CFO Resume: Examples & How to Write a Resume for CFO

Yours is a helicopter view of the organization:

You see the big picture beneath you, and all the opportunities that peak over the horizon. You’ve gone the maximum amount of ‘up’. Now it’s time to make a move towards that horizon.

To be well-received once you get there, though, you’ll need a CFO resume that shows your ability to see farther and plan better than any other candidate.

In this guide:

• A CFO resume sample more effective than most.
• How to create the perfect resume for a CFO.
• How to write a CFO resume that stands out.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a chief financial officer post.

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Thinking of a sea-change, upgrading your skills or starting your own business? See our guides:

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CFO Resume Sample

Now here’s how to write a CFO resume that leads to dizzying growth:

1. Choose the Right CFO Resume Format

Think of all the times you’ve handed someone’s report or other document right back and said:

“I can see at arm’s length that you’re not taking this seriously”.

Don’t be that someone and don’t let your CFO resume be that document.

Make your resume format clear, logical, and professional.

How to create the best CFO resume format:

• Use the reverse-chronological resume format to put your most recent successes first. This resume style is most preferred by recruiters and hiring managers alike.
• Choose a resume font like a Garamond or Arial in 11–12 pt.
• Use one-inch margins for your resumeand plenty of white space.
• Submit a one-page resume if at all possible. With your experience, a two-page resume is also fine, but don’t go over two pages.
• Use the following resume sections and augment them with extra sections: Header, Summary, Work Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Make writing of your resume easier by using resume templates. Simple resume templates work best for C-level candidates. 

Don't add a full address to your resume. Your name, surname, telephone number, and email address will suffice. 

Expert Hint: Send your resume in PDF, it’s unlikely that anyone is passing C-level resumes through an ATS. Still, always check and go with whatever file format is required.

2. Start With an Engaging CFO Resume Summary

Beginnings are always difficult—

Especially when the stakes are high.

How should you go about writing a resume profile for your CFO resume?

Go with a resume summary.

Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, effective, dynamic)
2. Job title (CFO, Chief Financial Officer)
3. Years of experience (5+, 11+)
4. What you’ll be able to do (create medium- and long-term strategies)
5. Two or three of your most impressive achievements (increased profits from 230% to 245% through a series of audits)

These CFO resume examples show how:

CFO Resume Summary—Examples

You of all people know—

The persuasive power of numbers.

Notice how much of an impact quantified achievements make in the first CFO resume example above.

You might come across references to chief financial officer resume objectives—

But these don’t apply to you.

A resume objective is best suited to someone without any relevant experience.

Even if you’re applying for your first C-level post, you’ve got plenty of C-1 and senior management experience—

So a CFO resume objective is a bit of a contradiction in terms. 

Expert Hint: Much like an executive summary, a qualifications summary is best written after the fact. Leave writing your CFO resume summary until last and you’ll find it much easier.

3. Write the Work Experience and Skills Section for a CFO Resume

This is the crux of your CFO resume:

A chief financial officer has to be able to handle a crisis should one arise on their watch—

And this is on top of their regular, everyday duties.

How can you show you’ve got what it takes?

By using your resume work history section to describe what you’ve handled in the past.

How to write CFO resume bullet points:

1. Research the company and the role, check the job ad if there is one.
2. Make a list of required skills and probable duties.
3. Think of times you’ve used those skills to perform similar duties.
4. Write resume bullet points that describe these situations.
5. Quantify everything you can, especially the results of your actions.

These CFO resume examples show how:

CFO Job Description for a Resume

Same candidate, same achievements—

Big difference.

Both examples do a good job of using resume power words.

It’s the first one that manages to give concrete, relevant details backed up by numbers.

Having trouble making your resume achievements short, sweet, and complete?

Try using accomplishment statements as a framework. 

Expert Hint: How to show promotions on a resume? List each job in a separate entry under the company name umbrella.

One more thing—remember to pick skills to put on a resume.

Aim for a good mix of soft and technical skills.

Use your knowledge of the company to target you resume. Do this by being very selective with which skills you choose to add (the trick here is to consult the job ad).

The list below is just to get the ball rolling:

Skills for a CFO Resume

• Developing financial strategies
• Creating budgets
• Planning
• Management of financial resources
• Monitoring
• Systems analysis
• Systems evaluation
• Management of material resources
• Mathematics
• Operations analysis
• Computer skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills
• Written and verbal communication
• Problem solving
• Time management
• Negotiation 
• Critical thinking
• Coordination
• Active listening
• Persuasion 

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4. Education Matters in Your CFO Resume, So Do It Justice

Education is important for a CFO—

Adult education is especially important.

It shows lifelong learning and points to up-to-date knowledge.

List your education in reverse-chronological order.

Degree, school, years attended.

But that’s not all—

Add bullet points that highlight achievements and relevant facts.

CFO Education—Example

Simple and effective.

5. Crank up the Value Proposition of Your CFO Resume With Added Sections

Make doubly sure you don’t blend in with the crowd—

Add one or two extra sections to your CFO resume:

• Additional Activities
• Foreign Languages
• Professional Development
• Awards
• List of Hobbies and Personal Interests
• Volunteering
• Certifications on a Resume
• Professional References

These two CFO resume examples show yes vs no:

CFO Resume—Extra Sections

Opportunity seized vs damage done.

The first one is concrete and relevant.

The second—

Breaks the cardinal rule by including irrelevant information.

Interests and hobbies are fine, but they have to be relevant.

One final, critical step:

You need a CFO cover letter. Dropping a resume in someone’s lap without a cover letter attached is unbecoming of an executive. Don’t make it too long, though. One page should be enough. And if you’re emailing your cover letter, you can make it even shorter.

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Key Points

For a CFO resume that gets interviews:

• Use the CFO resume template up top. It’s based on proven resume-writing principles.
• Put CFO achievements in your summary, work history, and education—actions speak louder than words and achievements are descriptions of actions.
• Choose the right CFO resume skills. Research the company and the role.
• Write a CFO cover letter. Pay attention to the tone of voice you adopt and make a strong case for your candidature.

Need clarification on anything mentioned above? Got any advice to share with your fellow CFOs? Leave any questions and comments down below and we’ll be sure to get back to you.