Are you a financial manager aiming to advance your career or a director of finance looking for a new job? Are you struggling to pen a senior executive position resume? We have something for you. Our article will help you stay competitive by helping you write the best resume for your job application.
However, before getting to the resume section, we will cover the roles, responsibilities, and requirements, i.e., educational, experience, skills, and knowledge for this role. We’d love you to know what lies ahead and gauge yourself before sending in your application. At the end of the article are two resume examples and a detailed FAQ section to help you pen the best resume capable of capturing the hiring manager’s attention. Let’s begin our discussion.
Director of Finance Job Description
The finance director oversees all the organization’s financial activities, supervises the accounting staff, oversees internal controls, monitors expenditures, evaluates investments, and ensures that the company remains tax compliant. They also direct the financial planning of the entire organization, oversee audit functions, and review departmental budgets.
Succeeding in this job calls for excellent financial planning and modeling skills, financial analysis and management, the ability to develop new and innovative solutions, and excellent leadership and managerial skills. Financial directors must also be well-versed in corporate finance, best practices, finance-related laws and regulations, and accounting principles.
Director of Finance Roles and Responsibilities
- Increasing the company’s portfolio by making sound investment decisions
- Performing trend analysis and forecasting to determine the level of risk involved before making major spending or investment decisions
- Evaluating the long-term financial needs of all organization’s departments
- Hiring, supervising, and overseeing the managers in the finance and accounting department
- Monitoring the performance of different investments and presenting accurate and detailed reports to the senior-moat management
- Overseeing all the internal controls and audit operations of the company
- Adhering to all industry, local, state, and federal laws and guidelines in the performance of duties
- Building, maintaining, and managing relationships with business partners and investors
- Supervising all accounting and finance personnel and setting targets for them
- Analyzing the company’s performance and risks to drive its financial planning
- Preparing and presenting detailed quarterly and annual reports on the company’s financial performance
- Developing and implementing effective accounting principles
- Training and mentoring accounting staff on procedures, standards, and best practices
- Evaluating, minimizing, and managing risks to ensure maximum profitability
- Breaking down complex financial data into simple and understandable language
- Developing an effective corporate fundraising strategy for the firm
Director of Finance Required Knowledge and Skills
- Extensive knowledge of financial forecasting and analysis
- Working knowledge of accounting principles, i.e., the generally accepted accounting principles
- In-depth knowledge of finance-related laws and best practices
- In-depth understanding of corporate finance
- Financial Management software proficiency
- MS Office Suite proficiency, i.e., Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word
- Knowledge of different financial analysis software
- Excellent Mathematical skills
- Solid analysis skills
- Ability to develop new and innovative solutions
- Excellent creativity skills
- Verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to create and present accurate reports
- Ability to lead departments and company staff
- Solid strategic planning skills
- Business development skills
- Excellent data management skills
- ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) proficiency
- Excellent organization skills
- Outstanding interpersonal abilities
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Quantitative analysis skills
- Ability to gather business intelligence
- Excellent problem-solving skills
Director of Finance Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or any relevant field
- Master’s degree in Finance, Business, or a related field (Highly recommended)
- Extensive financial/ business management experience
- Extensive knowledge of accounting principles
- Proven experience as a director of finance or a similar/ related role
- CPA/ CMA and other relevant certifications
- Experience using different financial management software, e.g., SAP
- Solid experience in finance/ business
- Experience leading and managing other employees
- Experience in a senior financial management position
Director of Finance Salary
The director of finance is among the highest-paid employees in the organization. According to Glassdoor, these senior-level executives earn roughly $230,000 yearly, depending on the organization. For example, IT companies such as Microsoft and Dell Technologies pay their finance directors $260,000+ annually, a whopping $30,000 difference.
Director of Finance CV Example 1
Allan Watson
Physical address: 220 Elm Street, Los Angeles, CA, 95673
Email address: watsonallan76@gmail.com
Phone number: (340) 890-7637
Personal Profile
Senior financial expert with 12+ years of experience in financial planning and management. Finance director with working knowledge of accounting principles and corporate finance ready to drive the organization’s financial planning strategies through detailed analysis and forecasts. Certified management accountant with in-depth knowledge of corporate finance and financial services best practices needed to thrive in the finance industry.
