Chief Financial Officer (CFO) CV examples

This guide will walk you through writing a Chief Financial Officer CV that highlights your financial expertise, strategic vision, and leadership skills. By the end, you’ll have a CV that positions you as the ideal candidate for a top-tier executive role.

Your CV needs to reflect the precision and strategic thinking you bring to the role of a CFO. Recruiters must quickly see your leadership experience and ability to drive organisational success: don’t challenge them to navigate through your application.

Here’s how to structure your CFO CV:

• Name and contact details – Keep contact details at the top for immediate reference. A photo is optional.
• CV profile – Craft a short introduction that showcases your professional background and key accomplishments.
• Core skills – Provide a quick overview of your top skills, like risk management and financial forecasting, that show why you’re a great fit.
• Work experience – Outline your career progression in reverse order, emphasising your contributions and successes.
• Education – Provide details on your academic background, including certifications or specialised training.
• Additional info – This section is optional, but it’s a good place for hobbies and interests that complement your professional profile.

Let’s make sure your CV doesn’t get overlooked. Your CV format must mirror the professionalism and clarity you bring to financial leadership. Even the most impressive content can be undermined by poor formatting.

Remember, a well-organised CV ensures your accomplishments are front and centre, showcasing the clarity and strategic vision you bring as a CFO.

Here’s some tips to format your CFO CV:

• Bullet points – Use these to highlight key skills and achievements quickly and clearly.
• Divide sections – Separate the different parts of your CV logically so it’s easy to navigate.
• Use a clean font – Stick to a professional, readable font with a consistent layout.
• No more than 2 pages – Ensure concise, focused content that highlights your executive expertise. 2 pages is plenty to achieve this.

Your CV profile is your chance to make a strong first impression and set the tone for the rest of your application. You’ll need to hook the recruiter and convince them to read on to the rest of your impressive application.

Tailor your profile to the role by emphasising achievements and skills that align with the organisation’s goals.

Here’s what to include in your CFO CV profile:

• Where you’ve worked – Mention industries or organisations you’ve led, along with a mention of how many years.
• Your top qualifications – Highlight degrees like an MBA or certifications such as ACCA or CFA.
• Strategic skills – Include expertise in financial forecasting, risk management, or mergers and acquisitions.
• Team leadership – Reference your experience leading finance teams or cross-departmental initiatives.
• Business impact – Showcase outcomes like revenue growth, cost savings, or improved financial processes. Recruiters appreciate tangible effects.
• Relevant tools you’ve used – Mention any specialist software you’ve needed to employ throughout your career.

The core skills section is where you highlight the abilities that make you a standout CFO. Focus on skills that demonstrate your strategic thinking, financial expertise, and leadership capabilities.

Your work experience section is where you showcase how you’ve applied your expertise as a CFO to achieve measurable results. Seeing as you’re hoping for such a senior role, this section will make up the main bulk of your application.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position.

• Outline – Provide an overview of the organisation, your role, and the scope of your financial leadership.
• Responsibilities – Highlight tasks like driving financial strategy, leading mergers, or managing risks. Use action verbs like “spearheaded,” “optimised,” or “streamlined.”
• Achievements – Quantify your impact with metrics such as revenue increases, cost reductions, or improved financial performance. Numbers add legitimacy – use them wherever possible!

The education section highlights the qualifications that underpin your expertise as a CFO. It should be a brief but impactful section, noting your degrees, certifications, and professional development courses.

List qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.