How to write a finance analyst CV (template and example)

Updated 1 June 2023

Financial analysts help organisations make business decisions based on factors like market trends, financial status and the expected outcomes of business deals. If you want to find a new job as a finance analyst, presenting your existing skills and qualifications well can help you gain the attention of recruiters. Knowing how to create a comprehensive and well-structured CV can enable you to do this. In this article, we show you how to create a finance analyst CV, share a CV template and provide an example CV you can use to structure your own.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

What is a finance analyst?

A finance analyst monitors and analyses the financial data of an organisation. They prepare accounts and generate financial reports or projections that executives can use to make strategic and operational decisions about a company's future. They research economic trends, evaluate capital and identify and measure financial risk. They may also scrutinise a firm's inventory and work with accountants and risk analysts to review financial data.

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How to write a finance analyst CV

Being able to write a finance analyst CV will help you demonstrate your expertise and increase your chances of securing a new job in finance. Here are the steps to follow to create your CV:

1. Analyse the job description

Before you start writing your CV, spend some time analysing the job description and identifying your qualities and strengths as a candidate. Read through the job posting several times to fully understand what the employer expects from an ideal candidate. After ensuring you meet the position's requirements, identify role-specific keywords you can use to describe your experience and background on your CV.

Keywords are words or short phrases directly related to the job's main duties or requirements. Using the exact keywords the employer chose to describe the position increases your chances of an interview invitation because it shows your genuine interest in the organisation and the role. Here are some suitable CV keywords for finance analysts:

Accounting principles
Business and financial analytics
Cost management
Financial prognosis
Data analysis

2. Create a header

A header is the first section to include on your CV. Write your first and last name at the top of the page. Use a slightly bigger font to write your name, as this helps recruiters quickly identify your documents when browsing through incoming applications. In the second line of the header, write your phone number, email address and location. If you're submitting a cover letter as part of your application, ensure the letter's contact section mirrors the personal information you provide on the CV.

3. Write your professional summary

A professional summary briefly describes you, your career accomplishments and your objectives. You can also use this section to let recruiters know about any finance analytics specialisations you have, such as investment banking or treasury. Remember that the purpose of the summary is to get the attention of readers, and incorporating action verbs into your description can help you accomplish this. Action verbs make the summary more dynamic, which may encourage recruiters to read through your entire application. Here are examples of action verbs that a finance analyst may use:

Evaluate
Forecast
Interpret
Invest
Recommend

4. Demonstrate your work experience

Next, demonstrate your work experience in reverse chronological order. Write your job title and employment dates, starting with your current or last position. Put the name and location of your employer in the second line. Then, use bullet points to describe each role's key responsibilities. For your current or last position, use five bullet points. For any other job you decide to list, use three. Ensure each bullet point is descriptive, as this helps recruiters visualise the scope of your work and how impactful it can be.

5. List your skills

Use the following section to list your skills. Demonstrate soft and hard abilities your potential new employer may find valuable. For example, if you know what software the organisation uses to perform risk analysis and generate reports, ensure you demonstrate your ability to use that tool.

6. Present your educational background

When presenting your education, start by writing your degree title. In the same line, mention the name of the university you attended. As an aspiring finance analyst, having a degree in finance and accounting may increase your chances of impressing employers. You may also enter this profession with a degree relating to finance, such as economics, statistics or general business administration.

7. Mention your certifications

List your certifications in the last section of your CV. This step is optional, but it allows you to show employers that you continuously invest in your development as a finance analyst. For example, this is a suitable place to showcase your chartered status and show your expertise.

CV template

Using a template helps ensure you structure your CV correctly and include all the information recruiters are looking for. Here's a simple template you can use to create your financial analyst CV:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight your years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

(For the most recent role, list 5 experience items. For previous roles, list 3.)

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree] | [Name of School or University]

Certifications (optional)
[Certification Name], [Host Organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Example CV for a finance analyst

Reviewing example CVs is a good way to find inspiration and see how others may present their skills and qualifications to get a job in finance. Here's an example CV for a finance analyst you may use as guidance:

Michael Jones +44 (0)7555 555 555 | michaeljones@email.co.uk | London

Professional Summary
Enthusiastic and detail-oriented finance analyst with four years of experience specialising in treasury and complex finance risk management forecasting. Has outstanding client communication and reporting skills and advanced financial analysis and reporting software knowledge. Seeking a position to specialise in financial analysis and investments within the technology and artificial intelligence sectors.