Resume Writing Tips for Finance & Administration Manager

Introduction

In today’s competitive job market, a well-written resume is your gateway to landing interviews and securing leadership roles. For Finance & Administration Managers, their resume must reflect a comprehensive skill set that includes financial management, strategic planning, compliance, and team leadership. Given the importance of numbers and results in this field, your resume should be precise, metrics-driven, and tailored to the job description to communicate your value effectively.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is your elevator pitch—it should capture your professional identity, key strengths, and what sets you apart in a concise paragraph. For a Finance & Administration Manager, focus on leadership capabilities, financial expertise, and operational success.

Example: Highly analytical Finance & Administration Manager with over 8 years of experience leading financial operations and streamlining administrative processes to enhance organizational efficiency. Proven track record in budget forecasting, compliance management, and cross-functional team leadership resulting in cost savings of up to 15% annually.

2. Key Skills

Listing relevant skills upfront grabs attention quickly, especially in ATS scans. Incorporate both hard and soft skills that are essential for finance and administration roles.

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Regulatory Compliance
• Team Leadership & Development
• Risk Management
• Strategic Planning
• ERP Systems Management
• Process Optimization
• Vendor & Contract Negotiations
• Advanced Excel & Data Analysis
• Internal Controls

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

While listing responsibilities demonstrates your scope of work, emphasizing achievements shows your impact and value. Quantify successes with relevant metrics to make your accomplishments tangible and compelling.

For example, instead of “Managed monthly financial reports,” write “Improved monthly financial reporting accuracy by 20%, reducing discrepancies and accelerating executive decision-making.”

4. Tailor to Job

Each job application is unique. Tailor your resume by matching keywords and skills from the job description while ensuring you highlight experiences and achievements relevant to the specific role. This increases your chances of passing ATS filters and impressing recruiters.

5. Tools

• Microsoft Excel (Advanced Functions, Pivot Tables)
• SAP ERP
• Oracle Financials
• QuickBooks
• Microsoft Power BI
• Hyperion Financial Management
• Tableau
• Zoho Finance Suite
• Google Workspace
• Slack

6. Metrics

• Reduced operational costs by X% or $X annually
• Managed budgets exceeding $X million
• Improved cash flow cycles by X days
• Increased financial reporting accuracy to X%
• Led teams of X members with turnover reduction of X%

7. Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• Professional Certifications such as CPA, CMA, or PMP add significant value

8. Format

• Use a clean, professional layout with clear headings and consistent fonts
• Keep the resume to two pages maximum and use bullet points for readability

9. Concise

Be concise and avoid jargon. Use action verbs and focus on impactful statements—effectively communicate your value in as few words as possible without sacrificing clarity.

10. Bonus

• Include a LinkedIn profile URL or portfolio link to provide more context
• Use keywords strategically for ATS, but ensure the resume reads naturally for human reviewers

Examples

• “Directed a cross-departmental budget overhaul that reduced expenses by 12% within 6 months, saving $500K annually.”
• “Implemented a new vendor performance evaluation process, improving contract negotiation outcomes and decreasing procurement costs by 8%.”

Conclusion

Creating an impactful resume as a Finance & Administration Manager requires highlighting your leadership, analytical skills, and ability to drive measurable results. By combining a strong summary, focused key skills, quantifiable achievements, ATS-friendly keywords, and clear formatting, you position yourself as a valuable candidate poised to contribute to organizational success. Remember, your resume is not just a list of duties but a compelling story of your professional impact.