Hard skills are technical abilities like financial analysis, budgeting, and regulatory compliance that are essential for managing an organization's financial health.
VP of Finance Resume Examples & Templates
Looking to advance your career? Our VP of finance resume examples showcase leadership, financial analysis, and strategic planning skills that will help you stand out to top employers.
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Popular VP of Finance & Related Resume Examples
Check out our top VP of finance resume examples that emphasize critical skills such as financial analysis, strategic planning, and leadership. These samples demonstrate how to effectively showcase your accomplishments to attract potential employers.
Want to build your ideal resume? Our Resume Builder offers user-friendly templates specifically designed for finance professionals, making it simple to highlight your expertise.
Recommended
VP of finance resume
What this resume does well:
The resume employs a modern layout with clear headings and consistent resume fonts that improve readability. These design choices allow the job seeker to present their extensive experience in finance effectively, making a favorable impression on potential employers.
Chief financial officer resume
What this resume does well:
This resume successfully balances key skills like financial analysis and budget management with extensive work experience. By illustrating these abilities alongside tangible achievements, employers can clearly assess the job seeker's expertise in driving financial success and strategic initiatives within organizations.
Executive VP of finance resume
What this resume does well:
This resume uses clear bullet points to effectively summarize extensive experience, allowing hiring managers to quickly grasp key achievements. The thoughtful arrangement of sections and use of white space improve readability, ensuring that vital qualifications stand out prominently on the page.
Resume Template—Easy to Copy & Paste
Sophia Huang
Southgate, MI 48204
(555)555-5555
Sophia.Huang@example.com
Skills
- Strategic Financial Planning
- Budget Management
- Risk Management
- Financial Reporting
- Team Leadership
- Auditing
- ERP Implementation
- Cost Reduction Strategies
Certifications
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) - Institute of Management Accountants
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - CFA Institute
Languages
- Spanish - Beginner (A1)
- French - Intermediate (B1)
- German - Beginner (A1)
Professional Summary
Dynamic finance leader with 4 years of success driving revenue growth and optimizing financial processes in various leadership roles. Proven skills in strategy execution and team leadership. MBA with strong expertise in budget management, risk assessment, and performance improvement.
Work History
VP of Finance
Pinnacle Financial Partners - Southgate, MI
March 2023 - October 2025
- Increased revenue by 20% through strategic planning
- Managed M annual budget with precision
- Led finance team of 15 to optimize processes
Director of Financial Strategy
Quantum Capital Group - Southgate, MI
February 2021 - February 2023
- Reduced costs by 15% via innovative strategies
- Enhanced company valuation by 10M in a year
- Developed forecasts improving accuracy by 25%
Senior Finance Manager
Global Finance Solutions - Southgate, MI
October 2019 - January 2021
- Streamlined operations boosting KPIs by 30%
- Oversaw treasury functions saving 2M annually
- Implemented ERP systems cutting errors by 40%
Education
MBA Finance
Harvard Business School Boston, MA
May 2019
B.Sc. Economics
University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA
May 2017
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How to Write a VP of Finance Resume Summary
Your resume summary is the first opportunity to capture an employer's attention, making it important to present your financial acumen right away. As a VP of Finance, you’ll want to emphasize leadership skills, strategic oversight, and proven results in managing financial operations.
Highlighting your expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and team management will set you apart in this competitive field. The following examples will illustrate effective strategies for crafting strong resume summaries that convey your unique qualifications:
Weak resume summary
I am an experienced VP of Finance with a solid background in managing budgets and financial strategies. I seek a position where I can use my skills to help the company grow and succeed. A workplace that values teamwork and offers career advancement opportunities is what I’m looking for.
Why this summary misses the mark:
- Lacks specific examples of achievements or measurable results related to financial management
- Overuses personal pronouns which makes it feel less professional and more self-centered
- Emphasizes personal desires instead of detailing how the applicant can contribute value to potential employers
Strong resume summary
Results-driven VP of Finance with over 10 years of experience in financial planning and analysis, successfully leading teams to improve profitability. Achieved a 20% reduction in operational costs through strategic budget reallocations and process improvements. Proficient in financial modeling, forecasting, and using ERP systems to streamline reporting and compliance.
Why this summary works:
- Begins with clear indication of experience level and relevant expertise in finance
- Presents quantifiable achievements that highlight significant impact on the organization’s bottom line
- Showcases essential skills such as financial modeling and skill with ERP systems that are critical for leadership roles
PRO TIP
If you're new to the finance field and don't have extensive work experience, consider crafting a compelling career objective. This approach can highlight your ambitions and skills effectively. Explore resume objective examples tailored for finance roles to inspire your own.
Showcasing Your Work Experience
The work experience section is important for your resume as a VP of finance, serving as the main focus where you’ll present the bulk of your content. Good resume templates always emphasize this section to highlight your professional journey.
This part should be organized in reverse-chronological order, detailing your previous roles. Use bullet points to succinctly describe your achievements and contributions in each position.
Now, let's review a couple of examples that will illustrate effective work history entries for vps of finance. These examples will clarify what works well and what should be avoided:
Weak work experience
Vice President of Finance
ABC Corporation – New York, NY
- Oversaw financial operations.
- Managed budgets and forecasts.
