Financial Analyst Resume Examples, Sample & Description
A financial analyst is essential in helping a company attain a profit. This guide includes financial analyst resume examples, crucial skills to highlight and how to write your resume.
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Financial analyst resume example
Financial analysts are responsible for collecting financial data, analyzing results and using their findings to help their clients make good investment decisions. Follow along, as we teach you how to write a financial analyst resume with examples and expert writing tips. Or, use the financial analyst sample resume below as a base to create yours in our Resume Builder!
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Four keys to a strong financial analyst resume
Whether you’re writing an entry-level financial analyst resume or a resume for senior financial analyst positions, use the following tips to make it professional:
Match your qualifications and skills to the job.
Don’t be tempted to use the same resume for every job application. Instead, tweak and tailor your resumeto reflect each financial analyst job application you want to apply to. When you use keywords from the job description, such as required skills or responsibilities, you increase your chances of making it past applicant tracking systems (ATS) and looking like the best candidate for the job.
Emphasize your achievements.
When it comes to highlighting your experience, we recommend focusing on accomplishments instead of daily tasks. Talk about specific results with processes and clients, always being respectful of confidentiality agreements. Whenever possible, attach numbers and metrics to these achievements to make it clearer to hiring managers just how good you are at your job.
Show you have a mix of hard skills and soft skills.
Sure, having hard skills like accounting knowledge, investment analysis and quantitative analysis is important to perform the job, but soft skills are just as crucial to being a good employee and professional. Traits like being an effective communicator, having good time management skills and excellent attention to detail show employers that you’re reliable.
Show off any useful credentials you have.
Beyond your educational background, you can create a separate section to show off any certifications (e.g. CFA certification) or additional training you’ve completed to solidify your expertise as a financial analyst.
Action words for a compelling financial analyst resume
When describing your welding experience and skills on your resume, it’s essential to use strong and action-oriented words to highlight your capabilities better. Here are some action verbs you can consider:
Using powerful action verbs in your resume and during your job interview will help you convey your skills and accomplishments effectively. Here are some action words you can use to enhance your financial analyst resume:
- Analyzed
- Assessed
- Evaluated
- Interpreted
- Investigated
- Forecasted
- Projected
- Calculated
- Optimized
- Developed
- Prepared
- Documented
- Communicated
- Presented
- Reported
- Consulted
- Resolved
- Budgeted
- Validated
- Executed
For a more detailed list, check our action words article.
Choose the right format for your resume
There are three ways you can organize the layout of your resume:
- The chronological resume format is the best option for a senior financial analyst resume or anyone with over nine years of experience. It places the work history section at the forefront and center, allowing prospective employers to see your career progression.
- The functional resume format is ideal for creating entry-level financial analyst resumes or for anyone with less than two years of experience. Unlike the chronological format, it focuses on skills and education rather than experience, letting you show hiring managers what you can do.
- The combination resume formatis the best of both worlds and ideal for financial analysts with three to eight years of experience. It emphasizes work experience and relevant skills, showing where you’ve been and what you can do to continue growing.
What are the skills required for financial analyst?
The specific set of hard skills and soft skills you should feature in your financial analyst resume will depend on the company and what the employer needs. That being said, here are some you might want to consider including:
- Quantitative analysis
- Financial modeling
- Microsoft Excel
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Risk management
- Valuation techniques
- Financial reporting
- Investment analysis
- Economic analysis
- Industry knowledge
- Excellent communication skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Attention to detail
- Decision-making skills
- Great time management
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability
- Stress management
- Collaboration
- Networking
How to write a financial analyst resume
Contact information
Use the resume header for your full name, phone number, email address and location (city and state). You can also include your LinkedIn handle if it adds a more professional layer to your resume.
Resume summary or objective
Choose between writing a professional resume summary or a resume objective.
A resume summary is a two-to-three-sentence overview of your top strengths and experiences. It’s ideal for financial analysts with more than three years of experience. Take a look at this financial analyst resume professional summary example:
A resume objective is also a brief overview of your skills and qualifications, but unlike the summary, it also states your career goals. Candidates with an entry-level financial analyst resume or less than two years of experience should consider writing one. Here’s an example of how to write a resume objective:
Skills
Financial analyst jobs may seek specific areas of expertise in your skills section. To find out what these are, read the job description thoroughly. Note the requested skills for the position and incorporate them into your resume so the hiring manager will notice them. Focus on your most relevant or impressive 8-10 skills.
- Oracle
- Hyperion
- Tax analysis
- Strategic planning
- Cost accounting
- Presentation skills
- Excellent communication
- Capital budgeting
- Merger and acquisition analysis
- Regulatory compliance
Work history
List up to 10 years of experience as a financial analyst. Use three to five bullet points per job title and include your dates of employment, as well as the company name and location. Write your statements in the present tense for your current employer and past employers in the past tense.
As we mentioned before, focus on key accomplishments with metrics instead of daily tasks to really impress hiring managers.
