One of the most sought-after jobs for recent graduates, MBA candidates, and senior analysts is an Amazon financial analyst position.
But there are many obstacles in the way of becoming a financial analyst, including the difficult Amazon Excel test, demanding case studies, and the trying Amazon Bar Raiser interview.
Many candidates question why they are required to take such difficult exams in the first place. Some people even decide to cancel their applications right before the tests.
These thoughts and worries are understandable to us. And we’re here to help you make the most of these interviews as a chance to distinguish yourself and land the job.
As a result, our team of test experts developed a tried-and-true study guide that will enable you to ace Amazon’s various finance interview processes.
Interview: Amazon Sr. Financial Analyst (Amazon Web Services)
Interviews for Top Jobs at Amazon
- Situation where you displayed having a backbone?
- Everybody talks about liking innovation, give me an example of innovating at the prior job?
- Give me an example of a conflict you had at work and how you resolved it?
- Example of when you had to earn customer/stake holder trust?
- Tell me about a time you had to make a decision with limited information?
- What was your greatest achievement?
- When have gone deep to solve an issue?
- Tell me about a time you had to dig deep…
- Tell me about a time there was a change given and you had to communicate that with someone?
- Why Amazon?
- Give me an example of a tough or critical piece of feedback you received. What was it, and what did you do about it?
- Tell me about a time when you had to work with incomplete data or information. What did you do and how did it work out?
- Can you give me an example of a calculated risk you took?
- Tell me about a time when you were leading a group or assigned a goal and did not meet the goal?
How to Conquer the Amazon Financial Analyst Interview Process (+ Senior Positions and Interns)
The Amazon Financial Analyst hiring process consists of several stages; each one is highly competitive.
Each step is testing a different skill that will allow you to show your competency for the job. These stages usually consist of the following:
- Phone screening interview
- Finance Excel test – either online or on-site
- Up to 6 hours of in-person interviews (yes, it’s A LOT)
Let’s dive into each one of these stages.
- The phone interview: Lasts between 30 minutes to one hour and includes mostly behavioural questions and questions about your work experience and skill set. The behavioural part is the trickiest, and to pass it you should answer the questions using the STAR Method.
- The Excel assessment (senior financial analyst candidates typically don’t take this): The Amazon finance Excel test is a timed assessment that is used to assess your proficiency in using various complex Excel formulas. This Excel assessment usually lasts for about an hour if it’s on-site, while candidates for an intern position will have more time to complete it (up to 24 hours or more).
But it’s not just that.
Your interviewers will be interested not only on whether you managed to succeed on the assessment, but also on your thought process. So, while preparing for the Excel assessment, get used to presenting your solving process and thoughts clearly and thoroughly, just like on a case study interview (our Excel and Case Study prep will help you with that).
- The in-person interviews: The Amazon financial analyst interviews are comprised of 4-6 back to back sessions with several hiring managers and team members (may be conducted using a video call as a result of the Coronavirus epidemic).
Usually, part of the interview panel consists of the infamously known (by candidates) Amazon Bar Raisers. These are Amazon workers that aren’t part of the team and act as “third-party” interviewers, whose job is to ask the tough questions, dive deep, and challenge your answers.
The detailed interview practice PDF found in our PrepPack™ can help learn how to handle any interviewer and any interview question. We have a dedicated chapter that deals with the different types of interviewers and how to treat them properly:Conquering these in-person interviews is not possible without familiarizing yourself with Amazon’s 14 leadership principles and learning how to tie them in your answers.
Amazon’s “obsession” with these leadership principles may seem exaggerated to you (we think so, too). But unfortunately, to succeed on these interviews, you have to master these principles.
So, to greatly increase your chances of acing the Amazon financial analyst interview, we recommend you to start prepping right away for the Amazon excel test and the rigorous interviews.
Amazon Financial Analyst Interview Process
The interview process for Amazon’s Financial Analyst jobs is quite lengthy and includes several rounds. The interview stages differ depending on the job level you’re applying to, but we’ll focus on the most popular ones here below.
Amazon Financial Analyst Excel Test
The Amazon Excel test is a 30-minute task that evaluates your practical knowledge of Excel.
You’ll receive an Excel file with raw data and several tasks to complete. These tasks include creating Pivot tables, advanced formulas, Vlookups, Index and Match, and others. Usually, you’ll also need to prepare a graph
Amazon’s Excel assessment is usually given either before the phone/virtual interview or during that. If it’s given before the interview, it won’t be recorded by any online software, so you’ll even be able to use Google to solve the questions.
But if it’s during the interview, you won’t be able to use any external aid.
In the prep package, you’ll find a comprehensive Excel practice course, that will teach you everything from Excel basics to advanced formulas and functions.
Hi All – Just received an offer from Amazon for an L6 SFA at 170k TC with 8 YOE. The entire process started back on 2/14 when a recruiter reached out to me after applying online. They then setup a phone interview about 12 days later. I then did a Virtual Onsite 3/16 and received an offer today. From start to finish it was just over 1 month. Phone Interview – Senior Finance Manager who asked several behavioral questions and one case question. The recruiter had sent over a list of common questions and he actually chose two of those along with “Why Amazon?”. The LPs seemed to he extremely important and I incoporated them into every answer. The job description made pretty clear which LPs were the most important. Case Question was – Tell me about what would be important if we wanted to raise Prime Member from $100 to $120. What data points would we want to know and why? Onsite – Went through the loop and it was all LPs and one case. The person asked the exact same case question I received on the phone. Definitely did not seem intentional. There is a guy on youtube named Dan Croitor who has 35 most common BH questions. All except one of them were from that list. I had 8 different stories and reused some of them twice max. It was very easy to identify the bar raiser and they asked the best questions. It was long and grueling and I am not used to long loops. However, the recruiters were excellent and everyone in the loop asked good questions and came across as genuine and friendly. Current TC – $105#amazon #finance
FAQ
How do I prepare for a senior financial analyst interview?
- Tell me about your experience working closely with stakeholders.
- Please describe your experience with budget planning.
- How much supervision are you comfortable with?
- What do you like the most about this field? …
- What motivates you to do great work?
What does a senior financial analyst at Amazon do?
What interview questions does Amazon ask?
- Why do you want to be a financial analyst?
- Where do you see yourself in five years?
- What is your greatest weakness?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What have you learned from mistakes on the Finance job?
