Writing a Finance CV: From Graduates to Experienced Professionals

In the UK finance sector, there are ample opportunities catering to both seasoned professionals and individuals at various career stages, including recent finance graduates or those navigating a career shift. The sector's adaptability, marked by the increasing availability of remote options, fosters flexibility and enhances work-life balance.

Whether you're a finance student, a seasoned finance director, an analyst, or someone exploring remote opportunities as a finance coach, a good CV is indispensable. This comprehensive guide not only offers valuable tips but also presents CV examples tailored specifically for finance roles, empowering you to capture the attention of potential employers and secure your dream job.

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Finance CV example

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Clara has demonstrated her expertise and career progression over six years. She highlights her specialised technical skills, additional work experience, and certifications for the role. The layout of this finance CV sample is professional, with clearly defined sections. Clara's professional finance CV template and design are tailored to her career goals as a financial manager. Check out the matching finance cover letter!

Refer to our investment banking or general banking CV example for more inspiration.

What to include in a finance CV?

Securing a role in finance requires a well-crafted, ATS-friendly CV that highlights your experience, qualifications and skills. Given the competitive landscape of jobs in the UK financial sector and the increasing demand for technical expertise, building a master CV is essential.

Always make sure your CV includes sections such as a personal profile, work experience, education, skills, and certifications. To enhance its impact, consider including optional sections showcasing additional achievements, such as awards acquired during your career or education.

1. How to write the perfect finance CV profile

Begin your CV with an engaging opening statement, reflecting your enthusiasm for the field and spotlighting your distinctive strengths. Showcase your expertise in the financial realm by incorporating relevant technical skills and industry terminology. Ensure that your CV profile example encapsulates your experience and career objectives. 

For further guidance, consult the section on writing a finance CV with no experience later in this article.

Learn more about creating a unique personal profile to fit your career goals or explore more roles in the financial analyst CV example.

2. Best finance skills to add to a CV

Tailoring your CV to the job you're applying for is essential and helps demonstrate your relevant skills to the employer. We recommend adding your soft skills to your personal profile and creating a separate section for hard skills or technical proficiencies.

For example, in financial analysis, you'll assess financial data, conduct forecasting, and provide insights to support decision-making. Therefore, strong data analysis and financial modelling skills are crucial for accurate interpretations and effective financial planning, similar to the requirements for roles such as a quantity surveyor.

Examples of finance hard skills:

• Financial analysis

• Budgeting and forecasting

• Data analysis

• Risk management

• Financial modelling

• Taxation

• Auditing

• Investment management

• Compliance and regulations

• Business valuation.

Examples of finance soft skills:

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Analytical thinking

• Attention to detail

• Teamwork

• Time management

• Adaptability

• Decision making

• Leadership

• Integrity.

Examples of transferable skills for finance graduate CV:

• Project management

• Strategic planning

• Presentation 

• Negotiation

• Client relationship management

• Critical thinking

• Customer service

• Research

• Sales and marketing

• Conflict resolution.

Examples of technical skills in finance:

• Advanced Excel

• Financial reporting systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)

• Data visualisation tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)

• Accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero)

• Bloomberg Terminal

• Python programming for finance

• Financial modelling software (e.g., DCF, NPV)

• Statistical analysis (e.g., SPSS, R)

• SQL database management

• Econometric software (e.g., EViews, Stata).

For more tips, refer to our article on skills to put on a CV.

3. How to write work experience on a finance CV 

Diverse experiences, ranging from education and volunteer work to internships or part-time employment, contribute to one's background. The key aspect of a CV is maintaining simplicity and adhering to a chronological CV structure.  

• Start by listing your job title, company name, and employment dates. 

• Highlight relevant duties, accomplishments and contributions in each role. 

• Use concise bullet points to describe your key responsibilities and achievements, emphasising quantifiable results and specific financial projects or tasks you were involved in. 

This section showcases how your contributions positively impacted the organisation's financial performance, regulatory compliance, or strategic decision-making. Tailor each work experience entry to the specific area of expertise or role, focusing on your expertise and value as a professional in this field.

Finance student CV example: 

Finance Student | Alpha Investments, London | 2021 - present

Assist the finance team and conduct financial research and analysis. Prepare financial reports and presentations for investment proposals. Utilise Excel and financial modelling skills to analyse market trends. Contribute to a high-profile investment proposal, impressing senior analysts with data-driven insights that influenced the final investment decision.

•  Completed a comprehensive financial research project, earning praise for thorough analysis and insightful recommendations.

• Developed a dynamic Excel financial model during an internship project, showcasing advanced data manipulation and visualisation skills.

Finance graduate CV example:

Finance Assistant | Beta Consulting Services, Manchester | 2020 - 2021

Supported the finance team with bookkeeping, reconciliations, and data entry. Managed accounts payable and receivable, ensuring accurate and timely payments. Supported budget preparation and financial reporting processes. Assisted in completing the annual financial audit by providing accurate and well-organised financial records.

