INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Finance Specialist positions are at a 5% growth rate, which is slower than average. With that said, there are currently 275,200 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 12,600 to 287,800 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Finance Specialist jobs was $89,330 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $44,100, and the highest 10% more than $208,000.
Our conclusion? The Finance Specialist job market is wide open for candidates.
Top finance specialist sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Writing a job-winning experience section: Finance Specialist resume edition
Finance specialist resume experience section: dos and don'ts
- List 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Include only relevant job experience;
- Make sure to highlight your strongest skills by focusing on the challenges you’ve faced and the results you’ve achieved;
- Don’t use buzzwords that carry no meaning;
- Don’t share confidential information about your previous employers.
If you prefer to be led by example, check out some great Finance Specialist resume experience section snippets below!
- Comprehensive understanding and management of the financial functions of the system specializing in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Expense Reporting, Reconciliations and Cash Management based on the Xero Accounting system.
- Develop, implement, modify, and document record-keeping and accounting systems, making use of the current software applications, project management and analytical tools such as Asana and Fathom.
- Monthly payroll preparation with adherence to the UAE labor law for an employee base of 32.
- Developing, maintaining and analyzing budgets, create variance report and arriving at reasons for variance.
- Analyze operational trends, costs, revenues and cash flows and profitability for project businesses performance and provide advice on improvements.
- Preparation of monthly and quarterly VAT returns.
- Specialized leasing banker working closely with Relationship Managers, Assistant Managers, as well as bankers from specialized segments including Agribusiness and Health
- Completing an average of 14 documents per day including quotes, in the leasing space
- Analysing customer data, ensuring correct asset types have been created by the bankers, enabling confirmation of the bank's security against each asset
- Assisting the Equipment Finance team while working closely with colleagues to prioritize forecasted deals for drawdown and settlement
- Managing documents required for settlement and drawdown through direct liaison with customers and suppliers
- Adhering to local compliance requirements
- Leading an Automation project to accelerate weekly forecast by 80%
- Improved volume forecast accuracy to ~0.5% variance vs actuals
- Built/Improved 6 tools to automate reporting saving 6.5 hours weekly
- Prepare Weekly Volume and Revenue Actual/Forecast reports
- Enhanced estimation reliability for Import and Export Discounts
- Manage DACH reporting for Top Management
- Identify trends and advise on optimization and strategic financial planning
- Present Analyses' results and calculate their impacts on profitability
- Manage monthly closure activities and Adhoc requests
- Coordinating and communicating with the case superintendent and the legal specialist, and meeting with him to discuss the case and agree on the elements of the financial study (compensation mechanism, accounting principle, etc.).
- Prepare a record of the sequence of cases under study based on chronological order and update it on a weekly basis and provide it to the Secretary of the Department.
- Prepare a letter to request any data or information regarding the lawsuit from third parties (Tadawul, brokerage firms, banks, listed companies, plaintiffs, defendants, etc.).
- Responsible for cash positions on critical dates in month
- In charge of management reporting and project analysis
- Protected the company from currency exposure risk
- Internal processes management (e-racuni, Confluence, Zoho Vault, Department budgeting, ZOPI, office relocation)
- Performed monthly consolidation, business unit review, analysis, and projection for the financial performance of the commissary (i.g., variance and trend analysis, pricing, inflation, monthly outlook, etc )
- Standardized the P&L and Budget reporting and presentation materials
- Assisted in annual budget preparation, from assumption formulation, distribution, deployment, discussion to finalization
- Provided cost-benefit analysis to determine the financial viability of new capital expenditure projects using payback period, NPV, and IRR
- Built the Gross Profit Plan Simulation Report as the initial model for the POC presentation of Anaplan, a cloud-based planning software
- Created various reports and models customized to different users and business objectives and requirements
- Completed compliance services for tax incentives eligibility for new facilities
- Partnered with production, supply planning, account management, IT, and core business group for cost optimization, revenue enhancement, and process improvement initiatives
- Compiled large amounts of data for various projects, ranging from tax impact computations, material standardization to expense optimization
- Average monthly return consistently above 10%+, with 95%+ of all months being profitable, outperforming both the S&P500 and most day traders in ROI at a considerably lower risk level, while also being in the top 0.5% of users at the largest sports trading platform in the world.
- Using numerical and analytical ability to analyze Excel spreadsheets and software in order to invest my personal money into the sports trading market.
- Working independently and using problem-solving and creative skills to implement best practices and processes in order to increase profit margins.
- Other tasks include cash management, risk management, financial management, financial administration, etc.
