How to Write a Financial Controller CV (With Examples)

We understand that creating a CV can be challenging, especially in a field as detail-oriented as financial control. To help you, we’ll provide clear instructions and real-world examples. Whether you’re updating your current CV or starting from scratch, our aim is to make the process simpler and more straightforward for you. By the end of this article, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to present your skills and experience in a way that stands out to potential employers.

Read The Job Description / Advert

The first step is, of course, to read the job description. We need to know what the firm is looking for so that we can properly highlight these characteristics in our CV. So read back over the job description and try to pinpoint the important points. A lot of times a firm will call things “required”; if you see this, you need to make sure you include that in your CV. Similarly, if certain things are repeated throughout the advert, this indicates they are of high importance, so we will want to make sure our CV shows that as well.

When performing this analysis, take care to copy the ‘exact’ words and phrases that are being used by the hiring manager. We will want to pepper these into our CV later.

Research The Company

Time to put on your detective hat and do some research on your target company. Look at their website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and other platforms. You are looking for any piece of intel that will give you the leg up.

• Find out about recent work/projects they have undertaken or will be embarking on (highlight your experience in these areas on your CV)
• Find out what software/processes they use and make sure you include your proficiency in them in your CV
• Learn what interview questions you might expect should you make it that far

See if you know anyone who works there and/or connect (LinkedIn) with people ahead of the interview. A little nepotism could never hurt, and you might be able to glean more information about the role/hiring process in the meantime.

Find A Good CV Template

When selecting a CV template, it’s essential to opt for a simple design and structure. Not only are straightforward layouts more compatible with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), but they also make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers to quickly identify and understand key details. A clutter-free and organized CV ensures that your most important information stands out, facilitating a smoother review process for potential employers.

This is the CV template that we recommend (click here)

Write 2 Or 3 Bullet Points As A ‘Professional Summary’

A handy approach is to craft three sentences: the first highlighting your qualifications and experience, the second showcasing your biggest professional achievement, and the third detailing your most recent experience.

Detail Your Employment History

Begin by listing your employment history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. This allows potential employers to see your recent experience upfront, which holds greater value. Keep in mind that brevity is key.

As you go further back in time, reduce the level of detail to ensure your CV doesn’t exceed two pages. Employers are less likely to read lengthy CVs.

When writing about your responsibilities on your CV, focus on how you’ve excelled in those roles. For instance, rather than simply stating “Managed financial operations,” enhance it by saying “Expertly managed financial operations for a $10 million annual budget, achieving a 20% cost reduction without impacting operational efficiency.” This way, you’re not just listing a task; you’re demonstrating your capability in handling significant financial responsibilities and your success in improving financial performance.

Detail Your Education History

Keep your CV concise, aiming for a two-page limit. The education section can often be streamlined.

Highlight the most relevant qualifications. For instance, if you have a degree, your A-levels become less significant. Similarly, if you’re in the U.S., having an MBA overshadows your high school GPA.

Unless an older educational milestone is crucial for the job or highly pertinent, focus on showcasing your Bachelor’s degree, post-graduate studies, or professional certifications. If you lack these, mention your latest qualifications. Remember, having a Master’s suggests you’ve finished school, so no need to state the obvious. Only include your educational background if it’s pertinent to the job.

CV Structure

Tactically structure your CV to the ‘most wanted’ attributes of the job description. For example, if the job description values “qualified”, then place your qualifications first; if they want someone with RECENT experience, put your last job up top. If they want multiple years of experience, highlight your tenure.

We always recommend that you have a Professional Summary up top (after your name/contact info), as it will be the first thing that anyone reads. As discussed earlier, this should be tailored towards the job advert and showcase your experience and skills in what the employer is looking for.

A fairly typical structure would go:

1. Name and contact info
2. Professional Summary
3. Current (or most recent employment)
4. Education & Professional Qualifications
5. Employment History

WHAT NOT TO DO

Now that we’ve discussed what you should be including in your CV, let’s look at some things that you should avoid doing.

• Do not include personal history or likes. Employers are not going to care about your hobbies, so unless you have some inside information that the hiring manager only hires people who play a particular sport, for example, then leave your extracurricular activities off your CV. This does not extend to things like volunteer or charity work. Definitely include that if you have the space.
• Do not list your skillset and the tools/applications you have experience with. It takes up valuable space and is often obvious (Skilled in Excel…?). Instead, include these in your achievements section (Example: “Used Asana to manage and coordinate tasks for a remote team of 25 members”).
• Do not include references or “references available on request”. If employers want a reference, they will ask you for them; otherwise, this is just wasted space on your CV.
• Do not include a photo of yourself unless specifically asked. In many countries, including the UK and US, you should not include a photo of yourself on your CV/resume. Companies don’t want you to do it, as it opens them up to liability, and there is absolutely nothing for you to gain by doing so – plus, you are making it easier for firms to discriminate against you, either implicitly or explicitly.
• Do not use any fancy graphic or artistic CV format. Most CVs come in a standard format, allowing Application Tracking Software, recruiters and hiring managers to easily pick out the key pieces of information they need quickly based on their experience. If you throw them a CV in an artistic format, they are more likely to get annoyed and throw your application away. This is not a situation where standing out is good. You want your skills/experience to be noted, not your CV format.
• Do not include your previous salaries. This will severely impact your negotiation abilities down the line.

Financial Controller CV Tips – Recap

Let’s recap what we’ve discussed so far:

Understand the Role and Tailor Your CV Accordingly ?
Ensure you have a clear understanding of what a Financial Controller does. Tailor your CV to highlight relevant skills and experiences that align with this role. Emphasize aspects like financial reporting, budget management, and strategic planning.

Highlight Key Qualifications and Certifications ?
Clearly mention any relevant qualifications like a CPA or CMA. If you have completed any specialized courses in financial management or related fields, include these as well.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency ?
Financial Controllers need to be proficient in various financial software and tools. Mention your experience with tools like SAP, Oracle, QuickBooks, or any other relevant financial software.

Quantify Achievements ?
Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. For example, “Improved financial reporting efficiency by 30%” or “Managed a budget of $5 million.” This provides concrete evidence of your capabilities.

Demonstrate Leadership and Management Skills ?
If you have experience leading teams or managing departments, highlight this in your CV. Show how your leadership contributed to your team’s or company’s success.

Be Concise and Clear ?
Write in simple, clear language. Avoid jargon and keep your sentences short and to the point. Your CV should be easy to read and understand.

Proofread and Edit ✅
Always proofread your CV multiple times. Spelling mistakes or grammatical errors can be a red flag for employers. If possible, have someone else review it as well.

Include Relevant Extracurricular Activities ?
If you have any relevant extracurricular activities or volunteer experiences, especially those demonstrating leadership or financial skills, include these to provide a more well-rounded picture of your abilities.

Stay Updated With Industry Trends ?
Show that you are updated with the latest industry trends. Mention any recent workshops, seminars, or conferences you’ve attended related to financial control.

Use a Professional Format ?
Ensure your CV has a professional look. Use a clean layout, a professional font, and a format that is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Financial Controller CV Sample

Below is an example CV from someone with a number of years experience in the field. For an editable .DOCX version, click here.

Click here to see page 2…