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12 Financial Analyst Resume Examples...

12 Financial Analyst Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

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You’re a financial analyst, but that doesn’t mean your financial analyst resume should look as dull as a spreadsheet.

You’ve probably heard the standard wisdom that you need to stick to the “standard” form.

But that’s only going to get you sub-standard results.

To really stand out and get the financial analyst job you want, your resume needs to be better than the rest.

The financial services industry is changing quickly… the days of linear career paths are largely over. [My] biggest piece of advice for aspiring analysts is to gain work experience while studying.

Manisha Thakor, CEO of MoneyZen Wealth Management in US News and World Report

In this guide you’ll learn how to create a financial analyst resume:

  • Choose an appropriate financial analyst resume template for your experience level
  • Include financial analyst skills that reflect the job description
  • Pay special attention to crafting a financial analyst resume summary or objective
  • Even an entry level financial analyst resume can (and should) showcase relevant skills
  • Senior financial analyst resumes need to include experience which showcases relevant skills

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  • Banking Resume

How to create the best resume outline

Just like an essay, it helps to start your resume by mapping out what sections you’ll need.

Here’s the most common financial analyst resume outline:

  • Objective
  • Financial Experience
  • Education
  • Soft Skills
  • Technical skills
  • Interests
  • References

Of course your resume might vary. Consider where your strengths lay and what information you want to get across to the reader first. For example while elements of your personality might be interesting, a hiring manager for a financial analyst job wants to see your finance experience first.

Choose the resume layout that will work best for your financial analyst resume

Before someone reads a single line of text from your resume, they’ll notice the layout and template.

So choose a template that sends the right message for you.

  • Basic - this single column template is ideal for someone looking to get hired as an entry level financial analyst. If you don’t have a ton of experience for your resume, this presents that so it’s incredibly easy to read and doesn’t look light.

  • Professional - use this template if you’re applying for a big corporation like Lufthansa, or one of the big four companies. Finance is one of the most conservative industries, people are going in suits, so especially in those companies it’s good to use a professional financial analyst resume layout.
  • Simple - applying to a company that you don’t know much and you don’t want to risk getting rejected? Than this layout can work best for you.
  • Creative - you’re not the typical financial analyst? Or you’re applying for a financial job in a young startup. Than you should consider using something more colourful with more personal sections.

pro tip icon
Pro tip

If you feel that you don’t have high chances in a particular company, due to lack of financial experience, than you can still consider using a creative layout. That might help you get noticed and invited for an interview as most of other financist have boring resume designs.

Here’s what to consider when choosing the perfect financial analyst resume layout:

  • Be sure it presents your relevant finance qualifications clearly
  • It should place your most important financial information at the top
  • It should be easy to read and catch your eye
  • It should work with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems)
  • Be sure to send it as a PDF or Doc

Get these elements right and you’ll have recruiters delighted at how easy you’ve made their job.

Your information was clear, easy to read, pleasing to the eye, and matched the job description.

You made yourself a “no brainer.”

How to create the best resume header for a financial analyst

The CFO, hiring manager, or fellow financial analyst reviewing your resume doesn’t have a lot of time to review it. There are thousands of applications for most financial analyst jobs, you need to stand out fast. Grab the attention from the resume header.

A financial analyst resume header should have:

  • Your name - include next to it if you have the following certificates - CFA, CPA, etc. This way the HRs can see in the first seconds that you’re qualified enough. Even if you’re in the process of taking them, consider adding “CFA candidate” for example, after your name.
  • Your financial [resume title](link) - you’ve worked in big four before or you’ve graduated a top financial university? Add these to your resume title.
  • Address - a city and state would be enough. No one needs your full address.
  • Your LinkedIn profile - well, this is the social network for most of the financial people out there. Adding Facebook or Twitter will make other financial people wonder when looking at your resume.
  • Contact information - make sure that recruiters can easily reach you out on every contact channel you mention here. Your email should be looking professional (You might even use a dedicated email for your job-searching needs).
Brian Murphy
CFA with 4+ years of experience at KPMG
Arlington, V
RIGHT
Brian Murphy
Financial Analyst
Arlington, V
WRONG

Put yourself in the shoes of the person reading your resume and consider the message your header is giving

pro tip icon
Pro tip

Some companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your 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.

