There are around 160k finance directors in the US today, with one-third of them being women. Two-thirds of finance directors are found in the public sector and companies with more than 10k employees. This position requires years of experience and a strong educational background.

With over 90% of finance directors having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance or a related field, recruiters will expect to see at least one degree listed on your resume. They also expect to see years of successful experience in the finance department and a steady career progression. This guide has been created with the help of finance director recruiters to give you a clear picture of what they are looking to see in your resume and what you can add to impress them. There are 3 resume samples, as well as a skills list, an action verbs list, and some tips for each sample.

Finance Director Resume Templates

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Finance Director

Director of Finance

Assistant Director of Finance

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Keywords for Finance Director Resumes

Finance Director Resume Tips

Action Verbs to Use

Related Finance Resumes

Get advice on each section of your resume:

Header

Summary

Experience

Education

Template 1 of 3: Finance Director Resume Example

Finance directors are in charge of the financial side of a company. Duties you can expect include overseeing financial activities, developing financial plans, and training finance-related staff. You aim to ensure that financial processes are constantly improving and that all financial policies are followed.

Recruiters will expect to see at least a bachelor’s degree in finance or a related field and a background in accounting and finance. Having strong mathematical, and analytical skills would also be preferred. Here is a strong finance director resume.

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A finance director resume sample that highlights the applicant’s quantifiable success.

Tips to help you write your Finance Director resume in 2024

Use metrics to show your effect on the bottom line.

Using metrics is an easy way to put your successes into perspective for recruiters. Impress recruiters by including figures like how much money your finance team saved, or how much extra money they made for the company under your leadership.

Also see: How to Quantify Your Resume: What Recruiters Look For (50+ Examples)

Use metrics to show your effect on the bottom line. - Finance Director Resume

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Skills you can include on your Finance Director resume

Template 2 of 3: Director of Finance Resume Example

A director of finance cares about the long-term financial health of a company. You will keep management and your superiors constantly updated on the financial health of the company and will spend time analyzing the markets and writing reports. You will also play a leadership role for the department and will ensure all internal financial policies are followed as well as all financial laws and guidelines.

Recruiters will expect to see a bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a relevant field, and will need you to be an expert in corporate finance. Take a look at this recruiter-approved resume sample.

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A director of finance resume sample that highlights the applicant’s specific skill set and impressive experience.

Tips to help you write your Director of Finance resume in 2024

Use finance keywords.

Your resume should read like someone who has been in finance for a long time. An easy way to do this is by using common finance terms and phrases. Examples include ‘YOY’, ‘ERP system’, and ‘overhead costs’.

Also see: 50+ Finance Resume Examples for 2024

Use finance keywords. - Director of Finance Resume

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Focus on finance skills in the skills section.

As much as management and leadership are vital functions of your position, use your resume to show off your expertise in finance. So concentrate on including finance-related skills in the skills section like financial modeling and forecasting.

Also see: Essential Components of Your Skills Section

Focus on finance skills in the skills section. - Director of Finance Resume

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Skills you can include on your Director of Finance resume

Template 3 of 3: Assistant Director of Finance Resume Example

As the name suggests, your job will revolve around assisting the director of finance to maintain the financial health of the company. Your tasks may include preparing financial statements and other financial documents, reconciling ledgers, supervising payroll and other money transactions, etc.

Recruiters will expect you to have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting or finance, and years of experience in a finance-related position. Experience working in the company’s industry would also be strongly preferred. Take a look at this strong resume sample.

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An assistant director of finance resume sample that highlights the applicant’s certifications and leadership experience.

Tips to help you write your Assistant Director of Finance resume in 2024

Get financial certifications.

Shine amongst your competition by getting certifications related to your job. Finance and accounting certifications will be especially helpful. This applicant has 3 impressive certifications.

Also see: How to List Certifications on a Resume

Get financial certifications. - Assistant Director of Finance Resume

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Use action verbs that highlight your leadership.

In this position, you will be assisting someone in a leadership position. Show recruiters that you can take on some of your superior's leadership tasks by using action verbs that show self-agency and leadership. These may include, ‘Championed’, ‘Supervised’, and ‘Handled’.

Also see: Recruiter View: How To Show Leadership Skills on Your Resume

Use action verbs that highlight your leadership. - Assistant Director of Finance Resume

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Skills you can include on your Assistant Director of Finance resume

Finance Director Resume Tips

We spoke with hiring managers who recruit finance directors at companies like JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, and Bank of America to get their top tips for writing a strong resume in this field. Here's what they recommend focusing on to help your resume stand out and land more interviews.

