Professional Business Systems Analyst Interview Questions and Answers

As a business systems analyst, you will play a very important role in the financial security of the company for which you work. As such, the following business systems analyst interview questions and answers will help you obtain the best job possible, whether you are interested in working for a small business or a large corporation.

Have You Worked with an International Company in the Past?

Depending on the size of the company with which you are interviewing, this question may be one of the most important. Although you are likely familiar with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, you may not be familiar with International Financial Reporting Standards which are used by European companies. Since it will be your job to bridge this gap and ensure that the two sets of standards work together, your potential employer will want to measure your familiarity. You should take the time to familiarize yourself with these before interviewing, but you should be honest about your past work history at the same time.

How Do You React in Stressful Situations?

Since a lot of the work you do will involve computers and various forms of software like SAP and PeopleSoft, you will inevitably find yourself in a stressful situation. You will be the go-to person when tax and accounting departments need snippets of information, and you may be seriously affected when the IT team rolls out software or network upgrades. Your potential employer will want to know how you will handle these situations in order to gauge your ability to work under stress. You should simply reply that you will maintain ample communication with all departments at all times in order to best resolve any issues that may arise.

Can You Make Decisions in a Hurry?

Part of being a business systems analyst involves helping companies make decisions that could make or break them. Although you will not be responsible for making these decisions on your own, your input will be greatly valued. These decisions may be as simple as whether or not to install a new heating system or as complex as determining the value behind purchasing another business. With this question, you should reply that you will always answer any questions you are asked objectively and without considering personal gain. Similarly, you should provide your tactics for making such decisions, such as weighing pros and cons quickly.

What is the Largest Project in which You Have Participated?

This is a great time to let your skills really shine, especially if you have work experience as a business systems analyst. Perhaps you worked alongside an IT department to create an innovative set of software that benefitted your employer greatly. Maybe you worked to generate reports that allowed the company’s budget analyst to create a plan to pull in more revenue. Provide a brief description to your interviewer, even if you do not have work experience. In this case, simply review the sort of project you would like to be a part of. This will show initiative and drive, and both of these characteristics are important for a business systems analyst.
Although the job description can be quite complex, your education will allow you to excel. Being able to impress your interviewer with your knowledge and expertise is very important for shining bright among your competitors and earning the job you want.