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Finance analyst skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Kristina Anderson,

Kim Tan Ph.D.

The most important hard skills for finance analysts to discuss on their resumes include a range of accounting skills, both specialized and general. Finance analysts should have a deep understanding of how to work with financial statements and financial models. It's also important for finance analysts to have a knowledge of variance analysis and other forms of data analysis.

In-demand soft skills for finance analysts include interpersonal and problem solving skills. Finance analysts should have a knack for great customer service, as well as skills in interacting with peers and investors. Make sure to emphasize problem-solving in regards to improving financial performance within organizations.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical finance analyst skills. We ranked the top skills for finance analysts based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.4% of finance analyst resumes contained financial analysis as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a finance analyst needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 finance analyst skills for your resume and career

1. Financial Analysis

Here's how finance analysts use financial analysis:

Handled specialized financial and operational activities, including financial analysis of small business investments, investment coordination and project management functions.
Worked with Management Development Program Associates on financial analysis for operations, strategy, business development, and other functional areas.

2. Financial Models

Here's how finance analysts use financial models:

Organize and analyze data to develop financial models serving various purposes and to produce high-quality internal or client-facing reports detailing findings.
Ensured accurate customer statements and interest payments by generating financial models to match contractual agreements and conversing with trustees and municipalities.

3. Financial Data

Here's how finance analysts use financial data:

Conduct research and analysis to provide management with financial data and recommendations for use in setting and realizing cost reduction objectives.
Provided recommendations for clients and senior managers and also interpreted complex financial data from a variety of accounting and operational sources.

4. Strong Analytical

Here's how finance analysts use strong analytical:

Prepared weekly cash management/short-term cash flow models, long-term financial forecasts and departmental budgets utilizing strong analytical and MS excel skills.
Identified and resolved problems by using strong analytical techniques, innovative approaches and taking initiative in preventing and solving problems.

5. Variance Analysis

Here's how finance analysts use variance analysis:

Prepared and analyzed financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis and quarterly forecasts for the Core Technology Division.
Provided general ledger account variance analysis and explanation of monthly reconciliation of general ledger accounts and follow-up on outstanding items.

6. Hyperion

Here's how finance analysts use hyperion:

Prepared Departmental Hyperion based budgets including Accounting/Finance Department
Plant administrator for Hyperion database; maintained locally, then worked with business to consolidate reporting into central instance.

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7. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how finance analysts use customer service:

Developed and implemented financial model improvements and automation, while simultaneously supporting various activities, projects and customer service assignments.
Provide superior customer service occasionally; address customer concerns about product availability, terms and conditions, and refund/return policies.

8. Financial Performance

Here's how finance analysts use financial performance:

Perform business analysis by providing Gross Revenue and Market Capitalization, understanding financial performance through short term liquidity analysis using ratios.
Developed and prepared customer and vendor profitability analysis by reviewing customer margins impact on financial performance and forecasting ongoing cost/benefit analysis.

9. Ad-Hoc Analysis

Here's how finance analysts use ad-hoc analysis:

Conducted Ad-Hoc Analysis in Hyperion to search for cost and revenue trends.
Performed Ad-Hoc analysis and projects as required to support ISR leadership team

10. Data Analysis

Here's how finance analysts use data analysis:

Conducted comprehensive data analysis and generated quantitative reports by analysis of client capital structure, debt capacity and credit status.
Perform data analysis, reports, and epidemiological profiles for different company departments that are required for important decision making.

11. Pivot Tables

A pivot table is a technique used in data processing to arrange and rearrange statistics to prioritize useful information. The aim of a pivot table is to summarize the findings and interpretations of the data extracted. Pivot tables take information from a database or spreadsheet to report sums, average, and other such statistics. This technique is integral to data analysis since it turns the data to view it from different lenses and perspectives.

