Ascensus Business Analyst Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Ascensus is a leader in providing technology solutions that empower millions of individuals to save for critical life events such as retirement, education, and healthcare.

As a Business Analyst at Ascensus, you will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between technology and business needs. Your primary responsibility will be to collaborate closely with the strategic product owner to define features and functionality that align with the company’s goals. This involves working with both internal and external stakeholders to accurately document project requirements and ensure that user stories and acceptance criteria are well-articulated.

A successful Business Analyst at Ascensus will demonstrate strong analytical skills, effective communication abilities, and a deep understanding of agile methodologies, particularly Scrum. You will actively participate in scrum ceremonies, contribute to project deliverables, and continually enhance your knowledge of the systems and products relevant to the organization. Your efforts will not only support the development of innovative technology solutions but also foster a culture of quality, integrity, and collaboration within the team.

This guide aims to equip you with the insights and knowledge necessary to excel in your interview, ensuring that you are well-prepared to align your skills and experiences with the values and expectations of Ascensus.

The interview process for a Business Analyst role at Ascensus is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. The process typically unfolds in several structured stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, which usually takes place via a phone call with a recruiter or a member of the talent acquisition team. This conversation is focused on understanding your background, skills, and motivations for applying to Ascensus. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specific expectations for the Business Analyst role. Be prepared to discuss your experience with analytical tools, SQL, and your understanding of Agile methodologies.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This may be conducted via video conferencing and will involve discussions around your analytical skills, experience with SQL, and your ability to write user stories and acceptance criteria. You may be asked to solve case studies or hypothetical scenarios that reflect the challenges faced by a Business Analyst at Ascensus. This stage is crucial for demonstrating your problem-solving abilities and your familiarity with business applications.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next phase is a behavioral interview, which focuses on assessing your interpersonal skills and how you align with Ascensus' core values. Expect questions that explore your past experiences in team settings, your approach to collaboration, and how you handle challenges in a project environment. This is an opportunity to showcase your communication skills and your ability to advocate for positive change within a team.

4. Final Interview

The final interview often involves meeting with the hiring manager and possibly other team members. This round may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as discussions about your potential contributions to the team and the organization. You may also be asked to elaborate on your understanding of the Agile framework and how you would apply it in your role as a Business Analyst at Ascensus.

Throughout the interview process, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their analytical thinking, adaptability, and commitment to continuous improvement, which are essential qualities for success in this role.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the specific questions that may arise based on the skills and experiences relevant to the Business Analyst position.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Company Culture

Ascensus values collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to quality. Familiarize yourself with their I-Client service philosophy and core values, as these will be integral to your role as a Business Analyst. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with those of the company, and provide examples of how you've demonstrated these values in your previous work experiences.

Prepare for Agile and Scrum Discussions

Given the emphasis on Agile methodologies in the role, brush up on your knowledge of Scrum practices. Be ready to discuss your experience with Agile frameworks, including how you've participated in scrum ceremonies like backlog refinement and sprint planning. Highlight any specific contributions you've made to improve team processes or project outcomes in an Agile environment.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Ascensus is looking for candidates with strong analytical skills. Prepare to discuss specific examples where you've utilized these skills to solve complex problems or improve processes. Be ready to explain your thought process and the tools you used, particularly any experience with SQL or analytical tools relevant to the role.

Communicate Effectively

Excellent oral and written communication skills are crucial for a Business Analyst. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. During the interview, focus on active listening—this will not only help you understand the interviewer's questions better but also demonstrate your ability to engage with stakeholders effectively.

Be Ready to Discuss User Stories

Since writing user stories and acceptance criteria is a key responsibility, be prepared to discuss your experience in this area. If you have examples of user stories you've written, share them, and explain how they contributed to project success. If you haven't had direct experience, consider discussing how you would approach writing user stories based on your understanding of the role.

