Resume Writing Tips for Finance Assistant

Introduction

In the finance industry, details matter — and when it comes to landing a job as a finance assistant, your resume is the first impression you make. Employers look for candidates who demonstrate strong organizational skills, accuracy, and a sound understanding of financial principles. A strong resume quickly communicates your qualifications, relevant experience, and ability to contribute to financial operations. Because many companies now use ATS software to filter resumes, crafting a targeted and optimized resume is more important than ever. Let’s explore ten actionable tips to make your resume shine and help you achieve career success.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is a snapshot of your professional identity and should immediately convey why you are an ideal candidate for the finance assistant role. It’s your elevator pitch, so keep it concise, results-oriented, and tailored to highlight your strongest attributes such as accuracy, financial software proficiency, and organizational skills.

Example: “Detail-oriented Finance Assistant with 3+ years’ experience in accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting, and budget reconciliation. Proficient in QuickBooks and Excel, known for improving invoice processing speed by 20% while reducing errors.”

2. Key Skills

Including a dedicated skills section ensures ATS picks up on relevant keywords and helps hiring managers quickly identify your core competencies. Highlight both technical and soft skills.

• Accounts Payable/Receivable
• Financial Reporting
• Bank Reconciliation
• Budget Management
• Data Entry Accuracy
• Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)
• QuickBooks & Financial Software
• Attention to Detail
• Communication Skills
• Problem Solving & Analytical Thinking
• Time Management
• Compliance & Audit Assistance

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

While listing your responsibilities is important, accomplishments demonstrate your impact and differentiate you from other candidates. Focus on quantifiable achievements that show how your work benefited your employer.

Example: Instead of “Handled invoices,” write “Processed 150+ invoices weekly with 99.9curacy, reducing late payment penalties by 15% over 12 months.”

4. Tailor to Job

Each job posting has unique requirements. Analyze the job description carefully and adjust your resume to emphasize the skills and experiences that match. Incorporate keywords from the listing into your summary, skills, and experience sections to increase ATS compatibility and relevancy.

5. Tools

• Microsoft Excel (Advanced functions)
• QuickBooks
• SAP
• Oracle Financials
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Google Sheets
• FreshBooks
• Zoho Books
• Tally ERP
• Bill.com

6. Metrics

• Processed invoices totaling over $500K monthly, maintaining 99.5curacy
• Reduced invoice processing time by 20% through system optimization
• Assisted in monthly reconciliations for accounts totaling $1M+
• Supported budget management, improving forecasting accuracy by 15%
• Resolved 30+ vendor disputes monthly, enhancing vendor relationships

7. Education

• Associate Degree in Accounting or Finance
• Certification in QuickBooks or other relevant finance software
• Pursuing CPA or related financial certification (optional but favorable)

8. Format

• Use clear headings and consistent font styling (e.g., Arial, Calibri 11-12 pt)
• Maintain professional margins (0.5-1 inch) and organize content into logical sections
• Use bullet points and short paragraphs for readability
• Ensure the resume is saved in ATS-friendly formats such as .docx or PDF

9. Concise

Keep your resume to two pages maximum. Focus on relevant information and avoid jargon or overly complex sentences. Use strong action verbs and quantify your achievements wherever possible. Hiring managers spend mere seconds scanning, so clarity and brevity are critical.

10. Bonus

• Include relevant keywords naturally to improve ATS ranking without keyword stuffing
• Incorporate soft skills such as teamwork, adaptability, and communication that are vital in finance roles
• Consider a professional summary statement rather than an objective, showing readiness to contribute
• Proofread thoroughly to avoid any spelling or grammatical errors, which are costly in finance roles

Examples

• “Streamlined invoice processing by introducing automated tracking, reducing month-end closing time by 10%.”
• “Collaborated with auditors during quarterly financial reviews, resolving discrepancies that saved $12K in penalties.”

Conclusion

A strong finance assistant resume reflects not just your experience, but the impact you’ve made through your work. By emphasizing quantifiable achievements, showcasing leadership in problem-solving, and highlighting analytical skills, you position yourself as a valuable asset to any finance team. Follow these tips to create an ATS-optimized, professional resume that grabs attention and opens doors to your next career opportunity.