Here's how finance analysts use pivot tables:

Created reconciliation reports for operations by analyzing and documenting several data sources and itemizing on pivot tables for upper management.
Enhance performance by developing and integrating customized Excel reports using Pivot Tables and Charts for staffing exercises and Estimates-at-Complete.

12. Reconciliations

Here's how finance analysts use reconciliations:

Perform complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis, accrual calculations and balance sheet reconciliations.
Partner with other areas to manage resolutions for any General Ledger or Bank account outages and/or aged items identified by Reconciliations.

13. Power Bi

Here's how finance analysts use power bi:

Created dynamic and visual dashboards through SQL queries in Access, Power BI, SQL Server, and Tableau.
Created dashboards using Tableau, Power BI, and Excel.

14. Work Ethic

Here's how finance analysts use work ethic:

Exhibited exceptional work ethic and dedication to successful outcome.
Trained, coached and mentored new hires, emphasizing a team player work ethic and unwavering commitment to accuracy.

15. Excellent Interpersonal

Here's how finance analysts use excellent interpersonal:

Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and communication skills to positively interact with a variety of personnel and to achieve positive work outcomes.
Maintain excellent interpersonal communication, organizational, and time management skills.

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What skills help Finance Analysts find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on finance analyst resumes?

Kristina Anderson

Career Counselor, Governors State University

That is largely determined by the job you are applying for. I would recommend analyzing the job posting and determining what qualifications are needed for the specific position you are applying for. Besides describing any directly related skills on your resume, make sure to give examples that show your related "soft skills" or transferable skills. Something else to consider is the fact that many jobs are at least partly remote, so employers want to know candidates are comfortable with the technology needed to be able to work virtually. This means it will be important to add a technology/computer skills section that lists the different systems and tools you have experience using. It will also be important to describe on your resume if you do have any prior or current experience working remotely.

What finance analyst skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kim Tan Ph.D.

Professor, Accounting, Chair, California State University - Stanislaus

Travel abroad. Study/work on some certification to learn new/related skills (MOOC). Volunteer work. Work to help support the family. Prepare for graduate school. Work at a lower-level job in an organization they are interested in.

What type of skills will young finance analysts need?

Dr. Reid Cummings

Associate Professor of Finance & Real Estate, University of South Alabama

As computing systems continue to advance and evolve, and as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent in data analytics, the ability to work with a variety of data manipulation, analysis, and presentation platforms will become increasingly important. Equally, a focus on improving critical thinking and communication skills, and the abilities to present outcomes, analysis, and ideas in a succinct, cogent, and logical fashion, will largely differentiate those who will succeed at a high level from everyone else.

What soft skills should all finance analysts possess?

Haran Segram Ph.D.

Clinical Assistant Professor of Finance, NYU Stern School of Business

Digital transformation is here to stay. Future of work will be a hybrid (in-person/remote) model. Therefore, graduates should have the ability to work on multiple companywide group projects from remote locations. This requires individuals to be self-driven and have the aptitude to perform tasks with minimal supervision or mentoring.

Do you want to know more?

List of finance analyst skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a finance analyst resume and required skills for a finance analyst to have include:

Financial Analysis
Financial Models
Financial Data
Strong Analytical
Variance Analysis
Hyperion
Customer Service
Financial Performance
Ad-Hoc Analysis
Data Analysis
Pivot Tables
Reconciliations
Power Bi
Work Ethic
Excellent Interpersonal
Process Improvement
SQL

Financial Planning Analysis
GAAP
ERP
Financial Results
Financial Management
Accruals
Strong Work Ethic
Close Process
Analytical Support
Financial Support
HR
Cash Flow
Financial Systems
Real Estate
Payroll
Internal Controls
Account Reconciliations

External Auditors
Develop Financial Models
Cost Analysis
Ad-Hoc Reports
Essbase
Management Reports
Balance Sheet Accounts
Income Statement
General Ledger Accounts
Cognos
VBA
Financial Forecasts
SOX
Derivative
Treasury

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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