Sunday, November 30, 2008

Hot Keys: What's a Mouse For?

A friend of mine recently interviewed with a boutique investment bank and a section of the interview included a 1 hour financial modeling exercise. How well prepared are you to build, format, and forecast the income statement of a public company? Do you know the keyboard shortcuts necessary to complete this task in under an hour?

During my internship this summer, the full-time analysts explained to us that using the mouse makes work less efficient and ultimately slower. We were challenged to use only our keyboards and to never use the mouse. Thankfully I was prepared because I had been practicing keyboard shortcuts for some time prior to the internship. I extend that same challenge to you; never use the mouse when you can use Hot Keys. You'll never regret it.

I've taken a list of Excel 2003 Hot Keys from DealMaven and have posted them below. Most banks haven't upgraded to Microsoft Office 2007 so focus on learning these.

Excel Shortcut Keys

Command Name
Keystroke
Category
Priority
Comments
File New
( Ctrl n ) / Alt fn
Files
5

File Open
( Ctrl o ) / Alt fo / Ctrl F12
Files
5

File Close
Alt fc
Files
5

File Save
( Ctrl s ) / Alt fs
Files
5

File Save As
F12 / Alt fa
Files
5

File Print
( Ctrl p ) / Alt fp
Printing
5

File Set Print Area
Alt fts
Printing
5

Insert Page Break
Alt ib
Printing
5

File Clear Print Area
Alt ftc
Printing
5

File Page Setup
Alt fu
Printing
5

File Print Preview
Alt fv
Printing
5
Use Esc to exit print preview mode
Edit Undo
( Ctrl z ) / Alt eu
Commands
5

Edit Redo (Reverse Undo)
( Ctrl y ) / Alt er
Commands
5

Repeat Last Command
F4 / ( Ctrl y ) / Alt Enter
Commands
5
Use F4 while outside Formula Bar
Enter/Exit Cell Formula Bar
F2
Formulas
5
You can use Esc to exit Formula Bar as well
Absolute/Relative Reference
F4
Formulas
5
Use F4 while in Formula Bar
Sum Formula
Alt =
Formulas
5

Insert Function (Function Wizard)
Shift F3
Formulas
5

Insert Defined Name in Formula
F3
Formulas
2

Insert Function Arguments
Ctrl Shift A
Formulas
1

New Line in Cell Entry
Alt Enter
Formulas
3
Use while in Formula Bar
Delete Remainder of Entry
( Ctrl Delete )
Formulas
3
Use while in Formula Bar
Finish Entry
Enter
Formulas
5
Moves selection depending on Excel user preferences (Shift Enter moves selection in opposite direction
Finish Entry and Move Right
Tab
Formulas
5

