Finance Resume Examples
We prepared finance resume examples for different roles, experiences, and career stages. Use them as a guide and inspiration when writing your resume. Additionally, you can use our resume builder to create a standout, ATS-friendly resume in just a few minutes, thereby boosting your chances of landing your dream job.
Finance Manager Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing roles as Finance Managers, responsible for overseeing financial planning, budgeting, risk management, and financial reporting. Positions typically involve financial analysis, forecasting, compliance, and team leadership.
Job Description
Finance Managers develop financial strategies, manage budgets, conduct risk assessments, and ensure regulatory compliance. They collaborate with senior management to enhance financial performance and guide business decisions with data-driven insights.
Key Notes
Emphasize analytical and leadership skills, financial modeling expertise, and knowledge of regulatory requirements. Highlight proficiency in financial planning, risk assessment, and strategic decision-making.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Highlight financial certifications to demonstrate expertise.
- Metrics & Achievements: Quantify cost savings and performance improvements.
- Portfolio: Include links to financial reports or investment analyses.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
Finance Director Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing roles as Finance Directors, responsible for overseeing financial operations, strategic planning, and corporate financial management. Positions typically involve high-level decision-making, financial risk assessment, compliance, and leadership.
Job Description
Finance Directors manage financial strategies, supervise financial teams, ensure compliance with regulations, and drive business growth through strategic financial planning. They work closely with executives to align financial goals with business objectives.
Key Notes
Emphasize leadership, strategic planning, and financial management skills. Highlight expertise in corporate finance, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Include high-level finance certifications to demonstrate expertise.
- Metrics & Achievements: Showcase quantifiable improvements in financial performance.
- Portfolio: Provide examples of financial strategies and reports.
- Professional Formatting: Ensure clarity with sections and bullet points.
Senior Finance Analyst Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing roles as Senior Finance Analysts, responsible for financial forecasting, budgeting, and investment analysis. Positions typically involve data-driven decision-making, risk assessment, and financial reporting.
Job Description
Senior Finance Analysts analyze financial data, develop financial models, and provide strategic insights to optimize business performance. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve economic efficiency and drive profitability.
Key Notes
Emphasize analytical skills, financial modeling expertise, and data-driven decision-making. Highlight proficiency in financial reporting, forecasting, and risk assessment.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Highlight advanced finance certifications.
- Metrics & Achievements: Quantify financial performance improvements.
- Portfolio: Include links to financial models or analysis reports.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
Finance Analyst Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing roles as Finance Analysts, responsible for conducting financial research, analyzing data, and supporting decision-making processes. Positions typically involve financial modeling, forecasting, and risk assessment.
Job Description
Finance Analysts assess financial data, develop reports, and provide insights to enhance business strategies. They work closely with management to optimize budgets, investments, and economic performance.
Key Notes
Emphasize strong analytical and quantitative skills, proficiency in financial modeling, and expertise in risk assessment. Highlight experience with financial reporting, forecasting, and data analysis.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Highlight financial certifications to enhance credibility.
- Metrics & Achievements: Quantify cost reductions and analytical improvements.
- Portfolio: Include links to financial models or analytical reports.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
Entry-Level Finance Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing entry-level roles in finance, where they will be responsible for assisting with financial analysis, reporting, and budgeting. Positions typically involve data analysis, accounting support, and economic modeling.
Job Description
Entry-level finance professionals support financial decision-making by analyzing data, preparing reports, and assisting in budget planning. They collaborate with senior analysts and managers to ensure accuracy in financial operations.
Key Notes
Emphasize analytical skills, proficiency in financial software, and attention to detail. Demonstrate expertise in financial reporting, data analysis, and compliance.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Highlight relevant financial certifications to stand out.
- Metrics & Achievements: Include data-driven results where possible.
- Portfolio: Provide links to financial analysis or reports.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for easy readability.