Work Experience
12/2019- 10/2022, Director of Finance, James & Jones Financial Services Group, Miami, Florida
- Developed annual budgets and financial strategies for a $900M financial services firm
- Supervised and trained a team of 32 financial experts; helping them perform at optimal levels
- Improved the company’s finance departments efficiency by 20% by implementing process improvements processes and streamlining daily activities
- Developed a financial growth strategy in collaboration with the executive director; securing a 30% increase in revenue
- Liaised with the training and hiring manager to train 70+ sales staff; helping them achieve maximum productivity
- Prepared quarterly and annual reports on the company’s financial performance and presented them to senior management
07/2016- 10/2019, Finance Manager, Rose View Technologies, Tampa, Florida
- Formulated and implemented new internal controls and billing procedures; increasing billing efficiency by 26%
- Participated in the planning and tracking of the company’s $300M+ annual budget, generated from multiple funding sources
- Created and maintained 100% accurate and detailed company financial reports and statements
- Used regression analysis to create cost and revenue functions after extensive analysis of the company’s historical finances
- Regularly evaluated the company’s financial performance in liaison with five senior financial analysts
- Offered risk analysis and evaluation before major investments; saving the company $2M+ in potential losses
- Regularly offered insights into margin opportunities, cost-saving initiatives, and spending trends
03/2013- 05/2016, Senior Financial Analyst, Murphy Group of Companies, Tampa, FL
- Used benchmarking and process analysis techniques to develop 50+ accurate financial models
- Performed extensive financial data analysis and used PowerPoint to present findings to the finance team
- Regularly collaborated with five business partners for the successful building of business plans and financial forecasts
- Coordinated with the Chief Financial Officer and five executive team members for successful long-term planning
- Improved data processing and overall reporting by using SAP functionality to reduce manual entries
- Identified and implemented a new expense reporting procedure for company departments; saving the company $100,000 annually
- Trained seven junior analysts in the utilization of data software systems, identification of trends and metrics, and presentation of analyses
- Named the best finance employee of the year in 2015
Education
- 03/2013- 08/2015, Masters of Science in Global Trade and Finance, Schiller International University, Tampa, FL
- 03/2005- 10/2009, Bachelor of Science in Commerce, Finance Option, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California
- 05/2002- 06/2004, High School Diploma, Anaheim Senior High School, Anaheim, California
Skills
- Languages
- English
- French
- Dutch
Hard Skills
- Financial modeling
- Financial planning
- Strategic planning
- Finance management
- Data management
- Analytical skills
- Financial Reporting
- Strategic planning
- Business administration
- Quantitative analysis
- Variance analysis
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Project management
- Risk Management
- Innovation
Soft Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Organizational
- Interpersonal
- Attention to details
- Decision-making
- Adaptability
- Flexibility
- Creativity
- Empathy
- Team-building
- Stress management
- Interpersonal
- Flexibility
Certifications
- 03/2015, Certified Management Accountant, The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals
- 03/2012, Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) certification
Director of Finance CV Example 2
Jane Merlin
Physical address: 2500 Agoura Road #130, Agoura Hills, CA, 93459
Email address: merlinjane8@gmail.com
Phone number: (320) 890-6758
Personal Profile
Senior finance manager with 13+ years of experience managing finance and accounting staff and leading financial planning initiatives for financial institutions and establishments. Portfolio management expert with excellent teamworking and collaboration skills, ready to collaborate with the company’s finance staff for the organization’s enhancement. Strategic thinker and planner with excellent leadership and management skills honed by years of experience.
Work Experience
08/2019- 10/2022, Director of Finance, Gladwell Financial Institutions, San Diego, CA
- Oversaw overall financial planning and budgetary development for a $750M financial services firm
- Led, supervised, and managed a team of 3 senior financial analysts and eight associates, steering them to achieve the company’s set goals and objectives
- Increased the company’s operating margin by 13% by designing and implementing new invoicing, scheduling, and reporting systems
- Secured 20+ major contracts, led the firm’s financial restructuring, and participated in the creation of a new sales model, increasing the value of the firm by 4× in the first two years
- Offered customized services to long-term finance clients, increasing overall customer satisfaction from 80% to 93%
- Developed the firm’s growth strategy in liaison with the executive director, securing a 12% annual increase in revenue
- Analyzed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial performance and translated them into accurate financial reports for the board of directors and senior management
05/2016- 07/2019, Associate Director, Finance, Harvey & James Inc, San Diego, CA
- Analyzed the company’s financial and accounting transactions; ensuring accuracy and 100% compliance with the company’s regulations
- Supervised a team of 20 professional accountants and five senior financial analysts; motivating them to stay productive and contribute towards the company’s goals
- Collaborated with the finance director to manage and train six finance managers; helping them improve their productivity
- Regularly coordinated with external auditors to ensure compliance with industry, state, and federal regulations
- Successfully monitored 100+ company assets and liabilities; ensuring that everything remained within limits
- Helped 10+ departments within the organization reach their financial goals by participating in their annual budgetary development
03/2013- 04/2016, Finance Manager, Mikala Group of Companies, Boulder, Colorado
- Liaised with 25 finance team members to maintain the financial health of an $800M firm
- Oversaw financial functions such as forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and reporting daily
- Managed the preparation of the firm’s $700M+ budget on an annual basis
- Corresponded with 9+ departments to discuss company plans and decide on future strategies
- Ensured process continuity and accuracy by developing standardized policies and office procedures
- Boosted operational efficiency by 15% through process automation
- Built and maintained excellent relationships with 50+ customers by creating an environment based on 100% customer satisfaction
- Used Excel solver to optimize the company’s profits by leveraging the knowledge of linear programming
Education
- 03/2012- 04/2014, Masters of Science in Finance, Columbia University, New York
- 04/2004- 06/2008, Bachelor of Science in Business Finance, University of California, Berkeley, California
- 05/2001- 03/2003 High School Diploma, San Diego College Preparatory School, San Diego, CA
Skills
- Languages
- German
- English
- French
Hard Skills
- Budget management
- Forecasting
- Financial planning
- Financial modeling
- Data management
- Forecasting
- Strategic planning
- Business administration
- Business development
- Business intelligence
- Enterprise Resource Planning
- Finance management
- Risk Management
- Project management
Soft Skills
- Stress management
- Adaptability
- Verbal and written communication
- Organization
- Problem-solving
- Persuasion
- Creativity
- Flexibility
- Empathy
- Dedication
- Collaboration
- Ability to work well under pressure
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Ability to multitask
Certifications
- 03/2014, Certified Management Accountant, The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business
- 05/2012, Chartered Certified Accountant, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants)
Director of Finance Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which Soft Skills Can I Include in My Director of Finance Resume?
