Resume Writing Tips for General Manager Finance

Introduction

As a General Manager Finance, your resume is your personal brand ambassador. Recruiters and hiring managers seek evidence of your ability to lead finance functions, optimize financial performance, manage risks, and drive business growth. An effective resume blends a strategic summary, relevant skills, and quantifiable achievements to paint a picture of your capabilities. This guide offers 10 comprehensive tips to help you construct a resume that navigates ATS filters, highlights your strengths, and commands attention.

1. Resume Summary

Your resume summary is the first critical touchpoint for recruiters. It should succinctly convey your leadership qualities, financial expertise, and key accomplishments. Keep it impactful—focus on your years of experience, areas of specialization, and the value you bring to organizations.

Example: “Dynamic General Manager Finance with 12+ years steering financial strategy and operations across multinational firms. Proven track record in optimizing cash flow, enhancing forecasting accuracy by 30%, and leading teams of 50+ finance professionals to deliver sustainable growth.”

2. Key Skills

Highlighting relevant skills ensures both ATS and human readers recognize your fit for the role. Top General Manager Finance skills include a blend of technical, managerial, and analytical abilities.

• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Risk Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Strategic Financial Leadership
• Cash Flow Management
• ERP Systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
• Team Leadership & Development
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Analysis
• Data-Driven Decision Making

3. Achievements vs. Responsibilities

Avoid merely listing job duties. Instead, emphasize your achievements—how you added value, solved problems, or improved processes. Use action verbs and quantify outcomes wherever possible.

Example: Instead of “Managed budgeting process,” write “Led company-wide budgeting process that reduced expenses by 12% while maintaining operational efficiency.”

4. Tailor to Job Descriptions

Each role may emphasize different priorities—from regulatory compliance to growth initiatives. Review the job description carefully and tailor your resume keywords and accomplishments to align with the employer’s needs. This improves ATS compatibility and relevance.

5. Tools/Technologies

• SAP ERP
• Oracle Financials
• Hyperion
• Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
• Tableau
• Power BI
• QuickBooks
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Workday Financial Management
• Bloomberg Terminal

6. Metrics

• Percentage revenue growth
• Cost reductions achieved
• Budget size managed
• Team size led
• Improvement in forecasting accuracy

7. Education

• MBA in Finance (or related field)
• CPA, CFA, or other financial certifications

8. Crisp Formatting

• Use clean, professional fonts such as Arial or Calibri
• Utilize bullet points for easy scanning

9. Concise Language

Keep your resume limited to two pages, focusing on relevant information. Avoid jargon and redundancy, writing clear, direct statements.

10. Bonus Tips

• Include a professional LinkedIn profile link in contact information
• Incorporate relevant keywords from finance industry standards to optimize for ATS

Examples

• “Implemented a new financial reporting system that decreased month-end close time by 25%, enhancing decision-making speed.”
• “Directed a team of 35 finance analysts, delivering a 15% improvement in forecast accuracy year over year.”

Conclusion

In summation, an effective General Manager Finance resume is not just a record of your work history, but a strategic marketing document that highlights your leadership impact, financial acumen, and analytical expertise. By showcasing quantifiable achievements, tailoring content to the role, and demonstrating your command of key financial tools and metrics, you position yourself as a compelling candidate ready to drive growth and navigate complex financial landscapes. Invest time in crafting your resume thoughtfully—your next executive opportunity depends on it.