Financial Controller Resume–Samples, Examples & Summary

Thanks to you, the cash flows. But still, your job search process has stalled, and it seems nobody wants to give you the benefit of the doubt. After all, to put someone in charge of their financial statements, you must foster lots of trust.

You won't get hired if companies don’t see that in you as a candidate. Fortunately, our guide to the perfect financial controller resume is your ticket to success.

In this guide:

• A financial controller resume sample that gets jobs.
• How to ace your financial controller job description on a resume.
• How to write a resume for a financial controller that gets the interview.
• Expert tips and examples to boost your chances of landing a financial controller job.

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Also, check out our other resume writing guides:

• Accounting Resume Examples
• Banking Resume Examples
• Entry-Level Accounting Resume Examples
• Accounts Payable Specialist Resume Examples
• Accounts Receivable Specialist Resume Examples
• Bank Teller Resume Examples
• Bookkeeper Resume Examples
• Data Analyst Resume Examples
• Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume Examples
• Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume Examples
• Financial Advisor Resume Examples

Sample Financial Controller Resume

A financial controller oversees an organization’s financial operations, ensuring reporting, budget management, and compliance accuracy. Their responsibilities range from economic analysis to strategic planning, and all need to be highlighted on your financial controller resume to succeed.

This is how you make a great financial controller resume:

1. Pick the Right Resume Format for Financial Controllers 

As a financial controller, you know the importance of organizing data in a clear, logical format to identify and analyze critical information quickly. The same principle applies to your resume. A well-structured resume efficiently highlights your most relevant qualifications, controls, and accounting experience to potential employers. 

Some essential tips to optimize the layout of your resume:

• Use a simple, easy-to-read resume font like Arial or Calibri. We don't want any confusing variables interfering with the readability of your resume.
• The reverse chronological resume format is most effective for financial controllers. This layout puts your most recent roles and achievements first, giving recruiters a quick snapshot of your progression in the field. Think of it as a trial balance—the newest entries take priority!
• Keep your resume margins at 1 inch for a clean appearance.
• Aim to keep your resume to one page, allowing you to focus only on your key performance indicators.
• Divide the resume into sections: contact info, professional summary, work experience, education, and skills. Segmenting the data allows for efficient scanning.
• Export the resume as a PDF. We all know the risks of different systems reading formatted documents inconsistently. A PDF preserves the intended layout.

Following these best practices will create an optimized resume, streamlining the hiring manager’s review process. 

2. Shine Light on Your Best Achievements in the Financial Controller Resume Summary or Objective

Recruiters and financial markets aren’t that different. Both move quickly and don’t wait for uncertain investments. If you want to stand out from the stack of resumes, you’ve got to captivate them right from the start. 

The first thing other than your name that the recruiter looks at on your resume should always be the resume profile. Here is a breakdown of how to write an excellent resume summary as an experienced financial controller:

1. Start with a powerful adjective like “results-driven” or “analytical.”
2. Follow that up with your job title—“Financial Controller.” 
3. Then, highlight your years of experience in finance.
4. Express how you can add value to the hiring company. Something like “Ensure accurate financial reporting and strategic insights.” 
5. Recall moments demonstrating your impact, and quantify them with numbers—“Reduced accounting errors by 20%.”

This structure is optimized for applicant tracking systems that scan for resume keywords and reject or accept resumes. The steps above will get you to the top of the right pile.

However, if you’re transitioning from a related field, write a resume objective instead, where you focus on transferable skills rather than specific roles. Emphasize your analytical abilities, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and experience communicating complex financial concepts.

Expert Hint: Many finance graduates become financial analysts with aspirations to become financial controllers later. If you’re a newcomer to the field, head on over to our Financial Analyst Resume Guide to see how to get started on your career path to becoming a financial controller the right way!

3. Show Them Exactly How You’ll Succeed in the Financial Controller Experience & Skills Sections

Your resume’s work experience section carries much weight regarding your perceived employability. It’s best to treat it as if you were presenting quarterly reports to the C-suite—you only have a limited amount of time to show how your profitability can play out in the long term. 

