When applying for a position in the finance industry, it is crucial to emphasise your specific finance skills on your resume. Each finance role requires a unique skill set, so tailoring your resume to align with the job requirements is essential. Financial positions require a mix of hard and soft skills. Including both types of skills can give you a competitive advantage over other applicants. However, basic finance skills like handling petty cash or sorting receipts by date are not worth listing on your resume. These skills are considered fundamental and are expected from all applicants. Instead, focus on highlighting relevant finance skills and demonstrate your expertise. Here are some relevant finance skills to consider including on your resume:
Finance Skills for Resume
Accounting
Accounting positions require a specific skill set to ensure accurate recording of transactions, adherence to accounting regulations, and maintenance of financial records. Common accounting roles include accounting manager, business analyst, accounting officer, general accountant, and certified personal accountant. These skills also apply to non-financial positions that involve accounting duties.
Employers frequently seek applicants with accounting skills, including proficiency in general ledger management, computer literacy, knowledge of accounting principles and techniques, strong calculation abilities, budgeting expertise, cash flow management skills, tax planning and filing knowledge, balance reconciliation proficiency, solid mathematics skills, data processing abilities, cost analysis capabilities, familiarity with accounting standards, and the ability to identify cost reduction opportunities.
Analytics
Companies looking for financial analysts with a range of skills, including accounting proficiency, technical expertise, financial literacy, budget management capabilities, strong communication skills, knowledge of financial statements and reconciliation, proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial reporting skills, financial planning and modelling abilities, math skills, economic foresight, data analytics proficiency, attention to detail, knowledge of GAAP and QuickBooks, familiarity with business intelligence software, tax preparation skills, data management and query abilities, and strong research skills.
Auditing
Auditors are financial professionals who prepare, assess, and manage financial records for individuals or organisations. They work for accounting or payroll companies, serving clients with auditing services. Common job titles include audit partner, internal auditor, financial auditor, and audit manager. Skills necessary for success in auditing roles include critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, data analysis, knowledge of internal auditing standards, fraud awareness, risk management, control assessment, conflict resolution, taxation, financial reporting, and understanding financial concepts. These skills enable auditors to provide valuable insights and ensure financial compliance for their clients.
Financial Controller
A financial controller is responsible for overseeing and managing the accounting activities of an organisation. Common duties include budget creation, financial statement preparation, data processing, and tax preparation. Job titles for financial controllers include school treasurer, comptroller, director of finance, finance manager, treasurer, and finance vice president.
Skills essential for success in financial controller roles include proficiency in office technology, process optimisation, administrative skills, analytical cost analysis, budgeting, accounting, strategic planning, knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, transaction processes, internal compliance, financial reporting, data analytics, data metrics, understanding industry dynamics, cost analysis, and payroll expertise.
Bookkeeping
Professionals in bookkeeping are crucial to organisations as they are responsible for preparing, analysing, and recording financial documents. Their tasks include processing purchase orders, invoices, utility bills, taxation forms, financial statements, and payroll. Bookkeepers work closely with executives to ensure effective financial decision-making and support overall profitability.
When hiring bookkeepers, employers look for candidates with various skills. These include a strong foundation in mathematics, auditing, and accounting, as well as basic computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks. Familiarity with bookkeeping software is also important. Other desirable skills include organisation, effective communication, budgeting, attention to detail, time management, and accurate data entry. It is essential to know bookkeeping principles, including understanding debits and credits, invoicing, numeracy, general ledger management, bank reconciliation, balance sheets, accounts receivable and payable, inventory transactions, depreciation, deferral transactions, and bank deposits.
Financial Management
Financial managers play a vital role in their organisations, as they are responsible for creating budgets, developing budgeting strategies, overseeing financial operations, and making investment decisions. Some common job titles for these professionals include finance manager, finance director, and vice president of finance. To excel in financial management positions, employers value several key skills, including proficiency in accounting software and tax software, expertise in billing and invoicing processes, investment management abilities, strong customer relations skills, knowledge of financial engineering, data analysis capabilities, quantitative analysis skills, risk management and analysis expertise, valuations proficiency, strategic planning skills, prioritisation skills, estimation abilities etc.
Showcasing Finance Skills on Your Resume
When listing finance skills on your resume, you must focus on those directly relevant to the position you are applying for. Rather than including all finance skills you possess, select the ones that align with the job requirements. To identify the relevant skills, review the job advertisement and consider researching the profiles of current or former employees in similar roles on platforms like LinkedIn. This will provide insights into the specific skills valued by the employer.
When describing your finance skills, provide concrete examples with quantifiable results. Incorporate numbers, such as percentage rates, people impacted, or project hours spent, to demonstrate the outcomes achieved through your expertise. Furthermore, be specific in detailing your finance expertise and experience. Vague or generic descriptions may hinder your chances of progressing in the recruitment process. Clearly explain how your finance skills have contributed to your employee effectiveness and enabled you to achieve work-related goals.
To increase your chances of impressing hiring managers and securing an interview opportunity, customise your finance skills section to match the position’s requirements, give concrete examples with numbers and provide specific descriptions. If you want to increase your knowledge in the finance industry, visit Finprov, an ed-tech institute offering various courses to all graduates and professionals. Experienced industry experts have meticulously crafted our specialised course modules to provide learners with comprehensive knowledge in the accounting and finance sector. We offer various accounting courses, including CBAT, PGBAT, PGDIFA, Income tax, Practical accounting training, DIA, GST, SAP S/4HANA FI, SAP S/4HANA MM, Tally Prime, and MS Excel. Additionally, we provide dedicated placement assistance to support learners in securing rewarding career opportunities.
