Excel and a Banking Financial Analyst position

[Azurik]

Dear Excel-Maniacs,

New to this forum, go easy on me

I would consider myself above average in Excel skills, though nothing like what I've been reading on these boards concerning VBA scripts, advanced Macros, etc. I have a few questions for you experts.

I have been recruited for a financial analyst position at a bank. I know Excel plays a large role in this type of position. I am wondering what are the most commonly used items a position like this would entail (ex: Pivot Tables, Charts, Filtering, ect.).

I was a financial analyst doing M&A (mergers and acquisitions) for a Fortune 100 prior to this. I made the move because of the long hours (7AM until 8/9PM is the norm). I'm assuming working for a bank would be more "normal". Am I incorrect in this assumption?

 

[gwkenny]

Can't say

Umm, I think the best person to talk to would be the people you are going to work for.

Financial Analyst covers quite a broad spectrum from a position in an investment banking department, to a position on a trading floor, to a position in research, to a position in the Finance Library.

What I would say is just DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. You've already got your foot in the door.

As for a position at a bank being more normal than your previous gig... If it is in an investment banking department, the answer is a flat out NO. It'll be just as demanding as your previous job. Though it might even be more boring as a lot of the time your doing glorified secretarial work putting pitchbooks together, making graphs, doing league tables, doing the things to execute a transaction (but the fun stuff is usually done by the banker in charge and the associate).

 

[Richard Schollar]

Hi Azurik

When i used to work for a bank in a similar position, I found knowledge of pivot tables, array formulas and some VBA to be most useful. Since I was working with accounting data, I also got exposure to Access and linking Excel to Access.

I worked principally for a London-based British bank and my hours were 8am to 7pm a lot of the time. I do remember doing a 3month US secondment in New York and was truly impressed by the sheer amount of work expected - and done - by my US colleagues (they were having a few system problems but would regularly work 8am to 10pm). I guess it does depend on exactly what the job involves though.

Good luck!

Richard

 

[Azurik]

If this helps...

If this helps, here is the job description:

The organization is looking for an experienced accounting person to join the Finance side of their Accounting department. Under the supervision of the AVP/Senior Financial Analyst, you will manage and implement the Product Profitability system, ongoing updates and production of related reports. You will also implement and manage transfer pricing spreadsheets on a monthly basis, using the Bank's data warehouse system. Additionally you will be responsible for the implementation of the annual budget process, advanced Excel analysis and system back up for Asset-Liability Management, Organizational and Customer Profitability systems. Other responsibilities include, performing monthly inputs and data downloads from other systems, participating in the budget collection and on-going reporting process for loans, deposits and records management as well as performing FDICIA testing for the department.

Qualified candidates will posses a college degree in finance or specialized course work in Accounting, Asset-Liability, Finance and Investments. Previous financial analysis experience is preferred. Strong computer skills, extensive knowledge of the financial structure of banking along with advanced proficiency in Excel and working knowledge of database management systems are required. Strong quantitative and analytical skills along with strong oral and communication skills, as well as the ability to analyze large volumes of data and learn new systems quickly are essential.

 

[Richard Schollar]

I think having a good working knowledge of how to write SQL statements would also be beneficial, seeing as how you will likely need to extract data from the other systems.