Soft skills are extremely important in a resume as they generally dictate how one interacts with their coworkers. Hiring managers normally use them to evaluate whether you will be a good fit for the organization. Start with the ones indicated in your job listing and then add the following: communication, leadership, attention to detail, excellent decision-making skills, dedication, ability to work well under pressure, excellent team-building skills, empathy, high levels of flexibility, creativity, adaptability, people skills and organization skills.
Additional soft skills worth considering when preparing your director of finance resume include excellent interpersonal skills, stress management, resilience, conflict resolution, critical thinking, people management, and excellent collaboration skills. Remember to highlight some of these skills in your past achievements to make your resume more appealing to the hiring manager.
2. Which Keywords Should I Include in My Resume?
Using the right keywords increases the chances of your resume reaching the hiring manager’s desk. These can be words or phrases capable of describing specific job requirements. They can take the form of skills, values, abilities, and expertise that an organization wants in its recruits. Here are some of the most common keywords for director of finance resumes: managerial finance, mergers & acquisition ( M& A), accounting, budgeting, corporate FP&A, variance analysis, corporate finance, financial planning, financial reporting, financial modeling, forecasting, finance, and business administration.
Other common keywords in a director of finance resume include: Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), financial statements, accountability, accuracy, compliance, analysis, negotiation, general ledger, business development, and MBA. Spread these keywords evenly in your resume sections, i.e., work experience, skills, and personal profile, to avoid keyword stuffing, which can have detrimental effects.
3. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Resume?
Every job has certain specialized knowledge and expertise needed to execute specific tasks, often referred to as technical skills. They also dictate employees’ performance levels and must be included in every resume. Here are some of the best technical skills for a director of finance’s resume: business administration, business development, Microsoft Office Suite, variance analysis, math, Business Intelligence, Enterprise Resource Planning, project management, risk management, Information Technology (IT), quantitative analysis, accounting, innovation, data processing, financial analysis, and strategic planning.
Additional technical skills include budget management, data management, analytical skills, financial modeling, finance management, financial reporting, and financial modeling. When preparing your resume, prioritize the technical skills highlighted in the job listing.
4. Which Certifications Can I Pursue and Include in My Resume?
Finance is one of the areas with the highest number of certifications. For a better resume, here are a few recommendations worth pursuing:
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)- This is an advanced professional certification by The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business that measures an individual’s accounting and financial management skills. Holders are capable of driving business performance. This credential must be renewed every year.
- Financial Modelling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA) Certification– This is one of the recent and lucrative credentials for corporate finance professionals. It covers financial model building, advanced valuation techniques, sensitivity analysis, and practical applications. Some of the skills gained from this certification include financial analysis and modeling, business valuation, sensitivity analysis, mergers and acquisitions, and MS Office Suite skills.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Certification- The certification targets corporate finance professionals interested in financial analysis, reporting, and portfolio management. It is used by the renowned CFA Institute and requires applicants to meet certain ethical standards.
Other certifications worth pursuing include Certified in Financial Management by The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business, Project Management Professional certification, and Chartered Global Management Accountant certification.
5. What Should I Have in Mind When Writing My Director of Finance Resume?
Remember to tailor your resume to the job listing by using the right keywords and including the technical skills found in the listing when applying for a job. Your resume’s work experience section should also be written in reverse chronological order, i.e., your recent jobs and achievements should appear first. Lastly, proofread your resume before sending it to the hiring manager to weed out any errors or grammatical issues.