Highlight your financial analysis and modeling skills

Employers want to see specific examples of your financial analysis and modeling abilities on your resume, such as:

Built detailed financial models in Excel to forecast revenue, expenses, and cash flow for $50M+ projects
Analyzed financial statements to identify areas for cost reduction, resulting in a 15% decrease in operating expenses
Created investment memorandums and valuation models for potential M&A targets

Quantify your accomplishments with metrics to make your skills more concrete and impactful. Vague statements like 'financial modeling experience' are less effective.

Bullet Point Samples for Finance Director

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Emphasize your leadership and team management experience

Finance director roles involve overseeing teams, so hiring managers look for candidates with strong leadership skills. Weak resumes only list generic phrases like:

Managed a team of financial analysts
Proven leadership abilities

Instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate your leadership impact and scale of responsibility:

Directly managed a team of 12 financial analysts and accountants
Led cross-functional initiatives to streamline financial reporting processes across 3 departments
Mentored and trained 5 junior analysts, resulting in 3 promotions to senior analyst roles

Showcase your experience with financial systems and software

Modern finance roles require proficiency with various financial software and ERP systems. Some key ones to mention on your resume if you have experience with them:

ERP systems like SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite
Financial planning and analysis software like Adaptive Insights or Anaplan
Business intelligence tools like Tableau or Power BI
Advanced Excel skills for financial modeling and analysis

Don't just list the software names. Provide context for how you used each tool to drive financial insights and business decisions.

Tailor your resume to the specific finance director role

Finance director roles can vary depending on the company size, industry, and specific responsibilities of the position. Carefully review the job description and tailor your resume to highlight the most relevant skills and experience.

For example, if the role is focused on FP&A (financial planning and analysis), emphasize your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. If the job involves more investor relations work, focus on your experience preparing investor presentations and SEC filings.

Customizing your resume for each role takes more effort, but it helps you stand out by demonstrating you understand the specific needs of the position and company.

Include relevant certifications and continuing education

Professional certifications like CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), or CFP (Certified Financial Planner) can make your resume stand out, as they demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the finance field.

If you have a certification, include it after your name at the top of your resume, such as:

John Smith, CPA

Also list any relevant continuing education, such as completing courses in advanced financial modeling or data analytics. This shows employers you are proactively developing your skills to stay current in the field.

Demonstrate your industry-specific finance experience

In addition to overall financial acumen, employers often look for finance directors with experience in their specific industry, such as healthcare, technology, or manufacturing. If you have experience in the same industry as the company you're applying to, make sure to highlight that prominently on your resume.

For instance, you could include a 'Relevant Industry Experience' section that lists accomplishments like:

Managed financial reporting and analysis for a $200M healthcare technology company
Led due diligence and financial modeling for a series of acquisitions in the medical device space

If you're applying to a finance director role in a new industry, look for ways to translate your skills and experience to be relevant to that field. Emphasize your transferable skills in areas like financial strategy, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.

Writing Your Finance Director Resume: Section By Section

Header

As a finance director, your resume header should be professional and make it easy for hiring managers to contact you. Use these tips to write a header that will get your resume noticed:

1. Put your name on the first line

Your header should start with your full name on its own line, as it's the most important piece of information. Use a larger font size than the rest of your contact details to make it stand out.

Here's an example of how to format your name in your header:

Aidan Nguyen

Avoid nicknames or shortened versions of your name. For example:

A. Nguyen

Our Score My Resume tool can provide instant feedback on your resume header and other key sections, checking it against 30+ criteria hiring managers care about.

2. Include key contact details

After your name, add your phone number, email address, and location. Use separators like vertical bars or bullet points between each piece of information to keep it organized and easy to read.

Include details like:

415-555-1234 | [email protected] | San Francisco, CA
[email protected] • linkedin.com/in/aidan-nguyen • 415-555-1234

Don't make the mistake of providing too much personal information, like your full mailing address:

123 Oak Avenue, Apartment 2B, San Francisco, CA 94117

If you work remotely, you can simply put "Remote" as your location. Hiring managers understand many finance roles are now remote.

3. Showcase your finance credentials

As a finance director, you may have professional certifications or affiliations that are important to highlight. Adding these after your contact information can help you stand out.

Examples of relevant credentials for a finance director:

CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)

However, avoid listing credentials that aren't relevant or widely recognized in the finance industry, such as:

Online course certificates
College alumni associations
Fraternity or sorority affiliations

When in doubt, only include credentials that are professionally relevant and would be seen as an asset by finance hiring managers.

