Financial Analyst CV guide: free templates and examples
Make sure your Financial Analyst CV is up to the task with our templates and tips.
In the complex world of economics, a Financial Analyst’s CV is your balance sheet, which can display your most important assets, and if you’re not careful your liabilities.
It’s a thin line between submitting an application that will make a hiring manager think the decision to hire you will lead to a profit or one that will lead to a loss.
You may feel that what you’ve been adding to your CV just isn’t good enough, but we can help you.
Our tools like our creative templates and our expert tips will help you create a CV that not only demonstrates your expertise but also captures the attention of top-tier employers.
This guide will help you by showing you how to make your CV:
- Demonstrate your analytical skills and understanding of financial markets
- Build an impactful CV as an entry-level Financial Analyst
- Highlight your career achievements and specialised skills
- Use language skills to get you noticed during the hiring process
Read on to discover how to create a CV that not only meets the expectations of hiring managers but also positions you as a valuable asset to any financial team.
Review a well-written Financial Analyst CV sample
Before you get started, it’s a great idea to go over a completed application, to know how you should structure your own CV.
Have a look at the following example:
John Doe
Financial Analyst
123 Finance Street, London, EC3A 8AA
Phone: 07123 456 789 | Email: john.doe@example.com
Personal Statement
Analytically-minded Financial Analyst with 5 years of experience in the financial sector, specialising in market trend analysis, financial modelling, and investment strategy. Proven track record of leveraging data to drive successful financial planning and portfolio management, resulting in a 20% average ROI for clients. Seeking to apply my expertise to a dynamic team at a forward-thinking investment firm.
Skills
- Advanced Financial Modelling: Proficient in creating complex models using Excel and VBA, improving forecast accuracy by 35%.
- Risk Management: Developed risk assessment protocols that reduced financial exposure by 25%.
- Data Analysis Tools: Skilled in SQL, Python, and Bloomberg Terminal for comprehensive financial analytics.
- Market Analysis: Fluent in Mandarin, enabling effective communication with key Chinese markets and contributing to a 10% portfolio growth in the region.
- Regulatory Compliance: Up-to-date with FCA regulations, ensuring all analyses and recommendations are compliant.
Professional Experience
Senior Financial Analyst | ABC Investments, London, UK | Jan 2019 – Present
- Conducted detailed financial analysis for a portfolio of over £10M, achieving a 20% ROI for clients.
- Led a team of 4 analysts in developing economic forecasting models, resulting in a 15% increase in predictive accuracy.
- Streamlined quarterly reporting process, reducing time required by 30% by implementing automated Excel macros.
Financial Analyst | XYZ Finance, London, UK | Sep 2015 – Dec 2018
- Analysed and reported on market trends, influencing a portfolio strategy that outperformed the market by 12%.
- Created risk management strategies for client portfolios, mitigating potential losses during market volatility.
- Automated data collection processes using Python scripts, enhancing data accuracy and reducing manual entry by 40%.
Education
BSc in Economics | University of Manchester, Manchester, UK | 2013
- Graduated with First Class Honours
- Final Year Project: “Predictive Analysis of Stock Market Trends Using Regression Analysis”
Professional Affiliations
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Member of the CFA Society of the UK
Languages
- English (Native)
- Mandarin (HSK level 5)
Certifications
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM)
- Advanced Excel and Financial Modelling
If you’re unsure of exactly what to write once you begin, you can use our innovative AI-powered CV builder.
It will automatically fill in different sections of your CV based on your profession to help you finish your application in minutes.
Tips for entry-level Financial Analysts
Are you completely new to the financial field?
We understand that just starting in this sector can be a very difficult experience for an entry-level applicant. However, with the right investment into your CV, you can yield high returns.
As someone just beginning their career in financial analysis, it’s important to keep in mind:
- Your skills can win over a manager
- You’ll need to show that you have enough financial knowledge
- You should show off your motivation
While you should still put your experience first, you can win an employer if you can correctly add the following details.
Include languages important in foreign markets
There are emerging global markets around the world, and if you can speak their native tongue, you can gain some points with a hiring manager.
Some countries with emerging markets, include:
- Brazil
- China
- India
- Mexico
In the global financial markets, the ability to speak in these languages can be a huge game changer.