Finance Intern Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing finance internships, who are responsible for assisting with financial analysis, reporting, and research. Positions typically involve working with financial statements, data analysis, and supporting senior finance professionals.
Job Description
Finance Interns assist with financial modeling, data analysis, and budget preparation. They work closely with finance teams to gain hands-on experience in financial planning, investment research, and compliance.
Key Notes
Emphasize analytical skills, attention to detail, and a strong foundation in financial principles. Highlight proficiency in financial analysis, Excel, and reporting.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Include relevant finance certifications to showcase knowledge.
- Metrics & Achievements: Highlight financial analysis and reporting accomplishments.
- Portfolio: Provide links to financial projects or reports.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
Finance Student Resume
This resume is for students pursuing finance-related roles, looking to gain experience through internships or entry-level opportunities. Positions typically involve financial analysis, data management, budgeting, and market research.
Job Description
Finance students assist with financial modeling, budgeting, and market analysis. They develop reports, support investment decisions, and gain hands-on experience in financial operations and strategies.
Key Notes
Emphasize analytical skills, knowledge of financial tools, and eagerness to learn. Highlight coursework, internships, and proficiency in financial software.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Include relevant finance certifications to showcase knowledge.
- Projects: Highlight coursework and independent financial projects.
- Internships: Focus on hands-on experience in finance-related roles.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
VP of Finance Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing roles as Vice President (VP) of Finance, responsible for leading financial strategy, risk management, budgeting, and corporate financial planning. Positions typically involve financial leadership, mergers & acquisitions, investment management, and regulatory compliance.
Job Description
VPs of Finance oversee financial operations, develop long-term financial strategies, ensure compliance, and provide insights for executive decision-making. They collaborate with C-suite executives to drive profitability and growth.
Key Notes
Emphasize leadership, financial expertise, and strategic decision-making. Highlight proficiency in corporate finance, risk management, mergers & acquisitions, and regulatory compliance.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Highlight executive-level financial credentials.
- Metrics & Achievements: Quantify financial growth and cost savings.
- Portfolio: Include links to financial reports or investment strategies.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
Investment Banking Resume
This resume is for individuals pursuing roles in Investment Banking, where responsibilities include financial advisory, mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and market analysis. Positions typically involve financial modeling, valuation, and risk assessment.
Job Description
Investment Bankers provide financial services to corporations, governments, and institutions by advising on mergers, acquisitions, and investment strategies. They analyze market trends, structure financial deals, and support capital-raising efforts.
Key Notes
Emphasize analytical and quantitative skills, financial modeling expertise, and industry knowledge. Highlight proficiency in valuation techniques, deal structuring, and relationship management.
Additional Tips
- Certifications: Highlight investment-related certifications to demonstrate expertise.
- Metrics & Achievements: Quantify deal values and financial impact.
- Portfolio: Include links to valuation models or deal case studies.
- Professional Formatting: Use clear sections and bullet points for readability.
How to Write a Finance Resume
What separates a good application from a bad one is how powerfully the wording and formatting are written. However, there is a little more to it than that.
A well-crafted resume can go a long way in terms of callback success. Writing a good experience and skills section is essential.
A finance resume should emphasize analytical skills, technical expertise, industry knowledge, and quantifiable achievements while maintaining a professional and structured format.
Finance Resume Writing Tips
1. Use a Clear and Professional Format - Finance professionals are expected to be detail-oriented, so a cluttered or poorly formatted resume can be a deal-breaker.
- Keep it one page for less experienced professionals, two pages max for senior roles.
- Use professional fonts (Arial, Calibri, Garamond, or Times New Roman).
- Sections should be clearly defined, using bold headings and bullet points.
- ATS-friendly formatting: Avoid excessive design elements, tables, or images.
Example Structure:
- Contact Information
- Professional Summary or Objective (optional)
- Work Experience
- Education & Certifications
- Skills
- Additional Sections (Projects, Achievements, Publications, etc.)
