Crafting a CV that effectively showcases your strategic financial management and leadership skills can be a challenge for any financial controller. Our guide provides you with tailored tips and templates to help you highlight your proficiency in fiscal oversight and financial reporting, ensuring you distinguish yourself in the competitive finance industry.
- 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 financial controller role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
How complex should the format of your financial controller CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your financial controller CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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Incorporate a touch of colour in headers or section breaks, but keep it professional and ensure it doesn’t detract from readability, especially in more conservative industries.
The top sections on a financial controller CV
- Professional Summary showcases your finance expertise and leadership skills, summarising your qualifications for recruiters.
- Work Experience details your past roles, highlighting your accomplishments and financial management capabilities.
- Financial Skills section demonstrates your proficiency with accounting software, financial analysis, and compliance.
- Education and Certifications list your relevant degrees and finance-related qualifications, ensuring your technical knowledge.
- Achievements in Finance underlines noteworthy successes like cost reduction initiatives or systems improvements.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Emphasise your proficiency in financial reporting and compliance by detailing your experience with financial statements, tax returns, and audit processes.
- Showcase your strategic financial management abilities, highlighting any experience with budgeting, forecasting, and implementing cost-reduction strategies.
- Demonstrate your leadership and team management skills by mentioning the size of teams you've supervised and the financial operations you've streamlined.
- Highlight your expertise in financial software and systems, specifying any industry-standard tools like SAP, Oracle, or advanced Excel you're proficient with.
- Illustrate your communication skills by detailing your experience in presenting financial information to stakeholders and how you've supported decision-making processes.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning financial controller CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for financial controller:
- Financial Controller | Chartered ACCA | Risk Management Expert | 8+ Years in Corporate Finance
- Senior Finance Controller | CIMA Certified | Strategic Planning & Analysis | International Experience | 12+ Years
- Associate Financial Controller | MBA Graduate | Budgeting & Forecasting Specialist | 5 Years in SME Finance
- Financial Controller | CPA Qualified | Compliance & Internal Controls | M&A Experience | 10 Years
- Principal Financial Controller | Expert in Taxation | Treasury Management | CA Credential | 15+ Years
- Lead Financial Controller | Financial Reporting & Auditing | IFRS Knowledgeable | 7+ Years Progressing Roles
Choosing your opening statement: a financial controller CV summary or objective
At the top one third of your CV, you have the chance to make a more personable impression on recruiters by selecting between:
- Summary - or those three to five sentences that you use to show your greatest achievements. Use the CV summary if you happen to have plenty of relevant experience and wish to highlight your greatest successes;
- Objective - provides you with up to five sentences to state your professional aims and mission in the company you're applying for
CV summaries for a financial controller job:
- Accomplished Chartered Accountant with 8 years of robust experience in financial management within the tech industry, specialising in budget forecasting, risk analysis, and streamlining financial operations. Notable achievement includes reducing operational costs by 15% through strategic process optimisation at Tech Innovate Ltd.
- Seasoned Financial Controller with over 10 years of dedicated work in the manufacturing sector, capable of managing large-scale budgets and leading cross-functional teams. Implemented a financial reporting system at ManuCraft Enterprises that improved reporting accuracy by 25%.
- Highly analytic former IT Project Manager eager to transfer 7 years of project budgeting and cost reduction expertise into the financial sector. Adept at complex data analysis and keen to apply these skills to drive financial efficiency and growth within a new industry.
- Resourceful Marketing Director looking to pivot to financial control after 6 years of overseeing multimillion-pound campaigns, with a talent for cost management and investment planning. Excited to bring a creative yet analytical approach to optimising financial performance and capital investment strategies.
- Aspiring Financial Controller, recently graduated with an MSc in Finance, eager to utilise exceptional academic knowledge and strong analytical skills to assist in effective financial analysis and reporting. Driven to gain hands-on experience and contribute to an organisation's financial integrity and success.
- Dynamic individual with a recent MBA in Finance seeking entry-level opportunities to apply strong foundation in investment strategy, financial modelling, and management accounting. Committed to learning and excelling in financial oversight and regulatory compliance while supporting overall business goals.
The best formula for your financial controller CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Managed timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting, ensuring compliance with IFRS and other regulatory requirements to maintain the company’s financial integrity and transparency.