• Streamlined the accounts payable process, reducing late payments by 30%.

• Received commendation from the finance manager for outstanding attention to detail in financial data entry.

For more tips and examples, refer to how to write work experience on a CV.

4. Finance education and how to list it on a CV 

The educational requirements to apply for a role in finance in the UK vary depending on the job and employer. Generally, a minimum of a bachelor's degree is required for most entry-level roles. A degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field can help secure a good role. Additional considerations should be taken into account:

• Employers may prefer higher-qualified candidates with experience for more specialised and senior roles, such as analysts, investment bankers, or financial managers. 

• Higher-tier qualifications include a master's degree in finance, an MBA, or a professional certification like Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) or Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). 

• It may also be required to have qualifications in Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) courses and degrees accredited by professional bodies like ACCA, ICAEW, and CIMA.  

Refer to our accountant CV example for more tips on how to list education on your CV.

Education examples on a finance CV:

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Finance University of London, 2013

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Finance Concentration, Manchester Business School, 2021

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), London, August 2021

For more tips, refer to our article on how to write education on a CV.

5. Boost your CV with finance courses and certificates

When targeting a specific role, showcasing relevant courses and certificates highlights your commitment to continuous learning and offers a competitive edge. Include the certification name, completion date, and the issuing organisation to demonstrate credibility. If you want to enhance your skills or get more noticed, consider taking one of these courses to stand out from other candidates:

• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification

• Advanced Excel for Financial Analysis, Coursera

• Risk Management Professional (RMP) Certification

• Investment Banking Certification, Udemy

• Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst Certification, Corporate Financial Institute.

For more guidance, read our article to learn how to list courses and certificates on a CV.

Tips for finance graduates on how to write a CV with no experience

A one-page CV is typically deemed appropriate for entry-level finance professionals or finance graduates. Given the limited work experience, the emphasis should be on showcasing relevant skills, educational background, and any internships or projects highlighting your finance knowledge.

Examples for finance graduates or career changers:

• Personal Profile: Incorporate adaptable skills and specify recent graduation or intent for a career transition in your personal profile.

• Work Experience: Whether gained through internships or part-time roles, incorporate relevant experiences while underscoring transferable skills.

• Education: Elevate the significance of your education by positioning it prominently on the CV, highlighting courses, projects, and noteworthy achievements.

• Skills: Even without extensive hard skills, incorporate experiences from courses, university, or other relevant areas to showcase your capabilities in the CV.

For examples of the above, consider adopting a skills-based CV format. Additionally, refer to the following:

• Career Change CV

• Internship CV

• School Leaver CV.

Key takeaways 

Writing a good finance CV from scratch can be challenging, but following our key strategies and finance professional CV format can increase your chance of being shortlisted for an interview. Even with little experience, you can find other ways to emphasise your knowledge through certifications or additional experiences.

Next steps? 

If you are an experienced financial professional interested in boosting your chances of getting hired, find out how to improve your CV. Or, if you’re starting a new CV, discover our CV Writing Service to help you save time and effort. To impress potential employers and land more interviews, learn how to start a cover letter to complement your job application.

Lastly, explore our related blog article on the highest-paying jobs in the UK for more details on career prospects and average salary for finance roles.

FAQ 

What is the best finance CV summary? 

The best finance CV example for a profile summary should concisely highlight your relevant experience, technical skills, and key accomplishments. Use strong action verbs and financial terms to showcase your expertise. Tailor your summary to the specific role you're applying for to make a strong impression on potential employers. We suggest reading the job description carefully and aligning your CV for the job with the employer's requirements. If necessary, highlight your expertise in analysis, budgeting, and risk management.

What is the best finance CV template?

Choose a finance CV template that aligns with your professional style and showcases your information effectively. Look for clean and professional designs that emphasise readability and organisation. Select templates with sections for education, work experience, skills, and accomplishments, making it easy for recruiters to find critical details in your CV.

What are the different finance career paths?

If you’re interested in kickstarting a career in this area, there are various career paths to discover in the UK. Explore business and finance positions that best fit your skills, experience and interests. For example, you’ll find many opportunities in a corporate environment, investment banking, financial analysis, and graduate assistant roles suited for every level. Learn more about the benefits of working in financial services and how your potential role could contribute to the UK economy. 

What should I write in my finance CV? 

Writing a CV remains a consistent process across diverse roles, but it is crucial to tailor it to the specific position and industry. While the financial CV objective may vary, constructing a successful CV for roles such as finance director, finance executive, finance manager, or finance officer involves including essential sections. Ensure your CV encompasses financial qualifications, relevant experience, key achievements, and technical skills. Utilize impactful language and quantify accomplishments to showcase your value to prospective employers.

If you're a recent graduate seeking an internship or part-time work, you might also consider incorporating references into your CV for added credibility and professionalism.