20 SS&C Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at SS&C, you can expect to be asked questions that are specific to the company and the role you’re applying for.

In this guide, we’ll give you some examples of SS&C interview questions that you may be asked, as well as some tips on how to answer them.

SS&C Interview Process

The interview process at SS&C is generally pretty smooth and easy. There are usually three rounds of interviews, with the first being a phone screening with a recruiter. The second and third rounds are usually with managers or members of the team you would be working with, and are mostly technical in nature. The process usually takes about two weeks from start to finish, and offers are typically made within a week of the final interview.

1. How would you explain a mutual fund to someone who doesn’t know what it is?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of financial terms and concepts. It also shows the interviewer how you can simplify complex ideas for others. Use this opportunity to show that you have a strong understanding of mutual funds and their purpose.

Example: “A mutual fund is an investment vehicle where many investors pool their money together in order to invest in stocks, bonds or other securities. The fund manager then invests the pooled money into different assets based on the fund’s objective. For example, some funds are designed to provide steady returns while others aim to grow quickly.”

2. What are some of the risks involved with investing in hedge funds?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of hedge funds and how you might handle potential risks. Use examples from your experience to explain what some of the risks are, as well as how you would mitigate them.

Example: “Hedge funds have a lot of risk because they’re unregulated. There’s no central authority that oversees their operations, so there’s no way to know if the fund manager is acting in investors’ best interests or just for his own benefit. Another risk is that many hedge funds use leverage, which means they borrow money to increase returns but also increases the amount of risk involved with investing.”

3. When have you had to use your mathematical skills at work?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your skills to real-world situations. Use examples from previous work experience that highlight your mathematical abilities and show how they helped you complete a task or solve a problem.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for calculating the company’s financial reports each month. This included creating graphs and charts based on data collected by our software. One time, I noticed some of the numbers didn’t match up with what we had expected. After double-checking all of my calculations, I realized there was an error in one of the formulas. I notified my supervisor immediately so we could fix it before sending out the report.”

4. Can you describe a time when you found an error during your accounting process and how you handled it?

This question is a great way to assess your attention to detail and how you handle errors in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe what steps you took to correct the error and ensure that no other mistakes were made during the accounting process.

Example: “In my previous role as an accountant, I found an error when performing a reconciliation of accounts payable. After finding the mistake, I immediately contacted my supervisor so they could help me fix the issue. Together, we reviewed all transactions for the month to make sure there weren’t any additional errors. Once we confirmed that everything was accurate, we fixed the original error and moved forward with our monthly reports.”

5. What was the most difficult decision you had to make as an accountant? Why?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you make decisions and what your thought process is. It can also show them that you have experience making difficult decisions in a professional setting.

Example: “The most difficult decision I had to make as an accountant was when my manager asked me to cut costs on one of our projects. The project was already behind schedule, so I knew we would need to cut some corners to get it back on track. I decided to eliminate overtime pay for employees working on the project and reduce the number of hours they worked each week. This helped us save money while still getting the project done.”

6. Tell us about a time where you had to deal with more than one task at once and how you balanced them.

This question is a great way to assess your multitasking skills and how you handle them. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the steps you took to balance multiple tasks and what helped you complete them successfully.

Example: “In my previous role as an analyst, I had to balance many different tasks at once. One of the most challenging times was when I had to work on a project while also helping another team member with their own project. To help me balance these two projects, I created a schedule that allowed me to focus on one task for a few hours before switching to the other. This helped me stay focused on both projects without getting overwhelmed.”

7. Do you think that SS&C should focus their efforts on expanding into new markets or maintain their current market share?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the company’s current position in the market and how you would approach making decisions about its future. Your answer should show that you understand the company’s goals and are able to make strategic decisions based on this information.

Example: “I think SS&C has done an excellent job of maintaining their current market share, but I also believe they have room for growth. In my last role as a financial analyst, I helped develop a plan to expand our client base by 10% within one year. We were able to achieve this goal with ease, which led to more revenue than we anticipated.”

8. What type of accounting systems do you have experience working with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your experience and how you might fit into their organization. If you have no prior experience, it’s important to explain what type of accounting systems you’re familiar with and why you’d like to work in this field.

Example: “I’ve worked with both manual and automated accounting systems throughout my career. I find that working with an automated system allows me to be more efficient when completing tasks and analyzing data. However, I also enjoy learning new processes and procedures, which is why I’m excited to work with SS&C.”

9. Give me an example of a situation where you were able to improve upon the status quo.

This question is a great way to show your ability to think critically and creatively. It also shows that you are willing to take on challenges and make improvements in the workplace.

Example: “In my last role, I noticed that our team was using several different software programs for data collection. This made it difficult to collect information from each program and compare results. I proposed creating an online database where we could store all of our data. The project took some time to complete, but once it was finished, it allowed us to easily access all of our data and perform more accurate analysis.”

