To create a finance manager resume, for experienced professionals, use a reverse-chronological format, focus heavily on quantifiable achievements, and tailor the content to each specific job description.
Key Resume Sections
Contact Information: Include your full name, phone number, professional email address, location (city and state), and a link to your LinkedIn profile.
Professional Summary: A concise, 2-4 sentence summary that acts as an elevator pitch. Highlight your years of experience, core expertise (e.g., financial planning, risk management, budgeting), and most significant achievements using metrics.
Example: "Strategic Finance Manager with 10+ years of experience in financial planning and operational efficiency. Proven track record of driving profitability and reducing costs through process optimization, leading to a 20% increase in revenue and $2M in annual savings. Expertise in financial modeling and team leadership."
Work Experience: This is the most crucial section. List your positions in reverse-chronological order (most recent first).
For each role, use 3-5 bullet points starting with strong action verbs (e.g., Led, Developed, Implemented, Analyzed, Orchestrated).
Quantify everything using percentages, dollar amounts, or time saved to demonstrate impact. Avoid simply listing responsibilities.
Example:
"Spearheaded the implementation of a new budgeting system, resulting in a 15% reduction in budget variance and $2M in annual savings".
"Developed complex financial models that improved forecasting accuracy by 30% and enabled data-driven decisions for senior management".
"Managed a team of 5 financial analysts, mentoring staff and improving team efficiency by 20%".
Skills: Create a dedicated section for key technical and soft skills, incorporating keywords from the job description.
Hard Skills: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Budgeting & Forecasting, Financial Modeling, Risk Management, Cash Flow Management, GAAP/Regulatory Compliance, ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks), Data Analysis, Variance Analysis.
Soft Skills: Leadership, Strategic Thinking, Problem-Solving, Communication, Attention to Detail, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Decision-Making.
Education: List your degrees in reverse-chronological order. A bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field is typically required; an MBA or master's is a strong asset.
Certifications & Training (Optional but Recommended): Prominently feature relevant professional certifications such as Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) in a separate section.
Tailor the Resume: Customize the resume for each application by including keywords and highlighting experiences that directly match the job description's requirements. This helps get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Keep it Concise and Professional: Aim for one to two pages, maximum. Use a clean, professional template with standard, easy-to-read fonts (e.g., Calibri, Arial).
Proofread Thoroughly: Finance requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail. Ensure your resume is free of any spelling or grammatical errors.
Consider a Cover Letter: A well-crafted cover letter can complement your resume by further highlighting your enthusiasm for the specific company and role, explaining how your experience aligns with their specific needs.