Finance Manager Resume Examples

Writing a finance manager resume can feel like balancing a very tricky budget. You may wonder how to fit years of experience, varied skills, and your greatest career achievements onto just one or two pages. The competition is fierce, and first impressions count more than ever. The pressure to stand out can make crafting the perfect resume overwhelming. Tailoring your resume to fit each job application can be a time-consuming puzzle. No wonder many finance managers find it challenging to capture their qualifications concisely and attractively.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial. An effective layout highlights your strengths and directs attention to your most relevant skills and experiences. With the right template, your resume becomes a powerful tool in securing that interview.

Don't miss out — we offer more than 700 resume examples to help you craft the perfect resume! Explore them now to boost your chances of landing your dream job.

What to focus on when writing your finance manager resume

A finance manager resume should clearly show your skills in managing money. Highlight your ability to make smart financial plans and lead a team. Show your experience in budgeting, forecasting, and creating reports. Make sure to add these key points to boost your impact:

• Managed annual budgets of over $1 million
• Cut costs by 15% through identifying inefficiencies
• Improved cash flow by leading process improvements

Must have information on your finance manager resume

When crafting your finance manager resume, you need to include essential sections that highlight your skills and experiences effectively.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Key Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Additional sections like Professional Affiliations or Volunteer Experience can further bolster your resume. These can provide a more complete picture of your background and expertise.

Which resume format to choose

The ideal resume format for a finance manager should be the reverse-chronological format, which showcases your most recent experience first. You may want to opt for modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat for a fresh and professional look, steering away from the overused Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it remains formatted properly across different devices. Keep your margins at around one inch to ensure a clean and uncluttered look. Use clear section headings such as "Experience" and "Education," which help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) read your resume accurately.

Your finance manager resume should include specific sections to highlight your qualifications and expertise in the field:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Skills
• Education
• Certifications
• Achievements
• References (optional)

Resume Mentor's free resume builder can guide you through creating a flawless resume that meets all these guidelines.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

When crafting a finance manager resume, the experience section is your chance to shine. Begin with the most recent job and work backwards. Aim to include roles from the past 10-15 years, focusing on those relevant to finance management. Stick to job titles that align with finance, even if you wore multiple hats in previous positions. Tailoring your resume for each job application can significantly improve your chances. Use action words like "led," "managed," "developed," and "enhanced" to make your achievements stand out.

Here's an experience section done poorly:

The poor example fails because it uses vague language and lacks specifics. The action words are weak and the bullets do not show concrete achievements. This fails to set the applicant apart from others.

Now, let's look at an outstanding finance manager resume experience example:

This example shines because it uses strong action words and specific numbers. It clearly demonstrates achievements, making it easy for hiring managers to see the value you bring. Each bullet shows how your actions impacted the company, making your experience unforgettable.

Finance manager resume experience examples

So you've crunched the numbers and now you need to punch up your resume? Don't worry, we've got your back. Here's a comprehensive list of resume experience sections for a finance manager—the perfect way to make sure your career is minty fresh!

Achievement-focused

Highlight impressive achievements that showcase your contributions to past employers.

Skills-focused

Showcase your key skills relevant to financial management.

Responsibility-focused

Highlight the primary responsibilities in your previous role.

Project-focused

Emphasize specific projects you successfully managed or contributed to.

Result-focused

Focus on the tangible results of your efforts.

Industry-Specific Focus

Make your experience relevant to the specific industry you worked in.

Problem-Solving Focused

Detail the problem-solving skills you have demonstrated in your role.

Innovation-focused

Share how you brought innovative ideas to your workplace.

Leadership-focused

Discuss your leadership experience and the impact it had on your team.

Customer-focused

Explain how you managed client relationships and customer satisfaction.

Growth-focused

Focus on how you drove growth in your previous role.

Efficiency-focused

Showcase your ability to enhance operational efficiency.

Technology-focused

Discuss your experience with financial technologies and software.

Collaboration-focused

Highlight your ability to work as part of a team and cross-functional collaborations.

Training and Development-focused

Detail your experience in training and developing your team.

Write your finance manager resume summary section

When crafting your resume summary as a finance manager, aim to present a snapshot of your most relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments. Use this section to grab the hiring manager's attention. Keep it concise and focused on what makes you a strong candidate.

Describing yourself effectively in this section requires clarity and specificity. Highlight your strengths, such as your skills in financial analysis, budget management, and forecasting. Emphasize your track record in improving financial processes or achieving key financial goals. Being specific about your achievements and experiences will help differentiate you from other candidates.

Understanding the distinctions between resume sections can be essential. A resume summary provides a brief overview of your professional experience and key skills. A resume objective, on the other hand, focuses on your career goals and what you aim to achieve in the role. A resume profile is similar to a summary but can be slightly more detailed and tailored to match the job description. Finally, a summary of qualifications lists your key skills and accomplishments without going into much detail about your experiences.