Finish Entry and Move Left
Shift Tab
Formulas
5

Fill Selection With Entry
Ctrl Enter
Formulas
3

Calculate Formulas
F9
Formulas
4

Move Up
Up Arrow
Navigation
5

Move Down
Down Arrow
Navigation
5

Move Left
Left Arrow
Navigation
5

Move Right
Right Arrow
Navigation
5

Quick Move Up
Ctrl Up Arrow
Navigation
5

Quick Move Down
Ctrl Down Arrow
Navigation
5

Quick Move Left
Ctrl Left Arrow
Navigation
5

Quick Move Right
Ctrl Right Arrow
Navigation
5

Move To Column A
Home
Navigation
3

Move To Last Used Column
End, Enter
Navigation
3

Move To Cell A1
( Ctrl Home )
Navigation
3

Move To Bottom Right Cell
( Ctrl End )
Navigation
3

Page Up
Page Up
Navigation
5

Page Down
Page Down
Navigation
5

Page Left
Alt Page Up
Navigation
3

Page Right
Alt Page Down
Navigation
3

Next Worksheet
( Ctrl Page Down )
Navigation
5

Previous Worksheet
( Ctrl Page Up )
Navigation
5

Next Workbook
Ctrl Tab / Ctrl F6
Navigation
5

Previous Workbook
Ctrl Shift Tab / Ctrl Shift F6
Navigation
5

Go To...
F5 / ( Ctrl g ) / Alt eg
Navigation
5

Highlight Up
Shift Up Arrow
Selecting
5

Highlight Down
Shift Down Arrow
Selecting
5

Highlight Left
Shift Left Arrow
Selecting
5

Highlight Right
Shift Right Arrow
Selecting
5

Quick Highlight Up
Ctrl Shift Up Arrow
Selecting
5

Quick Highlight Down
Ctrl Shift Down Arrow
Selecting
5

Quick Highlight Left
Ctrl Shift Left Arrow
Selecting
5

Quick Highlight Right
Ctrl Shift Right Arrow
Selecting
5

Select To Column A
Shift Home
Selecting
1

Select To Last Used Column
End, Shift Enter
Selecting
1

Select To Cell A1
( Ctrl Shift Home )
Selecting
1

Select To Bottom Right Cell
( Ctrl Shift End ) / ( End, Shift Home )
Selecting
1

Extend Selection Page Up
Shift Page Up
Selecting
1

Extend Selection Page Down
Shift Page Down
Selecting
1

Extend Selection Page Left
Shift Alt Page Up
Selecting
1

Extend Selection Page Right
Shift Alt Page Down
Selecting
1

Select Row
Shift Spacebar
Selecting
5

Select Column
Ctrl Spacebar
Selecting
5

Select Region Around Active Cell
( Ctrl Shift * )
Selecting
1

Select All (Entire Worksheet)
( Ctrl a ) / Ctrl Shift Spacebar
Selecting
3

Set/Clear Selection Anchor
F8
Selecting
3

Only Select Active Cell
Shift Backspace
Selecting
1

Move Down Within Selection
Enter
Navigation
3

Move Up Within Selection
Shift Enter
Navigation
3

Move Left Within Selection
Tab
Navigation
3

Move Right Within Selection
Shift Tab
Navigation
3

Move Clockwise Within Selection
( Ctrl . )
Navigation
1

Next Region Within Selection
Ctrl Alt Right Arrow
Navigation
1

Previous Region Within Selection
Ctrl Alt Left Arrow
Navigation
1

Delete Selection
Alt ed
Clear/Delete
5

Clear Everything Within Selection
Alt eaa
Clear/Delete
5

Cut
( Ctrl x ) / Alt et
Cut/Copy/Move/Paste/Insert
5

Copy
( Ctrl c ) / Alt ec
Cut/Copy/Move/Paste/Insert
5

Paste
( Ctrl v ) / Alt ep
Cut/Copy/Move/Paste/Insert
5

Paste Special - Formulas
Alt esf Enter
Copy/Paste
5
Copies formulas and nothing else
Paste Special - Formats
Alt est Enter
Copy/Paste
5
Copies formats and nothing else
Paste Special - Values
Alt esv Enter
Copy/Paste
5
Copies values and nothing else
Copy Right (Excel)
( Ctrl r )
Copy/Paste
5

Copy Down (Excel)
( Ctrl d )
Copy/Paste
5

Copy Value From Cell Above
( Ctrl Shift " )
Copy/Paste
3

Copy Formula From Cell Above
( Ctrl ' )
Copy/Paste
3

Insert (Copied) Cells
Alt ie
Cut/Copy/Move/Paste/Insert
5

Insert Row
Alt ir
Insert New
5

Insert Column
Alt ic
Insert New
5

Copy/Move Sheet
Alt em
Cut/Copy/Move/Paste/Insert
3

Insert Worksheet
Alt iw / Shift F11
Insert New
3

Insert Chart Sheet
F11
Insert New
1

Edit Delete Sheet
Alt el
Clear/Delete
3

Highlight Direct Cell Precedents
( Ctrl [ )
Auditing
3

Highlight Direct Cell Dependents
( Ctrl ] )
Auditing
3

Highlight Indirect Cell Precedents
( Ctrl { )
Auditing
3

Highlight Indirect Cell Dependents
( Ctrl } )
Auditing
3

Show Precedent Arrows
Alt tut
Auditing
3
Refers to direct precedents
Show Dependent Arrows
Alt tud
Auditing
3
Refers to direct dependents
Display Cell Formulas (Toggle)
( Ctrl ` )
Auditing
3

