How To Write a Finance Manager Resume
Finance managers are the stewards of an organization’s fiscal health, entrusted with the vital task of managing budgets, optimizing investments, and steering financial strategies toward prosperity. A well-structured resume can be the foundation of a successful search for your next finance manager job.
In this article, we’ll guide you through creating a finance manager’s resume. This document showcases your financial expertise and positions you as an indispensable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of finance. You may be a seasoned finance manager seeking new horizons or a rising star aspiring to ascend in this dynamic field. Either way, we will offer the knowledge and strategies to craft a resume that opens doors and instills confidence in your ability to safeguard and elevate an organization’s financial well-being.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Summarize your finance manager qualifications in a dynamic profile
A resume summary is a brief statement highlighting your most relevant qualifications and experience for the job you’re applying for. It’s typically located at the top of your resume, just below your contact information.
When writing a resume summary for a finance manager position, consider including the following:
- Notable achievements in your career as a finance manager. This could include increasing revenue, reducing costs, or improving operational efficiency.
- Advanced degrees or certifications relevant to the job you’re applying for.
- The number of years of experience you have in finance management.
Remember to keep your resume summary concise and focused on your most relevant qualifications. Use strong action verbs and avoid using first-person pronouns.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Finance Manager with extensive background in the real estate industry. Committed to helping companies set and achieve ambitious revenue goals. Skilled in the latest methods and software for cash, credit, and insurance management. Offer well-rounded business acumen, drawing on Master’s Degree in Finance.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Finance Manager with 3+ years of experience. Drive healthy business development by setting viable financial plans, drafting detailed financial reports, and helping negotiate commercial leases. Skilled communicator who puts complex financial topics in clear terms for diverse team members.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your finance manager experience
To impress the hiring manager and fully express your skills, do your best to highlight your professional accomplishments. For each job in your work history, brainstorm and write down your answer to the question: What are you most proud of about this experience? Jot down memories as they occur to you, and don’t worry yet whether the details are relevant or well-organized. Resist the urge to complete this step in any structured or linear way. The point here is to generate plenty of positive information you can review more critically.
Now with everything in front of you, remove any details that don’t speak to your target job. Evaluate each detail, always answering the same key question: Does this overlap with the duties you’d like to have in your next finance manager job? When in doubt, delete (or at least move the detail to another document so it’s out of your current writing process). You should be left with a description of work accomplishments as opposed to a rote description of duties.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Finance Manager, Town & Country Real Estate, Montauk, NY | November 2017 to Present
- Help homeowners understand and meet requirements to modify their loan terms
- Develop training materials for new hires
- Manage vendor payments, bank accounts, and account reconciliation
- Analyze spending regularly to pinpoint areas for improvement
Entry-Level Profile Example
Business Development Specialist, Sammy’s Subs, Hartford, CT | July 2019 to Present
- Set clear financial plan and revenue goals in partnership with company managers, sales leaders, and legal team members
- Update KPIs to help accurately assess business performance
- Guide negotiation of favorable lease agreements
- Conduct yearly audit of company finances
3. Include education and certifications relevant to finance managers
In addition to listing your formal education, certifications are a great way to show your prospective employer your dedication and knowledge. Many certifications can be useful for a finance manager to have and look great on a resume. Some of the most in-demand certifications include:
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA): Offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), designed for management accounting professionals.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) gives this to accounting and finance professionals.
- Certified Treasury Professional (CTP): Provided by the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP), this is for treasury management professionals.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): This certification is offered by the CFA Institute and is designed for professionals who work in the investment management industry.
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM): The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) provides this for professionals who work in risk management.
These are just a few examples of certifications that can be useful for a finance manager to have. It’s important to research the specific requirements in your area to determine which certifications would be most beneficial.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Master’s Degree in Finance
- State University of New York at Albany, Albany, NY | 2005
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM), the Global Association of Risk Professionals | June 2010
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), the CFA Institute | April 2005
4. Outline your most useful finance manager skills and proficiencies
You can boost your resume by giving extra attention to keywords.
That’s because companies looking to fill positions often use an applicant tracking system (ATS). This computer system scans each submitted resume for keywords relevant to the job at hand. When the ATS scans a resume with many relevant keywords, it’s prone to flag the document for the hiring manager.
To make your resume ATS-friendly, add a keyword-rich “Skills” or “Expertise” section to your resume. Below are common keywords for finance managers:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Account reconciliation | BrightPay |
| Budgeting | Cash flow projection |
| Cost accounting | Cost elimination |
| Cost reduction | Efficiency improvement |
| Expensify | Financial planning |
| Financial reporting | FreshBooks |
| Internal and external audits | Market analysis |
| Oracle Cloud financials | QuickBooks |
| Regulatory compliance | SAP Analytics Cloud |
| SQL | Vendor payments |
| Xero | Zoho |
How To Pick the Best Finance Manager Resume Template
Choosing the right resume template as a finance manager is crucial to present your qualifications effectively. Here are key considerations to keep in mind:
- Aesthetics: While professionalism is essential, a visually appealing and modern design can enhance your overall presentation without being overly flashy.
