VP of Finance Resume Examples

Writing a winning VP of Finance resume can feel like balancing the books with invisible ink. You face unique challenges, from showcasing your financial acumen to highlighting leadership skills and high-impact results. The stakes are high, and every word counts. It’s crucial to distinguish yourself from other candidates with similar expertise. The right resume needs to tell a compelling story about your successes, metrics, and the value you bring. This guide will help you navigate these hurdles and craft a resume that stands out to potential employers. Ready to turn those job-hunting woes into wins? Let’s dive in and sharpen your resume skills.

Don’t underestimate the power of the right resume template. It can transform a bland document into a visually engaging masterpiece that highlights your expertise. The right template ensures your achievements and skills are clearly showcased, guiding the reader’s eyes to the information that matters most.

Need more help? Tap into our collection of over 700 resume examples to inspire your next career move.

What to focus on when writing your VP of finance resume

A VP of Finance resume should convey leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of financial management. It must highlight experience in driving profitability, reducing costs, and managing financial operations seamlessly. Recruiters look for evidence of successfully overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

To enhance impact, an accountant resume can include:

• Quantifiable achievements like reduced expenses or increased revenue.
• Experience with financial software and tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Certifications like CPA or CMA.

This approach ensures that your resume stands out, demonstrating both your expertise and your ability to contribute to a company's financial health.

Must have information on your VP of finance resume

When crafting your VP of Finance resume, it's crucial to include sections that highlight your expertise and achievements. Ensure your resume includes the following must-have sections:

• Summary
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Achievements

Additional sections like "Professional Affiliations" or "Publications" can further bolster your qualifications. Tailor these sections to showcase your leadership, analytical skills, and financial acumen.

Which resume format to choose

When crafting your VP of Finance resume, a reverse-chronological format is usually the best choice given your extensive experience. This format highlights your career progression clearly, which is crucial for high-level roles. Modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat can make your resume stand out over traditional choices like Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure the formatting stays intact across different devices. Using one-inch margins will keep your document clean and readable. Make sure to use clear section headings, as these are critical for passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

A VP of Finance resume should have:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Core Competencies
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Skills
• Achievements

Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all these important details for you seamlessly.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your experience section for a VP of Finance resume can be challenging. However, knowing the right order, how far back to go, and which job titles to include can make this process easier. Tailoring your resume to highlight specific achievements with impactful action words is key.

First, list your professional experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. Typically, include the past 10-15 years of work experience. Ensure you keep your most relevant job titles, especially those that show progression in your finance career.

Tailor your resume to the job you’re applying for by emphasizing achievements that align with the job description. Use action words like "led," "optimized," and "fostered" to describe your accomplishments. Show how you positively impacted the company by providing strong data points.

Here’s a poorly written example:

This example is ineffective because it lists duties without showing impact. There are no specific achievements or data points provided. It lacks action words that indicate leadership or tangible results.

Now, look at this well-written example:

This example works well because it focuses on specific achievements and outcomes. It uses strong action words like "Led," "Optimized," and "Implemented." There's a clear display of measurable success, such as "increasing department productivity by 25%" or "reducing expenses by $2 million." This makes a compelling case for your skills and experience.

By following these tips and focusing on achievements, you can create a strong experience section that will make your resume shine.

VP of finance resume experience examples

Jump into the exciting world of finance with a light-hearted twist! This section will help you craft a standout resume, showcasing the various angles you can take to impress potential employers. After all, who says finance can’t be as fun as it is fundamental?

Achievement-focused

Highlighting key achievements shows your ability to deliver and excel in past roles. This can help you demonstrate your capability in surpassing expectations and driving the company’s financial success.

Skills-focused

Showcasing your core competencies provides a clear picture of what you bring to the table. This approach emphasizes your proficiency in key financial skills and knowledge.

Responsibility-focused

Detailing the responsibilities you held can illustrate your ability to manage and lead financial operations. This approach showcases your capacity to handle significant duties and make key decisions.

