1. What is a Data Analyst at S&P Global?

The Data Analyst role at S&P Global is distinct from similar positions in pure technology companies. Here, you are not just managing data; you are acting as a custodian of financial truth for the global markets. S&P Global provides the essential intelligence—ratings, benchmarks, and analytics—that governments, companies, and individuals rely on to make confident decisions.

In this role, you will work at the intersection of data engineering, financial analysis, and market intelligence. You will deal with massive datasets regarding credit ratings, market indices, and commodity prices. Your work directly impacts the accuracy of the products used by investment banks and asset managers worldwide. You are expected to ensure data quality, build robust reporting pipelines, and derive actionable insights that drive transparency in the financial world.

2. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for S&P Global requires a dual focus: technical proficiency and financial literacy. Unlike generalist data roles, you cannot rely solely on coding skills; you must understand the context of the data you are handling.

Financial Domain Knowledge – You must demonstrate a foundational understanding of financial markets. Interviewers evaluate whether you can interpret the data you analyze. You should be comfortable discussing concepts like Private Equity (PE), Venture Capital (VC), and the structure of financial statements.

Technical Agility – S&P Global relies heavily on a mix of legacy systems and modern tech stacks. You need to show strength in SQL for data retrieval and Excel for immediate analysis. Proficiency in Python and visualization tools like Power BI or Tableau is increasingly critical for automating workflows and presenting insights.

Communication & Articulation – You will often need to explain your findings to stakeholders who are experts in finance but may not be technical experts. You will be evaluated on your ability to translate complex data queries into clear business narratives.

3. Interview Process Overview

The interview process at S&P Global is thorough and structured, typically spanning 3 to 4 weeks. The company values consistency, so you can expect a mix of screening, technical assessments, and panel interviews. The process is designed to test not just your ability to write code, but your ability to think like a financial analyst.

You should expect the process to begin with a screening call that touches on your background and interest in financial markets. Following this, the process often diverges based on the specific team or location. Many candidates face a dedicated technical round involving live coding (SQL/Python) or verbal technical assessments. In some regions or for specific entry-level cohorts, a Group Discussion (GD) may be utilized to filter candidates based on communication skills and confidence before technical rounds begin.

The final stages usually involve managerial interviews that focus on behavioral fit, scenario-based problem solving, and your alignment with S&P Global’s culture of integrity and precision. Be prepared for a process that can sometimes feel slow; patience is required as the team coordinates across global schedules.

The timeline above illustrates the typical flow from application to offer. Note that the Technical Assessment phase can vary; it may be a take-home test, a live coding session, or a rigorous verbal quiz on technical concepts. Use the time between rounds to refresh your knowledge of financial news, as current events often come up in conversation.

4. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To succeed, you must demonstrate competence in specific areas that S&P Global prioritizes. Based on candidate feedback, the following areas are heavily weighted during the evaluation.

Financial Acumen & Market Knowledge

This is the key differentiator for S&P Global. You are expected to know more than just numbers; you must know what the numbers represent. Interviewers will test your comfort level with financial terminology and concepts.

Be ready to go over:

• Financial Statements – Understanding the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement.
• Investment Vehicles – The difference between Private Equity and Venture Capital.
• Market Dynamics – How credit ratings work and why they matter to the economy.
• Advanced concepts – ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors, which are a growing focus for S&P.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain the difference between PE and VC to a layperson."
• "How do the three financial statements link together?"
• "What is your understanding of what S&P Global actually sells?"

Technical Proficiency (SQL & Excel)

Data manipulation is the core of the job. While Python is important, Excel remains a workhorse in the financial industry, and SQL is non-negotiable for accessing data.

Be ready to go over:

• Excel Functions – VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP, Index/Match, Pivot Tables, and Macros.
• SQL Queries – Joins (Inner, Left, Right), aggregations, subqueries, and window functions.
• Data Cleaning – Handling null values, duplicates, and formatting inconsistencies.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Write a SQL query to find the second highest salary in a department."
• "How would you handle a dataset with missing financial records in Excel?"
• "Verbally walk me through how you would merge two datasets with different keys."

Visualization & Tooling

You will need to present your data effectively. Proficiency in business intelligence tools is highly valued.

Be ready to go over:

• Dashboarding – Creating reports in Power BI or Tableau.
• Python Libraries – Using Pandas and NumPy for data manipulation.
• Storytelling – Selecting the right chart type for financial trends (e.g., line charts for time series, waterfalls for P&L).

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Which chart would you use to show the volatility of a stock over ten years?"
• "Describe a dashboard you built and how it helped management make a decision."

