In the competitive world of finance and accountancy, recruiters are scanning CVs for more than just technical skills—they’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate the value they’ve added in previous roles. If your CV reads like a list of responsibilities rather than a summary of achievements, you risk blending into the background.
The secret to crafting a CV that gets you hired is placing a Key Achievements section at the top. Let’s explore why this simple change can transform your CV, with finance-focused examples that highlight your expertise and results.
Why a “Key Achievements” Section is Essential for Finance & Accountancy CVs
A Key Achievements section allows you to:
- Showcase your value immediately: Demonstrating measurable results (e.g., cost savings, reconciliations, financial forecasting accuracy) proves you’re capable of making an impact.
- Highlight problem-solving and leadership: Achievements such as “improved budget management” or “reduced reporting errors” show that you actively improve processes.
- Stand out from the competition: Instead of generic job descriptions like “prepared financial statements,” show how your actions benefited the company’s bottom line.
How to Build a Stand-Out Key Achievements Section for Finance Roles
1. Use Strong Action Verbs
Replace passive language like “responsible for” with dynamic, results-oriented action verbs. Here are some finance-specific action verbs for CVs to boost impact:
- Reduced
- Analyzed
- Reconciled
- Negotiated
- Streamlined
- Implemented
- Generated
Example:
❌ “Responsible for managing monthly accounts and reports.”
✅ “Reconciled monthly accounts for a £10M portfolio, reducing discrepancies by 25% within six months.”
2. Quantify Your Achievements
Finance recruiters love numbers! Whenever possible, use metrics to show the scale and impact of your work.
Examples of finance and accountancy achievements:
- Cost Savings: “Streamlined reporting processes, reducing end-of-month close time from 10 days to 6, resulting in £20k annual savings in overtime costs.”
- Revenue Generation: “Identified and resolved billing discrepancies, recovering £250k in outstanding payments over a 12-month period.”
- Compliance Improvements: “Implemented an internal audit framework that improved compliance scores by 15% during the annual financial review.”
3. Tailor Your Achievements to the Role
Customize your Key Achievements section for each role you apply for by focusing on the skills and results that matter most to that employer.
Example for a Financial Analyst Role:
“Developed a financial forecasting model that improved budget accuracy by 20%, supporting strategic decision-making for a £50M project.”
Example for an Accountant Role:
“Reduced late payment penalties by 30% by renegotiating supplier terms and implementing an early payment incentive program.”
Real-World CV Examples for Finance Professionals
Here’s how you can transform a typical CV entry into a standout achievement:
Generic CV Entry:
“Prepared quarterly financial reports for senior leadership.”
Key Achievements Entry:
“Prepared and presented quarterly financial reports, identifying a £500k expense variance and implementing corrective actions that saved £150k in the next quarter.”
Generic CV Entry:
“Managed payroll for employees.”
Key Achievements Entry:
“Managed payroll for 250 employees across three locations, ensuring 100% on-time payments and implementing a new digital payroll system that reduced processing time by 40%.”
Real Questions We Get About Showcasing Finance Achievements on a CV
Q: How can I make my finance CV less boring?
A: Avoid generic job descriptions like “responsible for managing financial records.” Instead, highlight your impact—such as how your analysis, cost-saving initiatives, or reconciliations helped the company’s financial performance.
Q: What do recruiters look for on a finance CV?
A: Finance recruiters look for technical skills (e.g., financial modelling, compliance knowledge), but they also want evidence of accomplishments such as reduced errors, improved reporting accuracy, or optimised processes.
Q: How do I showcase my accomplishments if I’m early in my finance career?
A: Highlight achievements from internships, volunteer work, or academic projects. Examples include:
- “Completed a cash flow analysis project during my internship that identified a 5% discrepancy, improving the accuracy of monthly reports.”
- “Created a budgeting template for a student finance club, improving monthly expense tracking and reducing overspend by 10%.”
Final Thoughts: Crafting a CV That Gets You Hired in Finance and Accountancy
A Key Achievements section isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the key to a CV that stands out. By using action-oriented language, quantifying your results, and tailoring your achievements to your target role, you’ll make it clear to recruiters why you’re the top candidate for the job.
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