How to Prepare for Technical Interviews in Finance (Beginner to Advanced)
Episode 35 | December 1, 2025
In this episode of The Coffee Chat, Ben sits down with Stephanie Hockman, former Program Director for Careers in Business and Finance at Amherst College, for an insightful discussion on how technical preparation transforms students’ recruiting outcomes.
With over 25 years in finance, including time at Bank of America, BNP Paribas, and Arthur Andersen, Stephanie brought real-world expertise to Amherst, where she built a comprehensive, multi-year program guiding students from foundational understanding to technical mastery.
“Finance is the method by which capital is transferred from those who have it to those who need it,” Stephanie explains. “But the language of finance is accounting.”
Recognizing that liberal arts students often lacked business coursework, she began by teaching the fundamentals: what the buy side and sell side mean, what investment bankers actually do, and how the three financial statements connect.
By sophomore year, students were ready for technical skill-building. But finding the right partner was key.
Choosing a Hands-On Financial Modeling Foundation
Amherst tested several providers, including Wall Street Prep and Pillars of Wall Street, before adopting Adventis’s Financial Modeling Certification® Program (FMC® Program). The difference, Stephanie says, was the hands-on approach.
“What I found really interesting about Adventis was that students weren’t just being taught, they were required to do the modeling themselves. And the certification demonstrated to employers that they were serious and capable.”
Students learned to build fully circular three-statement models from scratch, an achievement they could highlight in interviews. The result was immediate: Amherst students began performing at the same technical level as business school graduates.
Creating Long-Term Impact
Stephanie also emphasized sustainability. Amherst embedded a “pay it forward” culture, where upperclassmen trained underclassmen, and created clear operating procedures to maintain program continuity.
The results speak for themselves: Amherst’s share of students entering finance roles rose from 15% to 25% under her leadership, a testament to the power of structured, technical preparation and community mentorship.
“You put in the work up front,” Ben notes, “and it gets easier on the other side.”
For aspiring finance professionals or schools looking to strengthen their career programs, Stephanie’s advice is clear: leverage proven tools, emphasize hands-on learning, and build a culture of shared success.
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