Financial Controller CV example

Financial Controllers are responsible for more than spreadsheets – they play a critical role in guiding strategy, ensuring compliance, and supporting decision-making across the business. Your CV should reflect this influence and responsibility at every stage.

In the sections ahead, we’ll show you how to write your CV with your qualifications and financial expertise in a way that positions you as a trusted expert and a valuable senior team member.

As a finance leader, you already know that structure underpins success – and your CV is no exception. A well-organised, easy-to-follow layout gives hiring managers confidence in your ability to communicate clearly, prioritise effectively, and manage information professionally.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Place your name and personal info prominently at the top of your CV for quick access. Adding a photo is up to you.
• Profile – A brief introduction summarising your finance leadership and sector expertise.
• Core skills – Use bullet points to highlight key competencies aligned with the role.
• Work experience – Start with your most recent roles and work backward.
• Education & certifications – Include your degrees, professional qualifications, and any specialist finance training.
• Additional info – Optionally include awards, hobbies, languages, or professional memberships.
  

Use bullet points to break up dense content, apply a clean and readable font, clearly divide each section, and keep the document within two pages of length. Professional CV formatting shows you know how to present complex information clearly and with purpose – an essential skill for any Financial Controller. Attention to detail matters just as much on your CV as it does in your reporting, so ensure consistency in layout, alignment, and style throughout.

Your profile sets the tone for the rest of your application. As a Financial Controller, this is your chance to show that you’re not just a finance expert – you’re a commercial leader who drives results, ensures compliance, and builds strong cross-functional partnerships. This short section should give recruiters confidence in your ability to manage budgets, improve processes, and contribute meaningfully to strategic decisions at board level.

Here’s what to include:

• Where you’ve worked – Mention industries, company sizes, and regions you’ve supported (e.g. SMEs, multinational corporations, or listed companies).
• Your top qualifications – List relevant credentials such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or a master’s in finance.
• Essential skills – Refer to your strategic planning, compliance management, or leadership experience.
• Experience managing teams or departments – Show that you’ve led finance functions or supported senior decision-makers.
• Contribution to financial improvement or transformation – Highlight successes in cost-saving, restructuring, or system implementation.

Your CV skills section is your chance to give recruiters a quick overview of your most valuable strengths. But rather than listing every financial buzzword, focus on providing a high-level impression of the way you operate as a finance leader.

Tailor your skills to the organisation’s needs. Consider how you approach risk, compliance, automation, and commercial finance, and include the keywords recruiters are actively looking for when they open up any application.

Your work experience section where you prove that you’re not just capable – you’ve done it before. Focus on leadership and impact, not just month-end routines or process handling. Show how you’ve delivered measurable improvements, managed people and systems, and supported wider business goals.

List your jobs in reverse order, with your most recent role first. Include company name, job title, and dates, followed by bullet points outlining your responsibilities and achievements. Highlight financial results, efficiency gains, transformation projects, or improvements in controls and reporting.

• Outline – Summarise the company, the finance team structure, and your position within it.
• Responsibilities – Use action words like “led,” “implemented,” “streamlined,” or “advised.”
• Achievements – Include quantifiable results like “reduced operational costs by 18%,”, “introduced new reporting processes,” or “supported merger integration across EMEA region.”

As a senior finance professional, your education section matters. Lead with your most recent and relevant qualifications, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or a master’s in finance or accounting. Also include degrees, industry training, and any specialist certifications like IFRS or VAT compliance courses.

Don’t forget to include your membership status and dates where applicable. Keep it factual and tidy – and make sure the focus of your CV stays on your experience.