Top 10 EY Data Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2024
Overview
Ernst & Young (EY) is a global leader in assurance, consulting, strategy and transactions, tax, and law services. With a workforce spanning over 150 countries, EY helps build trust and assurance in the capital markets, enabling client growth and transformation.
If you’re considering a role at EY, this guide on Interview Query will walk you through the interview process, typical EY data analyst interview questions, and preparation tips. Let’s dive in!
Cultural and Behavioral Questions
This feature is currently experimental, and we’re committed to improving it with your valuable feedback.Can you describe a time when you encountered a particularly challenging dataset? What specific problems did you face, and how did you go about resolving them? Please detail your approach to data cleaning, analysis, and any tools you used.
When addressing a challenging dataset, it's essential to highlight your problem-solving skills and analytical thinking. Start by describing the dataset, including its size, complexity, and the specific issues encountered, such as missing values or inconsistencies. Then, outline the strategies you employed to clean and preprocess the data—this could include using tools like Python or R for data manipulation, as well as any relevant libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy). Finally, discuss how you validated your results and the impact of your analysis on the project or business decision, showcasing your ability to turn challenges into insights.
Tell me about a situation where you had stakeholders who disagreed with your data analysis findings. How did you handle their objections, and what steps did you take to ensure everyone was aligned?
In such situations, it's crucial to maintain open communication and foster collaboration. Start by explaining the context of the disagreement, such as differing priorities or interpretations of the data. Describe how you approached the stakeholders—perhaps through a meeting to present your findings visually, using charts or dashboards to clarify your points. Discuss how you actively listened to their concerns, incorporated their feedback into your analysis, and facilitated a constructive dialogue. Conclude by reflecting on the outcome, emphasizing how your efforts led to a consensus and improved stakeholder relationships.
Provide an example of a time you identified a process within data management that needed improvement. What was the process, and how did you implement changes to enhance its efficiency?
When discussing process improvements, focus on your analytical skills and initiative. Begin by describing the existing process and the inefficiencies you observed, whether it was slow data retrieval or cumbersome reporting methods. Share the steps you took to analyze the process, such as mapping workflows or gathering feedback from team members. Highlight the solutions you proposed and implemented, detailing any new tools, automation, or best practices you introduced. Finally, discuss the impact of these changes, quantifying improvements when possible (e.g., reduced report generation time by 30%) and demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement.
EY Data Analyst Interview Process
The interview process usually depends on the role and seniority. However, you can expect the following on an EY data analyst interview:
Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening
If your CV is among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the EY Talent Acquisition Team will contact you and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be part of the screening process.
Sometimes, the EY hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.
The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.
Technical Virtual Interview
Successfully navigating the recruiter round will invite you to the technical screening round. Technical screening for the EY data analyst role is usually conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this one-hour interview stage may revolve around data systems, ETL pipelines, and SQL queries.
In the case of data analyst roles, take-home assignments regarding product metrics, analytics, and data visualization are incorporated. In addition, your proficiency in hypothesis testing, probability distributions, and machine learning fundamentals may also be assessed during the round.
Case studies and similar real-scenario problems may also be assigned depending on the position’s seniority.
Onsite Interview Rounds
Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds will be conducted during your day at the EY office, varying with the role. Your technical prowess, including programming and ML modeling capabilities, will be evaluated against the finalized candidates throughout these interviews.
If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also await you during the onsite interview for the data analyst role at EY.
What Questions Are Asked in an EY Data Analyst Interview?
Typically, interviews at EY vary by role and team, but commonly, Data Analyst interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.
1. What kind of analysis would you conduct to recommend changes to the UI?
You have access to tables summarizing user event data for a community forum app. Conduct a user journey analysis using this data to recommend changes to the user interface.
2. How would you assess the validity of the result in an AB test with a .04 p-value?
Your company is running a standard control and variant AB test on a feature to increase conversion rates on the landing page. The PM finds a .04 p-value. Assess the validity of this result.
3. How would you debug and improve the efficiency of a slow SQL query?
You are running a SQL query that is taking a long time. Determine how to know if it’s taking too long and how to debug the issue to improve efficiency.
4. How would you determine how much Spotify should pay for an ad in a third-party app?
As a data scientist on the marketing team for Spotify, determine how much Spotify should pay for an ad in a third-party app.
5. Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department.
Note: If more than one person shares the highest salary, the query should select the next highest salary.
Example:
Input:
employees table
| Column | Type |
|---|---|
id |
INTEGER |
first_name |
VARCHAR |
last_name |
VARCHAR |
salary |
INTEGER |
department_id |
INTEGER |
departments table
| Column | Type |
|---|---|
id |
INTEGER |
name |
VARCHAR |
Output:
| Column | Type |
|---|---|
salary |
INTEGER |
6. How can PG&E model the electricity supply needed for a town?
PG&E needs to forecast the exact amount of electricity to supply a town each year. Supplying too little causes outages, while supplying too much wastes money. What is one way to model the required electricity supply?
7. How do sentiment analysis models convert raw text data into numerical vectors and get trained?
To perform sentiment analysis on an Amazon customer feedback dataset, you need to convert raw text into numerical vectors. Explain how these models work and how they are trained.
8. How would you assess the effectiveness of a clustering model for grouping basketball players without pre-labeled data?
You are hired by the LA Lakers to scout potential players and group them based on their strengths and weaknesses. After training a clustering model, how would you evaluate if it successfully grouped similar players without having pre-labeled data?
9. Write a query that returns all neighborhoods that have 0 users.
We’re given two tables, a users table with demographic information and the neighborhood they live in and a neighborhoods table.
10. Given a table of bank transactions with columns id, transaction_value, and created_at representing the date and time for each transaction, write a query to get the last transaction for each day.
The output should include the id of the transaction, datetime of the transaction, and the transaction amount. Order the transactions by date time.
How to Prepare for a Data Analyst Interview at EY
You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your EY data analyst interview include:
- Understand EY’s Core Values: EY values high ethical standards and integrity. Be sure to convey through your responses how you align with these core values.
- Be Data Driven: EY interviews focus heavily on how well you can provide business-driving insights with data. Brush up on your knowledge of statistics, probability, and SQL.
- Articulate Your Problem-Solving Approach: Showcase your ability to approach and solve problems systematically. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and logically.
FAQs
What is the average salary for a Data Analyst at EY?
Average Base Salary
Average Total Compensation
What kind of technical skills are essential for a Data Analyst role at EY?
To excel in this role, you should be proficient in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau. Experience with data governance frameworks and familiarity with platforms like AWS or Azure can also be beneficial.
What does EY look for in its candidates?
EY values candidates who demonstrate high ethical standards, integrity, and a strong commitment to the company’s values. Additionally, they look for individuals with excellent technical skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work effectively in diverse and collaborative environments.
What makes working at EY unique?
EY offers a unique combination of global scale, supportive and inclusive culture, and cutting-edge technology. The company encourages continuous learning and provides opportunities for personal and professional growth. At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a meaningful career while contributing to a better working world.
Conclusion
If you’re aiming for a Data Analyst position at EY, you’ll encounter an interview process that includes technical assessments and behavioral interviews, all tailored to assess your analytical prowess, IT skills, and alignment with EY’s cultural values.
For a more comprehensive understanding of the interview process, check out our main EY Interview Guide, where we cover various questions that you may encounter. We’ve also crafted detailed guides for different roles such as software engineer and data analyst, providing insights into EY’s specific requirements and expectations.
Good luck with your interview!