Financial Controller Resume Example

Kellie Hanna, CPRW
By Kellie Hanna, CPRW, Career Advice Expert Last Updated: March 13, 2023
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Companies put a lot of trust in their financial controllers. Not only are they responsible for keeping track of company funds, but they also make a lot of important decisions about finances and the future of the company. That being said, it's crucial to nail your resume if you want a future employer to trust you with such responsibility.

When writing about your past experiences, be sure to include some specific numbers and facts about your impact in previous positions. Statistics about how much you grew a company or how well you managed funds are appealing to a potential employer.

Once you're ready to get started, check out this financial controller resume sample for more help.

 

Financial Controller Resume Questions

1. How should you present software knowledge on a financial controller resume?

You may list software knowledge in the highlights section of your resume by creating a bullet point that mentions the name of the software and your expertise level. For example, you could write, "proficient in Sage Intacct," or "familiar with Jedox Planning."

You can also put software skills in your work experience section. If you used computer spreadsheets to develop quarterly reports, write that down. It shows that you can apply your software skills to real work situations. For more ideas, see our financial controller resume sample.

2. How do you highlight soft skills on a financial controller resume?

Including soft skills in your professional summary is a good way for them to garner attention. Starting off with, "Conscientious financial controller" sends the message that you are hard-working and responsible. Another place you can put your soft skills is in your work history. Phrases like "collaborated with the accountant," or "improvised creative solutions" are a good way to showcase your soft skills in action on the job.

3. What format should your financial controller resume be in?

As you can see from our financial controller resume sample, a clear, clean, and simple format is always best. Start the document with your name, followed by your contact information. Then use bold titles to outline four sections: professional summary, highlights, work experience, and education.

Create bulleted lists with short statements to describe your accomplishments and responsibilities. Use strong verbs such as "improved," "delivered," "organized," and "incorporated" to emphasize your abilities. Don't get too verbose, however. Your resume should be just one page long.

4. How many skills should you put on a financial controller resume?

When listing your skills in the highlights section, don't throw in everything you've got. Focus on the hard and soft skills mentioned in the job description, plus one or two others that make you stand out from the crowd. If you are careful to include your best qualifications, you should only need six to eight bullet points. To go beyond eight often looks a little presumptuous.

5. How do you make a financial controller resume for a first job?

If you are applying for your first job, you should consider writing a resume objective statement rather than a professional summary. The objective statement grants you the opportunity to state your career goals and how your skills and training make you a good fit for that career. You may have a work history section, even if it consists of summer college jobs. It still shows that you have a good work ethic.

You can also go into greater detail with your education section for a first job. In addition to degrees you have earned, include internships and work-study opportunities. If you took extra courses in special topics outside your major, such as forensic accounting, list those as well. For more help, study our financial controller resume sample, or try our resume builder for step-by-step instructions.

Show Resume Text

Resume Text

 

Douglas Lee

123 Fake Street

City, State, Zip Code

Cell: 000-000-0000

email@email.com

 

 

Summary

Responsible Financial Controller who can coordinate special projects and deliver financial documents by the appointed deadline. Adept at creating useful computer spreadsheets, developing strong teams and utilizing existing resources to get projects completed. Specializes in revenue projections and income analysis statements.

 

 

Highlights

 

    • Exceptionally strong computer skills

 

    • Excellent corporate organizational abilities

 

    • Able to gather and motivate teams

 

    • Works well in a high-pressure environment

 

    • Very strong business planning skills

 

  • Always completes projects on time and with accurate information

 

 

 

Work Experience

June 2010 to February 2015 Company Name - City, State Financial Controller

    • Worked closely with departmental managers to create accurate income statements for business planning.

 

    • Managed a staff of 15 accountants who regularly delivered quality work.

 

  • Part of the executive and management team that took audited financial information and used it for budgeting purposes.

August 2004 to June 2010 Company Name - City, State Financial Controller

    • Regularly organized quarterly inventory analysis projects that contributed to final revenue numbers.

 

    • Collaborated with the accounting staff to develop computer spreadsheets that made the reporting process more efficient.

 

  • Developed several training programs for new accountants that helped get them up to speed much faster.

June 1994 to August 2004 Company Name - City, State Financial Controller

    • Delivered accurate income projection statements each quarter to the entire executive team.

 

  • Reorganized the accounting group to make it easier to effectively delegate important tasks.

 

 

 

Education

1994 Thompson College, City, State Bachelor of Science, Accounting

 

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