Financial Analyst Resume Example & Writing Guide
- Why use this financial analyst resume example?
- How to write a financial analyst resume
- Which key skills are relevant to a financial analyst resume?
Financial analysts are experts in accounting and investment strategies. They’re typically hired to go over a company’s financial data, identify that company’s strong and weak points, and then prepare reports with recommendations. With a good financial analyst on staff, businesses can develop a strong investment portfolio, get in on the latest market trends, and know their total commercial value.
Why use this financial analyst resume example?
The big advantage of this resume example is its compact layout. Depending on the number of financial jobs you’ve worked at, you’ll be able to fit all your professional information onto a single page, making it easier for hiring managers to scan your resume for vital information.
Another handy part of this financial analyst resume example is its sample text, which is full of handy phrases you can borrow and tweak to describe your financial analyst experiences in clear terms. This sample text also contains common keywords related to business finance such as
“Results-driven”
“Data-driven”
“Business acumen”
“Trends and variances”
“Long-range decision-making”
Include these keywords in your own draft, and your final financial analyst resume has a better chance of getting noticed by the ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) most modern companies use to sort through job applications.
How to write a financial analyst resume
Heading. Here, list your name, contact information (i.e. phone numbers or email addresses), a link to your profile on LinkedIn, and the job title of financial analyst.
Professional summary and skill list. Here, write a single paragraph that describes your core strengths as a financial analyst - the fields of finance you specialize in, the tools you use to analyze data, and the tasks you consistently excel at. Next, list your main financial analyst skills and the primary accounting standards you use.
Career experience. Here, list all the financial analyst and finance-related careers you’ve worked at to date. For each past and current job, describe your daily responsibilities in a single paragraph, then list your special accomplishments in bullet-point.
Education. In this section, list the finance-related academic degrees you’ve earned, the places of learning that bestowed those degrees, and the places you studied. If it makes sense to do so, rate your academic success by listing GPAs or special commendations you received.
Which key skills are relevant to a financial analyst resume?
Companies looking for a financial analyst like applicants who have degrees in business economics or certificates in professional accounting. Financial analysts are also expected to be familiar with the market of the industry they’re working in - what stock or bonds are performing well, which investment plans are most or least risky, etc.
Hiring managers like financial analyst resumes with skills such as
Financial Planning
Financial Analysis
Financial Reporting
Finance Modeling
Finance Forecasting
Finance Budgeting
Trend Analysis
Variance Analysis
Cash Flow Analysis
Cross-functional Collaboration
Banking & Financial Markets
Accounting Principles & Procedures
Summary example
Analytical, results-driven professional combining solid business acumen and financial expertise to guide high-level decision making and propel organizational growth. Adept at conducting financial analysis, modeling, forecasting, and reporting to uncover trends, illustrate financial performance, and capitalize on opportunities for improvement.
Thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure settings; able to navigate ambiguity, challenge the status quo, and pursue creative solutions to complex business challenges. Avid learner committed to the ongoing pursuit of professional development. Proficient in Reuters Datastream, Morningstar, SAP, VBA, and MS Office (advanced in Excel); Bloomberg Terminal Certified.
Employment history example
Senior Financial Analyst at Postlethwaite & Netterville, New Orleans, LA
2015 - Present
Provide financial guidance to a diverse range of companies–including large corporations and non-profits–for this accounting and business advisory firm.
Conduct financial analysis and develop complex financial models to identify trends and variances, forecast financial performance, and develop recommendations for achieving client goals across regulatory compliance, profit optimization, and cost control. Provide leadership and direction for a 10-member team accountable for analyzing year-end accrual adjustments and verifying compliance with GAAP. Key Contributions:
Leveraged analytical tools to develop a customized forecast tracking and management reporting system, yielding a 15% increase in data accuracy while enhancing availability.
Designed a financial model to analyze profit and loss statements of claimants (as a result of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill) and calculate compensation amounts of up to $10M.
Senior Financial Analyst at The Lab Consulting, Houston, TX / London, UK
2012 - 2015
Promoted from Financial Analyst to senior-level role during three-year tenure with this management consulting firm.
Served as trusted advisor and resource to senior leadership team, offering data-driven insights relevant to company financial performance to guide short- and long-range decision making. Analyzed financial data; generated comprehensive financial reports and cash flow statements representing $20M. Key Contributions:
Prepared forecasts for key projects, presenting internal rate of return (IRR) and net present value (NPV) up to $20M to assist senior leadership with budget allocation and financial planning.
Spearheaded the development of biweekly project pro forma reports, equipping business units with key information vital to strategic planning of $1M projects.
Financial Analyst at The Lab Consulting, Houston, TX / London, UK
2012 - 2013
Performed financial analysis on accounts receivable and profit margins for Fortune 500 clients; generated and distributed weekly reports showcasing individual project margins. Monitored project costs on a biweekly basis (valued up to $75K), ensuring projects adhered to established budgets; promptly identified and reported discrepancies.
Education example
Master of Science, Banking & Finance at Kingston University, London, UK
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration at Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Skills example
Financial Planning, Analysis, & Reporting
Modeling, Forecasting & Budgeting
Trend, Variance, & Cash Flow Analysis
Cross-functional Collaboration
Banking & Financial Markets
GAAP, Dodd-Frank, & Basel III Compliance
