Financial Specialist

Financial Specialist qualifications to look for 

Financial Specialists are big decision-makers when it comes to your company’s strategic investments. They prepare and review all cost analyses, prepare budget reports and evaluate current accounting trends.

Your top candidates will have a degree in Finance or Economics and relevant work experience in a senior-level role. An additional certification (e.g. CPA or CFA) and knowledge of statistical analysis software is a plus. 

Keep an eye out for candidates who are: 

• Excellent communicators
• Analytical thinkers 
• Methodical with follow-up 
• Logical decision-makers 

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Problem-solving interview questions

• How do you collect and present data when conducting a benchmark analysis?
• When preparing a presentation for investors, what metrics would you use to describe the company’s financial health?
• How would you advise the CEO when planning to make an investment, such as expanding our operations or opening a new location?
• Our company is thinking about taking on a new loan. What factors would you take into consideration before advising on whether or not we should do this? 
• You found a mistake in a report you prepared but your manager hasn’t noticed it. What steps do you take to fix it? 

Role-specific interview questions

• What is your budgeting process step-by-step?
• What financial and statistical analysis software have you used? What are your favorite features? 
• Tell me about the reports you prepare and monitor on a regular basis. How do you use this information?
• What financial model have you used to help build an annual forecasting report?
• What formula do you use to calculate an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) on an investment? How do you assess whether it’s good or not? 
• How does an increase in debt affect the Weighted Average Cost Of Capital (WACC)?
  

Behavioral interview questions

• Describe a time when you managed and monitored a challenging financial task, e.g. tax audits.
• Attention to detail is crucial in this position. When has your attention to detail saved you from making a mistake at work?
• What resources do you use to keep current with global economic issues? 
• What are the biggest challenges that our industry will face in the next few years?
• What’s your leadership style? How do you support your team members?