Find
( Ctrl f ) / Alt ef / Shift F5
Auditing
4

Replace
( Ctrl h ) / Alt ee
Auditing
4

Edit Links
Alt ek
Auditing
3

Window Freeze/Unfreeze
Alt wf
View
5

Window Split
Alt ws
View
5

Split Window Toggle
F6
View
3

View Zoom
Alt vz
View
4

View Page Breaks
Alt vp
View
3

View Normal
Alt vn
View
3

Insert Name (Define)
Alt ind / Ctrl F3
Other
5

Insert Comment
Alt im / Shift F2
Other
3
Use Shift F2 to edit comments as well
Edit Clear Comments
Alt eam
Other
3

Insert Hyperlink
( Ctrl k ) / Alt ii
Other
2

Insert Current Date
( Ctrl ; )
Other
3

Insert Current Time
( Ctrl Shift : )
Other
3

Bold
( Ctrl b )
Formatting - Font
5

Italics
( Ctrl i )
Formatting - Font
5

Underline
( Ctrl u )
Formatting - Font
5

Strikethrough
( Ctrl 5 )
Formatting - Font
1

Border Outline
( Ctrl Shift & )
Formatting - Borders
3

Remove Borders
( Ctrl Shift _ )
Formatting - Borders
3

Cell Formatting Dialog Box
( Ctrl 1 ) / Alt oe
Formatting
5

Edit Clear Formats
Alt eaf
Formatting
3

Column Autofit
Alt oca
Formatting - Rows/Columns
5

Row Autofit
Alt ora
Formatting - Rows/Columns
2

Column Width
Alt ocw
Formatting - Rows/Columns
4

Row Height
Alt ort
Formatting - Rows/Columns
4

Column Standard Width
Alt ocs
Formatting - Rows/Columns
1

Group Rows/Columns
( Alt Shift Right Arrow )
Hiding
3

Ungroup Rows/Columns
( Alt Shift Left Arrow )
Hiding
3

Hide Rows
( Ctrl 9 )
Hiding
3

Hide Columns
( Ctrl 0 )
Hiding
3

Unhide Rows
( Ctrl Shift 9 )
Hiding
3

Unhide Columns
( Ctrl Shift 0 )
Hiding
3

Restore Window Size
Ctrl F5
Windows
3

Minimize Window
Ctrl F9
Windows
3

Maximize Window
Ctrl F10
Windows
3

Close Window
Ctrl F4 / ( Ctrl w )
Windows
4

Next Application
Alt Tab
Windows
5

Previous Application
Alt Shift Tab
Windows
5

Close Application
Alt F4
Windows
4

Windows Start Menu
Ctrl Esc
Windows
5

Spelling Check
F7
Other
3

Tools Options
Alt to
Other
4

Activate/Deactivate Menu Bar
F10 / Alt
Other
5
Use arrows or menu accelerators to move through menu options
Show Right Click Menu
Shift F10
Other
4

Next Toolbar
Ctrl Tab
Other
3

Previous Toolbar
Shift F10
Other
3

Show/Hide Standard Toolbar
Ctrl 7
Other
1

Run Macro
Alt F8
Other
3

Visual Basic Editor (Toggle w/ Excel)
Alt F11
Other
1

Help
F1
Other
5

Help (Context Sensitive)
Shift F1
Other
3

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

How do the Financial Statements Flow Together?

