How To Write A CFO Resume (With Template, Example And Tips)

Updated 18 August 2023

A chief financial officer (CFO) uses their financial acumen and technological expertise to plan, implement, monitor and handle the financial operations of an organisation. When reviewing resumes for a CFO position, employers prefer well-presented ones that align with their requirements. By understanding how to write an effective resume, you can create one that emphasises your financial strengths and increases your chances of getting an interview call. In this article, we explain the purpose of a CFO resume, discuss how to write one, provide a resume template, offer a sample resume and include some resume writing tips.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.

What Is A CFO Resume?

A CFO resume is a formal document that provides detailed information about a CFO's educational qualifications, professional skills and work experience. It is generally one page in length to ensure that busy recruiters can scan through it quickly. The resume enables them to check if a candidate has the necessary credentials and meets their job requirements. If they do, they may call or email them to arrange a job interview.

How To Write A Resume For A CFO Job Opportunity?

The following steps may help you to write an effective resume for a CFO position:

1. Research the CFO job and the employer

Researching the CFO job and the employer can help you get the information you require to customise your resume for each job application. Recruiters are more likely to consider your application when they see that you understand their requirements and have the knowledge, skills and experience to meet their expectations. You can start your research by reading the job advertisement carefully and reviewing the content on the employer's website, social media platforms and professional networking sites. You can search online for news, articles and blogs mentioning the employer. You can also read employee reviews.

2. Include relevant keywords for ATS screening

Many employers use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to screen a large volume of job applications. Recruiters enter information about the job in the system and the ATS refers to this data to analyse, sort and rank the applications. It then ranks resumes that most closely match the employer-provided information higher. You can improve your chances of getting a higher ranking and receiving an interview call by including the keywords that the employer has used in the job description.

3. Provide contact information

It is customary to provide your contact information at the top of a resume so that recruiters can see immediately whose resume they are reading. They also use this information to know how to get in touch with you. The contact details can include your full name, degree or certification, phone number, email address and location.

4. Add a professional summary

After your contact information, you can include a professional summary, which gives a brief overview of your career accomplishments in the financial field. The professional summary is generally two to three sentences in length and helps recruiters see your eligibility for the available position. It may persuade them to read on to get more professional details and shortlist you for a job interview.

5. Highlight your professional experience

You may have 10+ years of work experience in the financial sector or as a CFO but it is advisable to list only two or three of your most recent jobs. Doing so can help keep the resume concise and provide busy recruiters with your most current information. If they need further career details, they can ask you for those during the job interview. You can list five experience items for the most recent role and three experience items for previous jobs.

6. List work-related skills

It is essential to list only those skills that are relevant to the available CFO position. Employers typically require candidates for a CFO position to have in-depth knowledge of corporate finance law, leadership skills, organisational abilities and analytical skills. You can include your experience in finding investment opportunities, undertaking risk assessments and managing capital. You could also mention your expertise in using financial management software, conducting data analysis and using forecasting methods.

7. Outline educational qualifications

In the education section, you can include your degree and major, the educational institute you attended and its location. Many employers require candidates to have an advanced degree in finance, accounting, economics and business administration. You can also include a certification of chartered accountancy (CA) or a certified management accountant (CMA) certification. Recruiters often prefer candidates with these certifications, as the CA certification indicates expertise in handling taxes, audits and accounting and the CMA certification shows the ability to undertake tax and finance accounting.

8. Mention awards and affiliations

You can include an additional, optional section if you have any awards and affiliations that might enhance your eligibility for a CFO position. Awards and affiliations demonstrate your commitment to your financial career and distinguish you from your peers. These accolades could influence a recruiter to select your resume and invite you for a job interview.

Resume Template For CFO Jobs

You can refer to the following template when writing your resume for a CFO position:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State or Union territory]

Professional Summary

[Two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications, and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Union territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State or Union territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree], [Name of School or University]
[City], [State or Union territory]

Certifications
[Certification Name], [Host Organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Resume Example For A CFO Position

The following resume example may help with writing your own resume for a CFO position:

Aparna Bapat, Master of Business Administration +91 77779-98877 | aparnabapat@email.com | Pune, Maharashtra

Professional Summary
Detail-oriented senior finance executive with 15 years of work experience, a bachelor's degree in accounting and a master's degree in business administration. Skills include optimising financial operations, integrating scalable strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams and mitigating risks. Proven ability to handle mergers and acquisitions, financial planning and analysis and budgeting forecasting for multinational corporations.

Experience
Chief Financial Officer | 2017–Current
Parchure Tech Solutions | Pune, Maharashtra

Evaluate the organisation's financial performance, prepare future forecasts and determine its budget
Oversee the team in compiling and preparing accurate, detailed financial statements
Manage revenues and ensure the availability of cash flow for meeting the organisation's financial obligations
Handle the organisation's accounting, treasury, taxes and fund and equity investments
Negotiate with vendors and communicate with external auditors and report to the board of directors

Vice President, Financial Operations | 2010–2017
Manchandani Technologies | Mumbai, Maharashtra

Conducted audits, increased transparency and improved compliance with governmental policies
Monitored financial documents and prepared and presented monthly financial reports
Streamlined accounting and reporting processes

Education
Master of Business Administration | Rorka University
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Certifications
Certification of Chartered Accountancy, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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Tips For Writing A Resume For A CFO Position

The following tips may help with your resume writing for a CFO job:

Include soft skills. As a CFO, it is necessary for you to interact well and collaborate with many different personalities, so recruiters typically prefer candidates with excellent communication and interpersonal skills. It can also help to include good negotiation, conflict management, leadership, time management and organisation skills in your resume.
Customise achievements. The achievements you include in your resume ought to align with the requirements listed in the job description. Research the organisation well and select achievements that fit with its fiscal scope.
Avoid jargon and acronyms. While you may use financial jargon and acronyms in your verbal and written communication, a recruiter may not be familiar with them. It is advisable to consider this when writing your resume and use clear language that people without financial expertise can easily understand.
Edit for accuracy. After writing your resume, run it through a grammar check software programme to catch spelling mistakes and errors. It is also beneficial to read your resume at least twice to ensure that you have included all relevant professional information and that it is accurate.