Summary

A resume summary for a Finance Director position is optional, but can be a valuable addition if you have extensive experience or are making a career change. It provides an opportunity to highlight your most relevant qualifications and skills, and can help catch the attention of hiring managers.

However, it's important to avoid simply repeating information that's already included in other sections of your resume. Instead, use the summary to provide additional context or details that showcase your unique value proposition.

How to write a resume summary if you are applying for a Finance Director resume

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1. Highlight your financial expertise

As a Finance Director, your summary should emphasize your financial acumen and experience managing complex financial operations. Mention specific areas of expertise, such as:

Financial planning and analysis
Budgeting and forecasting
Financial reporting and compliance
Risk management

For example:

Experienced Finance Director with a proven track record of leading financial planning, analysis, and reporting for multi-million dollar organizations. Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and risk management to drive strategic decision-making and optimize financial performance.

Quantify your achievements whenever possible to make your summary more impactful. For example, mention the size of budgets you've managed or the percentage by which you reduced costs.

2. Showcase leadership and collaboration skills

In addition to technical financial skills, a Finance Director must also possess strong leadership and collaboration abilities. Highlight your experience leading and mentoring finance teams, as well as partnering with cross-functional stakeholders.

Avoid generic statements like:

Strong leadership skills
Excellent communicator and collaborator

Instead, provide specific examples:

Led a team of 10 finance professionals to streamline reporting processes, reducing monthly close time by 30%
Collaborated with sales, marketing, and operations leaders to develop and implement a comprehensive financial strategy that increased revenue by 15%

Our Score My Resume tool can provide instant feedback on your resume, checking it against 30+ criteria that hiring managers look for. It's a great way to ensure your leadership and collaboration skills are effectively highlighted.

3. Tailor your summary to the company and role

While it's essential to showcase your overall qualifications, it's equally important to tailor your summary to the specific company and role you're targeting. Research the organization and identify key priorities or challenges that align with your expertise.

For example, if the company is undergoing a merger or acquisition, you might highlight:

Seasoned Finance Director with experience leading financial due diligence and integration for successful M&A transactions. Adept at developing and implementing financial strategies to support business transformation and drive long-term growth.

By customizing your summary to the company's needs, you demonstrate your understanding of their unique challenges and how you can contribute to their success.

Before finalizing your resume, run it through our Targeted Resume tool, which analyzes your resume against a specific job description. This can help ensure you're using the right keywords and highlighting the most relevant skills for the position.

Experience

Your work experience section is the most important part of your resume as a finance director. It's where you show a hiring manager how you've used your skills to drive results throughout your career.

In this section, we'll break down everything you need to know to write a work experience section that will impress hiring managers and help you land your next finance director role.

1. Start each bullet with a strong action verb

When writing about your work experience, choose powerful action verbs that showcase your skills and accomplishments. As a finance director, some great verbs to use include:

Managed a team of 12 financial analysts to ensure accurate reporting and forecasting
Developed and implemented a new budgeting process that reduced cycle time by 30%
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify cost-saving opportunities, resulting in $500K in annual savings
Presented financial results and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and the board of directors

Avoid using weak or passive language like "responsible for" or "worked on". Instead, choose action-oriented verbs that highlight your leadership and impact.

After drafting your resume, run it through Score My Resume to get instant feedback on your action verbs and other key criteria hiring managers look for. It's a quick way to ensure your resume is as strong as possible before applying to jobs.

2. Quantify your impact with metrics and numbers

As a finance professional, you know the importance of numbers in telling a story. The same applies to your resume. Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments with hard numbers to give hiring managers a concrete sense of your impact. For example:

Reduced operating expenses by 15% through strategic cost-cutting initiatives
Secured $10M in new equity financing to fund expansion into new markets
Improved cash flow by 25% by optimizing accounts receivable processes

If you don't have access to specific metrics, you can still use numbers to provide context:

Managed a $50M P&L across three business units
Led a team of 8 financial professionals to support 500+ internal customers

Numbers jump off the page and help hiring managers quickly grasp the scope and significance of your achievements.

Be selective about the numbers you include. Use metrics that are most relevant to the role you're applying for and that best showcase your capabilities as a finance leader.

3. Highlight your progression and promotions

Hiring managers love to see candidates who have progressed and grown throughout their careers. If you've been promoted or taken on increasing levels of responsibility, make sure that comes through clearly in your work experience section.

One effective way to do this is by grouping multiple positions you've held at the same company together, with your most recent position first. For example:

ABC Company
Director of Finance, 2018-Present
Senior Finance Manager, 2016-2018
Finance Manager, 2014-2016

This format makes your progression within the company clear and highlights your ability to succeed and advance in an organization.