5. Key Responsibilities

As a Data Analyst at S&P Global, your day-to-day work is driven by the need for high-quality, timely data. You will be responsible for collecting, validating, and ingesting data related to companies, industries, and markets. This often involves setting up automated processes to scrape or import data from various sources and ensuring it meets strict quality standards before it reaches client-facing products.

Collaboration is central to the role. You will work closely with Research Analysts who rely on your datasets to assign ratings and write reports. You will also interface with the technology teams to troubleshoot pipeline issues or suggest system improvements. A significant portion of your time will be spent maintaining existing datasets—ensuring that corporate actions (like mergers or stock splits) are correctly reflected in the database.

6. Role Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates who succeed at S&P Global typically possess a blend of technical skills and academic background in quantitative fields.

• Technical Skills – SQL and Excel are the absolute must-haves. You should be able to write complex queries and build advanced spreadsheets without assistance. Python is rapidly becoming a standard requirement for automation and advanced analysis. Experience with Power BI or Tableau is expected for reporting roles.
• Domain Background – A degree in Finance, Economics, Statistics, or Mathematics is highly preferred. If your degree is in Computer Science, you must demonstrate a strong personal interest or minor in Finance.
• Experience Level – S&P Global hires across various levels, but for standard Data Analyst roles, they look for candidates who have handled real-world data, even if it is from academic projects or internships.
• Soft Skills – Attention to detail is critical; an error in data can affect global markets. You must also be resilient and confident, capable of defending your analysis during internal debates.

7. Common Interview Questions

The following questions are drawn from actual candidate experiences at S&P Global. They reflect the company’s focus on technical verification and financial literacy. Do not memorize answers; instead, use these to practice your structuring and explanation skills.

Technical & Coding

• "What is the difference between a Left Join and an Inner Join? When would you use each?"
• "How do you remove duplicates from a dataset in SQL?"
• "Can you write a Python script to read a CSV file and filter for specific rows?"
• "Explain the difference between VLOOKUP and XLOOKUP."
• "How would you optimize a slow-running SQL query?"

Finance & Domain Knowledge

• "What is Private Equity?"
• "Walk me through the three main financial statements."
• "What are the current major events affecting the global financial markets?"
• "Define working capital and explain why it is important."

Behavioral & Situational

• "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member. How did you resolve it?"
• "Describe a situation where you missed a deadline. how did you handle it?"
• "Why do you want to work for S&P Global specifically, rather than a tech company?"
• "How do you handle repetitive tasks without losing attention to detail?"

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the technical assessment? The difficulty is generally rated as Medium. The questions are not typically LeetCode-style algorithm puzzles but are practical, scenario-based problems. Expect to write SQL queries on paper or a shared screen, and be ready for "verbal coding" where you explain your logic out loud.

Q: Do I need a background in Finance to get hired? While not strictly mandatory for every single data role, it is a significant advantage. If you lack a finance background, you must study the basics (accounting, financial markets) before the interview. You will likely be asked about financial concepts.

Q: What is the company culture like regarding remote work? S&P Global generally operates on a hybrid model, though this varies by team and location. They value in-person collaboration but offer flexibility. During the interview, ask specifically about your team's "in-office" days.

Q: How long does the hiring process take? The process can be lengthy. Candidates often report timelines of 3 to 5 weeks from application to offer. There can be gaps in communication, so do not be discouraged if you don't hear back immediately after a round.

9. Other General Tips

Brush up on Current Events – S&P Global lives in the news cycle. Being able to discuss a recent financial news event (e.g., an interest rate hike, a major acquisition) shows you are genuinely interested in the industry.

Prepare for "Verbal" Technicals – Unlike many tech companies that rely solely on coding platforms, S&P managers often ask you to explain code verbally. Practice explaining how a GROUP BY works or the logic of a Python loop without writing it down.

Excel is Not Dead – Do not underestimate Excel. You may be asked to perform tasks in Excel during the interview. Ensure you are fast with keyboard shortcuts and formulas.

10. Summary & Next Steps

The Data Analyst role at S&P Global is a prestigious opportunity to work at the heart of the financial industry. You will develop a unique blend of high-level technical skills and deep financial market knowledge that is rare and highly valued in the marketplace. This role is perfect for those who want their code and analysis to have a tangible impact on global economics.

To prepare effectively, split your time between practicing SQL/Python and reading financial news or textbooks. Focus on clarity and precision in your communication. The interviewers are looking for someone who can be trusted with the world's most important data. Approach the process with confidence, showing them that you have the technical rigor and the professional maturity to succeed.

The salary data above provides a baseline for the role. Compensation at S&P Global is competitive and often includes performance-based bonuses. When discussing salary, consider the total value of the package, including the stability and reputation of the brand, which can significantly boost your long-term career trajectory.

For further practice, review the detailed interview experiences and technical challenges available on Dataford. Good luck!