INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Finance Manager positions are at a 17% growth rate, which is much faster than average. With that said, there are currently 681,700 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 118,200 to 799,900 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Finance Manager jobs was $134,180 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $70,830, and the highest 10% more than $208,000.
Our conclusion? The Finance Manager job market is wide open for candidates.
Top finance manager sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a finance manager resume experience section
Finance manager resume's job experience checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
The work experience samples below come from real Finance Manager resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:
- Implemented and managed revenue planning and controlling process including SAP based BI tool implementation, for distribution business across CEEMEA.
- Selected and managed CEEMEA implementation team. Recruited and hired direct reports. Recognized by London HQ for best accuracy across WW.
- Set up an improved process of Sales Incentive Plan calculations. Support Senior Management and HR Director to set up sales targets and control its delivery across CEEMEA.
- Is implementing a process to monitor sales pipeline and manage commercial operations. Designed improvement process of deal approvals across CEEMEA. Supports commercial policy management.
- Implement and update Internal Controls of the Company
- Managed a team of 20 Accountants who consistently received excellent client feedback
- Responsible for preparing and presenting to the Board of directors, monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements (stand alone and consolidated), Cash flows, Break even analysis and other financial analysis for group of five entities located in KSA, Dubia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
- Monthly Profit and Loss reporting meet the time line, ensure daily transaction book timely with proper supporting document and approval.
- Ensure Internal control work as per SOP
- Ensure compliance for Local GAAP and Tax requirement
- Assist Tax Auditor and Internal auditor.
- Manage HR and Office Administration ( process new hiring, monthly salary calculation, renewal business license and etc )
- Finalization of accounts
- Financial statement analysis
- Preparation of projected financial statements
- Account payable & receivable
- Maintain general ledger
- Salary & overtime preparation
- Bank reconciliation
- Customer & supplier reconciliation
- Weekly & monthly report
- Preparing all type of voucher & entry in system
- Responsible for 3 US branches: Accounting, Sales Tax, Finance, Internal Audit, Reconciliations, Month & Quarter close, GAAP compliance, preparing and consolidating financial statements.
- Outline management reports: Annual budget, Project Forecast, COGS & Net Profit Analysis, Cashfolw Solutions, Variance Analysis
- Accomplished lender’s periodic review, Researched financing opportunities, summarized CMA reports for financers.
- Managed Requirement Analysis for new cloud base ERP system of the Co., delivered solutions for accounting & stock effects, accelerated development of profit center wise trading-profit & loss A/C, and balance sheet.
- Overall responsibility of all financial reporting to internal and external users.
- To develop strategic and corporate budgets and plans for the company for 5 years.
- Preparation of monthly & yearly financial statements.
- Developing reports for top management summarizing the business financial position in areas of income, expenses, capital usage and cash flows, and coordinate the preparation of strategic plans, budgets and financial forecast.
- Analyzing Budget with Actual on monthly basis and determining the areas need to focus for improvement.
- Periodic branch visits to review cash handling, physical stocks verification and compliance with company policies on Invoicing & delivery.
- Enhancing department reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests; exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments
- Review and approve leasing and operational contracts.
- Review and approve the tenant's rent and utility bills.
- Review and approve various types of the project expenses invoices.
- Monitor and analyze accounting data and produce financial reports or statements.
- Coordinate and direct the development and preparation of budgets, forecasts, and projections.