2. Start with a Strong Resume Summary - A summary is ideal for professionals with finance experience, allowing them to highlight key skills and accomplishments upfront. If you are applying for entry-level roles, a career objective is often more effective than a summary.
3. Quantify Your Achievements - Finance hiring managers love data-driven results. Use numbers, percentages, and key metrics to demonstrate your impact.
Examples of Strong Bullet Points:
- Increased investment portfolio returns by 15% through strategic asset allocation.
- Spearheaded a budgeting project that resulted in a $ 500,000 reduction in operational costs within one year.
- Developed a financial model that improved forecasting accuracy by 30%.
- Analyzed market trends and provided recommendations that resulted in a 10% increase in revenue.
4. Highlight Relevant Finance Skills - Your resume should include technical and industry-specific skills that demonstrate your financial expertise.
5. Tailor Your Work Experience for Finance Roles - Hiring managers prefer relevant experience, so customize your resume for each job by emphasizing key financial responsibilities.
6. Include Finance Certifications & Education
7. Use Finance-Specific Keywords to Pass ATS Screening - Most finance firms use ATS to filter resumes based on keywords.
Essential Finance Keywords:
- Financial Modeling
- Risk Management
- Forecasting & Budgeting
- Portfolio Management
- Market Research
- Regulatory Compliance
- Corporate Finance
- Financial Analysis
8. Add Additional Sections (If Applicable) - If you’ve published financial research or articles, include them. List languages if they are relevant to the job (e.g., Mandarin for banking in China).
9. Keep It Concise & Relevant - Avoid including irrelevant experience, such as bartending, retail, or unrelated jobs. If needed, frame non-finance experience in a way that highlights transferable skills, such as data analysis, leadership, and problem-solving.
10. Proofread & Ensure Accuracy - Triple-check your resume for errors—financial professionals are expected to be detail-oriented. Get feedback from a finance mentor or professional before submitting your work.
Let’s now review all the main sections of a finance resume.
Header
The header of your finance resume should be transparent, professional, and ATS-friendly while providing essential contact details.
Your header should include the following:
Full Name (First Name & Last Name)
Professional Title (Tailored to the finance role you're applying for)
Phone Number (Use a professional format: e.g., +1 (123) 456-7890)
Professional Email Address (Use a personal, professional email: john.doe@gmail.com)
LinkedIn Profile (Ensure it is optimized and updated)
Portfolio/Personal Website (Optional, for finance professionals with published research or reports)
Example Headers for Finance Resumes
John Doe
Financial Analyst | Budgeting & Forecasting | Risk Management
+(123) 456-7890
john.doe@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/johndoe
johndoeportfolio.com (if applicable)
Michael Smith, CFA
Investment Banking Analyst | M&A | Financial Modeling | DCF Valuation
+(415) 987-6543
michael.smith@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/michaelsmith
bloombergterminalreports.com
Summary
A resume is dependent on how well structured and written it is; more so, it has to grab the hiring manager's attention. An excellent way to gain a competitive edge in the hiring process is by writing a professional summary at the top of your application.
The professional summary serves several purposes. This section is a combination of statements that introduces yourself as a financial sector worker to the recruiter. You should quickly describe your top industry-related skills and career motivation for choosing the company.
You should briefly discuss your past work experience with banking and financial institutions, or mention industry-related education in addition to your skills and career motivation.
This area should be concise, ideally only a few sentences long. Imagine that this is your elevator pitch, and you're trying to demonstrate your value to a recruiter.
Below, we have provided examples of effective and weak professional summaries.
Effective Finance Resume Summary
Weak Finance Resume Summary
This summary is weak because it lacks sufficient information to work with. The background provided is too brief and ambiguous.
Work Experience
The experience section is another crucial part of a practical finance application. This section requires you to describe your previous job experiences and achievements. However, it would be best if you did so with precise wording and understandability.