Emphasize Continuous Learning

Ascensus values personal and professional development. Be prepared to discuss how you stay current with industry trends and technologies. Share any relevant courses, certifications, or self-study initiatives you've undertaken to enhance your skills, particularly in areas like SQL or Agile methodologies.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral interview questions that assess how you've handled challenges in the past. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Focus on situations that highlight your problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and adaptability, as these are essential traits for a Business Analyst at Ascensus.

Follow Up Professionally

Given the feedback regarding communication from the company, ensure you follow up after your interview with a thank-you email. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. This not only demonstrates professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position.

By focusing on these areas, you'll be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview at Ascensus. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Business Analyst interview at Ascensus. The interview will likely focus on your analytical skills, experience with Agile methodologies, and ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Analytical Skills

1. Can you describe a complex project you worked on and how you approached analyzing the requirements?

This question assesses your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Discuss the project scope, the methods you used to gather and analyze requirements, and how you ensured that all stakeholder needs were met.

Example

“In a previous role, I worked on a project to implement a new customer relationship management system. I conducted stakeholder interviews to gather requirements, created process flow diagrams to visualize the current state, and used that information to identify gaps. This structured approach allowed us to define clear requirements and ensure alignment with business goals.”

2. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Explain your method for assessing project urgency and importance, and how you communicate with stakeholders to manage expectations.

Example

“I use a combination of the Eisenhower Matrix and regular check-ins with stakeholders to prioritize tasks. By categorizing tasks based on urgency and importance, I can focus on high-impact activities while keeping stakeholders informed about timelines and potential delays.”

Agile Methodologies

3. What is your experience with Agile methodologies, and how have you applied them in your previous roles?

This question gauges your familiarity with Agile practices and your ability to work in a collaborative environment.

How to Answer

Share specific examples of how you have participated in Agile ceremonies and contributed to the success of Agile projects.

Example

“I have been part of Agile teams for over three years, participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. In my last project, I facilitated backlog refinement sessions, ensuring that user stories were well-defined and prioritized, which led to a smoother sprint execution.”

4. How do you handle changes in project scope during a sprint?

This question tests your adaptability and understanding of Agile principles.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to managing scope changes and how you communicate these changes to the team and stakeholders.

Example

“When scope changes arise, I first assess the impact on the current sprint and discuss it with the Product Owner. If the change is critical, we may need to re-prioritize the backlog. I ensure that all team members are aware of the changes and adjust our sprint goals accordingly.”

Communication Skills

5. Describe a time when you had to communicate complex information to a non-technical audience. How did you ensure they understood?

This question evaluates your communication skills and ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.

How to Answer

Provide an example of a situation where you simplified complex concepts and ensured clarity.

Example

“I once had to present a data analysis report to a group of marketing professionals. I focused on visual aids, such as charts and graphs, to illustrate key points and avoided technical jargon. I also encouraged questions throughout the presentation to ensure everyone was on the same page.”

6. How do you ensure that all stakeholders are aligned on project goals and deliverables?

This question assesses your stakeholder management and communication strategies.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for keeping stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.

Example

“I schedule regular update meetings and send out concise status reports to keep stakeholders informed. I also use collaborative tools to share project documentation and encourage feedback, ensuring that everyone is aligned on goals and deliverables.”

Technical Skills

7. What is your experience with SQL, and how have you used it in your previous roles?

This question tests your technical proficiency and ability to work with data.

How to Answer

Share specific examples of how you have utilized SQL for data analysis or reporting.

Example

“In my last role, I used SQL to extract and analyze customer data for a market research project. I wrote complex queries to identify trends and generate reports that informed our marketing strategy, which ultimately led to a 15% increase in customer engagement.”

8. Can you explain the importance of user stories and acceptance criteria in project management?

This question evaluates your understanding of key Agile concepts.

How to Answer

Discuss the role of user stories and acceptance criteria in ensuring project success and meeting stakeholder needs.

Example

“User stories help capture the requirements from the end-user perspective, ensuring that the team understands the value of the feature. Acceptance criteria provide clear guidelines for what needs to be achieved for the story to be considered complete, which helps prevent scope creep and ensures quality deliverables.”