A strong Finance Assistant CV is crucial for landing that coveted role. It’s your first impression, so it needs to be accurate, concise, and highlight your most relevant skills and experience. Let’s break down the key elements:
Contact Information:
This section should be straightforward: your full name, phone number, professional email address, and optionally, a LinkedIn profile URL. Ensure your email address is professional (e.g., [email protected]), not something from your teenage years.
Summary/Objective:
A brief (2-3 sentence) summary or objective statement sits at the top, grabbing the recruiter’s attention. A summary highlights your key accomplishments and skills, tailored to the specific role. An objective, more suitable for entry-level candidates, states your career goals and how you hope to contribute to the company.
Example Summary: Highly organized and detail-oriented Finance Assistant with 2+ years of experience in accounts payable, data entry, and reconciliation. Proven ability to streamline financial processes and maintain accurate records. Seeking to contribute to a dynamic team at [Company Name].
Skills:
This section is where you showcase your technical and soft skills. Use keywords from the job description to tailor your list. Consider these categories:
- Technical Skills: Accounting software proficiency (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, SAP), Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables), data entry, bookkeeping, accounts payable/receivable, financial reporting, reconciliation, budgeting.
- Soft Skills: Communication (written and verbal), attention to detail, problem-solving, time management, organization, teamwork, analytical skills, confidentiality.
Experience:
This is the heart of your CV. For each role, include:
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Dates of Employment (Month/Year – Month/Year)
- 3-5 bullet points detailing your responsibilities and accomplishments. Quantify your achievements whenever possible!
Example: Finance Assistant, ABC Company, June 2021 – Present
- Processed an average of 100 invoices per week with 99% accuracy.
- Reconciled bank statements monthly, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly.
- Assisted in the preparation of monthly financial reports.
- Streamlined the accounts payable process, reducing processing time by 15%.
Use action verbs to start your bullet points (e.g., Processed, Reconciled, Assisted, Streamlined, Managed, Analyzed). Focus on the impact you made in each role.
Education:
List your degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework. Include:
- Degree Name
- Major
- University Name
- Graduation Date (or Expected Graduation Date)
- GPA (optional, but include if it’s above 3.5)
Also include any relevant certifications like bookkeeping certifications or proficiency in specific accounting software.
Other Sections (Optional):
Consider adding sections like “Volunteer Experience” or “Awards and Recognition” if they are relevant and showcase transferable skills.
Formatting Tips:
- Keep it concise (ideally one page for entry-level, two pages for experienced professionals).
- Use a clear and professional font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman).
- Use consistent formatting throughout.
- Proofread carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.
- Save your CV as a PDF to preserve formatting.
Tailor your CV to each job you apply for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the specific role. Good luck!