The bottom line is that it’s best to write about your past jobs in chronological order, from oldest to latest. Additionally, be sure to clearly display your job title and dates of employment.
Avoid being vague. The best approach is to clearly state your accomplishments and back them up with metrics and numeric data resulting from your previous jobs. This will undoubtedly garner interest and demonstrate to the recruiter how beneficial you can be to the company.
Experience example
CORRECT
Financial Analyst
FinCo Industries
06/2015 - 11/2018
New York, New York
- Collected, analyzed, and managed quantitative data to create meaningful reports, leading to business performance improvements and 30% cost reductions.
- Prepared weekly reports and led staff training presentations.
- Compiled team-level KPI reports.
It's straightforward and understandable, maintaining a perfect balance between industry jargon and everyday language. Additionally, the metrics and reporting examples provide a strong illustration of the ways you can benefit your clients.
Moreover, the bullet points are concise and provide the necessary due diligence to assess this person's skills.
INCORRECTFinancial Analyst
FinCo Industries
06/2015 - 11/2018
New York, New York
- Created financial reports by gathering data that lead to business growth.
- Made training presentations for staff.
- Compiled reports.
There is too little here, indicating that the person writing this didn't know their job too well. Analysts are generally familiar with finance industry jargon.
When writing bullet points in your job history description, ensure that the information is concise yet highly informative.
Education
It is essential to include your education on your resume, especially for an entry-level finance resume.
Stating the degree you hold and where you obtained it provides more information about your application and finance-related experiences.
If you are new to the finance sector and lack sufficient work experience, you can include your GPA and relevant coursework.
Example Education Sections
Entry-Level Finance Resume (With Relevant Coursework & GPA)
Bachelor of Science in Finance
University of California, Berkeley | Class of 2024
GPA: 3.8/4.0 | Dean’s List (2022-2024)
Relevant Coursework: Financial Modeling, Investment Analysis, Risk Management, Corporate Finance
Certifications: CFA Level 1 (Completed), Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC)
Mid-Level Finance Resume (Condensed Format)
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Finance Concentration
Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA | 2020
Bachelor of Science in Economics
University of Chicago | 2016
Senior Finance Professional (Minimalist Format)
Master of Finance, Columbia Business School
Bachelor of Accounting, New York University
CFA Charterholder | CPA Certified
Skills Section
Consider dedicating a section to listing relevant skills that are essential for a finance job. Recently, software skills have grown in demand in the finance sector. Therefore, it would be wise to include software skills in this section.
Here's a list of relevant skills that you can include in your resume:
Hard Skills
- Financial Modeling
- Equity Research
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Budgeting & Forecasting (Variance & Sensitivity Analysis)
- Credit Analysis & Underwriting
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
- Cost Accounting & Auditing
- Taxation & Regulatory Compliance
- P&L Management & Financial Statement Analysis
- Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, Macros, VLOOKUP, VBA)
- SQL & Python (for Financial Data Analytics)
- Power BI, Tableau (for Financial Reporting & Visualization)
- ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks)
Soft Skills
- Strategic Thinking
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Accuracy
- Communication
- Financial Decision-Making
- Risk Assessment
- Leadership
- Team Collaboration
Certifications, Awards, and Key Accomplishments Section
You can add more value to your resume by mentioning your previous achievements. Things like volunteering, awards, and projects can go a long way in creating further interest in you.
Don't forget about certifications. Certificates serve as proof of your expertise in a particular skill. It is worth specializing and getting a certificate in a finance-related skill because you'll also have something to show for it right away!
List of valuable certifications in finance
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) – Crucial for investment banking & asset management.
- CPA (Certified Public Accountant) – Essential for accounting & auditing roles.
- FRM (Financial Risk Manager) – Great for risk management roles.
- CFP (Certified Financial Planner) – Ideal for financial advisory positions.
- FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst – CFI) – Adds value to corporate finance and investment banking candidates.