Project-focused

Highlighting projects you have led emphasizes your ability to take charge and deliver results. This approach is ideal for showcasing your strategic management skills and project accomplishments.

Result-focused

Emphasizing results can make a powerful impact on potential employers. Showcasing the outcomes of your actions underscores your ability to achieve tangible, positive changes for the company.

Industry-Specific Focus

Demonstrating your expertise in a particular industry can highlight your specialized knowledge and understanding. Tailor your experience to show your depth in the sector you’re aiming for.

Problem-Solving focused

Highlighting your problem-solving abilities shows your knack for overcoming challenges. This approach can help demonstrate your analytical skills and creative solutions to financial issues.

Innovation-focused

Showcasing your innovative ideas and initiatives highlights your forward-thinking approach. This angle underscores your capability to bring fresh ideas and creative solutions to financial management.

Leadership-focused

Highlighting your leadership experience demonstrates your ability to guide teams and influence company direction. Emphasize your role in leading others and driving organizational success.

Customer-focused

Emphasizing your focus on customer relationships can highlight your role in ensuring client satisfaction and loyalty. This approach demonstrates your ability to manage client interactions and improve customer experiences.

Growth-focused

Showcasing your role in facilitating business growth can make a strong impression. This focus emphasizes your contribution to expanding the company’s financial health and market position.

Efficiency-focused

Highlighting your efforts to improve efficiency can underscore your ability to refine processes and maximize productivity. This approach can demonstrate your knack for optimizing company operations.

Technology-focused

Highlighting your tech-savvy skills can set you apart in the finance industry. This focus shows that you can leverage technology to enhance financial operations and decision-making.

Collaboration-focused

Emphasizing your collaboration skills can highlight your ability to work effectively with different departments and teams. This approach shows that you can foster unity and achieve common goals.

Training and Development focused

Showcasing your efforts in training and development emphasizes your role in building and nurturing talent. This approach can demonstrate your commitment to growing your team's skills and abilities.

Write your VP of finance resume summary section

Writing a resume summary section effectively can greatly enhance your chances of landing that interview. The summary is your chance to impress in just a few sentences. Think of it as a mini elevator pitch. As a VP of Finance, your summary should clearly communicate your expertise and achievements, demonstrating you as the best candidate.

When describing yourself, focus on your main skills, achievements, and what you bring to the company. Avoid using cliches or vague statements. Instead, use specific examples of what you have done and how it has benefitted past employers.

The difference between a summary, a resume objective, a resume profile, and a summary of qualifications is important to understand. A resume summary highlights your experience and major strengths in a few sentences. A resume objective focuses more on your career goals. A resume profile is similar to a summary, but it includes more detailed achievements and skills. A summary of qualifications is a bulleted list of skills and experiences that relate directly to the job.

Here are two examples to illustrate:

The first example is bad. It uses generic phrases like "experienced finance professional" and "strong skills" without specifics. It lacks measurable achievements and fails to differentiate the candidate from others.

The second example is good. It includes specific achievements like reducing costs and increasing EBITDA. It mentions measurable outcomes and uses specific terminology relevant to the role. This example clearly shows why the candidate is a strong fit for the VP of Finance position.

Listing your VP of finance skills on your resume

When writing your skills section as a VP of Finance, you can choose to have skills as a standalone section or integrate them into other sections like your experience and summary. Both methods work to highlight your abilities effectively.

Your strengths and soft skills, such as leadership and communication, showcase your non-technical abilities that are crucial in a managerial role. Hard skills, on the other hand, are specific and measurable abilities like financial analysis or budgeting.

Incorporating skills and strengths in your resume can also serve as keywords. These keywords help your resume pass through automated systems and catch the hiring manager's eye.

The example skills section is effective because it lists specific, relevant skills that are essential for a VP of Finance. The focus remains on the most pertinent abilities, avoiding irrelevant information. Listing skills like "Financial Planning" and "Data Analysis" showcases technical proficiency, while including "Leadership" and "Strategic Planning" highlights soft skills that underline managerial capabilities.

