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How to create a resume for a finance manager

How to create a resume for a finance manager

The finance manager is crucial to the financial well-being of an organization and helps align the company with its long-term fiscal goals. If you're interested in pursuing a role as a finance manager, learning how to create a compelling resume that shows employers why you're the ideal candidate is critical. In this guide, explore some of the top skills that finance managers use before learning how to create your finance manager resume.

What is a finance manager resume?

A finance manager resume is a document that covers your employment history and shows why you might be the right fit for a finance manager role. This document covers your skills, qualifications, and work history, showing hiring managers you have the background and know-how to perform the tasks they require of a finance manager. As this role is often for mid-career professionals, hiring managers look for a balance of skills, education, and experience.

What key skills should be included?

Finance managers use a variety of skills to perform their tasks. When crafting your resume, remember to keep this section concise but relevant — stick to about 10 skills or fewer in this list. When adding skills, cross-reference them with the job posting to ensure they're what the company wants in an ideal candidate. Another key reminder is to ensure that your education or work history supports your list of skills. Some key technical skills to incorporate into your resume include:

  • Account reconciliation
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Financial planning and reporting
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Cash flow management
  • Risk management
  • Financial modeling
  • Investment analysis

While technical skills are a crucial component of the role, soft skills are just as important. Some personal qualities to incorporate in this section of your resume include:

  • Team management
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Cross-functional team coordination
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Strategic planning
  • Attention to detail
  • Adaptability

Ideal format for a finance manager resume

There are a few formats to consider when compiling your resume, each with its benefits. Learning about these different formats and reflecting on your unique experience can help you choose one that puts your expertise and skills in the best light while aligning with the potential role.

Chronological format

Perhaps one of the most common styles, chronological formatting puts your experience up front and center. This format usually starts with your contact information and professional summary before delving immediately into your work history or — if you're a recent graduate or don't have extensive relevant experience — your education and certifications. This format may be best if you have relevant experience to showcase to potential employers.

Functional format

Also known as the skills-based format, this resume prioritizes the skills you bring over experience. This type of format is useful if you're a recent graduate, new to the workforce, or switching careers. But while it's useful if you're new to the financial industry, most employers looking for a financial manager want to see a balance of relevant experience and skills.

Combination format

This type of format combines the best part of a chronological and functional resume to create a hybrid that highlights your skills and work experience. The combination and chronological formats both cover experience and skills. But while a chronological resume briefly touches on an individual's skills, a combination format highlights both equally. A combination or a chronological resume is most commonly used for finance manager roles because this type of position requires proof of skills and a level of experience in the finance industry.

"As this role is often for mid-career professionals, hiring managers look for a balance of skills, education, and experience."

How to create a resume for a finance manager

Now that you know some valuable skills to incorporate into your resume and different formatting options, it's time to explore how to create a resume for a finance manager role. Here are some steps you can follow to create a chronological resume that highlights your experience in the industry.

Add your contact details

Your contact details include your name, phone number, email address, and the city and state where you live. This section, while small, is critical, as it serves as a way for potential employers to contact you should they wish to schedule an interview or inquire about any additional details. You could also include certification acronyms or social media handles if they're relevant to the role, as this can quickly show employers your top qualifications.

Create a professional summary

This section is a great way to highlight the top reasons why you're the perfect fit for the role, and it's also a good opportunity to incorporate keywords from the job posting. Keep this section between two and three sentences to ensure it's both relevant and concise, which can increase the likelihood of hiring managers reading this part of your resume. Some things to consider in this section:

  • Incorporate key accomplishments, such as 100% compliance with regulatory guidelines that resulted in zero audit deficiencies. Mention any major impacts you've had on a firm and consider adding details here.
  • List relevant credentials, such as a bachelor's or master's degree in finance or a Certified Financial Planner certification.
  • Add top skills, such as generally accepted accounting principles, GAAP, risk management, or cost accounting. To improve your compatibility with the role, include skills that the job posting incorporates.

Cover your work experience

This section gives you the opportunity to highlight the responsibilities you've had in the past that can correlate to the duties you would fill in the new financial manager position. Here are some tips to keep this section streamlined and highly relevant:

  • List your experience in reverse chronological order.
  • For your most recent experience, include three to five bullet points of information.
  • For older experiences, include two to three bullet points of information.
  • Add numbers and statistics where you can.
  • Use keywords from the job post.
  • Include up to ten years of experience.

Include your education

Your education section can cover both your formal education and any relevant certifications for the finance manager role. Finance managers usually have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in finance or another related program. A master's degree can help set you apart from other candidates. As for certifications, ensure that the ones you include relate to the role and are current. Some certifications you might pursue and incorporate into your resume include:

List your skills

This section allows you to highlight the skills you have that relate to the role. Ensure that your work experience or education supports any skill you include in this section to show employers your competency. Keep this section to ten skills or fewer, as any more can result in a lengthy list that hiring managers may skim over.

Your resume is a valuable tool in showing employers how well you align with the finance manager role and the first step in finding your next opportunity. If you're ready to take the next step in the job-hunting process, upload your resume to CareerBuilder so you can start searching. Let employers find you and all your amazing qualifications.

More tips for creating an eye-catching resume

If you're still wondering what to choose for your resume, explore some more ways to choose a winning format that puts your skills and experience in the best light.

Conciseness is often a priority, but learning just how long to keep your resume can help you develop an effective resume.