Vault Guide to Finance Interviews
Author: Vault Staff, D. Bhatawedekhar, Hussam Hamadeh
List Price: $29.95
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 1581311664
Publisher: Vault Reports Inc (November, 2002)
Sales Rank: 15,468
Average Customer Rating: 3.42 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
An investment with a fast pay off
I am studying an MBA at IESE's Business School in Barcelona, and this book has been key to help me succeding in getting a Summer Internship in Investment Banking. It is clear, concise, and covers most of the issues asked in Finance interviews. It is a must read for anyone with real interest in Investment Banking and without previous experience in this industry
Rating: 3 out of 5
Good Overview, but Mistake-ridden & oversimplified
First, the book has some good points: It provides a good overview of the major topics covered in financial interviews. If you paid attention on your MBA classes, you should remember more than what is in this book, but if you were sleeping or forgot most of it, then this is a good refresher. There are a few bad points, however. First, the book isn't a good value -- it's an expensive 175 page paperback, filled with full-page advertisements every 10-20 pages or so.
Also, as many others have noted, the book is full of mistakes & inconsistencies. The balance sheets on page 138-9 don't balance (something one should have learned in accounting 101). Also, on page 127, it says "...higher interest rates lower the value of options." This blanket statement is just plain wrong! Higher interest rates lower the price of ONLY put options, but is has the opposite effect on call options (that is, higher interest rates RAISE the price of call options).
I don't think these mistakes render the book unusable, especially if you just need a quick review of the material. But if you're trying to learn the material for the first time, these mistakes will leave you puzzled & misinformed. If you know the material, you'll catch the mistakes and groan.
Overall, I thought it was a guide that was just OK, but good for a quick, high-level review the night before your interview. However, it's definitely overpriced (and aspiring financiers should already know what to do with an overpriced asset...).
Rating: 5 out of 5
Its short and to the point
I originally checked this book out from the library but I find it so useful that I'm going to buy it. Its concise, touches on a lot of different subjects and has decent explanations. I'm using it to refresh my memory on the stuff I learned in undergrad. I think a lot of the bad reviews are coming from MBAs not impressed with the simplicity, which is probably understandable. Similar Products
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Book Index