Here’s a checklist to follow before sending every resume:

1. Start by scrutinizing job postings and identifying skills and keywords they mention. 
2. Then, think back to previous jobs and draw from examples where you used those same skills. 
3. Use 4–6 bullet points per role and highlight your professional accomplishments in quantified metrics. Start these descriptions with resume power verbs for increased impact.
4. Don’t go too far back on your resume; stick to relevant financial experience.

If you are transitioning from another field or have graduated recently, lead your business pitch with elements from your education, such as any related class, projects, or volunteer work. 

Regardless of your career background, recruiters will also need to see a good handful of marketable resume skills for financial controllers. But don’t think listing 25 skills off the top of your head means you get the corner office at JP Morgan. 

Instead, reduce the list of skills to just 5–10 core ones. Include proficiency in software, systems, or technologies they explicitly mention.

Here are 30 excellent financial controller skills if you need additional inspiration:

Skill Examples for Strong Financial Controller Resume

• Financial Analysis
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Financial Reporting
• Cost Management
• Strategic Planning
• Variance Analysis
• Risk Management
• Cash Flow Management
• Internal Controls
• Taxation Knowledge
• Audit Preparation
• Financial Modeling
• Profit and Loss Analysis
• Balance Sheet Reconciliation
• Cost Accounting
• Process Improvement
• Financial Statement Interpretation
• Compliance Management
• Data Analysis
• Investment Analysis
• Revenue Recognition
• Business Performance Metrics
• ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Systems
• GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
• IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
• Treasury Management
• Strategic Financial Planning
• Team Leadership
• Negotiation Skills
• Communication of Financial Insights

Expert Hint: Deloitte’s team of experts believes the day-to-day of a financial controller will change tremendously in the coming 5 years. Best prepare yourself for significant shifts in the industry, and when you do, update your resume with newly acquired skills to stay ahead of the competition.

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4. Make the Most out of the Financial Controller Education Section

Don’t underestimate the power of your educational background on your resume, especially if you’re light on work experience. At best, they’ll think it’s a heavy-handed mistake. At worst, they might think you’d quickly leave out critical financial data from an investment report

Your education section doesn't need to be an extensive financial prospect for a seasoned financial controller. Instead, opt for the concise approach and focus on essential details:

• Graduation date
• School name and location
• Degree earned

In other cases, adding more to your education section can lead to significant benefits. Examine your academic achievements and include the best ones. If your GPA shines above 3.5, flaunt it like a stock with stellar growth potential. Relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, and diploma honors also work wonders and reflect your value.

5. Show Your Passion in the Miscellaneous Sections

Sometimes, it’s about more than just crunching numbers. Separating yourself from the pack by adding extra resume sections is an excellent way of showcasing versatility. Diversifying your portfolio, if you will.

Extra sections allow you to demonstrate your skills outside of the skills section. Since we established a one-page resume is the most effective, squeezing every last drop from the limited space at your disposal is crucial for success. 

To impress recruiters, think about adding these to your resume:

• Language skills
• Professional certifications
• References received
• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteer work or freelance work

One last thing: a targeted cover letter helps connect the dots between you and the role. Practice writing one that highlights your top qualifications and motivations, and it will undoubtedly pay off like a well-studied investment plan. 

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Key Takeaways

For a financial controller resume optimized for success, do the following:

• Utilize an appropriate resume format, ensuring proper margins, fonts, and a reverse chronological layout.
• Begin with a compelling resume profile that concisely summarizes your relevant experience.
• List quantifiable achievements in your work experience section that highlight your significant contributions.

• Include skills matching the job profile to show why you’re the perfect candidate.

• Utilize extra sections to leverage miscellaneous details and turn them into advantages.

• Submit a tailored cover letter that addresses any potential inquiries and showcases your fit for the position.

Thanks for reading. If you encounter any challenges while composing your financial controller resume or have any questions or feedback regarding this article, please share them in the comments section below!

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