- Collaborated with other departments.
- Reviewed financial reports and strategies.
Why this work experience section misses the mark:
- Lacks specific achievements that demonstrate impact on the company
- Bullet points are too vague and do not highlight unique skills or contributions
- No measurable results or details about team leadership or project success
Strong work experience
Vice President of Finance
Global Tech Solutions – San Francisco, CA
March 2020 - Current
- Lead financial strategy and planning for a $500 million revenue company, driving a 30% increase in profitability over two years.
- Implemented cost-saving initiatives that reduced operational expenses by 15%, improving overall budget efficiency.
- Oversaw the transition to a new financial software system, improving reporting accuracy and reducing month-end close time by 40%.
Why this work experience section works:
- Starts each bullet with decisive action verbs to clearly convey the applicant's contributions
- Incorporates specific metrics that demonstrate tangible results from the applicant's actions
- Highlights critical finance-related skills relevant to the role throughout the accomplishments
While your resume summary and work experience sections are critical, don’t overlook the importance of other areas that improve your application. Each section plays a role in showcasing your qualifications. For detailed guidance on perfecting every part of your resume, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to write a resume.
Top Skills to Include on Your Resume
A skills section is important in showcasing your qualifications and making a strong impression on potential employers. It allows you to highlight your unique abilities, helping your resume stand out among many others.
As a VP of Finance, focus on technical skills such as financial modeling and budgeting software like Adaptive Insights. Highlight proficiency with ERP systems like SAP to emphasize analytical tools that improve decision-making processes and strategic planning capabilities. The most critical soft skills, however, are the visionary leadership to translate complex financial data into long-term corporate strategy, the political savvy to secure consensus among executive peers, and the decisive integrity to ensure fiscal discipline across the entire organization.
Soft skills are interpersonal qualities such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving that foster collaboration and drive strategic decision-making within the finance team.
Selecting the right resume skills is important for aligning with what employers expect from job seekers. Many organizations use automated systems to filter out applicants lacking essential skills for the job.
To effectively highlight your qualifications, review job postings carefully. This will help you identify which skills are in demand and ensure your resume resonates with both recruiters and ATS systems.
PRO TIP
Ensure your resume stands out in the digital hiring process by using our ATS Resume Checker. This tool helps you uncover over 30 common pitfalls and improves your chances of getting noticed by applicant tracking systems.
10 skills that appear on successful VP of finance resumes
Improve your resume by highlighting key skills that are highly sought after in VP of Finance roles. These skills are often showcased in our resume examples, giving you the confidence to apply for positions with a standout application.
Here are 10 essential skills you should consider featuring on your resume if they align with your experience and the job's requirements:
Financial analysis
Strategic planning
Budgeting expertise
Risk management
Leadership abilities
Forecasting skill
Regulatory knowledge
Investment strategies
Cost reduction techniques
Data-driven decision making
Based on analysis of 5,000+ finance professional resumes from 2023-2024
Resume Format Examples
Choosing the resume format that best highlights your financial expertise, leadership experience, and career advancements is important for a VP of Finance.
Entry-Level 0 - 2 years
Functional
Focuses on skills rather than previous jobs
Best for:
Recent graduates and career changers with up to two years of experience
Mid-Career 3 - 7 years
Combination
Balances skills and work history equally
Best for:
Mid-career professionals focused on showing skills and pursuing growth opportunities
Experienced 8+ years
Chronological
Emphasizes work history in reverse order
Best for:
Leaders in financial strategy and organizational growth
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a cover letter with my VP of finance resume?
Absolutely. Including a cover letter is a great way to showcase your unique qualifications and enthusiasm for the position. It allows you to elaborate on your resume and connect your skills directly to the job. If you need assistance, explore our resources on how to write a cover letter or use our handy Cover Letter Generator to craft one quickly.
Can I use a resume if I’m applying internationally, or do I need a CV?
When applying for international jobs, use a CV instead of a resume if the employer specifies it or if you’re targeting European countries. Our CV examples and templates can help you create a professional document that meets international expectations. For additional guidance, check out our tips on how to write a CV.
What soft skills are important for VPs of finance?
Soft skills, including leadership and strategic thinking, are essential for a VP of finance. These interpersonal skills facilitate decision-making, foster collaboration across departments, and build trust with stakeholders, driving the organization's financial success.
I’m transitioning from another field. How should I highlight my experience?
Highlight your transferable skills such as strategic thinking, financial analysis, and team leadership from previous roles. These abilities illustrate your capacity to drive financial success, even if you're new to the industry. Use specific achievements to show how your past experiences align with key responsibilities in finance, demonstrating your potential value to the organization.
How should I format a cover letter for a VP of finance job?
To format a cover letter, start by including your name and contact details. Next, add a respectful greeting followed by an engaging introduction that captures attention. In the body, outline your relevant experience and skills, ensuring they align with the job description. Conclude with a strong closing statement to encourage further conversation about your application.
How do I add my resume to LinkedIn?
To increase your resume's visibility on LinkedIn, you can add your resume to LinkedIn by uploading it directly to your profile. Alternatively, highlight core achievements in the "About" and "Experience" sections. This approach helps attract recruiters and hiring managers searching for qualified job seekers in finance, making it easier for them to find you.
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