IB interview question/accounting
Hi, how should this question be answered?
"What are the first things you look at when you take a company's financial statements in your hands?"
Trending Content - Investment Banking Forum
| +262 | Why UBS Is the Worst Place to Start Your IB Career | 40 | 1d |
| +219 | UBS 2nd Year Analyst Q&A (2026) | 41 | 15h |
| +98 | What's your craziest "hardo" story? | 16 | 1d |
| +52 | Rogo AI | 22 | 18h |
| +52 | Wolf of Wall Street vs. Reality: Anyone else feel scammed by the movies? | 19 | 5h |
| +50 | Suspended for a Year | 21 | 9h |
| +49 | Elite Boutique interview questions | 17 | 1d |
| +37 | UBS IB 26Q2 a Disaster! Advisory Revenue Down 23%, Capital MarketsDown 5% | 8 | 1h |
| +32 | so confused about 28 SA timeline | 31 | 26m |
| +31 | Rate my non-target resume | 15 | 18h |
Career Resources
this is a very broad question, but if I wast asked this question in an interview I would ask them a follow up question as to what kind if company I am looking at. But on a basic level I would start by looking at the net income, EPS figures them move on to balance sheet. There I would look at the capital structure (D/E ratio), how well the company is doing in fulfilling their current liabilities and interest payments. Last I would move on to the CFS and check out the capex figures, operating cash flow figures, and where the financing is coming from.
This question is really broad so I dont think this is a matter of right and wrong but more of a question as to see how you think.
Magni iusto blanditiis nisi quae maiores facilis laborum. Non voluptatem repellat et minima similique eos voluptatum.
Minus molestias esse tenetur totam perspiciatis tempore quisquam. At ea quae magnam sequi in voluptates aut.
Voluptates possimus occaecati soluta nisi distinctio. Nemo molestiae aut quasi repellat ipsum. Dolorem quasi quas est unde veniam sit et. Dicta quam numquam molestiae sed est. Quis aliquid non a omnis dolore labore. Eos voluptas ducimus perferendis modi eligendi voluptates consectetur.
Sed id non a optio omnis in. Sapiente est sapiente eaque laboriosam. Dolorem rerum rem eos. Accusantium et illo dolorem sapiente. Ut ea quas non voluptas quia. Cupiditate nisi et et saepe occaecati alias ea.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...