How to write a financial analyst resume objective or summary

You created the perfect resume header.

Now you’ve got their attention, they want to read a bit more about who you are.

That’s where an objective or summary is important.

It lets them skip over everything and get a quick idea of who you are and what your goal is.

For example:

Summary
A financial analyst looking for a new position focusing on cost analysis. Previously did related work at KPMG.
WRONG

The problem? It doesn’t tell the reader anything very useful. It’s also not specific to the position, it reads as generic.

Summary
A CFA with 4 years experience working for KPMG conducting case analysis, corporate FP&A, and corporate tax work. Worked closely with our divisional CFO and received high marks for my precision and ability to work under pressure. Currently looking for a mid-level position focusing on corporate cost analysis at Focus Financial with room for advancement within the department.
RIGHT

Or, for an entry level financial analyst:

Summary
Recent Finance BS recipient with internship experience at KPMG looking for a position with a focus on business case analysis and forecasting.
RIGHT

What makes the difference?

A financial analyst resume objective should

  • Be specific
  • Express your short and long-term career goals
  • Say something about who you are and what you’re good at
  • Be addressed to the specific job you’re applying for

How to make your financial analyst experience more effective on your resume

Let’s say you’re up against one other person for a job.

You’ve got the better experience, but they know how to present it better than you do.

Guess who’s getting hired? The one with better layed out experience section.

For better or worse, the way you present your financial analyst experience is tremendously important.

Have a look at these examples to see what we mean.

Financial analyst resume experience examples

Experience
Financial Analyst
ACME Ltd.
New York, NY
  • Oversaw $7.6 million in accounts payable and receivable for 4 mid-sized clients
  • Reduced compliance issues in managed portfolios by 12%
  • Managed a team of 7 analysts with average annual turnover of 7.1%
  • Recognized with an internal award for management excellence
RIGHT

While it’s not always possible to provide exact metrics of how you impacted some areas, you can see how this experience example mentions specifics whenever possible.

Experience
Financial Analyst
ACME Ltd.
New York, NY
  • Analyzed data, created financial models, filing documents, and overseeing accounts payable and receivable
  • Ensured compliance for all projects
  • Managed a team and met with managers weekly
  • Performed all duties as assigned and was recognized for excellent work
WRONG

Notice how lifeless and generic that second example is? Hiring managers certainly will notice.

Beyond telling them what type of work you did, it gives them no real sense of whether you were successful or what you accomplished.

You could have done a terrible job or an excellent job and this experience section could look identical.

So, if someone reads that section, they feel like you just wasted their time making them read something that gave them almost no new information.

pro tip icon
Pro tip

The person reading your resume will be busy, make sure you never waste their time with fluff

What if you need to create an entry level financial analyst resume experience section?

While anyone looking for a financial analyst position is going to have some background in the field, what should you do if you’re a recent graduate and don’t have much relevant experience?

The good news is, there are lots of ways to show you can work well under pressure, be effective on a team, or analyze metrics. This experience could come from an internship, a side project, an organization you volunteer for, etc.

Here’s what you should do:

  • Start by identifying the kinds of skills and experiences you think will be relevant for the financial analyst job you’re applying for. Let’s say it wants someone who works well in a small team.
  • Now, look back at your previous experiences to see what you may have done which could demonstrate that. In this example, maybe you worked on finance projects with small groups in university.
  • Once you’ve got the right experience, emphasize it using the same language the job description did.

With these techniques, even if you’ve never had a job as a financial analyst, you can still show you’re qualified for your first position.

Of course, if you’re creating an entry level financial analyst resume, your education section is of particular importance.

How to create a better financial analyst resume education section

While senior financial analysts shouldn’t devote as much space to their education (just a listing of where you want, your degrees, etc. should be sufficient), younger analysts need this section to make an impression.

