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Finance director skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Kim Tan Ph.D.,

Dr. Reid Cummings

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical finance director skills. We ranked the top skills for finance directors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 6.7% of finance director resumes contained cpa as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a finance director needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 finance director skills for your resume and career

1. CPA

Here's how finance directors use cpa:

Provided preliminary Cost Report information to CPA for compilation and formulation of annual report.
Prepare financial data and footnotes for independent CPA annual audited financial statements.

2. Financial Analysis

Here's how finance directors use financial analysis:

Developed and built a finance / business partnership that vastly increased financial analysis and expertise into the organization's decision-making process.
Designed and implemented a fully integrated accounting and reporting system to ensure compliance with donor/regulatory reporting requirements and improved financial analysis.

3. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how finance directors use payroll:

Transitioned internal processing of payroll to external vendor providing for more timely tax reporting, accuracy and substantial cost savings.
Streamlined payroll process to increase accuracy and timeliness by implementing controls and improving time and attendance record keeping process.

4. Work Ethic

Here's how finance directors use work ethic:

Exhibited strong work ethics, great attitude and adhered to a strong code of personal ethics.
Recognized for dedicated work ethic and commitment to company.

5. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how finance directors use oversight:

Developed, enhanced, and implemented financial policies that realigned resource management, improved contract accounting, and strengthened compliance oversight.
Ensured customers had sound understanding of available options by providing managerial oversight to sales processes and reaffirmation of purchased products.

6. Financial Management

Here's how finance directors use financial management:

Converted the planning process from Excel to Hyperion Financial Management consolidation solution which eliminated redundant activities and optimized the consolidation process.
Performed administrative and financial management duties for an Ohio Department of Development grant for the Community Housing Impact and Preservation program.

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7. GAAP

Here's how finance directors use gaap:

Coordinated implementation of global financial reporting initiatives in accordance with US GAAP and international statutory reporting requirements throughout Europe and Asia.
Researched technical accounting issues and implemented new accounting pronouncements to ensure compliance with GAAP and other applicable regulatory agencies i.e.

8. Financial Data

Here's how finance directors use financial data:

Provided management planning and control information by assembling and analyzing historical financial data, explained processes and techniques and recommending actions.
Supported five divisional leaders by providing the financial data that helped make sound business decisions and identified areas for operational improvement.

9. Internal Controls

Here's how finance directors use internal controls:

Improved office efficiency and reduced expenses by developing and implementing standard operating procedures, internal controls and negotiating with outside vendors.
Strengthened fiscal capacity including enhanced cash flow and staff, eliminated deficit spending and improved internal controls and systems.

10. Financial Performance

Here's how finance directors use financial performance:

Analyzed financial performance relative to company, regional, and functional objectives, and identified areas for improvement to Executive Officers.
Finance leader supporting executive team in improving the financial performance of a low profitability, non-core contact manufacturing division of DSM.

11. Hyperion

Here's how finance directors use hyperion:

Lead the annual budget consolidation process, including aggregating all global business units and ensure accurately loaded into Hyperion.
Implemented Hyperion Planning in order to provide bottoms-up budgeting, detail level forecasting and consolidated financial reporting and analysis.

12. 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 directors use customer service:

Controlled expense growth by developing financial models to forecast customer service call volumes and subscriber billing and software development costs.
Decreased 20% of operational costs by relocating customer service operations resulting in lower headcount and delivering process improvements.

13. Balance Sheet

Here's how finance directors use balance sheet:

Led successful efforts to significantly change company's by-laws and organization certificate, ensuring long-term ability to strengthen balance sheet.
Generated all financial statements related to both properties and reconciled all balance sheet balances to general ledger activity.

14. Executive Management

Here's how finance directors use executive management:

Facilitated transactions, development of financial models, prepared written recommendations and conducted presentations for board of directors, executive management.
Persuaded executive management to exit $7 million product line that historically yielded declining sales and marginal contributions to shareholder value.

15. Cash Flow

Here's how finance directors use cash flow:

Directed financial and accounting functions; Accountability extended to financial statements, cash flow analysis, and management of computer network.
Developed the discounted cash flow models utilized throughout the Finance Department to evaluate the financial consequences of various investment opportunities.

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What skills help Finance Directors find jobs?

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

What finance director 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 directors 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.

Do you want to know more?

List of finance director skills to add to your resume

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

CPA
Financial Analysis
Payroll
Work Ethic
Oversight
Financial Management
GAAP
Financial Data
Internal Controls
Financial Performance
Hyperion
Customer Service
Balance Sheet
Executive Management
Cash Flow
Financial Models

Strong Analytical
Financial Planning Analysis
Cash Management
Due Diligence
Financial Results
General Ledger
Reconciliations
Risk Management
Business Development
Financial Operations
ROI
Financial Systems
Treasury
Variance Analysis
Strategic Plan
Direct Reports

Human Resources
ERP
Real Estate
SOX
Budget Preparation
Process Improvement
Internal Audit
Financial Policies
Capital Expenditures
External Auditors
Financial Support
A/P
Journal Entries
R
Revenue Recognition
Financial Aspects

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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