Accountant to BB - Techie Interview?

An acquaintance is setting me up to interview with a BB he works for. Since my background is Accounting (Big 4 stint included), should I expect a lot of financial technical questions? I've already voided out practicing brainteasers since they seem rare, and are usually applied to first years out of college, since they lack work experience.

I understand that BB's deal with a lot of accounting concepts, so it would be great if they asked me primarily about my experiences and accounting knowledge, which would be sweet - but this is a finance position after all. Should I be prepared for "What are the three main valuation methodologies and which one results in highest value.." and the likes?

I rarely touched any valuation/modeling/financial projecting in my past work experiences/studies. We have audit tests, but those aren't exactly the same (though some of the models are obviously based off that). Should I start reading financial modeling textbooks or will it be a waste of time, since they'll be understanding enough that I'm coming from accounting and gear more towards fit q's?

 

my interview date is rolling, as in he's a great friend of my great friend, so he's kinda doing me a favor and told me to get in touch with him once i'm ready (though no guarantees re: position of course)..

thanks drex, i've been a fan of ibankingfaq; there was a similar site that used to be on m&i's blogroll that had pictures and basic explanation of modeling/ibanking intro, sucks cause he took it off his page, and i can't find it..you're right from what i've been lightly studying so far, this stuff is cake compared to accounting concepts, just i've actually never applied any of this stuff since my previous jobs never entailed it..audit is more about testing/supporting/questioning, less about valuation/idea generating so a lot of this stuff is brand new to me in that sense.

 
Best Response
hol3:
i'm a cheap ass.
You are so cheap that you do not invest into human capital? Wow, I am very sorry for you.
hol3:
i'm just trying to avoid having to study for FINANCIAL technical q's (wouldn't mind ACCOUNTING tech q's at all), since it's 70 degrees out and i have vacations coming up..was hoping they would understand i wasn't coming from a pure finance background and stick to fit, but from the responses it looks like accounting is close enough, so i'll be held liable for modeling/ratios and even brainteasers??..argh.
How lazy are you? If you cannot spend 15-20 hours and $200 on studying tech, why would you be hired? I know few Juniors who are already preparing for FT recruitment season (reading books, taking courses, etc.)

I am not trying to offend you. It's your choice, but there are hundreds of people out there who would love to be in your position.

 

You might be focusing on technicals because you come from an Accounting background, but becareful with behavioral as well. Technicals are easy to answer as long as you studied it for a night. Behaviorals will be the clincher - if you don't fit with the bank's culture/group, you're not going to be even considered.

 

yep, i think i'll be fine with fit/behavioral portion...i kissed an array of cfo's butts with different personalities and their hiding staff, without laying it on too thick (i try)...

i'm just trying to avoid having to study for FINANCIAL technical q's (wouldn't mind ACCOUNTING tech q's at all), since it's 70 degrees out and i have vacations coming up..was hoping they would understand i wasn't coming from a pure finance background and stick to fit, but from the responses it looks like accounting is close enough, so i'll be held liable for modeling/ratios and even brainteasers??..argh.

 

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