Crafting a CV that strikes the perfect balance between conveying complex financial strategies and demonstrating strong leadership qualities is a common challenge for a finance director. Our guide provides targeted advice that will enable you to articulate your strategic impact and managerial expertise, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
What information should you include in your finance director CV? Learn how to create your interview-landing and job-winning profile with our bespoke guide on:
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche finance director role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Structuring and formatting your finance director CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your finance director CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
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Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a finance director CV
- Professional Profile outlines key qualifications, emphasizing leadership in finance.
- Financial Management Experience showcases a proven track record in financial strategy.
- Key Achievements indicate tangible successes and the impact made in previous roles.
- Education and Qualifications highlight relevant degrees, certifications, or finance-related training.
- Technical Skills and Expertise display proficiency in finance-specific software and tools.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise your fiscal management expertise by highlighting past experience with budget creation, risk management, and strategic financial planning to demonstrate your capability in steering the company's financial direction.
- Showcase your proficiency in financial reporting by detailing your history with regulatory compliance, preparing accurate reports, and using these reports to guide senior executives' decisions.
- Detail your leadership and team management skills by mentioning successful projects where you led cross-department financial initiatives, improving company-wide financial literacy and performance.
- Highlight your ability to implement robust financial controls and systems by providing examples of when you've improved operational efficiency through the integration of new technologies or processes.
- Mention any relevant qualifications such as a Chartered Accountant (CA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, accompanied by your experience in high-level financial strategy and advisory to establish your credibility.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your finance director CV header
Right at the very top of your finance director CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for finance director:
- Finance Director | Chartered Accountant | Strategic Planning & Analysis | 12+ Years' Experience
- Senior Finance Director | MBA, CIMA Qualified | Corporate Finance & Risk Management | 15 Years’ Expertise
- Finance Director | Treasury & Capital Management Specialist | ACA | 10 Years in Senior Roles
- Expert Finance Director | Financial Reporting & Compliance | ACCA Certified | 18+ Years’ Leadership
- Strategic Finance Director | Budgeting & Forecasting Master | 20 Years of Financial Stewardship
- Leading Finance Director | Investment Optimisation | ACMA, CGMA | Proven Growth Driver | 25 Years Experience
What's the difference between a finance director CV summary and objective
Why should it matter to you?
- Your finance director CV summary is a showcasing your career ambitions and your unique value. Use the objective to answer why your potential employers should hire you based on goals and ambitions. The objective is the ideal choice for candidates who happen to have less professional experience, but still meet some of the job requirements.
Before you select which one will be more relevant to your experience, have a look at some industry-leading CV summaries and objectives.
CV summaries for a finance director job:
- With over 10 years of robust experience in corporate finance, a seasoned professional adept at maximizing profitability and efficiency. Proven track record of implementing robust financial controls, leading to a 20% cost reduction at a Fortune 500 company. Expert in financial modelling, risk analysis, and strategic planning.
- Dynamic ex-marketing manager transitioning to finance, bringing a refreshing perspective and 8 years of experience in monetization strategy and budget management. Successfully scaled revenue by 150% over two years at a leading digital agency through innovative financial strategies and rigorous market analysis.
- Former IT project manager migrating to the finance sector, equipped with 12 years of experience managing multimillion-dollar budgets and a profound understanding of SaaS business models. Adept at leveraging technology to enhance financial reporting and strategic decision-making.
- Finance Director with 15 years of experience at international banks, providing strategic oversight and driving fiscal discipline. Recognised for improving ROI by 25% through the introduction of cutting-edge data analytics and cost management strategies. Skilled in leading cross-functional teams in high-stakes environments.
- Seeking to leverage a decade of experience in fast-paced retail management and recent finance credentials to develop expertise in financial stewardship. Eager to apply analytical skills and a commitment to driving business success through sound financial practices.
- Aiming to build a career in finance leveraging strong analytical abilities and a solid foundation in economics gained through recent academic achievements. Motivated to contribute to financial strategy development with a fresh perspective and a relentless drive for excellence.
More detailed look into your work history: best advice on writing your finance director CV experience section
The CV experience is a space not just to merely list your past roles and responsibilities. It is the CV real estate within which you could detail your greatest accomplishments and skills, while matching the job requirements. Here's what to have in your experience section:
- Prove you have what the job wants with your unique skill set and past successes;
- Start each bullet with a strong, action verb, and continue with the outcome of your responsibility;
- Use any awards, nominations, and recognitions you've received as solid proof of your skill set and expertise;
- align your experience with the role responsibilities and duties.
For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Led a finance team of 15, driving strategic financial planning and analysis to steer company growth. Managed budget forecasting with a 98% accuracy rate for a £50M annual turnover business.
- Implemented robust financial controls and governance frameworks that reduced financial risks and ensured compliance with regulatory standards like IFRS and GAAP.
- Developed and presented monthly and quarterly financial reports to executive teams and stakeholders, highlighting key performance indicators and providing actionable insights.
- Played a pivotal role in securing £20M in funding for expansion by crafting compelling investment proposals and delivering persuasive presentations to venture capitalists and banks.
- Optimized cash flow management strategies resulting in a 25% reduction in operating costs and a sustained improvement in working capital.
- Directed the financial due diligence and integration of three successful company acquisitions, enhancing group revenue by 40% within two years.
- Negotiated and managed key supplier contracts and relationships, achieving a 15% cost savings on procurement and enhancing the company’s negotiation leverage.
- Championed the adoption of new financial management software, streamlining accounting processes and enhancing data accuracy and reporting efficiency by 30%.
- Successfully led the finance department through four annual audits with no significant findings, underscoring the department's attention to detail and adherence to financial best practices.
