CV Skills Examples for Accountants and Finance Professionals

In today’s competitive finance job market, your CV needs to do more than list job titles and qualifications, it must clearly show the skills that make you valuable. Employers want accountants and finance professionals who can analyze data, ensure compliance, and communicate financial insights that guide business decisions.

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Whether you’re applying for an entry-level accounting role or a senior finance position, highlighting the right combination of technical and soft skills can set you apart. Below are examples of top skills to include in your CV and tips for showcasing them effectively.

Key Technical Skills for Accountants and Finance Professionals

Technical or “hard” skills demonstrate your ability to perform specific financial and accounting tasks. These skills show that you can handle numbers accurately, work with industry-standard tools, and understand financial regulations.

Here are examples of strong technical skills to include on your CV:

• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Preparing and interpreting balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow reports.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Developing and managing budgets, financial projections, and cost analyses.
• Tax Preparation & Compliance: Knowledge of corporate tax laws, filing, and compliance with regulatory standards.
• Auditing & Internal Controls: Conducting audits, identifying discrepancies, and ensuring risk management.
• Accounting Software Proficiency: Experience with tools such as QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, SAP, Zoho Books, or Microsoft Excel
• Financial Modeling & Valuation: Building models to assess business performance, investments, or project viability.
• Regulatory & IFRS Knowledge: Understanding of international financial reporting standards and compliance policies.

When listing technical skills, focus on those that align directly with the job description or demonstrate your ability to deliver results in a finance-driven environment.

Important Soft Skills

While technical skills prove you can do the work, soft skills show how you approach your work, and whether you’ll thrive in a team or leadership role. In finance, accuracy and ethics are key, but so are communication and adaptability.

Here are examples of valuable soft skills for accountants and finance professionals to include in your CV:

• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy in financial data and error-free reporting.
• Analytical Thinking: Interpreting numbers to uncover insights and trends.
• Communication Skills: Explaining financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues or clients.
• Integrity & Ethical Judgment: Maintaining confidentiality and honesty in handling financial records.
• Time Management: Meeting tight deadlines, especially during reporting or audit cycles.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Working effectively with departments like operations, HR, and management.
• Adaptability: Staying current with evolving tax laws, software, and financial technologies.

Employers often value these interpersonal skills as much as technical expertise because finance roles involve collaboration and decision-making beyond spreadsheets.

How to Present Skills on Your CV

Simply listing skills isn’t enough, show how you’ve applied them to achieve results. Use bullet points that link skills to measurable accomplishments or responsibilities.

Example:

• “Prepared and analyzed monthly financial statements using SAP, improving reporting accuracy by 15%.”
• “Developed financial forecasts and budget plans that reduced operating expenses by ₦2 million annually.”

Also, tailor your skills section to each job posting. Review the job description and include keywords that match the employer’s requirements. This improves both readability and your chances of passing applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Sample CV Skills Section

Here’s how to structure your skills section on a finance CV:

Key Skills

• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Tax Compliance & Auditing
• Advanced Excel, QuickBooks, and SAP
• Financial Modeling & Data Analysis
• Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
• Attention to Detail & Accuracy
• Time Management & Collaboration

Keep your list short and relevant. Ideally list 8–10 of your strongest skills.

A well-written CV highlights not just what you’ve done, but what you can do well. By combining strong technical abilities with soft skills like communication, accuracy, and adaptability, you’ll present yourself as a well-rounded finance professional.

Take time to update your CV today with the most relevant skills for your role - whether you’re an accountant, auditor, analyst, or finance manager. The right skill mix can be the difference between being overlooked and landing your next opportunity.