5 Finance Skills Employers Look for on a Resume

In the finance industry, securing a position often goes beyond just possessing technical knowledge; it’s about what unique attributes you can bring. Job seekers have traditionally been advised to highlight their technical skills on resumes. 
However, employers in the finance sector, such as Pearse Partners, are now placing a higher value on interpersonal capabilities, also referred to as ‘soft skills’. Showcasing these five traits can help individuals with financial expertise substantiate their worth in a professional setting.

Accounting

Jobs in accounting necessitate a specific set of abilities enabling workers to: 

• Accurately log financial transactions
• Keep track of accounting records
• Adhere to all accounting regulations 

Typical roles in this field include accounting manager, business analyst, accounting officer, general accountant, and certified personal accountant. These competencies also apply to roles that may not be financially focused per se but still require the individual to carry out accounting-related tasks.

Training and Education

While certain sectors value talent and hands-on experience as the primary criteria for securing your dream role, it’s a different ball game altogether in the finance industry. This field, governed by stringent standards, procedures, and commercial best practices, demands more than just an impressive resume. You can get a graduate diploma in applied finance online, but having a compelling resume is just as crucial. Candidates who aspire to succeed here must substantiate their work experience with the appropriate educational qualifications, training, and financial certifications.

Tech Savvy

The PwC study indicates that technology has impacted 80% of all roles within the financial services industry. Displaying a capacity to navigate and adapt to technological shifts and advancements is greatly valued by financial services companies. More particularly, these companies are in search of finance professionals who possess tech-savvy skills, like a deep comprehension of Structured Query Language (SQL), which is the language utilized for database interactions.
Highlight your experience or proficiency in SQL and other similar technologies by including them in the skills area of your resume. Be sure to infuse your language with energy and vividness to keep the recruiter engaged.

Management Skills

Much like in various other sectors, firms in the financial industry consistently seek out potential hires who possess both experience and skills in management. These abilities are crucial for handling personnel and a company’s financial structure and reporting systems.
These competencies are not only relevant to those in mid- or senior-level managerial positions. For instance, formulating an organization’s budget demands management skills. Be it a quarterly budget for gauging performance, or a budget proposal intended to suggest upcoming ventures, crafting this vital document necessitates teamwork, steady communication, and definitive leadership.

Leadership Skills

Recruiters are inclined towards candidates who exhibit promise for occupying senior roles in the future. If you’ve had team leadership roles in your past job and you mention this on your resume, it signals to recruiters about your readiness for a more advanced role. 
Showing leadership in previous job or volunteer roles communicates to employers that you have the required skills to manage a team at some point in the future. Apart from leading others, instances where you’ve demonstrated self-leadership through continuous education or personal growth are also valued.
Besides highlighting any past supervisory roles, emphasize specific cases where you’ve shown leadership within and beyond the professional environment. For instance, if you’ve pursued continuing education courses to improve your leadership competencies, include that in the Education section of your resume. You might also want to include a “Leadership Experience” section in your resume. Here you can list examples of unique tasks you’ve tackled, teams you’ve managed, and leadership roles you’ve held.

Financial Modeling

Financial modeling is the technique of simulating an actual financial circumstance using abstract approaches. It involves constructing a mathematical model that exhibits the financial behavior of an asset or a portfolio within a set timeframe.
These financial models aid in determining a business’s worth or drawing comparisons among several businesses. They can be instrumental for strategic planning including estimating the costs related to a new project, setting a budget, or running a specific scenario. If you’re seeking high-level roles, companies will almost certainly require you to have expertise in financial modeling.

Delegation

Delegation is a critical managerial ability that involves tactically allocating tasks to the most competent team members. Effective leaders delegate, as it’s essential for the team’s overall productivity and success. 
Identifying suitable tasks for each member necessitates recognizing and comprehending their individual skills and areas for improvement. When executed correctly, even the most mundane tasks can make employees feel valued and aware that their contributions are significant to the team’s progress.

Endnote

In the modern era, possessing robust financial acumen is key to your career advancement. The ability to manage budgets proficiently, compile fiscal reports, make intelligent investments, and comprehend financial documents equips you with the necessary insight to make informed decisions and maneuver through the complexities of the finance sector. These competencies are notable advantages of obtaining a degree in finance, as they lay a strong groundwork for a prosperous finance career.