Here’s what you can add to your education section:

  • Relevant courses (here you can mention projects, skills acquired, lessons learned, etc.)
  • Awards
  • Your GPA (if you think it’s relevant)
  • All of the regular information mentioned above

Here you can find a more senior financial analyst education section example:

Education
Bachelor of Science, Finance
UT Austin
RIGHT

Here is an entry level financial analyst education section example:

Education
Bachelor of Science, Finance
UT Austin
GPA
4.0
/
4.0
  • Participant in the Texas BBA Program with a focus on Corporate Finance
  • Two summer internships at KPMG assisting a 7 person team on corporate tax compliance
  • Made the Dean’s List for 6/8 semesters with a final GPA of 3.87
  • Worked with Professor Dain Donelson on a corporate governance paper to be published in the Journal of Finance in Fall 2019
RIGHT

What skills should you include on your financial analyst resume?

There are two basic approaches to including your skills. The way you go about it will depend on whether you’re describing technical or soft skills.

Let’s break down the difference and how to do each one the best way.

How to include technical skills on a financial analyst resume

Skills
Tableau
Sharepoint
Peoplesoft
Microsoft Excel
Toptal
RIGHT

This works best for skills that are binary and straightforward. In this case, it’s used to list software.

You’re either familiar with the software or you’re not. There isn’t really a need to elaborate beyond that.

This kind of a skills section is important because many ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) will screen your resume for certain keywords before a human ever sees it). A simple list of relevant technical skills required in the job description does the job perfectly.

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The top financial analyst resume technical skills

  • Bloomberg
  • Sharepoint
  • SAS
  • MATLAB
  • Access
  • GoCatalant
  • Spotfire
  • QlikView
  • Peoplesoft or relevant General Ledger SW
  • Workday
  • GLG Strategic Projects
  • Branko
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Hyperion Planning & Smartview
  • Toptal
  • Tableau

How to Include Soft Skills on a Financial Analyst Resume

Soft skills work quite differently. If you simply list them the way you would technical skills, it comes of as lazy and not very credible.

In other words, don’t do it.

It’s always going to be more effective to show that you have a soft skills by giving an example rather than simply stating that you have it.

That said, if the job description asks for a specific soft skill like “leadership” be sure to use that word when you describe it in your resume. This is both for the ATS systems mentioned above and that using the word makes it easier for the reader to notice times when you demonstrated these skills and think “great, I can check that off the list.”

Training / Courses
Leadership
Led my university crew team for 2 years, winning one regional and one state championship
Time Management
Managed to take 21 credit hours while working 25 hours a week at a busy restaurant while maintaining a 3.8 GPA during my Sophomore year
Communication
I speak Spanish at a C1 level and took 4 speaking intensive classes in university
Corporate Budgets and Forecasts
Discovered a $500k variance in salaries and benefits that after further analysis showed the company was going to overspend its budget by 3% by year end
RIGHT

Here, you can see that someone scanning your resume can quickly see which soft skills you possess and that you’re serious about backing them up. Right away, this is going to distinguish you from most of the other financial analyst resumes they’ve seen.

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The top financial analyst resume soft skills

Choosing the right technical and soft skills

Always remember, your resume doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it’s an answer to a specific job.

So, you should tailor it to that job.

Let’s take some text from a Financial Analyst job offered by the World Bank:

  • “Strong knowledge of the functionality of applications such as [[Reuters]], [[Summit]] and [[Bloomberg]].
  • Demonstrated high level of [[initiative]], [[self-confidence]] and [[self-motivation]].
  • Diplomacy and strong interpersonal skills; commitment to work in a [[team-oriented]], [[multi-cultural]] environment; [[detail oriented]].
  • Proven capacity to [[multitask]], deliver results and respond quickly and effectively to requests. Ability and desire to meet [[tight deadlines]].
  • Excellent [[verbal]] and [[written communication]] and [[presentation]] skills.
  • Highest [[ethical]] standards.”

