Interview Practice

Question 1

Group Project

Answer 1

1. In my first year at university, I participated in a group project for DFJ, a private pawnbroker and independent jeweller, which significantly developed my analytical and financial skills.
2. We had a team of five members and we were tasked with providing strategic recommendations to DFJ, considering their financial accounts, market conditions, and future prospects.
3. One of the key aspects of the project was conducting a thorough SWOT analysis. This exercise honed my ability to critically evaluate a company’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, a skill crucial for any finance role.
4. Additionally, we performed a **detailed financial feasibility **study, which involved analyzing DFJ’s income statements and forecasting future profits. This experience enhanced my proficiency in financial analysis and forecasting, essential for making informed investment decisions.
5. Moreover, the project required effective teamwork and communication, as we had to coordinate our efforts, divide tasks based on individual strengths, and present our findings cohesively. This experience taught me the importance of collaboration and clear communication in achieving project goals. Overall, this project equipped me with valuable skills in financial analysis, risk assessment, ethical considerations, and teamwork, all of which are directly applicable to the Finance Placement role at Savills Investment Management.

Question 2

About me

Answer 2

I am an avid sports enthusiast, particularly in football, which has helped me develop teamwork and leadership skills. Actively participating in sports has made me a stronger, more confident person and has improved my ability to cooperate and lead in team settings.

Question 3

Something you like about this company

Answer 3

• Time for what matters: Our volunteering/charity days afford you the opportunity to give back to local communities, from soup kitchens, to canal clean-ups and bake sales

Question 4

4 main skills

Answer 4

• Good communication skills;
• Strong inter-personal skills;
• A team player
• Self-starter with a proactive attitude, willingness to learn and be able to demonstrate this during interview;

Question 5

Key Responsibilities

Answer 5

The key objective for the Finance Placement Assistant (“FPA”) role is to assist the Finance team with their management accounting and financial reporting responsibilities.

Management accounting

• Regularly process payments either via the oversight of the purchase ledger function or through an online approval system
• Liaise with third parties (banks, lawyers) to facilitate processing of payments and liaise with suppliers to resolve queries
• Maintenance of intra-group loans and loan interest schedule
• Maintain cash books
• Perform bank reconciliations
• Assist the team with the Sales Ledger function, dealing with credit control and liaising with Fund teams
• Assist FM with reviews of management accounts for senior management
• Assist FM with monitoring budgets and cash flow analysis / forecasting

Financial reporting

• Assist FM with review and preparation of annual statutory financial statements
• Assist FM with and develop an awareness of the audit process
• Assist FM with other ad hoc reporting as required
• Develop an awareness of corporate governance
• Develop an awareness of relevant taxation matters
  Other
• The FPA may also be required to assist the FM with other ad-hoc tasks from time to time. Full guidance will be provided on all work given to the FPA by the FM.

Question 6

3 words that Savills IM stands for

Answer 6

Resilience, Responsibility, Results

Question 7

About Savills Investment Management

Answer 7

• Our purpose is to build prosperity by investing in resilient real assets. Our vision is to be a trusted investment manager, respected for our expertise in restorative real estate investment enabling people, communities and eco-systems to thrive.
• We are a dedicated real estate and real-estate debt specialist managing €25.5bn on behalf of institutional investors globally. Our global platform of 16 locations enables us to combine a truly global perspective with local expertise to offer investors a range of compelling strategies.
• The firm has over 30 years of experience delivering real estate strategies for investors, with over 400 staff dedicated to positive client outcomes. Our strategies span the office, logistics & industrial, retail, living and debt sectors, and have been designed with the flexibility to meet the needs of a wide range of investors.
• Responsible investment is integrated into our investment-management process to ensure that responsible investment risks and opportunities are not siloed, but recognised and acted upon throughout our business, as well as communicated to investors.
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