Finance Director resume example
What makes this resume great
This resume stands out due to its clear progression of increasing responsibility in finance roles, culminating in a Finance Director position at a major company. The candidate has a strong educational background from top-tier schools and a robust set of technical and leadership skills relevant to the role. The inclusion of both strategic and operational finance skills, such as M&A, ERP implementation, and cost reduction, demonstrates versatility. The resume is also well-structured, making it easy to follow the candidate's career trajectory and achievements.
Resume summary examples for Finance Director
Example #1
Strong Summary
Finance Director with over 12 years of progressive experience in financial management, strategic planning, and team leadership. Proven track record of driving cost reductions, implementing ERP systems, and leading successful M&A initiatives for global organizations. MBA in Finance from Wharton School.
Weak Summary
I have worked in finance for many years and have managed teams and budgets. I am looking for a challenging role where I can use my skills.
Example #2
Strong Summary
Results-driven Finance Director skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting, with a history of optimizing financial performance and supporting business growth.
Weak Summary
I am good at analyzing finances and making budgets. I want to help companies with their finances.
Example #3
Strong Summary
Accomplished finance leader with expertise in internal controls, financial reporting, and strategic planning, recognized for delivering measurable business value.
Weak Summary
I have experience in finance and have done reporting and planning. I am looking for a finance job.
Resume achievement examples for Finance Director
Example #1
Strong Achievement
Led a cross-functional team to implement a new ERP system, reducing monthly financial close time by 40% and improving reporting accuracy.
Weak Achievement
Helped implement a new ERP system for the company.
Example #2
Strong Achievement
Negotiated and executed two successful mergers, resulting in a 25% increase in company revenue and significant market expansion.
Weak Achievement
Worked on mergers and acquisitions projects.
Example #3
Strong Achievement
Developed and executed cost reduction strategies that saved $3M annually without impacting operational efficiency.
Weak Achievement
Worked on cost reduction strategies for the company.
Essential skills for a Finance Director
- Financial Analysis
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Strategic Planning
- Team Leadership
- Financial Reporting
- Cost Reduction
- ERP Implementation
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Internal Controls
Resume best practices
Tailor Your Resume for a Finance Director
Customize your resume for the specific position you're applying for. Use keywords from the job description and highlight the most relevant experience.
Keep It Concise and Focused
Ideally, your resume should be one page (two if you have extensive experience). Focus on achievements and essential information and avoid fluff.
Use a Clean, Professional Format
Stick to a simple layout with consistent font, spacing, and section headings. Use bullet points for readability. Avoid overly decorative fonts or colors.
Start with a Strong Summary
Write a compelling summary or objective at the top that briefly outlines your background, key skills, and what you bring to being a Finance Director.
Emphasize Achievements Over Duties
Use bullet points to describe what you accomplished as a Finance Director, not just what you were responsible for. Include measurable results when possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 25% in six months").
Use Action Verbs
Start bullet points with strong action verbs like "Led," "Developed," "Improved," "Streamlined," to convey impact and ownership.
Highlight Skills and Tools
Create a dedicated skills section that includes technical tools, software, or soft skills relevant to being a Finance Director (e.g., Excel, Python, CRM systems, leadership, communication).
Include Education and Certifications
List your educational background and any relevant certifications or ongoing courses. Mention GPA if it’s strong (generally above 3.5) and you're early in your career.
Proofread Carefully
Avoid spelling or grammatical errors since they can be deal-breakers. Ask someone else to review your resume or use tools like Grammarly.