Now let’s pick out the keywords and skills that someone applying to this job should mention:

Reuters, Summit, and Bloomberg (These can be listed as technical skills) Initiative, self-confidence, and self-motivation (These should be backed up with examples) Team-oriented, multicultural, detail oriented (These should be backed up with examples) Multi-task, work quickly, meet deadlines (These should be backed up with examples) Verbal, written, and presentation communication skills (These should be backed up with examples) Ethics (These should be backed up with examples)

This is only a portion of the requirements, but it’s already clear that you’ll have a lot of soft skills to demonstrate. When this happens, you can go beyond simply listing them in their own section and try to ensure they are mentioned and backed up in your experience, education, or other resume sections.

Top 5 skills on financial analyst resumes vs job offers

We conducted our own independent research on Indeed.com, analyzing over 100,000 resumes and job listings to determine which skills were most in demand. Based on this research, these are the top 5 most useful skills for a financial analyst to include on their resume and how often they appeared on resume and job descriptions.

If there’s a big gap, that means having that skill will really make you stand out from the competition.

housekeeper chart.png

Adding certifications to your financial analyst resume

This can be done similar to your technical skills section, or you can add CFA or CPA before your name at the top if that’s your only relevant certification. Just be sure to mention any certifications the job offer specifically asks for or mentions.

Top certifications to include on a financial analyst resume

  • Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA®)
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA®)
  • Financial Risk Manager (FRM®)
  • Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®)
  • Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®)

Other sections you might want to consider

There’s definitely a perception amongst financial analysts that “it’s not okay to have some personality on your resume.”

The reality is: it’s all about the audience.

Your resume is going to be read by a human with their own preferences and biases. As much as possible, you have to craft your resume to match that person.

If you know the company you’re applying to is very traditional, then keep your resume that way. If the company pushes culture and personality a lot on its website and in the way it presents itself, it makes sense to reflect this on your own resume.

One way to approach it is to consider culture fit. Emphasize elements of your personality that match with the company. Just like with the experience above, you want the person reading your resume to get the feeling “This person seems perfect for us.”

For example, if you see the company likes to go hiking for an annual retreat, mention that you love to hike. Small details like this can help make you feel like the perfect candidate.

Or, if there were specific books or professors which had a major impact on how you approach finance, listing them is a great way to combine a bit of personality and some insights into what kind of financial analyst you are.

Key takeaways: What makes a great financial analyst resume?

  • Choose a resume layout that sends the message you want and fits your experience level.
  • Create a resume header that shows your finance certifications and makes sure you’re easy to contact.
  • Make sure your resume objective or summary is very specific about your financial analyst experience, accomplishments, and future goals.
  • Your financial analyst experience has detailed metrics and specific examples showing the impact you’ve had in your role.
  • Any soft skills you list are backed up with examples.
  • You list all of the technical skills and finance certifications you have which match the job description.
  • Your resume has a bit of personality designed to show you have the right soft skills and will be an excellent culture fit.

Financial Analyst resume examples

Explore additional financial analyst resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

By Experience

Junior Financial Analyst

Junior Financial Analyst positions require a keen interest in finance and strong analytical skills. Emphasize on your knowledge of financial analysis concepts, proficiency in Excel and eagerness to learn new things. Provide concrete examples of your skill application: 'gained insights into market trends by...', 'aided in financial planning...'. Stick to the 'skill-action-result' pattern.
View Junior Financial Analyst Resume

Senior Financial Analyst

Senior Financial Analyst job involves strategic financial analysis and decision-making. Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and profitability analysis should be prominent on your resume. Feature how you have leveraged these skills to impact business growth: 'streamlined financial processes...', 'led financial strategy resulting in...'. Adhere to the 'skill-action-results' approach.
View Senior Financial Analyst Resume

Financial Analyst Intern

Applying for a Financial Analyst Intern position requires a keenness to learn and a good foundation in finance and analysis. Demonstrate your ability to handle data, use Excel and your understanding of basic finance principles. Your resume should highlight any coursework or projects relevant to finance. Showcase tangible results from any previous internships or projects, like 'undertook market research for...', 'aided in data analysis...'. Stick to the 'skill-action-result' pattern.
View Financial Analyst Intern Resume