Education
Highlight your academic background and relevant qualifications. Here’s an example of how you might present your financial analyst resume education section:
Do’s and don’ts for a financial analyst resume
- Proofread your resume before sending it. A typo or grammatical mistake could make your financial analyst resume look unprofessional and hurt your chances of getting interviewed.
- Include impressive numbers and metrics. As a financial analyst, you know how much numbers matter — use them to impress hiring managers.
- Use a professional resume layout that’s appropriate for your industry and job.
- Write a resume that exceeds a single page. If you have over 10 years of experience, organizing your information into two pages is OK.
- Use an unprofessional font like Comic Sans or Papyrus. Stick to readable fonts like Times New Roman, Helvetica or Arial.
- Choose the wrong resume format for your experience level. They’re not interchangeable, so choose them wisely!
More resume and cover letter resources
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- ResumeHelp
FAQ: Financial analyst resume
Have questions? We’re here to help.
How do you describe financial analyst experience on a resume?
Describing financial analyst experience effectively involves highlighting your key achievements, responsibilities and the impact you’ve had on previous employers.
- Create a strong resume summary that encapsulates your overall experience and skills, keeping it relevant to the job description.
- Use quantifiable metrics, such as numbers and percentages, to demonstrate your impact as a financial analyst. You can discuss cost savings, revenue growth, percentage improvements, etc.
- Focus on how you contributed to the organization’s financial success. Other financial analysts will be applying for the same job, so really highlight what sets you apart.
- Begin each bullet point with an action verb like led, implemented, analyzed or developed.
- Demonstrate industry knowledge throughout your resume by using industry-specific terminology.
What is an example of a financial analyst resume objective?
“Recent finance graduate with a strong academic foundation in financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting. Eager to apply my knowledge and analytical skills in a dynamic financial analyst role at [Company Name]. A quick learner with a proactive approach, seeking an opportunity to contribute to a team-driven environment, gain practical experience and grow within the finance industry.”
In the financial analyst resume objective example above, the candidate highlights that they’re a recent graduate and expresses a strong interest in joining the employer’s company. It conveys enthusiasm and a desire to grow within the industry.
What is a sample job description for financial analyst?
How write a job description on a resume for a financial analyst position? The job posting might include a brief description of the company and role, followed by key responsibilities and desired qualifications. For example, take a look at this job for senior financial analysts:
Responsibilities:
- Conduct comprehensive financial analysis, including variance analysis, trend analysis and forecasting.
- Prepare and present monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports to senior management, highlighting key performance indicators and areas for improvement.
- Collaborate with department heads to develop and monitor departmental budgets, ensuring alignment with corporate financial goals.
- Perform in-depth valuation analysis using discounted cash flow (DCF) and comparable company analysis (CCA) for potential investment opportunities.
- Evaluate and optimize financial processes, implementing automation solutions to increase efficiency.
- Monitor and analyze key financial metrics, providing insights and recommendations to enhance business performance.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field
- Six years of experience in financial analysis or a related role
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, financial modeling and data analysis
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of financial software and ERP systems
- Ability to communicate complex financial information effectively to non-financial stakeholders
- Detail-oriented with a high level of accuracy
- Advanced proficiency in financial software (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
Based on this information, you should be able to tailor your financial analyst resume by including desired skills (e.g. SAP and problem-solving skills), your academic background (e.g. Bachelor’s degree in Finance) and years of experience. If you’ve done some of their listed responsibilities before (e.g. “Conduct comprehensive financial analysis…), you can give examples of this experience in your work history section.
What are red flags in a financial analyst resume?
1. Listing too much work experience can be considered a red flag. Frequently changing jobs can give off the impression that you are flighty, commitment-phobic or a difficult employee. If you have job changes or gaps in employment, then it is best to explain these in your cover letter.
2. Another red flag is spelling or grammar mistakes. Financial analysts are expected to have a superior sense of attention to detail. Using a resume template will organize your resume, so it is easier to proofread and check for any mistakes.
3. For some hiring managers, a lack of achievements can be a red flag. If you don’t have many certifications or years of experience, then you may find it difficult to come up with achievements to list on your resume. In this case, make sure to include your bachelor’s degree and any honors or awards you received at school, as well as skills you may have learned at internships or other extracurricular activities. You can also earn additional certifications online in subjects such as financial modeling, financial reporting and data analysis. These certifications can bolster your resume and make your job search much easier.
How do I expand my financial analyst skills?
Expanding your financial analyst skills can be a great way to make your resume more appealing. Look into CFA certificates and courses online, as well as entry-level courses into technology or concepts that you might not have studied yet. You can even get advanced training in skills or programs you already work with, such as Excel.
What are some of the best examples of financial analyst resumes?
Using a financial analyst resume template or examples can help you to create your own resume. You can see examples of resume summary, skills, work experience and format for a financial analyst job. Get inspired with these examples of 20+ Best Financial Analyst Resumes.
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