Financial Controller Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Financial Controller resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Financial controllers are responsible for managing the finances of their organizations. They ensure that the company is making money, help set financial goals, and establish performance metrics. And they’re often tasked with identifying opportunities for growth.
Financial controllers are also often tasked with managing the accounting department and overseeing its day-to-day activities. As such, they must understand all aspects of the business’s finances. They must be able to interpret complex financial statements and forecast cash flow. And they must possess a working knowledge of tax laws and regulations.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a financial controller or looking to update your resume to reflect this new role, here are some tips and an example for reference when writing your own resume.
How to Write a Financial Controller Resume
Here’s how to write a financial controller resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
The most effective resumes are clear and concise. Bullet points are a great way to do this by providing a quick snapshot of your experience. But they can also be a great opportunity to provide more detail about your accomplishments and contributions.
For example, rather than saying you “managed accounts payable,” you could say that you “reduced accounts payable backlog by 50% in six months by implementing new vendor payment procedures and negotiating better payment terms with vendors.”
The second bullet point provides more detail about what exactly you did and the results of your work. And it also provides a specific timeframe for when this work was done.
Related: What Is a Financial Controller? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
Chances are, if you’re applying for a financial controller role, your resume will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These systems look for specific terms related to financial management, like “budgeting” and “forecasting.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, the ATS might disqualify you from the pool of candidates.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common financial controller keywords as a starting point to help you optimize your resume:
- Financial Reporting
- Accounting
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Accounting
- Budgeting
- Internal Controls
- Auditing
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act
- Financial Statements
- Financial Audits
- Financial Planning
- Forecasting
- Variance Analysis
- Account Reconciliation
- General Ledger
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Microsoft Access
- Management Accounting
- Cost Accounting
- Accounts Payable
- SAP Products
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Business Planning
- Internal Audit
- Accounts Receivable (AR)
- Management
- Business Strategy
- Team Leadership
- Consolidation
- Cash Flow
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Financial controllers are expected to be proficient in a variety of programs and systems, including accounting software, financial analysis software, and ERP systems. They also need to be familiar with government regulations related to their industry. Hiring managers are looking for financial controllers who have a broad range of technical skills and are able to use technology to effectively manage their finances.
Related: How Much Does a Financial Controller Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re crafting your resume, it’s important to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Create Easy-to Scan Sections
There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read, such as left aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and using bullets instead of paragraphs to list your experiences. You should also use all-caps and bold sparingly, and keep your bullets under two lines. Additionally, you can include some white space on the page to make the document easier to scan.
Be Concise
When writing your resume, it is important to keep in mind how much experience you have. A one-page resume is ideal for recent graduates or those with less than five to eight years of professional experience. If you have more experience than that, a two-page resume is a better option. When trimming down your resume, remove irrelevant information and focus on the most relevant details.
Proofread
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.
Consider a Summary
A resume summary statement can be an extremely useful way to quickly and effectively communicate your skills and experience to a potential employer. By highlighting your best traits and skills, you can show that you have the qualifications they are looking for. Additionally, a well-written summary can help to show how your past experience will translate into the role you’re hoping to land. By keeping your summary concise and to the point, you can quickly show a potential employer that you have the skills they are looking for.
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