- Average monthly return consistently above 10%+, with 95%+ of all months being profitable, outperforming both the S&P 500 and most day traders in ROI at a considerably lower risk level, while also being in the top 0.5% of traders at the #1 sports trading platform in the world.
- Using numerical and analytical ability to analyze Excel spreadsheets and software in order to invest my personal money into the sports trading market.
- Working independently, using problem-solving skills and creative skills to implement best practices and processes in order to increase profit margins.
- Weekly tasks also include financial analysis, cash management, risk analysis, financial management, and more.
- Contributed to +90% BES Average
- New Hire Trainer
- GEM Coach
- Branch Supervisor
- Working in the field of Forex and Online casinos
- Reviewing new customers' accounts, monitoring transactions flow for abnormal activities on daily basis
- Monitoring suspicious patterns in customer's accounts and reporting fraud/abuse behavior to the team leader, risk management or relevant department
- Suggesting fraud refunds to prevent potential charge-backs.
- Auditing of customer's withdrawal requests on daily basis
- Constantly processing KYC documentation and monitor whether compliance requirements for the particular trading platform are met
- Checking for incoming charge-backs, retrievals, reversals in the credit card merchants and sending re-presentment for arbitration if needed Generating reports for net deposits
- Monitoring affiliate traffic for potential CPA abuse
- Handling of the Risk and Finance mail boxes and skype chats
- Escalating system faults and glitches to the relevant tech support teams and handling any other tasks assigned by the team leader or management
- Evaluated the performance of the team and manage to ensure 15% growth in their performance
- Acted as a main developer for the CRM and created the vision for the finance panel in the system
- Defined the training needs of the department, ensured and provided trainings to the team
- Analyzed the incoming calls in the department and managed to lower them with 35%
- Optimised the process of locating incoming bank transfers, saving over 6 hours of work per week
- Optimised the workflow in the department creating a positive and effective environment in the department
- Acted as an account manager to 20 partners of the company
- Created process maps for the finance procedures and optimised the process in the department
- Created a new task system towards the finance department and ensured its implementation
- Created KPI system and kept track of the effectiveness of the team
- Act as first point of contact and problem solver for any significant issues with partner and colleagues
- Act as main contact for an affiliate in Germany
- Insured the end of the year for an affiliate in Germany
- Part of the process of establishing an affiliate in Germany and ensuring its well-being
- Developed procedures in the finance reports for maintenance service
- Assisted in developing the finance procedures in maintenance serive
- Money flow accounting and direct customer invoicing for company's partners
- Provided trainings for Finance Basics to the departments in the company
- Direct management, invoicing and reporting for corporate partners direct customer liabilities
- Inter company money flow optimization and financial consulting
- Credit control of individual clients accounts
- Monitoring and control of corporate receivables, direct connection to enterprise partners;
- Preparing market, financing and financial risk management related presentations for company management (F/X Risk Coverage and exposure through use of derivatives (forward, swap, hedge), Bank Limit-Risk Information, Interest-Balance Agreements, Financial Statements, Export Commitments, Bank Guarantees, Conducting Credibility Cheques of Customers),
- Monitoring the cash & non-cash credits; corporate & investment credits, Letter of Credit (L/C), End-term Interests, Letter of Guarantee,
- Daily financial operations & daily management of cash flow and treasury operations; Monitoring of Payables & Receivables (AP&AR) (customers, vendors, tax, SGK etc.) Preparing bank instructions and payment orders in line with the relevant weekly payment plan(with aging studies), following up the necessary documentations in a timely manner, preparing & sharing day-end realization report,
- Managing the bank relations. Providing information that requested by the banks in accordance with the financial analysis / limit allocation studies carried out for the company and sharing with the bank,
- Closely monitoring the month-end financial closing & reporting,
- Improving ERP infrastructure and automation of finance processes.
- Last step on credit control and approval process at all vehicle types. Managing and reporting this process to inside of the company,
- Dealer communication management at before & after sales procedures,
- Monthly checking and reporting collateral structures in all credit types,
- Controlling and reporting of financial operation process,
- Preparing the monthly trend analysis and matching reports of operation productivity.
- Conducted financial counseling and debt management services for members to create effective financial plans and established account modifications to prevent future delinquencies
- Calculated payments programs for debt and negotiate to extend, refinance, or restructure credit terms and conditions for debt repayment
- Assist with making decisions and recommendations within authorized limits, including approving/decline account extensions, reduced interest, and refinances
PRO TIP
The person reading your Finance Specialist resume will be busy, make sure you never waste their time with fluff.
