Financial Analyst CV examples

Recruiters don’t have time to analyse every application like a balance sheet – your CV needs to make an impact at first glance

This guide will take you through every step of writing a CV that presents your experience, technical abilities, and strategic impact in a clear and compelling way. No matter your specialty, this guide will ensure your CV positions you as the strongest candidate for the job.

Your CV should reflect the clarity and precision of a well-prepared financial report. A strong and coherent structure ensures that hiring managers can quickly assess your qualifications, experience, and analytical skills without struggling to navigate through it.

Here’s the layout your CV should follow:

• Name and contact details – Display your personal information clearly at the top so employers can get in touch easily. Including a photo is entirely optional.
• Profile – Begin with a concise summary that highlights your expertise and what you bring to the role.
• Core skills – Highlight your strongest skills, such as financial modelling, data analysis, and budgeting.
• Work experience – Start with your most recent role and work backwards, showcasing achievements and responsibilities.
• Education – Mention your degrees, certifications, and any training that supports your career path.
• Additional info – Include any additional details, like awards, hobbies, or memberships, that highlight your skills or personality.

A well-formatted CV ensures hiring managers can quickly identify your key strengths without searching for details. If your CV is messy and full of visual mistakes, important information may be overlooked and you’ll lose out on opportunities.

These tips will help ensure a quality format:

• Bullet points – These help recruiters skim through your accomplishments quickly and easily.
• Divide sections – Use clear headings to organise your experience and qualifications.
• Use a clear and readable font – Use a simple, professional font and keep your layout uncluttered for maximum readability.
• No more than 2 pages – This is enough length to highlight your expertise while keeping the recruiter interested.

Your CV profile should introduce you as a skilled financial analyst with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. If your profile doesn’t grab attention in the first few seconds, your CV might not get a second look: it should highlight your ability to assess financial data and forecast trends in a way that makes a positive impact on your company.

Here’s what to include:

• Financial analysis experience – Mention your experience in evaluating financial statements, forecasting trends, or providing investment recommendations.
• Technical skills – Highlight your proficiency in financial modelling, data visualisation, and risk assessment.
• Strategic impact – Demonstrate how your insights have helped businesses optimise costs, improve cash flow, or increase profitability.
• Industry knowledge – Showcase your understanding of financial regulations, market trends, and economic indicators.
• Software proficiency – If you’re skilled in tools like Excel, SQL, or financial planning software, mention them here.

Hiring managers should be able to scan this section like a stock ticker. You should list the tangible hard skills which recruiters want to see from a candidate – any that demonstrate a balance of technical expertise and business insight. 

If you specialise in areas like risk assessment, corporate finance, or investment analysis, tailor this section to reflect your expertise. Employers also look for candidates with strong proficiency in data analytics, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance, so make sure your CV skills section reflects that.

Hiring managers want to see clear evidence of your ability to assess financial performance and support business decisions. Your work experience should read like a case study – highlighting the key numbers and outcomes that prove your impact, rather than just listing daily tasks.

For candidates new to financial analysis, include internships, financial projects, or research roles that demonstrate analytical skills and industry knowledge.

• Outline – Provide a brief introduction to the company or financial sector you worked in and your role within the team.
• Responsibilities – Detail your key tasks, such as conducting financial analysis, building forecasting models, or advising on investment strategies. Use action verbs like “analysed,” “developed,” and “assessed.”
• Achievements – Showcase measurable success, such as improving financial reporting accuracy, increasing efficiency in forecasting, or influencing key business decisions.

Financial analysis is a field where strong academic credentials can set you apart. With that in mind, recruiters prioritise work experience more, so this section should be brief.

Your education section should clearly highlight your degrees, certifications, and specialised training. If you have taken courses in financial modelling, data analysis, or risk management, mention them here.

For those entering the field, highlight relevant coursework, internships, or research projects that demonstrate strong analytical skills and financial knowledge.