Finance Director Experience
Director of Finance
Pearson PLC
09/2020-Ongoing
- Spearheaded a financial turnaround strategy for a struggling product line, boosting sales revenue by 25% within the first year.
- Led an initiative to streamline the company's budgeting process using AI-driven forecasting tools, resulting in a 15% reduction in budget variances.
- Initiated and managed a cross-departmental cost-saving programme that identified and implemented efficiencies, saving the company £500K annually.
Finance Director Experience
Senior Director of Financial Strategy
GlaxoSmithKline
03/2017-08/2020
- Successfully negotiated a £20M credit facility with major banks to enhance the company's liquidity and enable expansion strategies.
- Directed a team of 30 in the finance department, achieving a 90% staff retention rate over a 3-year period through targeted development programmes.
- Oversaw the successful acquisition and financial integration of a smaller competitor, increasing market share by 10%.
Finance Director Experience
Chief Financial Officer
Barclays PLC
11/2014-02/2017
- Implemented a new financial reporting system that improved reporting efficiency by 40% and enhanced data accuracy.
- Managed international tax compliance and strategy for operations in over 15 countries, ensuring adherence to regulations and minimizing tax liabilities.
- Championed a corporate restructuring that optimized the organizational chart for fiscal efficiency, contributing to a 12% overhead cost reduction.
Finance Director Experience
Finance Director
HSBC Holdings PLC
05/2012-10/2014
- Developed and maintained financial models forecasting business growth scenarios, influencing the company's strategic decisions on product development and marketing spend.
- Played a pivotal role in securing a joint venture agreement with a foreign firm, expected to increase annual revenues by £30M.
- Optimized cash management processes, which led to an improved working capital position and a 50% reduction in cash conversion cycle times.
Finance Director Experience
Group Director of Finance
Standard Chartered
01/2010-04/2012
- Devised a capital expenditure plan that supported a £100M infrastructure upgrade, enhancing operational efficiency and long-term corporate resilience.
- Directed financial due diligence for a series of potential acquisitions, leading to the successful buyout of a key supplier and securing cost savings of £2M annually.
- Established a risk management framework that reduced financial risk exposure by 20% through diversification and robust contract negotiations.
Finance Director Experience
Executive Director of Financial Planning
Lloyds Banking Group
08/2015-12/2019
- Designed and launched an investor relations strategy that increased shareholder confidence, resulting in a 15% rise in stock prices over two years.
- Created a performance tracking system for budgetary control that identified underperforming products and facilitated the reallocation of £10M in resources to high-growth areas.
- Piloted a financial literacy program for non-finance managers that enhanced departmental budget management and reduced unnecessary expenditures by 10%.
Finance Director Experience
Finance Director & Controller
Royal Bank of Scotland Group
06/2011-07/2015
- Conducted a comprehensive analysis and re-negotiation of supplier contracts that led to a 15% reduction in procurement costs for key raw materials.
- Orchestrated the transition to a new ERP system that consolidated financial tasks and provided real-time financial data, enhancing decision-making speed and accuracy.
- Developed a sustainability investment programme that allocated £5M towards green initiatives, supporting the company's CSR objectives and reducing energy costs by 30%.
Finance Director Experience
Finance Director - Corporate Services
Prudential plc
02/2009-05/2011
- Overhauled the company’s long-term financial strategy by reallocating investments into higher-yield portfolios, substantially increasing annual returns by 20%.
- Introduced predictive analytics to financial planning processes which improved accuracy in revenue projections and enabled proactive response to market changes.
- Managed the financial launch of a new product line that captured a 5% market share within the first year and contributed to a £25M increase in revenue.
Swapping your professional experience (when you have none) with skills and more
Never underestimate the importance of relevancе when it comes to your finance director CV. Even if you don't happen to have much or any standard (full-time contract) professional experience, this doesn't mean you shouldn't apply for the role. Instead of a bespoke CV experience section:
- Showcase more prominently any internships, part-time roles, and volunteer experience that are applicable to the role and have taught you job-crucial skills;
- Feature a strengths or achievements section with your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your work or life experience;
- Write an objective statement that clearly outlines your values as a candidate and defines your career ambitions;
- List your education or certificates that match the job profile closer to the top of your CV.
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Describe how each job helped you grow or learn something new, showing a continuous development path in your career.
Hard skills and soft skills to showcase your unique skill set on your finance director CV
Did you know that your CV will mostly likely be assessed by recruiters based on skill alignment? And that means that the way you feature your key skills across different CV sections will play a crucial role in landing you that first interview. We recommend you add your:
- technical capabilities or hard skills in your CV experience, certificates, projects, etc. Use your past accomplishments to prove your technical capabilities. List up to a dozen different software or hardware in your dedicated skills section to match the job keywords;
- personal and communication skills or soft skills in your CV strengths, achievements, summary/ objective, etc. Soft skills are a bit more difficult to prove. How do you define your aptitude in active listening? So, instead of just listing the skill name, include a tangible metric to show your success.
On a final note, when you're in a hurry to create your profile, you may misspell a particular technology or soft skill. That's why we suggest you copy and paste the particular skill name (or keyword), directly from the job advert. This would also help you to pass any initial Applicant Tracker System (ATS) tests.
Top skills for your finance director CV:
HARD SKILLS
Financial Reporting
Budgeting and Forecasting
Financial Analysis
Strategic Planning
Cash Flow Management
Accounting Standards (IFRS/UK GAAP)
Tax Planning and Compliance
Risk Management
Treasury Management
ERP Systems Proficiency
SOFT SKILLS
Leadership
Communication
Strategic Thinking
Problem-Solving
Decision-Making
Analytical Thinking
Teamwork and Collaboration
Time Management
Attention to Detail
Stakeholder Management
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your finance director CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your finance director CV:
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your finance director CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
