Instamojo Treasury Analyst Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Treasury Analyst at a fast-growing fintech like Instamojo manages the company's cash flows, ensures adequate liquidity for daily operations, and monitors financial risks such as interest rate and foreign exchange exposure. Day to day, you reconcile bank statements, forecast cash positions, invest surplus funds, and support compliance with RBI regulations. You work closely with finance, product, and risk teams to optimise working capital and reduce costs.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between cash flow forecasting and liquidity management?

   Explain that forecasting predicts future cash needs, while liquidity management ensures you have enough cash or liquid assets to meet those needs at all times. Use an example like managing daily payment settlements.

2. 2

   How would you invest a surplus of Rs 10 crore for 30 days in a safe and liquid manner?

   Mention instruments like treasury bills, commercial papers, or overnight funds, and highlight safety, liquidity, and return in that order. Note RBI regulations on permissible investments for fintechs.

3. 3

   What are the key RBI guidelines a payment aggregator must follow for handling customer funds?

   Cover segregation of funds, escrow account maintenance, and reporting requirements. Show awareness that non-compliance can lead to penalties or license issues.

4. 4

   Explain working capital cycle and how treasury can improve it for a fast-growing company.

   Define the cycle from cash conversion to collection. Suggest negotiating better credit terms with vendors, speeding up receivables, and using short-term credit lines efficiently.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   You notice a sudden 20% drop in daily cash inflows from merchants. How do you investigate and respond?

   Outline steps: check bank statements, talk to operations or merchant support, review settlement cycles, and prepare a contingency plan like drawing on a credit line. Show structured thinking.

2. 6

   A large vendor payment is due tomorrow, but your bank balance is lower than expected due to a delayed settlement. What do you do?

   Prioritise communication: inform the vendor, check for intraday credit options, and escalate internally. Mention using a short-term overdraft or adjusting payment timing if allowed.

3. 7

   How would you handle a foreign exchange exposure if Instamojo starts billing international clients in USD?

   Discuss natural hedging by matching USD income with USD expenses, forward contracts, and monitoring exchange rates. Emphasise consulting with the finance head on hedging policy.

4. 8

   You are asked to reduce idle cash while maintaining a minimum buffer. What factors do you consider?

   Balance safety, liquidity, and return. Consider daily payment obligations, regulatory reserves, and invest only excess in liquid instruments with same-day access.

Behavioural and Situational

1. 9

   Tell me about a time you had to meet a tight deadline with incomplete information.

   Use STAR method. Show you prioritised critical tasks, communicated assumptions, and followed up to fill gaps without delaying the deliverable.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you found a mistake in your own work. How did you handle it?

   Highlight honesty, quick correction, and process improvement. Treasury demands zero tolerance for errors, so show you learn from mistakes.

3. 11

   How do you stay organised when managing multiple bank accounts and daily reconciliations?

   Mention tools like Excel trackers, checklists, and calendar reminders. Emphasise discipline and double-checking high-value transactions.

4. 12

   Why do you want to work in treasury at a fast-growing fintech rather than a large bank?

   Show interest in broad exposure, direct impact on company health, and learning across cash, risk, and compliance. Avoid saying you dislike banks.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   What do you know about Instamojo's business model and how treasury supports it?

   Mention that Instamojo helps small businesses with payments and online presence. Treasury ensures smooth settlements, manages float, and optimises cash for growth.

2. 14

   How would you handle a situation where you disagree with your manager on an investment decision?

   Show respect and data-driven discussion. Present your analysis calmly, listen to their rationale, and support the final decision once made.

3. 15

   Where do you see yourself in three years in this role?

   Focus on deepening treasury expertise, taking on more risk management, and contributing to automation or process improvements. Align with company growth.

4. 16

   What is your expected salary for this role as a fresher?

   Research typical fresher treasury analyst salaries in Indian fintechs (e.g., 3-6 LPA). Give a range and express flexibility based on learning and growth.