- Clarity and readability: Prioritize templates that are easy to read. Select legible fonts, maintain consistent formatting, and ensure proper spacing.
- Customizability: Ensure the template is customizable, allowing you to adjust fonts, colors, and sections to tailor it for the specific job you’re applying for.
- Professionalism: Opt for a template with a professional and polished appearance. Finance positions require a formal and business-like presentation.
Finance Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Charles Beach
(807) 859-0394 | [email protected] | 1045 North Star Hwy, Traverse City, MI 87490
Profile
Finance Manager specializing in business law. More than 7 years’ experience in accounting, auditing, tax preparation, and financial planning. Skilled at helping organizations cut costs and raise efficiency. Offer well-rounded business acumen, drawing on Master’s Degree in Finance.
Professional Experience
Finance Manager, Carson & Wells Consulting, Traverse City, MI | April 2019 to Present
- Enter accounts payable/receivable using TOPS platform
- Generate, organize, and manage financial reports
- Interpret business income tax laws and help prepare returns
- Direct internal audits and review accounting procedures
Highlight:
- Raised audit accuracy from ~50% to more than 80%
Finance Manager, Capital Solutions, Traverse City, MI | May 2016 to April 2019
- Managed payroll, expenses, and other daily financial activities and areas
- Developed financial reports and communicated insights to diverse team members
- Collaborated with legal team to ensure compliance with state, local, and federal regulations
Highlight:
- Presided over a 400% increase in yearly revenue, growing this startup into an established local competitor
Lead Financial Analyst, Redding Inc., Cincinnati, OH | February 2015 to April 2016
- Confirmed that loan agreements were complete and accurate
- Tracked receipts and expenditures
Highlight:
- Cut yearly costs $100K+ by finding inefficiencies and offering solutions to C-level leaders
Education & Certification
University of Cincinnati, OH
- Master’s Degree in Finance | 2015
- Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies | 2013
Chartered Financial Analyst, American College of Financial Services | 2017
Key Skills
- Accounts Payable & Receivable (AP/AR)
- Business Law Interpretation
- Cost Reduction & Elimination
- Efficiency Improvement
- Financial Reporting
- Internal Auditing
- Oracle Cloud Financials
- TOPS Platform
Frequently Asked Questions: Finance Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for finance manager resumes?-
One of the most common resume mistakes is using too few verbs. When you repeat the same generic verb (say, “manage”) several times, it distracts the reader and fails to show the dynamic nature of your work. The following list will help you mix up the verbs on your finance manager resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyze | Audit |
| Collaborate | Coordinate |
| Create | Design |
| Develop | Devise |
| Diagnose | Enhance |
| Examine | Execute |
| Improve | Introduce |
| Oversee | Plan |
| Report | Resolve |
| Review | Supervise |
How do you align your resume with a finance manager job posting?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average finance manager made $139,790 in 2022. Employment of finance managers is projected to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 69,600 openings for finance managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Despite good job growth and employment opportunities, this is still expected to be a highly competitive field with a lot of applicants. Set your resume apart by making sure your professional qualities and experience align with the organization you’re applying to.
For each job in your Experience section, consider adding a company description. You can place this description in brackets right next to or below the company name. It also helps to match formatting. For instance, if you’ve italicized the company name, do so with the company description too.
Company descriptions let you show any similarities between your past and desired employers. For instance, maybe you’ve worked for companies of a similar size or in the same industry. Or perhaps you’ve worked at organizations with a similar core mission or leadership philosophy. By working these details into your descriptions, you can make your resume more relevant to the job opening at hand.
What is the best finance manager resume format?-
Most finance managers should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines two important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section, and the functional format’s profile section. (The resume examples on this page all use combination format.)
By fusing these two features, a combination resume offers the best of both worlds. The experience section lets you outline your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you display your career highlights at the top, regardless of whether they’re from that work history or another part of your background. As a result, you can present yourself clearly and strategically. With this format, you give hiring managers the best view of your experience and relevant strengths, so they can make an informed decision to call you for an interview.
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Once you’re done with your resume, a good way to finalize your application before sending it off to your prospective employer is to add a cover letter. This is a great opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and make a case for why you’re the best candidate for the job.
Remember, a cover should be fairly succinct. Don’t exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our accountant cover letter examples.