Best hard skills to feature on your VP of Finance resume

VPs of Finance need to demonstrate specific hard skills to show their technical expertise and proficiency. These should communicate your ability to handle financial tasks, make data-driven decisions, and use relevant software.

Best soft skills to feature on your VP of Finance resume

Soft skills for a VP of Finance demonstrate your ability to lead teams, make strategic decisions, and communicate effectively. These skills should communicate your leadership, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal prowess.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your resume, especially for a VP of Finance role. It should be tailored to the job you are applying for, focusing on relevant education. Irrelevant education should not be included to keep the section concise.

If you have a high GPA, consider including it, but it's not mandatory unless specified by the employer. Listing honors such as cum laude can enhance your resume by highlighting your academic achievements. Be precise when listing your degrees, including the full name of the degree, the institution, and dates attended.

Below is a bad example of an education section:

This example is not good. The degrees listed are irrelevant to a VP of Finance role. Including non-financial education like a Certificate in Culinary Arts is distracting and unnecessary.

Here’s an outstanding education section for a VP of Finance resume:

This example is good. It lists a relevant MBA in Finance from a prestigious institution. It includes the GPA and the cum laude distinction, both of which highlight academic excellence. The section is concise and directly relevant to the position of VP of Finance.

How to include VP of finance certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your VP of Finance resume is essential. Start by listing the name of each certificate clearly. Include the date you obtained each certificate to show your up-to-date qualifications. Add the issuing organization to give credibility to your skills. This section highlights your specialized knowledge and can set you apart from other candidates.

You can also include certificates in the header of your resume for immediate visibility. For example: "John Doe, CPA, CFA, VP of Finance." This approach emphasizes your qualifications right from the start.

Here is an example of a standalone certificates section:

This example is effective because it includes highly relevant certificates for a VP of Finance. The certificates are well-recognized and directly related to the skills needed for high-level financial management. Including the issuer adds authenticity and sets a strong impression.

Extra sections to include in your VP of finance resume

In the fast-paced world of corporate finance, the role of a VP of Finance demands not only technical expertise but also a well-rounded profile. As you perfect your resume, consider including sections that highlight your language skills, personal interests, volunteer work, and even your favorite books. These aspects can make you stand out and show a prospective employer your multifaceted personality.

• Languages section — Highlight fluency in multiple languages to show your ability to communicate in diverse business environments. This can be particularly beneficial in multinational corporations where cross-border transactions are frequent.

• Hobbies and interests section — Showcase your hobbies to illustrate a well-rounded personality and potential for creative thinking. Include pursuits that demonstrate leadership, team collaboration, or stress management, like sports or artistic activities.

• Volunteer work section — Point out your volunteer roles to underscore your commitment to social responsibility and community service. Mentioning volunteer work can also highlight your leadership skills and ability to balance multiple commitments.

• Books section — List influential books you’ve read to show your dedication to continuous learning and intellectual growth. Choose books that are relevant to finance or leadership to underline your commitment to professional development.

Including these sections in your resume can provide a richer picture of who you are as a person and a professional. It can give hiring managers insights into your diverse skills and interests that go beyond typical job experience, making your application more memorable. Ensure the details are pertinent and genuinely reflect your experiences and interests for maximum impact.

Pair your VP of finance resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to potential employers, highlights your qualifications, and explains why you are a good fit for the position. A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant impact by providing context that isn't captured in a resume, thereby giving you a competitive edge in the hiring process.

For a VP of Finance, your cover letter should focus on your leadership skills, financial acumen, and experience with strategic planning. Emphasize your track record in improving financial performance, managing budgets, and leading finance teams. Highlight any notable achievements, such as successful mergers, acquisitions, or cost-saving initiatives. It's also useful to mention any certifications like CPA or MBA, which add to your credibility.

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