By Role

Corporate Financial Analyst

The Corporate Financial Analyst role is rooted in corporate finance. Knowledge of key finance practice methods is necessary, such as: financial modeling, GAAP, forecasting. Emphasize relevant experience with these methods on your resume. Numerous applicants have prior backgrounds in corporate finance; feature significantly your specialist insights. Don’t merely list skills, explain how they've influenced corporate performance, for example: 'increased company revenue by...', 'saved operational costs via...'. Follow 'skill-action-outcome' principle.
View Corporate Financial Analyst Resume

Entry Level Financial Analyst

Entry Level Financial Analyst job generally serves as a first step in finance industry. Demonstrating your understanding of basic financial concepts, Excel proficiency and analytical abilities should be the main focus of your resume. Don’t just list skills, provide precise examples of their application, such as 'performed financial analysis using...', 'assisted in budget preparation...'. The 'skill-action-result' format would be advantageous.
View Entry Level Financial Analyst Resume

Financial Management Analyst

Financial Management Analysts often come from management backgrounds. Skills like budgeting, financial analysis, and strategic planning are important; highlight your experience with these on your resume. Include examples of successful projects you've managed with financial goals. Show your expertise with details like 'improved budget accuracy by…', 'boosted company profitability through…. '. Follow 'skill-action-result' guideline for better presentation.
View Financial Management Analyst Resume

Financial Planning Analyst

Financial Planning Analysts must possess in-depth skills in financial planning. Skills to spotlight on your resume include cash flow management, financial forecasting, and scenario analysis. Providing outcomes you have achieved by applying these skills can make your resume more compelling, such as 'increased capital efficiency by...', 'enhanced cash flow through...'. Stick to the 'skill-action-results' structure.
View Financial Planning Analyst Resume

Financial Reporting Analyst

A Financial Reporting Analyst should have a firm grip on financial reporting practices. Place emphasis on your experiences with producing financial reports, GAAP, and financial systems. Don’t just enumerate skills, provide evidence of your expertise with examples like 'created comprehensive financial report that...', 'optimized the financial reporting process by...'. The 'skill-action-results' format is essential.
View Financial Reporting Analyst Resume

Financial Risk Analyst

Risk management forms the foundation of the Financial Risk Analyst's role. Skills in risk analysis, risk mitigation, compliance, and the use of financial risk software should be central in your resume. Illustrate how these skills have influenced tangible results, like 'mitigated financial risk by...', 'ensured regulatory compliance through...'. Remember to adhere to the 'skill-action-results' framework.
View Financial Risk Analyst Resume

Chartered Financial Analyst

The Chartered Financial Analyst role is heavily influenced by trends in the financial industry. To stand out in your application for this role, stress your previous experience in financial analysis or investment strategies, making sure to highlight the impact of your work on a company's financial well-being. Make sure to mention your CFA charterholder status or your steps towards achieving it, as this can distinguish you from other applicants. Highlight your mathematical abilities, particularly how you have used financial models to boost portfolio performance or reduce investment risks. Rather than just listing abilities, show how these skills led to improved financial outcomes using phrases like 'improved portfolio performance by...' or 'increased returns after...'. Aim for a resume that is more focused on outcomes by using a 'skill-action-results' format.

Quality Assurance Financial Analyst

The Quality Assurance Financial Analyst role evolved in the finance industry due to technological advances and shifts in financial regulations impacting worldwide QA trends. When applying, it's important to emphasize your experience in verifying the accuracy of financial data, overseeing compliance of financial transactions, and suggesting amendments to financial systems. Highlight any related certifications or training you have, as these reinforce your professional credibility. Display your proficiency with financial software and tools and how they have improved your organization's financial data quality and procedures. Rather than simply listing your skills, showcase their impact on enhancing the organization's financial precision or compliance. Use action-oriented phrases such as 'improved financial accuracy by…' or 'ensured regulatory compliance by...' to show concrete evidence of your accomplishments, in line with the “skill-action-results” formula for a results-driven approach.
financial analyst resume example

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