What is a Business Analyst at ADM?

At ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), the Business Analyst role is a critical bridge between complex operational needs and technological solutions. ADM is a global leader in human and animal nutrition and the world’s premier agricultural origination and processing company. In this context, a Business Analyst does not simply gather requirements; you are ensuring the digital backbone of the global food supply chain remains robust, accurate, and efficient.

You will likely work within specific functional domains such as Financial Systems, ERP Implementation (specifically IFS), or Investor Services. Your work directly impacts how the company tracks commodities, manages vast financial data, and executes strategic upgrades to legacy systems. Whether you are supporting the "Record to Report" (R2R) organization in Decatur or managing futures commissions in Chicago, your analysis ensures that business stakeholders—from traders to accountants—have the reliable data and processes they need to operate.

This position offers a unique blend of technical challenge and industrial scale. You are not just optimizing abstract software; you are solving real-world problems related to logistics, finance, and manufacturing. Success here requires a "roll-up-your-sleeves" attitude, where you are expected to understand the granular details of accounting entries or supply chain flows just as well as you understand SQL queries or system architecture.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for ADM requires a shift in mindset. You are interviewing with a company that values longevity, operational stability, and deep domain expertise. While technical skills are required, your ability to apply them to ADM’s massive industrial context is what will set you apart.

Focus your preparation on these key evaluation criteria:

Functional & Domain Fluency – You must demonstrate an understanding of the business processes you will support. If you are interviewing for a Financial Systems role, you need to speak the language of accounting (GL, balance sheets, R2R). If you are in an ERP role, you must understand supply chain or manufacturing workflows. Interviewers need to know you can communicate effectively with non-technical business users.

Technical Pragmatism – ADM values tools that work. You will be evaluated on your proficiency with Microsoft Excel (advanced), SQL, and reporting tools like Power BI. You do not need to be a software engineer, but you must demonstrate the ability to manipulate data independently to solve problems without waiting for IT support.

Process Improvement & Ownership – Candidates are evaluated on their initiative. You should be ready to discuss how you identify gaps in current processes (e.g., manual Excel workarounds) and propose standardized, automated solutions. The ability to "bridge the gap" between business needs and technical capabilities is the core competency here.

Cultural Alignment (The ADM Way) – ADM places a high premium on collaboration and integrity. You will be assessed on your ability to work in cross-functional teams, handle pressure during critical periods (like month-end close), and maintain a service-oriented mindset toward internal stakeholders.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at ADM is thorough but generally straightforward, designed to assess both your technical competence and your fit within their established corporate culture. The process typically moves at a steady pace, reflecting the company's methodical approach to hiring.

Expect the process to begin with a screening call from a recruiter, focusing on your resume, location preferences (as many roles are location-specific to hubs like Chicago, Decatur, or Erlanger), and high-level experience. Following this, you will likely proceed to a hiring manager interview. This round delves into your specific experience with the tools mentioned in the job description (e.g., IFS, Blackline, SQL) and your history with similar projects.

The final stage usually involves a panel interview or a series of back-to-back conversations with key stakeholders. This often includes a mix of technical peers, business counterparts (such as Senior Accountants or Operations Managers), and leadership. In these rounds, expect a blend of behavioral questions and practical scenarios—such as how you would handle a data discrepancy during a financial close or how you would manage a difficult stakeholder during a UAT phase.

Use the timeline above to structure your preparation. The process is heavily weighted toward the later stages, where you meet the team you will actually work with. Ensure you have concrete examples of your past projects ready for the "Onsite / Panel" stage, as this is where the depth of your experience will be tested.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must demonstrate competence across three primary pillars: Technical Data Skills, Business Process Knowledge, and Stakeholder Management.

Technical Data & Systems Proficiency

ADM relies heavily on specific data ecosystems. You will be tested on your ability to navigate these systems to extract insights or troubleshoot errors.

Be ready to go over:

• SQL & Database Management – Writing queries to retrieve data, joining tables, and understanding data relationships. This is critical for roles involving commission payouts or financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel – Pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP are the baseline. Knowledge of VBA/Macros to automate repetitive tasks is a significant differentiator.
• ERP & Financial Systems – Familiarity with systems like IFS, Blackline, AFRM, or Hyperion. You don't need to know every button, but you must understand how data flows through an ERP.
• Reporting Tools – Experience with Power BI or similar visualization tools to create dashboards for leadership.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you used SQL to investigate a data discrepancy. How did you structure your query?"
• "How have you used Excel macros to improve a manual accounting process?"
• "Walk me through your experience with ERP implementations. What modules were you responsible for?"

Business Process Analysis & Mapping

You must show that you can translate messy human workflows into structured system requirements. This is especially true for roles involved in ERP rollouts or system upgrades.

Be ready to go over:

• Requirements Gathering – How you conduct workshops, interview stakeholders, and document functional vs. technical requirements.
• Gap Analysis – Identifying the difference between "out-of-the-box" ERP functionality and what the business actually needs.
• User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – How you define test cases, coordinate testing with business users, and manage defect resolution.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you handle a situation where a business stakeholder insists on a customization that goes against standard ERP best practices?"
• "Describe your approach to mapping a 'Current State' vs. 'Future State' process."
• "Tell me about a time a project was at risk of missing a deadline. How did you prioritize features to stay on track?"

Domain Knowledge (Finance & Operations)

For many BA roles at ADM, "Business" means Finance or Supply Chain. You need to understand the context of the data you are analyzing.

Be ready to go over:

• Accounting Concepts – Understanding the impact of system changes on the General Ledger, Balance Sheet reconciliations, and the financial close process.
• Supply Chain Logic – Understanding how inventory moves, how costs are captured, and how procurement links to payment.
• Regulatory & Compliance – Working within audit constraints and ensuring systems are compliant with internal controls.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain the Record-to-Report (R2R) process and where system failures typically occur."
• "How do you ensure that a new feature upgrade does not negatively impact financial reporting accuracy?"