For example:
Languages
- English (Native)
- Mandarin (HSK level 6)
Mention your financial memberships
If you join a society or organisation, you can show how devoted you are to the position. If you aren’t yet in an organisation, it will also help you network to find opportunities.
Membership in professional financial organisations like the CFA Institute or the ACCA can look great on your CV.
You can list these types of memberships under a dedicated ‘Professional Affiliations’ section, and if possible, describe any active roles you’ve had within these organisations.
Here is what the section would look like:
Professional Affiliations
Member of the CFA Society of the UK
- Regularly attended CFA Society events since 2022 to stay ahead of market trends and applied insights to enhance predictive market models.
Show off your education
As someone without much experience, your academic qualifications can play a huge role in your job application’s success.
Detail your degree, highlight relevant modules such as ‘Corporate Finance’ or ‘Quantitative Analysis’, and discuss any major projects, especially those with a practical application.
Here’s how you can list your education in your Financial Analyst CV:
Education
BSc in Economics and Statistics
University of Manchester, Manchester, UK | September 2014 – June 2017
- Graduated with First Class Honours.
- Dissertation: “Econometric Study of the Relationship Between GDP Growth and Unemployment Rates in Post-Recession Economies” – Utilised advanced econometric techniques to dissect and forecast economic indicators, receiving a high first for the dissertation.
Advice for experienced Financial Analysts
For those with a solid track record in finance, in your CV there are a few key elements of your profile that you should highlight, such as:
- Your growth
- Your accomplishments
- Skill you’ve picked up
These should also be backed up with data that shows how productive you’ve been.
A chronological layout will be very effective, allowing you to present a clear timeline of your career progression, with your most recent and impactful roles taking centre stage.
Discuss your professional achievements
Have you led any initiatives that led to cost savings or revenue generation? Explain these achievements to demonstrate your impact on your CV.
Within your Financial Analyst personal summary statement in your CV, mention specific times when you’ve driven growth or improved efficiency.
Make sure you provide statistics like in the following example:
Personal statement
Dynamic Financial Analyst with a proven track record of delivering robust financial solutions, evidenced by a 35% increase in portfolio performance over two years. Adept in leveraging advanced analytics to inform strategic decisions, I have driven a 20% cost reduction through meticulous market trend analysis and process optimisation.
You can also include your accomplishments in your experience section as well. In your Financial Analyst CV experience section, you can be even more specific about your accomplishments.
Senior Financial Analyst
XYZ Corporation, London | May 2018 – Present
- Spearheaded a financial restructuring project that resulted in a 15% reduction in operating costs within the first year.
- Developed and implemented a new risk assessment model, decreasing financial risk exposure by 25%.
- Led quarterly forecasting, consistently achieving 95% accuracy, and informed a 10% year-on-year revenue growth strategy.
- Automated reporting processes using advanced Excel features, saving approximately 30 hours of manual work per month.
Add unique Financial Analyst skills to your CV
When it comes to skills, you’ve probably been told to add problem-solving, organisation, and other generic abilities. However, you can set yourself apart with a section that lists unique financial skills.
Beyond the basics, your CV should reflect the unique skill set that you bring to the table:
- Advanced Excel skills: Don’t just say you’re proficient in Excel. Specify your ability to automate tasks with macros or manage complex data with pivot tables.
- Financial software expertise: Are you an expert in using SAP for financial operations or Oracle for database management? Make it known.
- Data analysis tools: Your proficiency with SQL, Python, or R for financial data analysis can set you apart from the competition.
- Statistical analysis: The ability to apply statistical methods to financial data is a rare and sought-after skill in the financial analysis field.
With these specific skills, you should be able to hit a CV keyword that will immediately call the employer’s attention.
Key points
Your CV is more than a summary of your job history; it’s a strategic tool to market your financial expertise.
For a better chance of a successful job search, remember to:
- Highlight languages and memberships that align with financial markets
- Specify your achievements and technical skills
- Use a chronological format to showcase your professional growth
- Take advantage of our easy-to-use CV-building tools
By focusing on the unique skills and experiences that you bring to the table, you can create a CV that not only stands out but also accurately reflects your professional identity.
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