- Implemented and monitored internal controls and policies to mitigate financial risk, and regularly reviewed systems for efficiency and compliance, leading to an improved annual audit outcome and reduced risk exposure.
- Streamlined budgeting and forecasting processes, working closely with department heads to deliver a more effective financial planning mechanism that aligns with strategic business objectives.
- Played a pivotal role in financial decision-making, providing strategic recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors that contributed to a 15% increase in profitability over two years.
- Supervised a team of accountants and finance professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development, which resulted in a 20% increase in team productivity.
- Led complex financial projects, including the successful integration of new accounting software that automated key financial processes and enhanced reporting capabilities.
- Conducted thorough financial analysis and prepared detailed reports, presenting critical financial data and narrative that supported strategic business initiatives and growth opportunities.
- Efficiently managed cash flow and working capital, negotiating with suppliers and financial institutions to optimise liquidity and maintain strong credit standing.
- Collaborated with external auditors during annual audits, ensuring all financial statements and disclosures were accurate and in accordance with applicable standards, leading to no significant audit findings.
- Directed the financial operations and strategised the cost-reduction plan, resulting in a 15% decrease in expenses after streamlining supplier contracts.
- Implemented an ERP system to overhaul the company's accounting framework, increasing reporting accuracy and reducing monthly closing time by 30%.
- Led a team of 12 in the finance department, fostering professional development and high standards of performance to achieve a 20% increase in department efficiency.
- Managed the preparation of statutory financial statements and coordinated the external audit process, ensuring full compliance with IFRS.
- Spearheaded a company-wide budget restructuring initiative, leading to improved financial forecasting accuracy by 25%.
- Negotiated and secured a £2 million revolving credit facility to enhance the company's cash flow and working capital management.
- Developed and implemented financial policies and procedures that enhanced internal controls and supported the company's international expansion efforts.
- Orchestrated a financial turnaround strategy, taking the company from a £300,000 annual loss to a £500,000 profit in under three years.
- Actively collaborated with the CFO to drive the business strategy, contributing to a 15% annual growth rate.
- Optimized cash flow management by implementing robust forecasting models that improved the cash conversion cycle by 20 days.
- Coordinated the due diligence and financial assessment for an acquisition worth £50 million, providing critical insights to the executive team.
- Developed a comprehensive corporate tax strategy that reduced the company's effective tax rate by 5% annually.
- Instrumental in developing a business continuity plan which safeguarded critical financial operations during a major system outage and prevented revenue loss.
- Managed the quarterly financial reporting process to stakeholders in a timely manner, promoting transparency and upholding the firm's reputation.
- Enhanced financial insight by implementing a new BI tool for data analysis and reporting, empowering management with real-time financial information.
- Analysed financial results and market trends to present quarterly reports to the board, influencing the strategic decision-making process.
- Revamped the financial risk management framework which reduced financial risks by 22% and safeguarded the company's assets.
- Played a key role in integrating the finance function of three newly acquired subsidiaries, ensuring cohesive and efficient financial operations.
- Implemented a cost-saving initiative that resulted in the successful renegotiation of supply chain contracts, saving the company £1.2 million annually.
- Led the adoption of new accounting software which enhanced the finance team's productivity by 35% and minimised human errors in financial documentation.
- Presented intricate financial data to non-financial stakeholders in a clear manner, aiding the board in understanding the financial implications of their strategic choices.
- Streamlined financial reporting processes, reducing the time taken to produce monthly reports from 10 to 6 business days.
- Led the strategic budget planning process, which aligned 10+ departments with the organisation's financial goals and priorities.
- Coordinated with IT to enhance cybersecurity measures for financial data, drastically reducing the risk of financial data breaches.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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Talk about any positive changes you helped bring about in your previous jobs, like improving a process or helping increase efficiency.
Key financial controller CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your financial controller CV:
Financial Reporting
Accounting
Auditing
Budgeting
Forecasting
Financial Analysis
Taxation
Risk Management
Regulatory Compliance
ERP Systems
Leadership
Communication
Problem-Solving
Attention to Detail
Strategic Thinking
Time Management
Negotiation
Adaptability
Teamwork
Decision-Making
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Further professional qualifications for your financial controller CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your financial controller CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your financial controller CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