Key Responsibilities

As a Business Analyst at ADM, your day-to-day work is a mix of project-based development and operational support. You are the "first responder" for system issues and the architect for future improvements.

On the project side, you will collaborate with business stakeholders to document requirements for new initiatives—such as rolling out the IFS ERP to a new geography or building a new commission payout system. You will act as the liaison between the non-technical business teams (who know what they need) and the technical IT teams (who know how to build it). This involves creating documentation, running "fit-gap" workshops, and coordinating UAT cycles.

On the support side, particularly for Financial Systems roles, you will be heavily involved during the month-end close. This is a fast-paced period where you must troubleshoot errors in Excel files, fix broken automated processes, and ensure data integrity so the accounting team can close the books. You will also maintain documentation, manage system access controls, and train users on new features.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

ADM looks for candidates who combine academic grounding with practical, hands-on experience.

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree is standard, typically in Accounting, Finance, Business Information Systems, or Computer Science. For senior roles, a Master's degree or certifications (like CPA or CBAP) can be a plus.
• Experience:
  • Junior/Mid-level: 2–4 years of experience, often in Financial Services, Accounting, or as a System Analyst.
  • Senior/Lead: 5+ years of experience, specifically with large-scale ERP implementations (IFS experience is highly valued for specific teams).
• Technical Skills (Must-Have): High proficiency in Excel (often including VBA), SQL querying ability, and experience with ERP systems (IFS, SAP, Oracle, or similar).
• Soft Skills: Strong communication is non-negotiable. You must be able to train people, explain technical concepts to accountants, and manage expectations with senior leadership.
• Nice-to-Have: Experience with Power BI, Blackline, AFRM, or background in the futures/commodities industry.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions reflect the dual nature of the role: technical competency and behavioral fit. ADM interviewers want to see that you can do the work and work well with the team.

Technical & Analytical

These questions test your hard skills and problem-solving logic.

• "How would you use SQL to identify duplicate records in a transaction table?"
• "Explain a complex Excel model you built. How did you handle error checking?"
• "What is your process for validating data migration accuracy during an ERP rollout?"
• "If a user reports that a financial report is 'wrong,' how do you troubleshoot the root cause?"

Behavioral & Situational

These questions assess your ability to navigate the corporate environment and handle challenges.

• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a stakeholder regarding a project timeline."
• "Describe a situation where you had to learn a new system or tool quickly with little supervision."
• "How do you handle a disagreement with a developer regarding a business requirement?"
• "Give an example of how you improved a process that saved the team time or money."

Domain Specific (Finance/ERP)

These questions verify you understand the specific business context of ADM.

• "What is your experience with the financial month-end close process?"
• "How do you approach defining role-based access controls for a new system?"
• "Explain the difference between a functional requirement and a technical specification."

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical is this interview process? The process is "functionally technical." You likely won't be asked to write complex code on a whiteboard, but you should expect deep questions about how you use Excel and SQL. For specific roles, you might be asked to describe how you would structure a database table or debug a VBA script.

Q: What is the work culture like for Business Analysts at ADM? The culture is collaborative, professional, and rooted in Midwestern values. It is a relationship-driven environment where tenure is respected. The pace can be cyclical—intense during financial closes or project go-lives, and steadier during planning phases.

Q: Is this a remote role? It depends heavily on the specific team. Some roles are listed as remote, but many key positions are based in hubs like Decatur, IL, Chicago, IL, or Erlanger, KY. ADM often values onsite collaboration, especially for roles that interface directly with trading floors or accounting departments.

Q: What makes a candidate stand out? Candidates who bridge the gap between "Accounting/Finance" and "IT" stand out the most. If you can speak intelligently about balance sheet reconciliations and SQL joins in the same sentence, you are a prime candidate.

Q: How long does the hiring process take? The process typically takes 3 to 6 weeks from initial screen to offer. ADM is a large enterprise, so approval chains can sometimes take time.

Other General Tips

Know the "Why ADM?" Answer: ADM is proud of its role in "unlocking the power of nature." Connect your skills to this mission. Even if you are working on backend financial systems, you are supporting a company that feeds the world. Expressing genuine interest in the industry is a differentiator.

Brush Up on Accounting Basics: Even if you are applying for a generic IT BA role, if you are sitting within the "Record to Report" or Finance teams, basic literacy in accounting (debits, credits, GL) will make you much more effective in your interviews.

Highlight Your "Fixer" Mentality: ADM values colleagues who take ownership. Prepare stories where you didn't just report a problem, but actively fixed it. Did you automate a manual report? Did you train a struggling user? Highlight these moments.

Summary & Next Steps

The Business Analyst role at ADM is an opportunity to work at the intersection of technology and essential global infrastructure. Whether you are modernizing ERP systems in Kentucky or managing financial controls in Chicago, you will be solving complex problems that have a tangible impact on the business.

To prepare effectively, focus on solidifying your story around process improvement and technical data skills. Review your SQL and Excel knowledge, ensure you can speak fluently about financial or operational workflows, and be ready to demonstrate how you collaborate with diverse teams. Approach the interview with confidence, showing that you are not just a requirements gatherer, but a proactive problem solver ready to support ADM’s mission.

The salary data above provides a general range for this position. Note that compensation at ADM can vary significantly based on location (e.g., Chicago vs. Decatur), the specific technical stack required (e.g., specialized ERP knowledge), and your years of experience. Be prepared to discuss your expectations based on the specific cost of living and responsibilities of the role you are applying for.

For more insights and to explore further resources, visit Dataford. Good luck with your preparation!