What should a finance CV include?

Professional qualifications, systems and tools, areas of expertise, and achievements with figures such as savings, accuracy, reporting speed or forecasts.

Where should qualifications go on a finance CV?

Near the top, in the profile and a dedicated qualifications section, because they are often a requirement.

What systems should I list?

Accounting software, ERP systems, spreadsheet and modelling skills, and reporting or BI tools that match the job ad.

Finance CV Example: Accountant and Analyst CV Tips

A finance CV should be precise, professional and full of numbers. Put professional qualifications at the top, list the accounting, ERP and reporting systems you use, and write achievements with figures: savings found, close times shortened, forecasts improved, audits passed. Use a classic, clean layout; accuracy in your CV signals accuracy in your work.

What recruiters look for

Professional qualifications or progress toward them.
Technical skills: reporting, forecasting, tax, audit, modelling.
Systems experience.
Business partnering and communication.
Attention to detail.

Example profile

Example

Qualified accountant with seven years in management accounting for retail businesses, specialising in forecasting and cost control. Shortened the month-end close and built a forecasting model now used by the leadership team. Seeking a finance business partner role.

Achievement bullets

Reduced month-end close from 10 to 5 working days by automating reconciliations.
Identified $80K in duplicate supplier payments during a payables review.
Built a rolling forecast model improving accuracy against actuals.
Prepared statutory accounts for 12 clients with no major audit findings.
Partnered with 4 department heads on budgets totalling $15M.

Illustrative; use your own figures.

Skills and systems

Financial reporting, management accounts, forecasting, variance analysis, tax compliance, audit preparation, advanced Excel, accounting software and ERP systems, BI tools.

Tips

Qualifications first if the role requires them.
Every bullet a number where possible.
Zero typos.
Classic layout. See the best CV format.

See how to write a CV.

Browse all finance CV templates.

Tailor by finance role

Role	Emphasize
Accounts payable or receivable	Volumes, accuracy, systems, process improvements
Management accountant	Reporting, variance analysis, close timelines
Financial analyst	Modelling, forecasting, insights that informed decisions
Audit	Clients, sectors, findings, team leadership
Finance manager or controller	Team size, controls, audits, systems implementation

Example experience entry

Example

Management Accountant, Northgate Retail, 2020 to present
Produce monthly management accounts for 4 business units. Shortened month-end close from 10 to 5 working days through reconciliation automation, and built the rolling forecast used in board reporting.

Studying for a qualification

Show progress clearly, for example "Part-qualified: 9 of 13 exams passed, expected completion 2026". Employers value commitment and many support study.

Finance CV Example: Accountants, Analysts and Finance Managers