Understanding how the three core financial statements interplay is fundamental to your success in investment banking interviews. Below is a brief description of the three statements and how they connect to one another. Following the explanation you will find a few sample interview questions.

Income Statement
Net income--the bottom line--flows from the Income Statement to Retained Earnings on the Balance Sheet. It also becomes the first line of Cash from Operations on the Cash Flow Statement. You can think of the Income Statement as a cumulative record over a period of time.

Balance Sheet
The name of this statement describes its purpose; the Balance Sheet always balances. This financial statement acts as a record for a firm's assets and all the claims against those assets. The remaining value is called Stockholder's Equity. The Cash balance which is the first line item under Current Assets at the top of the Balance Sheet is taken from the Ending Cash on the Cash Flow Statement. The Balance Sheet, unlike the Income Statement, is not a cumulative record over time; it is a snapshot of one moment in time.

Cash Flow Statement
The Cash Flow Statement connects the three financial statements together. The statement begins with Net Income from the Income Statement and the Ending Cash balance at the bottom Cash Flow Statement flows to Cash and Cash Equivalents at the top of the Balance Sheet.

Practice Interview Questions:

Which financial statement is most important?

The answer to this question depends on who is asking but generally the Cash Flow Statement is most crucial. An analyst in Lev Fin (Leveraged Finance) at a bulge bracket in New York explained to me that the Cash Flow Statement defines a firm's financing options. Whether it be a leveraged buyout, dividend distribution, or a restructuring, the Cash Flow Statement tells financiers what their options are. Cash is King!
___________________________________________________________________
If you could only have two of the three core financial statements, which two would you take?

Even though the Cash Flow Statement ties the three statements together, the most important items from the Cash Flow Statement can be derived from the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet. I would take the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet.
___________________________________________________________________
How do the three financial statements flow together?

For this question you should restate the descriptions mentioned above in an abbreviated fashion. Practice this several times out loud and while mock interviewing.


Thursday, November 13, 2008

Overcoming Toubled Times

This is a question someone left on an earlier post. We love seeing your questions and comments; we're happy to help answer any questions our readers have.

From Anonymous:

I would love to hear your thoughts on how to survive if looking for a finance job now... let's face it... if you are beginning the journey in i banking right now... there are a ton of more qualified people to take your spot. What advice do you have for these people?

Thanks!
---

Dear Anonymous,

Your question is certainly valid as hiring in finance, specifically in investment banking, is down significantly. From everyone I've talked to, many bulge bracket investment banks over-hired from their summer 2008 analyst classes and aren't taking many additional first year full-time hires. This isn't to say that there are no openings available, because there are. Students are still being hired out of college as first year analysts. Things are more competitive than ever and that's why we're here to give you the special sauce so you can knock your interviews out of the park.

If you are a junior, you should be focusing on landing that summer internship. Once you have a summer internship under your belt you are a shoo-in.

When you suggest that there are "a ton of more qualified people taking your spot", I believe you're referring to the thousands of first and second year analysts who have been laid off during the last year. I can't disagree with the numbers, there are more people now chasing fewer finance jobs compared to the recent past. I will point out, however, that analysts who have been laid off aren't necessarily more qualified than you. An unemployed analyst might have better excel skills and might be a more knowledgeable formatting monkey than you are, but you have one advantage over him or her; you are a fresh piece of clay ready to be kneaded and molded that doesn't already have the inevitable scars from analyst work.

It isn't fair to consider the unfortunate analyst bystander who is laid off because his or her bank went under as damaged goods. Not everybody believes that analysts who have been laid off have baggage. But the reality is that some people believe that more liabilities are attached when a firm hires someone who has been laid off by a competitor. I'm speaking in generalities here and do so knowing full well that I am potentially talking about myself.

In short, opportunities exist for graduating seniors today. If you're not finding traction with bulge brackets then explore opportunities with boutiques. If that doesn't work, look for corporate opportunities. Be urgent and commit your efforts with renewed zeal. You can achieve success.