- Create, monitor and reconcile budgets, forecasts and cash-flow reports to support the organization’s operating plans and business decisions
- Establish and enforce proper local accounting methods, policies, and principles, overseeing the processes for managing invoicing and accounts payable/receivable
- Perform and monitor monthly and yearly end closing
- Ensure monthly, quarterly and annual reporting (including forecast and KPI) made in compliance with local fiscal statutory and all the applicable regulations. Act as liaison for internal and external financial audits
- Ensure the supervision of payroll and personnel administration in coordination with external consultants
- Built and manage a team of Accounting/Administration/Finance staff
- Responsible for the management of $100M+ annual marketing investment cost base
- Prepare monthly reports to senior management tracking financial performance against budget
- On track to deliver cost saving of $5M in 2021 and $20M in 2022 year-on-year
- Deliver high quality budget analysis and review with commentary on a regular basis
- Manage period end reporting and compliance with external, internal and SOx audits relating to marketing investments
- Perform month-end accounting journal entries and reconciliations
- Communicate and collaborate with key budget holders across all functions (Brand, Trade, SP&I, Supply Chain, IDT, Projects, HR, Commercial Finance)
- Develop insightful business case recommendations for the financial implications of new product initiatives
- Support new Finance Graduates in graduate program progression, career and personal development
- Responsible for the management of $100M+ annual marketing investment cost base
- Prepare monthly reports to senior management tracking financial performance against budget
- Deliver high quality budget analysis and review with commentary on a regular basis
- Manage period end reporting and compliance with external, internal and SOx audits relating to marketing investments
- Perform month-end accounting journal entries and reconciliations
- Communicate and collaborate with key budget holders across all functions (Brand, Trade, SP&I, Supply Chain, IDT, Projects, HR, Commercial Finance)
- Develop insightful business case recommendations for the financial implications of new product initiatives
- Support new Finance Graduates in graduate program progression, career and personal development
- Accounting for Clinics Revenue and Bank Deposits on monthly basis.
- Maintaining Control over cash in every clinic.
- Random vouching of High Value Bills.
- Managing a small team of Junior members for smooth workflow of Accounting function.
- Communicating with vendors and customers on regular basis for timely reconciliation of Books of Accounts and settlement of differences (if any).
- GST Return and Reconciliation on regular basis.
- Conducting field visits and inspections as and when required and communicating the findings to management.
- Preparing Bank Reconciliation Statements.
- Supporting the other team members as and when required.
- Report the fiscal profit/loss incurred on yearly or monthly basis.
- Interact with financial staff and ensure the audit spreadsheets are maintained every month/year.
- In case of providing the reports to the financial manager; he will have to ensure to meet deadlines through the staff.
- Work closely with Finance and Grants Department, ensuring that donor finance guidelines, formats and processes are understood by all colleagues at the start of each project and being adhered to throughout the project.
- Financial Assistant with 5+ years experience and handling a team of 15 executives across Karnataka.
- Streamlining accounting in Goods and Service Tax, Bank Reconciliation, Accounts Receivable & Accounts Payable
- Promoted early after 5 months of top performance in key metrics.
- Demonstrated effective Networking, People management and Decision making skills.
- Debt Monitoring
- Timely and accurately repyment and interest payment of loans.
- Co-ordinating with Lenders/Financiers regarding project updates.
- Obtaining NOC's for sale of units.
- Handled pre and post sanction activities
- Post Disbursement MIS, communication and maintenance of relations.
- Interaction with respective departments for setting up monthly budgets in line with funds availability.
- Co-ordination with investors both individual as well as institutional, for the purpose of funding the Tattva projects.
- Preparing basic project estimates/analysis and financial projections.
- Co-ordination due diligence with legal & finance teams as well as mid management teams of clients
- Preparing Information Memorandum in brief containing background of the Company / Promoters, Business Activity.
- Submission of required data & clarifications to Banks & resolving queries raised by prospective lenders.
- Managing FP&A functions for the Group, including financial analysis, business analytics and financial modeling
- Assist in IPO project and PCAOB audit.
- Assist in ERP system (Oracle Netsuite) implementation
- Manage & oversee full set of financial and accounting functions
- Prepare monthly management reports with sub-schedules and performance variance analysis
- Collaborated with the sales management team to achieve maximum profit results while utilizing my excellent knowledge of various lenders underwriting guidelines
- Created product menus and communicated benefits of plans to ensure customers and company had an opportunity to capitalize
- Trained other supplemental finance team members
- Maximized profits through high product penetrations and gross per deals while maintaining and adhering to all compliance standards
- Operated in compliance with lender guidelines, dealership policy, and federal law resulting in quick funding and a high level of customer satisfaction
- Performed effective financial assessments in the area of credit, cash flow, and collateral.