Action verbs for your finance specialist resume
Recommended Reads:
An impressive skills section for your finance specialist resume
Writing a skills section that stands out:
- Check the job advert for keywords that you can use: this will help you pass ATS;
- Focus on relevant and valuable skills that will support your application;
- Make sure to include both hard and technical skills, leaving soft skills for other sections of your Finance Specialist resume;
- Don’t list skills you don’t have.
Top skills for your finance specialist 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
Add a Talent Section to your resume, where you can pick your top 3 soft skills and describe how you used them to complete a project or balance departmental communication.
Recommended Reads:
Finance Specialist Resume Header: Tips, Red Flags, and Best Practices
Checklist for your finance specialist 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 Specialist 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.
The finance specialist resume summary: tips and tricks
Making a strong first impression.
- Keep your summary section short and easy to read; avoid long sentences;
- Highlight your total years of experience in the field;
- Mention 1-2 of your biggest achievements and strengths;
- Add a couple of keywords from the job advert.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary section should act as a brief but informative introduction to your experience section. In this section you should go into more depth about what you have done, and how you did it.
Recommended reads:
Finance specialist resume: a strong education section
What to include in your education section.
- Your highest education degree (incl. major, duration, name of institution);
- A bit more about the certifications you’ve got (if they are relevant to what you’re applying for);
- Some extracurricular activities that have helped you develop and strengthen your skills;
- If you’re an entry-level applicant: Relevant courses and projects.
Top certifications for your finance specialist resume
Business Accounting & Finance for Non-Specialist Managers
Understand business finance and the effect it has on business operations
Introduction to Finance, Accounting, Modeling and Valuation
Learn Finance & Accounting from Scratch by an Award Winning MBA Professor, Ivy Grad, worked @ Goldman & VC
The Complete Finance Manager Course 2022
Financial Management, ERP systems, Accounting, Capital budgeting, Presentation design, Management, and Negotiation
Accounting & Financial Statement Analysis: Complete Training
Accounting & Financial Ratio Analysis made easy. Learn important accounting skills that will get your foot in the door!
Finance for Non-Finance: Learn Quick and Easy
Obtain Suplemental Skills to Get a Raise, Better Job or Improve Your Own Business
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Finance Specialist. 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.
Finance specialist resume: how to choose the right format
The content of your resume is necessary for showcasing your expertise, skills, and education. Great formatting, on the other hand, is essential for highlighting your attention to detail, creativity, and ability to stand out.
There are three basic resume formats to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Which one of these you choose depends on a couple of things, but most importantly: the industry and your level of experience.
The reverse-chronological resume format, for example, is great if you’re a Finance Specialist with many years of experience and no career gaps. It doesn’t really matter if your company of choice is a multinational corporation or an early-stage startup – this resume format is considered to be a safe bet.
If you’re someone with little or no experience, however, we advise you to go for a functional skills-based resume format. It focuses on skills, competencies, and education, rather than experience. This makes it great for entry-level applicants, career changers, and graduate students.
And if you’re tired of traditional formats and want to go over the top when it comes to your application, the combination or hybrid resume format is here to help. Here, you can focus on both your experience and your skills, there’s even space for you to highlight your most spectacular personality traits. If you want to give a modern feel to your Finance Specialist resume, this resume format is just what you need. Add a ‘my life philosophy’ section for additional bonus points!
Looking for ways to perfect your Finance Specialist resume layout and style?
- Don’t risk it: choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts (sized 10-12p);
- Match the length of your Finance Specialist resume with your years of experience – choose a one-page template if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- To be on the safe side, save your resume in PDF. This will help you avoid formatting issues and unauthorized editing.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Sometimes you’ll want to go after a job which requires more experience than you have. Instead of using a typical Finance Specialist resume layout, you can use a creative layout. Getting noticed is the most important challenge and a creative resume layout might help you get invited for an interview as most of other accountants have boring resume designs.
Your finance specialist resume: other sections to include
Tired of resumes that focus only on your professional side? Want to show you’re an actual human being with a real personality that goes beyond your work experience? Then add some other sections to your Finance Specialist resume!
Depending on the industry, company, and position, you can go for a more creative or less creative approach. Choose 1-2 of the following:
Making your finance specialist resume shine
In a pile of boring black and white resumes, a creative Finance Specialist application feels like a breath of fresh air. And trust us, recruiters love this.
There are two ways to add a splash of creativity to your resume. You can either go for a creative layout (bright colors, modern fonts, etc.) or add some creative sections (e.g. ‘what my typical day looks like’).
It’s up to you! Just make sure to keep the position, company, and industry in mind. Otherwise, you risk going over the top. And that’s not always a good idea.
What makes a great finance specialist 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.
