Finance Skills To Include On Your Resume (With Tips)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published 20 May 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

There are different jobs in the finance industry and each of these jobs requires a certain skill set. It is important to include the right finance skills in your resume to better your chances of getting an interview. Understanding essential skills and abilities for each role can help you make informed decisions to pursue a career in this field. In this article, we explore what skills are essential in the field of finance and look at six common job categories in the finance industry, along with the hard and soft skills required for each of them.

What are finance skills?

Finance skills are various hard and soft skills that allow finance professionals to perform their duties effectively in the workplace. These skills help encourage organisational practices and maintain financial stability within a business. Having the relevant skills can increase employability and help you feel more confident during a finance interview. Job types like accounting, analytics, auditing, bookkeeping and financial management typically have their own individual skill requirements regardless of the level of experience required. It is important for professionals to regularly work on building their skills to ensure fulfilment and proficiency in their chosen fields.

Finance skills to include on your resume

The following is a list of skills that relate to each job category within the financial industry:

Accounting

Accounting positions require a particular skill set that allows employees to properly report accounting transactions, maintain accounting records and ensure their company follows all accounting regulations. Common accounting positions include accounting manager, business analyst, accounting officer, general accountant and certified personal accountant. These skills also relate to positions that are not necessarily financial in nature but require the employee to perform accounting duties.

Accounting skills that employers often look for in candidates include:

computer skills
general ledger skills
calculation skill
accounting techniques
accounting skills
cash flow management
budgeting skills
tax filing
tax planning
mathematics
balance reconciliation
cost analysis
data processing
cost reduction
financial management skills
accounting standards
spreadsheet software skills
tax reporting
trial balance
quantitative data skills
sorting
time management skills
organisational skills
numerical skills
bookkeeping
data analysis
auditing
financial reporting

Analytics

Financial analysts are often responsible for financial forecasting, analysis of financial data, creation of models and preparation of reports on performance for leadership review. They may also work on preparing budget reports, creation and maintenance of budgets, balancing organisational or individual finances and cost rationalising. Analysts in the financial domain work under common job titles like systems analyst, treasury analyst, payments analyst, fraud credit analyst, banking analyst and budget analyst.

The skills required while hiring for an analytics position include:

technical skills
accounting skills
budget management
financial literacy
financial statements
communication skills
spreadsheet software
reconciliation
financial planning
financial reporting
math skills
financial modelling
data analytics
economic foresight
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
detail orientation
business intelligence software
data management
tax preparation
research skills
data query

Auditing

A financial auditor helps assess, prepare and manage financial records for an organisation. These professionals mostly work for an accounting or payroll company. They may also provide their services to clients of their parent company. Some of the most common positions in this area include tax specialist, audit partner, financial auditor, internal auditor, assurance manager, audit manager and audit director.

Specific skills required in an auditing role include:

critical thinking
communication skills
cross-functional training
problem-solving skills
auditing standards
data analysis
fraud awareness
risk analysis
risk-management assurance
control assessment
taxation
conflict resolution
financial reporting
financial concepts
translating data
financial systems
research skills
financial modelling
systems evaluation
mathematics
economics
stakeholder engagement
accounting
data mining
hazard assessment
fraud auditing

Controller

A financial controller is responsible for overseeing and managing financial activities in an organisation. A controller's duties may include creating organisational budgets, processing data, preparing financial statements and taxes. A financial controller oversees and streamlines accounting operations and functions and develops finance strategies. Some common job roles in this field include comptroller, school treasurer, financial director, treasurer, finance manager and vice-president of finance.

Below are some important skills required in this field:

office technology
administrative skills
process optimisation
budgeting
analytical costs
accounting skills
auditing
enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems
strategic planning
transaction processes
financial reporting
internal compliance
data metrics
data analytics
cost analysis
industry dynamics
financial statements
payroll skills

Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping professionals prepare, analyse and record financial documents related to an organisation. Common financial documents that bookkeepers handle can include utility bills, purchase orders, taxation forms, invoices, payroll and financial statements. They may conduct daily banking activities and produce financial reports for the organisation. Bookkeepers also work with financial executives in the organisation to make effective financial decisions and ensure the profitability of the company.

Following are common skills that interviewers require for bookkeeping positions:

mathematics
accounting skills
auditing
basic computer-related skills
spreadsheet software
bookkeeping software
communication skills
organisational skills
budgeting skills
time management skills
attention to detail
bookkeeping principles
data entry
invoicing
debits and credits
numeracy
bank reconciliation
general ledger
balance sheets
accounts payable
accounts receivable
inventory transactions
accrual accounting
deferral transactions
depreciation
bank deposits

Financial management

The role of financial managers includes creating budgeting strategies, departmental and organisational budgets, overseeing a company's financial operations and making financial decisions on behalf of the organisation. They may be responsible for financial data analysis and advising senior managers on strategies to maximise profits. Common job roles in a financial management position may include finance director, chief financial officer, finance manager and vice-president of finance.

These are some of the common skills and abilities that employers look for in a financial management position:

tax software
accounting software
invoicing
billing
customer relations
investment management
financial engineering
quantitative analysis
analysing data
risk management
valuations
risk analysis
strategic planning
estimation
prioritisation
financial analysis
mathematics
cash flow management
cost reduction
data processing
cost analysis
profit and loss
interpersonal skills
reconciling balance statements
communication skills
critical thinking skills
financial reporting
problem-solving skills
commercial acumen
familiarity with IT software
leadership skills
management skills
accrual accounting
budget preparation
budget management
strategic initiatives
capital investments

Tips to include skills on your resume

Here are a few tips to consider when you include skills related to finance on your resume:

Include skills relevant to the job

While including skills on a resume, ensure you include skills that directly relate to the open position. Before editing your resume, it is a good practice to read through the job description and take note of specific skills required for the job. This can help you determine the exact financial skills to include on your resume and help you become a suitable candidate for the job. It may also allow the application processing software to successfully shortlist your resume during the initial screening process before the hiring managers look at your resume.

Include skills that are most in-demand

It is important to know what skills are in demand for a particular position and industry while drafting your resume. Discovering various in-demand skills and taking time to learn them can boost your chances of securing a rewarding position in an organisation. While listing down skills on your resume, ensure that you include all the in-demand skills that you are well-versed in and have expertise in them. Having in-demand skills on a resume can increase the chances of hiring managers noticing it and also increase your credibility as a potential candidate.

Exclude skills you do not have

While it can be tempting to include every single skill listed in the job description, it is a good practice to only include those skills on your resume that you actually possess. Most hiring managers are flexible in terms of their requirements and may consider someone with the right attitude, even if they possess few skills. Including only those skills you are adept at can help you avoid situations where you may require using a particular skill that you do not possess.

Include relevant examples while listing skills

It is a good idea to include specific examples from your previous work experience while interviewing for a position. Quantifiable examples can clearly demonstrate your expertise in a particular skill to the recruiter and increase your chances of getting the job. Highlighting examples that show the use of a skill in a previous role can convince a hiring manager that you have the abilities required to succeed in the role. You may also make a mental note of relevant examples to discuss with your interviewer if asked to elaborate on a specific skill.