10. Have you ever detected a problem related to internal controls and, if so, what did you do?

Internal controls are the policies and procedures that a company uses to ensure it’s following regulations, managing risk and protecting assets. An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with internal controls and how you’ve used them in the past.

Example: “In my last role as an auditor, I was responsible for reviewing the company’s internal controls on a quarterly basis. If I noticed any changes or issues with the company’s internal controls, I would report those findings to my supervisor so they could address the issue before it became a problem.”

11. Describe a time that you had to present information to a group of people.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you communicate with others and your public speaking skills. Use examples from previous work or school experiences to show that you are comfortable in front of a group.

Example: “In my last position, I had to present information about our company’s financials to upper management every month. I always made sure to include important details like key performance indicators and any changes in revenue or expenses. I also included visuals like graphs and pie charts to make it easier for everyone to understand.”

12. We have clients from all over the world. If hired, would you be comfortable traveling for business meetings?

This question is a way for the interviewer to learn more about your willingness to travel and how you feel about it. If you are not comfortable with traveling, be honest and explain why.

Example: “I am very comfortable with international travel. I have traveled abroad several times in my previous role as an analyst. I enjoy learning about new cultures and meeting new people.”

13. Would you say you are more analytical or creative?

This question is designed to give the interviewer insight into your personality and how you approach work. It’s important to be honest in your answer, but also highlight a few of your strengths.

Example: “I would say I’m more analytical than creative. However, I think this is because I’ve spent so much time developing my analytical skills that I haven’t had as much opportunity to develop my creative side. In my current role, I have been given opportunities to use my creativity, which has helped me improve on both sides.”

14. What types of investments do you think will perform best in the next five years?

This question is a great way to see how the candidate thinks about investments and their potential. It’s also an opportunity for you to learn more about what types of investments your company offers.

Example: “I think that emerging markets will perform best in the next five years. I’ve seen firsthand how they can grow exponentially, especially when compared to developed countries. Emerging markets are also less risky than other types of investments because they’re still growing as economies. This means there’s plenty of room for growth.”

15. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing financial advisors today?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your knowledge and experience in the financial industry. It also helps them determine whether you have any unique ideas for overcoming challenges that may arise during your employment with SS&C.

Example: “I think one of the biggest challenges facing financial advisors today is keeping up with all the new technology available to their clients. Advisors need to be able to explain complex financial concepts to their clients, but they also need to know how to use the latest software and apps to provide those services. I’ve worked as an advisor for five years now, so I’m confident that I can continue providing excellent service to my clients even if I learn something new about technology every day.”

16. Name three qualities you feel are essential to being a successful accountant and why.

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what it takes to succeed in accounting. When answering this question, be sure to highlight your knowledge and experience with accounting processes and procedures.

Example: “I believe three qualities are essential to being a successful accountant. The first quality I feel is important is attention to detail. Accounting requires precision when recording financial transactions, so it’s important to pay close attention to every number and entry. The second quality I think is important is communication skills. Accountants often work as part of a team or collaborate with other professionals. It’s important to communicate clearly and effectively with others to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Finally, I think problem-solving skills are essential for success in accounting. There are many challenges that arise during the course of completing projects, so having the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently can help me achieve my goals.”

17. What has been the most challenging assignment you worked on in school?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a situation where you overcame a challenge or faced a setback and were able to overcome it.

Example: “The most challenging assignment I worked on in school was my senior thesis project. My original idea for the project was to create an app that would allow users to track their spending habits and learn more about budgeting. However, after talking with my professor, we decided that the scope of the project needed to be smaller. We ended up creating a website that tracked user spending habits and provided tips on how they could save money.”

18. Are you familiar with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)?

The interviewer may ask you this question to see if you have experience working with financial accounting standards. If you are interviewing for a position that requires you to work with GAAP, it’s important to show the interviewer that you understand how to apply these standards correctly. In your answer, explain what GAAP is and give an example of when you used them in previous roles.

Example: “GAAP stands for Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. These principles are guidelines that dictate how companies should record their financial transactions. I’ve worked with GAAP before as part of my job at XYZ Company where I was responsible for creating reports based on GAAP standards.”

19. Which area of accounting are you most interested in pursuing?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the accounting industry and how you can apply it to a specific role. When answering this question, consider what skills you have that would be useful in each area of accounting.

Example: “I am most interested in pursuing a career as a forensic accountant. I find the idea of investigating financial fraud very interesting, and my background in data analysis makes me well-suited for this type of work. In fact, I took several classes on forensic accounting while earning my bachelor’s degree.”

20. What attracted you to this position?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have a passion for your career and what motivates you. Your answer should reflect your interest in the position, but it’s also important to show that you’re passionate about your field of work.

Example: “I’m excited to join SS&C because I’ve been following the company for years. The innovative solutions you create are impressive, and I would love to be part of this team. I am eager to learn more about Smaart Samooh and how we can use data analytics to improve our clients’ businesses.”