IBPS SO Finance exam

The IBPS SO Finance exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for the recruitment of Finance Officers in various public sector banks across India. Finance officers play a critical role in managing the financial operations of a bank, including financial planning, accounting, investment management, risk management, and financial analysis.

Key Highlights of IBPS SO Finance Exam:

1. Eligibility Criteria:

   • Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification, or a postgraduate degree in Finance, Financial Management, or related fields from a recognized institution.
   • Age Limit: Candidates should typically be between 20 to 30 years of age. Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD).

2. Exam Stages: The IBPS SO Finance exam is conducted in three stages:

   • Preliminary Exam (Prelims)
   • Main Exam (Mains)
   • Interview

3. IBPS SO Finance Exam Pattern:

   • Preliminary Exam (Prelims): The Prelims exam is only for certain posts, including the Finance Officer role. The Prelims consists of:

     1. Reasoning Ability – 50 questions (50 marks)

     2. English Language – 50 questions (25 marks)

     3. Quantitative Aptitude – 50 questions (50 marks)

     • Total: 150 questions (125 marks)
     • Duration: 2 hours
     • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

   • Main Exam (Mains): The Main exam consists of:

     1. Professional Knowledge (Finance) – 60 questions (60 marks)

     2. Reasoning Ability – 50 questions (50 marks)

     3. English Language – 50 questions (25 marks)

     4. Quantitative Aptitude – 50 questions (50 marks)

     • Total: 150 questions (150 marks)
     • Duration: 2 hours
     • Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer.

   • Interview:

     • Candidates who qualify for the Mains exam are called for an Interview.
     • The Interview is typically of 100 marks.
     • The final selection is based on the combined score from the Mains exam and Interview.

4. Syllabus for IBPS SO Finance Exam:

   • Prelims:
     
     • Reasoning Ability: Logical reasoning, puzzles, seating arrangements, coding-decoding, blood relations, etc.
     • English Language: Reading comprehension, error spotting, grammar, vocabulary, etc.
     • Quantitative Aptitude: Data interpretation, number series, profit and loss, percentages, averages, time and work, etc.
   • Mains:
     
     • Professional Knowledge (Finance): Key concepts in financial management, financial analysis, risk management, budgeting, accounting principles, and laws. Topics may include:
       
       • Corporate Finance
       • Financial Analysis
       • Financial Accounting
       • Taxation
       • Investment Management
       • Risk Management
     • Reasoning Ability & Quantitative Aptitude: As covered in Prelims.
     • English Language: Reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence formation.

5. Salary and Benefits:

   • The starting salary for an IBPS SO Finance Officer is typically between ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month, depending on the bank and location.
   • In addition to the basic salary, Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Special Allowance, and other benefits like medical insurance are provided.

6. Application Process:

   • Candidates must apply online through the official IBPS website.
   • The application fee for general/OBC candidates is usually around ₹850, and for SC/ST/PwD candidates, it is ₹175.

7. Important Dates (for IBPS SO 2024):

   • Notification Release: Likely in November 2024
   • Application Start Date: Likely in November 2024
   • Application End Date: Likely in December 2024
   • Preliminary Exam: Likely in January 2025
   • Main Exam: Likely in February 2025
   • Interview: Likely in March 2025

8. Final Selection:

   • The final selection for IBPS SO Finance Officer is based on the combined score of the Mains exam and the Interview. Candidates must clear the cut-off for each stage to qualify.
   • The weightage of the Interview is generally 100 marks.

9. Cut-Off Marks:

   • Cut-off marks for each section and overall will be released after the exam. Candidates must score above the cut-off to qualify for the next stage.

Final Remarks:

The IBPS SO Finance Officer exam is an excellent opportunity for candidates with a background in finance to work in prestigious public sector banks. The role of a finance officer in the banking sector is highly respected and involves significant responsibilities related to financial management and strategic decision-making.

For the latest updates, detailed information, and official notifications, candidates should visit the official IBPS website: www.ibps.in.