Recruiters often skim job titles first to get a sense of your career trajectory. Consider bolding your titles to make them stand out and showcase your progression.

4. Tailor your bullets to the job description

While it's tempting to list out all of your job responsibilities in your work experience section, a more effective approach is to focus on the accomplishments and skills that are most relevant to the specific finance director role you're applying for.

Before you start writing, carefully review the job description and make note of the key requirements and priorities of the role. Then, select achievements from your past experience that best demonstrate those abilities.

For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with financial planning and analysis (FP&A), you might include bullets like:

Led the annual budgeting and forecasting process, delivering analyses that drove a 10% increase in EBITDA
Partnered with business leaders to develop long-range strategic plans aligned with company goals

On the other hand, if the role is more focused on accounting and control, your bullets might highlight:

Ensured compliance with GAAP and SOX requirements, leading to clean audit opinions
Implemented a new GL system and improved close processes, reducing monthly close by 3 days

By tailoring your work experience to the job at hand, you'll help the hiring manager quickly see how your background is a strong fit for their needs.

To ensure your resume is well-tailored, try running it through Targeted Resume. It will analyze your resume against a specific job description and provide suggestions for skills and keywords to include to better align your application with the role.

Education

The education section is a critical part of your finance director resume. It shows employers that you have the necessary academic qualifications for the role. Use the following tips to write a strong education section that will impress hiring managers and help you land the job.

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1. List your degrees in reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent degree and work backwards. This format is standard for resumes and makes it easy for employers to see your academic progression.

Here's an example of how to list your degrees:

Master of Business Administration (MBA), XYZ University, 2018
Bachelor of Science in Finance, ABC College, 2014

If you have multiple degrees, you may choose to only list the most relevant ones to save space on your resume.

2. Include relevant coursework and honors

If you're a recent graduate or your coursework is highly relevant to the finance director role, consider listing it under your degree. This can help demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.

However, avoid listing every course you've ever taken. Instead, focus on those that are most closely related to the job, such as:

Financial analysis
Corporate finance
Accounting
Investment management

You can also include any academic honors or awards you received, such as graduating cum laude or being on the dean's list.

3. Keep it concise if you're a senior professional

If you have many years of work experience, your education section should be brief. Employers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments than your academic background.

Here's an example of what not to include:

Master of Business Administration, XYZ University, 2005
Relevant coursework: Financial analysis, corporate finance, accounting
Bachelor of Science in Finance, ABC College, 2000
Relevant coursework: Investment management, financial planning, economics

Instead, keep it short and sweet:

MBA, XYZ University
B.S. in Finance, ABC College

If you earned your degrees many years ago, consider removing the graduation years to avoid potential age discrimination.

Action Verbs For Finance Director Resumes

Action verbs are useful indicators of your function in the department and your strengths. A finance director needs action verbs that signify their leadership success. Action verbs like ‘championed’ and ‘launched’ are great examples of strong leadership action verbs.

You will also need action verbs that show your experience and success in finance tasks so try to use more finance-related action verbs like ‘analyzed’, ’audited’, and ‘strategized’ as well.

Here are some useful action verbs for you to use.

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Championed
Supervised
Analyzed
Managed
Conducted
Launched
Initiated
Introduced
Instructed
Developed
Facilitated
Conceptualized
Documented
Decreased
Audited
Enforced

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.

Skills For Finance Director Resumes

The director of finance position is a high-ranking position in the finance department. As such you need to show your leadership and management skills as you will most likely be leading at least one team. But more importantly, to be a leader in the finance department, you need to show expertise in finance. Use the skills section to show your expertise in the field. So include skills that are fundamental to analyzing a company’s finances, and strategizing and executing a plan aimed at its financial health. Accounting skills should be included as well. Work on constantly expanding your skill set as you progress in your career.

Here is a list of relevant hard skills recruiters would expect to find on a finance director’s resume. You can use some of these to build your skill section.

Corporate Finance
Financial Modeling
Finance
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Financial Analysis
Financial Reporting
Valuation
Due Diligence
Forecasting
Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Private Equity
Internal Controls
Investment Banking
Financial Accounting
Capital Markets
Accounting
Financial Planning
Financial Forecasting
Treasury
U.S. SEC Filings
Restructuring
Investments
Business Strategy
Venture Capital
Business Valuation
Emerging Markets
Business Planning
Funding

For more skills, visit Finance Director Skills & Keywords.

How To Write Your Skills Section On a Finance Director Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

How To Write Your Skills Section - Finance Director Roles

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Skills Word Cloud For Finance Director Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Finance Director job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

Top Finance Director Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

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