- Leveraged eLeads, CDK, DealerTrack, CUDL, AutoTrader, TrueCar, vAuto, KBB and other resources to drive new and used car sales
- Evaluated credit information and created sensible loan structures for approval
- Trained and demonstrated the ability to professionally followup with leads and convert into sales
- Negotiated effectively with underwriters and customers to maximize revenue & minimize risk to dealer & lender
- Strategy: Update Finance strategy and align with CFO objectives; implement framework to measure and track strategy achievements whilst connecting teams to increase cross-functional collaboration and creating a sense of succeeding together
- People: Develop and implement a succession planning framework, integrating our future personal and technical skills; supporting a standardised and more objective performance review with clear development guidance for the individual and the leadership team on current skills available and gaps
- Digitalisation: Self developed a digital platform for self-service, knowledge documentation and sharing, create tools to optimise risk and control management, leverage content to start and complete a chatbot prototype and engaging with the UK and ASP to further refine and roll-out embedded products more broadly across HSBC
- Operating Model: Create and implement initiatives to enable full transparency on the current operating model, by creating knowledge documentation, it's availability on the digital platform and creating process documentations including an activity analysis allowing full transparency on the actual operating model; creating this data enables more informed decision-making on people and automation resulting in an optimised budget
- Budget: Manage Fusion and Liquidity reporting projects for Finance including E2E cloud risk assessments as well as tracking budget against plan and budget forecasting, stakeholder engagement and early risk detection and mitigation
- Business Partnering: Build strong relationships across all levels and teams internationally, sharing and refining created initiatives for wider implementation; collaborating with international innovation teams and becoming a ASP contact e.g. on Digital Workplace, initiated cross-functional collaboration with IT and Procurement developing an E2E Third Party Management framework covering the business case, third party selection, contract negotiation, various risk assessments as well as budgeting, running and reviewing the benefits post implementation
PRO TIP
Make sure to relate your experience to your job description, but never lie. That’s not tolerated and will show up in the face-to-face interview later on.
Action verbs for your finance manager resume
Recommended reads:
Finance Manager Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters
Resume skills section checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top skills for your finance manager resume
Microsoft Office
SAP
Excel
Salesforce
Data Entry
Quickbooks
Project Management
Customer Service
CRM
Communication
Negotiation
Critical thinking
Problem solving
Collaboration
Flexibitly
Resilience
Dedication
Empathy
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Recommended reads:
Finance manager resume header: Tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your finance manager resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your Finance Manager resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.
Finance manager resume summary best practices
Checklist: what to include in your finance manager resume summary:
- Years of experience;
- Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
- One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
- Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Highlight specific past projects that you’re most proud of in your summary. It sets an excellent tone for the rest of your resume. You can talk about all of your former jobs in your work experience section later on.
Recommended reads:
Listing your education, certifications and courses
Resume Education Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Certifications for your finance manager resume
The Complete Finance Manager Course 2022
Financial Management, ERP systems, Accounting, Capital budgeting, Presentation design, Management, and Negotiation
Finance for Non Finance Managers
Obtain Suplemental Skills to Get a Raise, Better Job or Improve Your Own Business
Explaining Financial Results to Non-Finance Managers
This course explores ways to communicate effectively with non-financial managers and staff.
Financial Intelligence For Non-Finance Managers
Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs, Executives, and Directors
Essential Finance For Managers
Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: All the finance fundamentals you need to start better managing your business
Recommended Reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Finance Manager. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
How to Write a Finance Manager Resume
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:
- Clear and legible 12p resume font size;
- Use 10’’ resume margins - that’s default for a great resume design;
- Use a one-page template resume length if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- Save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiter.
To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Finance Manager resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your Finance Manager resume:
Finance manager resume: how to make yours more creative & stand out
When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Finance Manager resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.
What makes a great finance manager resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