Here is an example of a poorly written resume summary:

This summary is bad because it is too vague and lacks specifics. It doesn't provide a clear picture of your unique skills or achievements. The language is generic and doesn't demonstrate your expertise or the value you can bring to the company.

Now, here's an example of a well-written summary:

This summary is good because it clearly outlines your extensive experience and specific accomplishments. It highlights critical skills relevant to the role, such as financial planning and budget management. Specific achievements, like reducing costs and increasing revenue, add value to your application and make you stand out.

Listing your finance manager skills on your resume

When writing the skills section of your finance manager resume, you have the option to create a standalone section or incorporate your skills into other parts of your resume, such as the experience and summary sections. This flexibility allows you to highlight your strengths and soft skills prominently.

Strengths and soft skills refer to interpersonal and social skills, like leadership and communication, which are crucial for effectively performing a role. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets acquired through training or experience, such as financial analysis or budgeting.

Identifying and presenting your skills and strengths effectively is key to making your resume stand out. Skills and strengths can serve as resume keywords, helping your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers.

Including specific and relevant skills in your resume demonstrates your qualifications and expertise in finance management. The given example showcases essential skills like project management and financial reporting, which are crucial for a finance manager. Making your skills section concise and relevant ensures that hiring managers can quickly identify your fit for the role.

Best hard skills to feature on your finance manager resume

Hard skills for a finance manager should show your ability to handle financial tasks, analyze data accurately, and develop strategies for business growth. These skills should communicate your technical proficiency and ability to manage financial operations.

Best soft skills to feature on your finance manager resume

Soft skills for a finance manager should reflect your ability to lead teams, communicate effectively, and manage time efficiently. These skills should communicate your interpersonal abilities and your capability to work under pressure.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your finance manager resume. This section should be tailored specifically to the job you are applying for; irrelevant education should not be included. Make sure to list the degree clearly and include specific honors such as cum laude if applicable. If you have a notable GPA, it's fine to include it, especially if you are a recent graduate.

Here is an example of a bad education section. It is not tailored or well organized.

This example is bad because the degree is not relevant to the field of finance, the GPA is low, and the institution and location are vague.

Here is an example of a good education section. This one is focused and clear.

This example is good because it includes a reputable degree that is directly relevant to the finance industry. The high GPA and specific dates of study further enhance its impact.

How to include finance manager certificates on your resume

The certificates section is an important part of your finance manager resume as it highlights your additional qualifications and expertise. To effectively include this section, list the name of each certificate, include the date you received or completed it, and add the issuing organization or institution. This not only shows your commitment to ongoing education but also ensures credibility.

Certificates can also be prominently showcased in the header of your resume. For example: "John Doe, CFA, CPA, MBA." This immediate visibility can catch the eye of hiring managers and set you apart.

Here’s a good example of a standalone certificates section:

Why is this example good? It includes three highly relevant and respected certifications in the finance industry. Listing the CFA, CPA, and FRM shows proficiency in financial analysis, accounting, and risk management. Each item includes the issuing organization, adding legitimacy. This clear, concise format makes it easy for hiring managers to recognize your qualifications quickly.

Extra sections to include in your finance manager resume

Your resume as a finance manager should not only showcase your expertise in financial planning, analysis, and strategy but also present a well-rounded picture of who you are. Including various sections that reflect your language skills, personal interests, volunteer work, and reading habits can underscore your unique qualities and make your resume stand out.

• Language section—List any additional languages you speak fluently. This can highlight your ability to communicate and work in diverse environments, which is valuable in global finance roles.

• Hobbies and interests section—Mention interests such as chess, jogging, or cooking. These show that you have a balanced life and can relieve stress, which is crucial for a high-pressure job.

• Volunteer work section—Include experiences like volunteer accounting for non-profits or teaching financial literacy. This can demonstrate your commitment to community and your willingness to use your skills to help others.

• Books section—List finance-related books you have read, such as "The Intelligent Investor" or "Corporate Finance." This shows your dedication to continuing education and staying updated in your field.

Each of these sections can enrich your resume and give potential employers an insight into your personality and passions, helping them see you as a more complete candidate.

Pair your finance manager resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you to the hiring manager and highlights your skills and experience that are most relevant to the position. Cover letters can help you by providing an opportunity to explain why you are a perfect fit for the job and giving you a chance to showcase your communication skills.

For a finance manager, a cover letter should focus on your ability to manage budgets, forecast financial trends, and analyze financial performance. Mention specific achievements, like how you improved financial processes or saved costs in previous roles. Emphasize your leadership skills and your understanding of financial regulations. Highlighting your background in finance, such as a degree in finance or accounting and relevant certifications, can also make your application more compelling.

Ready to make your cover letter stand out? Use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder for a simple and efficient way to create a professional cover letter. Exporting as a PDF ensures that your formatting stays intact and your content is protected.