Resume Writing Tips for Head of Finance

Introduction

The Head of Finance steers an organization's financial strategy, ensuring sustainability, growth, and compliance. Given the critical nature of this executive role, your resume must effectively highlight your expertise, accomplishments, and leadership abilities. A strong resume serves as your personal brand ambassador — it’s often the first and sometimes only chance you have to make a lasting impression on hiring managers. This comprehensive guide offers actionable resume writing tips tailored specifically for finance leaders aspiring to head roles.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first section recruiters read. It must be concise yet powerful, showcasing your experience, leadership qualities, and value proposition succinctly. This snapshot should paint a picture of you as a strategic financial leader adept at driving performance and managing risk.

Example: "Dynamic Head of Finance with 15+ years in financial leadership, driving 30% revenue growth and reducing operational costs by 18% through strategic financial planning and robust risk management."

2. Key Skills

Highlighting relevant skills is crucial, both for ATS optimization and quick recruiter reference. Focus on hard and soft skills critical to the Head of Finance role.

• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Strategic Financial Planning
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Risk Management & Compliance
• Cash Flow Management
• Leadership & Team Development
• Cost Reduction Strategies
• Investment Analysis
• ERP & Financial Software Proficiency
• Stakeholder Communication
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

While listing responsibilities is important, emphasizing achievements with measurable results sets you apart as a high-impact leader. Use metrics wherever possible to quantify your success rather than generic task descriptions.

Example bullet point:
• Led a financial restructuring initiative that increased EBITDA by 25% within 12 months.
• Reduced annual expenditure by $2M through vendor renegotiations and process optimization.

4. Tailor to Job

Customize your resume to mirror keywords and requirements found in the job description. This boosts ATS ranking and demonstrates to recruiters you’re an ideal match.

5. Tools

• Oracle Netsuite
• SAP Financial Management
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• Tableau
• Hyperion Planning
• QuickBooks
• Power BI
• Workday Financial Management
• BlackLine
• Adaptive Insights

6. Metrics

• Revenue Growth Percentage
• Cost Savings Amount
• Budget Size Managed
• Team Size Led
• Financial Forecast Accuracy

7. Education

• MBA in Finance or related field
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

8. Format

• Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent font styles for easy reading
• Keep to two pages maximum, prioritizing the most relevant experience and skills

9. Concise

Be succinct—avoid redundancy and lengthy paragraphs. Each bullet should be a single, impactful sentence focused on results.

10. Bonus

• Include a LinkedIn profile link optimized with your professional brand.
• Use action verbs (e.g., "spearheaded," "optimized," "led") for strong impact.

Examples

• • Directed a $50M budget, achieving a 10% cost reduction while maintaining service quality within 2 years.
• • Implemented automated financial reporting system reducing monthly close cycle from 10 to 5 days.

Conclusion

For a Head of Finance, your resume must go beyond listing duties. It needs to showcase your measurable impact, leadership strengths, and analytical capabilities clearly and compellingly. By prioritizing achievement-driven content, tailoring your resume to the role, and maintaining crisp formatting, you significantly improve your chances of landing interviews. Demonstrating strategic thinking, financial expertise, and effective team management will position you as the ideal candidate to lead financial success in any organization.