How to Write A Finance Resume Objective (With 15 Examples)

Updated 26 June 2023

A resume objective helps you introduce yourself as a candidate to recruiters by summarising your key strengths relevant to the role. When pursuing a finance career, it's beneficial to include a well-written statement on your resume to get the attention of recruiters. Knowing what unique technical skills, relevant education and experience to include in your resume objective can help distinguish you from other candidates. In this article, we define a financial resume objective, share a step-by-step guide on how to write one, list some common finance career skills and provide resume objective examples to help you write your own.

What's a finance resume objective?

A finance resume objective is a brief statement comprising one or two sentences near the top of your resume. It summarises the details of your resume, highlighting the qualities you possess that make you a great candidate. When applying for a job in finance, it can be a good idea to mention skills like financial knowledge, forecasting skills and analytical skills in your objective. You may also mention your motivations for applying for the job. For example, you can explain how, if hired, you want to contribute to the enhancement of the business's financial modelling and planning.

How to write a resume objective for a finance role

You can use the following five suggestions as a guide when writing your resume objective for a job in finance:

1. Get to know the hiring company

By knowing more about what the hiring company is, how it operates and what its values are, you can ensure your resume objective aligns with its scope of work and culture. You can usually find this kind of information on the company's website and in the job description in the advertisement for the role. Recruitment processes commonly use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), which helps recruiters rank applications based on their use of relevant keywords. While getting to know the company, you can also collect relevant keywords you may wish to include in your resume objective.

2. Compile a list of your skills

Next, it can be helpful to compile a list of your skills. It's important not to include your entire skill set in your resume objective as it can make it too lengthy and reduce its relevance to the role. Instead, you can compare your list to any skills mentioned in the job description and focus on including matching skills. Doing this can highlight your suitability for the role and increase your chances of progressing through the recruitment stages.

3. Include your education

Most finance roles require successful candidates to hold various qualifications. Commonly, a bachelor's degree in accounting, statistics, economics or business administration is a requirement. Senior-level financial experts, such as a director of finance or financial controller, may have a master's degree in finance. It's important to include any relevant qualifications you have in your resume objective when applying for a role in this field. It can also be beneficial to mention any relevant certifications you have, for example, a Chartered Accountant (CA) certification. Doing this can help the recruiter easily identify if you meet the role requirements.

4. Mention your work experience

If you have related experience, it can be beneficial to include it in your resume objective. Related experience may be, for example, creating budgets or working as a financial analyst for another business. If you're applying for an entry-level job in finance and don't have relevant work experience, you can focus your resume objective on your skills and career goals. For example, you can say that you're looking to advance your career using budgeting and analytical skills to help create strategies that optimise the company budget.

5. Ensure clarity and relevance

Your resume objective is likely to be the first part of your resume the recruiter reads. It's what can often form their first impression of you as a candidate. Because of this, it's essential that this section of your resume is clear and relevant. When you finish writing your resume objective, you can read it back to yourself a few times to ensure you're satisfied with the way it flows and what it includes.

Skills for a finance job resume objective

Below, you can find a list of skills that recruiters often seek in candidates for financial positions:

Accounting skills: The ability to perform calculations, manage a budget and analyse costs with knowledge of accounting principles can help you assess a business's financial records.
Technical skills: Some roles in the finance industry may require you to have knowledge of specific financial software to complete your tasks effectively.
Interpersonal skills: Equipped with strong interpersonal skills, you can better interact with your colleagues, investors and business executives.
Research skills: There's a requirement in some finance jobs to collect and interpret information like the history of expenses, for which research skills can be essential
Computer skills: Basic computer skills can help you record financial information and read reports on a computer.
Financial skills: In a finance role, it's vital to understand financial situations, the investment market, interest rates and current financial events.
Time management skills: If you have excellent time management skills, you're likely to find it easier to manage your schedule and adhere to deadlines.
Analytical skills: The ability to assess, interpret and understand financial information can help you prepare budgets, forecast the financial future of a company and make financial plans.
Communication skills: It's important to have strong speaking and writing skills in finance roles so you can effectively collaborate with others and share information, such as analysis, financial plans and reports.

15 resume objective examples for a role in finance

When writing a resume objective for a finance role, it can be useful to review some examples. Here are several examples of resume objectives for finance professionals of varying experience levels:

Experienced and detail-orientated financial planner with extensive financial forecasting and budgeting knowledge. Seeking a position as a senior financial planner with Edward & Sons where I can develop my leadership skills by supporting a team of junior planners.
Recently certified Chartered Accountant who's passionate about providing exceptional customer service. Seeking an accountant role at Royal Davis where I can combine my interpersonal abilities and accounting knowledge to contribute to the overall goals of the company.
Financial controller with a Master of Finance and seven years of experience in managing company accounting functions. Looking for a role in an enterprise-sized business where I can further develop my skill set and contribute to providing accurate and timely company records.
Professional financial assistant with excellent time management skills looking to work in a dynamic team of motivated finance professionals.
Well-organised financial planner, passionate about helping individuals create financial freedom and security by providing them with current and thoughtful advice.
Financial analyst with strong analytical and research skills seeking a position at Jefferson Andrew Investments. Looking to utilise the knowledge gained during studying for my Bachelor of Economics.
Accounting manager with a high level of organisation and a broad network seeking a position as an accounting manager with Perth Finance Experts.
Seeking a senior financial planning position with Accelerate Automotive Group where I can put my financial knowledge to use, provide financial strategy insight and help develop cost-saving initiatives.
Dedicated and reliable junior accountant with exceptional technical skills and eagerness to learn. Seeking an accountant position at Docklands Finance where I can develop my knowledge amongst an experienced team of passionate accountants.
Confident leader in financial settings with well-developed problem-solving skills, communication skills and interpersonal abilities. Experienced in budgeting and financial analytics.
Qualified, award-winning financial analyst with a high level of self-motivation and excellent attention to detail. Seeking employment at Red & Regal Co. where I can contribute to helping the company reach its goals.
Looking to develop my skills and enhance my career by obtaining a branch manager position within the NHN Banking Group. Experienced with cash management and credit standards and fluent in everyday banking procedures.
A thorough tax accountant with over five years of experience looking to deploy well-developed analytical skills and technical skills to good use at Regent Park Tax Professionals.
Seeking to leverage my 10 years of experience as a reputable chartered accountant in a well-established team of professional accountants.
A professional and motivated individual with a Bachelor of Accounting and two years of experience in a junior business accounting role. Seeking to develop my career in a culturally diverse company where I can prepare tax statements and develop strategies for improved profits.