A profile I always h
So I always try to maintain healthy relations with all and gives a lot of postivity and motivation to me and other team member
I am detail oriented person, In FP&A profile this is very important to provide quality work because that is the base of managem
always double check before finalising anything. Also I always plan things in advance so that there is no delay to provide report
on time.
I am a IT friendly person so that basically mean that I always look to how we can automate a task becuase that saves you a lot
organisation We have different versions of Sales report like different for sales team, tax team, treasory team and FP&A team b
requirement. So I suggested and was part to make a consolidated sales report that can cator requirement of each department
and Lastly, I am a quick learner and a person who belives in continuous improvement because in business enviornment things
yourself updated with that and try to make necessary changes and imrovement to cop up with changes. Like in FP&A different
provide you more detailed analysis and a better dashboard to management. In my previous organisation i was a part of tablea
Also I am currentky doing a online business analyst course also that will help me to understand business in more effective way
Financial Modelling
Budgeting
Performance reporting
Risk management
Forecasting is carried out by first collecting and analyzing data on the company’s historical financial performance, market
trends, and economic conditions.
All of this information is then used to create projections of the future financial performance of the company, often covering
aspects such as revenue, expenses, and cash flow.
Financial modeling is the process of creating an abstract representation of a company's financial situation and using that mode
to help understand how different scenarios might impact the bottom line.
The budgeting process is a collaborative effort between FP&A, the finance team, and each department within the business. Ea
team provides input into the budget, including their plans for achieving their goals and the resources they’ll need to make it
happen. FP&A then takes this information and uses it to create a comprehensive budget for the entire organization.
The process starts with collecting and analyzing financial data, such as actual results, budgets, and forecasts. Armed with this
information, they can then create reports that provide valuable insights like variances between actual results and budgets,
trends, and areas for improvement.
FP&A is also expected to present information in a clear, concise, and meaningful way, often using data visualization technique
to tell a compelling story that non-finance professionals can understand
FP&A teams often develop contingency plans and will allocate resources to manage any risks that arise in an attempt to reduc
their impact on the company.
Budgeting
Variance Analysis
Financial Modelling
Start with data of prior years with prior year pattern & trends and that will work as baseline for entire planning.
Identify the cause of the variance: Understand the root cause of the variance, whether it is due to
unexpected sales, cost overruns, or other factors.
Understand the impact: Determine the impact of the variance on the company's financial performance.
Develop a plan of action: Develop a plan to address any negative variances and capitalize on any positive
variances.
Data-driven storytelling can help you showcase that bigger picture, letting you demonstrate how your budget will impact busi
To prioritize your budget for your strategic team, make it part of their regular routine—not just a single
information dump. Determine how you’re going to interact with each stakeholder and then put it in their
calendar so that it becomes a normal business process. That way, you can provide ongoing visibility into
the budgeting process, introduce reforecasting processes so that the plan never seems stale and stay
available for any questions along the way.
entire planning.