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Finance Director CV Examples &...

Finance Director CV Examples & Guide for 2024

Your finance director CV must showcase your comprehensive experience in financial management and strategic planning. Demonstrate an exceptional understanding of financial regulations and compliance within your sector. Highlight your proven track record of optimizing financial performance and achieving organizational objectives. Ensure your leadership skills and your ability to drive financial initiatives are evident.

All CV examples in this guide.

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:

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PRO TIP

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.

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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.
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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.

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;

  • Integrate a link to your professional portfolio or LinkedIn profile to further showcase your work;
  • Upload your professional photo only if you're applying for jobs outside the UK or US.
  • Finally, we've reached the most difficult aspect of the CV header - it's your headline or the first sentence that is used to grab recruiters' attention. The most effective finance director CV headlines:

    • 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:
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    Examples of good CV headlines for finance director:

    1. Finance Director | Chartered Accountant | Strategic Planning & Analysis | 12+ Years' Experience
    2. Senior Finance Director | MBA, CIMA Qualified | Corporate Finance & Risk Management | 15 Years’ Expertise
    3. Finance Director | Treasury & Capital Management Specialist | ACA | 10 Years in Senior Roles
    4. Expert Finance Director | Financial Reporting & Compliance | ACCA Certified | 18+ Years’ Leadership
    5. Strategic Finance Director | Budgeting & Forecasting Master | 20 Years of Financial Stewardship
    6. 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.

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    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:

    For more help on how to write your CV experience section, check out the next section of our guide:

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    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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    PRO TIP

    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

    pro tip icon
    PRO TIP

    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:

    pro tip icon
    PRO TIP

    If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.

    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.
    finance director resume example

    Looking to build your own Finance Director CV?

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    Author image
    Volen Vulkov
    Volen Vulkov is a resume expert and the co-founder of Enhancv. He applies his deep knowledge and experience to write about a career change, development, and how to stand out in the job application process.

    Frequently asked questions about Finance Director CVs:

    Q. What should be the ideal length of a Finance Director CV?
    A. A Finance Director CV should ideally be no more than two pages long. However, it is essential to include all relevant information that showcases your skills and experience.
    Q. What is the ideal format for a Finance Director CV?
    A. A Finance Director CV should be presented in a clear, concise format that highlights your work history, education, skills, and achievements. Use bullet points and bolded headings to enhance readability, and tailor your CV to the specific role you are applying for.
    Q. How can I make my Finance Director CV stand out?
    A. To make your Finance Director CV stand out, highlight your key achievements, show your business acumen, and highlight your leadership skills. Use numbers and quantifiable results to showcase your impact, and make sure to tailor your CV to the specific role and company you are applying to.