Finance
Financial analyst CV: example and template
This example is for financial analysts in controlling, FP&A, banking, consulting firms and shared service centres, and for finance and economics graduates.
We show you how to describe your analyses, models and reports so that their effect on decisions is clear, not just a list of tasks.
How to write a financial analyst CV
Professional summary
Write which area of finance you work in (FP&A, controlling, credit analysis, valuation, investments), in which industry and with which tools. Add the effect your analyses have: who you prepare them for and why.
Credit analyst with 3 years of experience in corporate banking. I assess companies' creditworthiness, analyse financial statements and prepare recommendations for the credit committee. I work in Excel and SQL.
Experience: duties and achievements
In finance, the effect is what counts: which decision was made thanks to the analysis, how much was saved, how much faster a report is ready. Start each point with a verb and add a number or an outcome.
Weaker: Preparing reports.
Better: Automated the monthly report in Power BI: preparation cut from 3 days to 4 hours.
Weaker: Profitability analyses.
Better: Profitability model for 60 stores that was the basis for closing 4 unprofitable locations.
Weaker: Helping with budgeting.
Better: Annual budget and quarterly forecasts for 60 stores and head office.
Skills worth listing
Split your skills into subject knowledge and tools. For Excel, say exactly what you do, for example financial models, pivot tables, Power Query. Recruiters often test this with a practical task.
Professional skills
- Budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis
- Financial modelling and valuation
- Financial statement analysis
- Advanced Excel, Power Query
- Power BI or Tableau, SQL
- ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)
Personal skills
- Analytical thinking
- Presenting conclusions to people outside finance
- Accuracy with large amounts of data
- Meeting month-end close deadlines
- Working with the business
Finance certificates
Certificates such as CFA or ACCA are valued, but list them precisely: the level you have passed, not the full title if you do not hold it yet. Add tool courses, for example Power BI or SQL, because financial analysis increasingly requires them.
Financial analyst CV after graduation
Describe internships and placements, a finance student society, investment competitions and university projects, for example valuing a listed company. Show that you can work with data in Excel.
A short projects section is a good idea: topic, method, result. For a recruiter it is proof that you understand analysis in practice.
Tailoring your CV to the job offer
Controlling in manufacturing means costs and margins, a bank means credit risk, consulting means valuations and transactions. Order your achievements so the first ones match the industry in the job ad, and use the tool names from the requirements.
Questions and answers
Which skills should a financial analyst put on a CV?
Budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial modelling, financial statement analysis, advanced Excel, BI tools, SQL and the ability to present conclusions.
Should a financial analyst CV include amounts?
Yes, but only those you can disclose. When data is confidential, use percentages or scale, for example a budget for 60 stores.
Should a financial analyst CV be in English?
At international companies and service centres it often should. Prepare both versions and send the one in the language of the job ad.