A finance CV gets scanned in a very particular order: qualifications first, regulatory and compliance experience second, numbers third. Everything else — your personal statement, your softer skills, the narrative of your career — matters, but it matters after those three boxes have been ticked.
Recruiters in this sector see a high volume of well-qualified candidates, so the CVs that get shortlisted quickly are the ones that surface the right information immediately, rather than making a reviewer hunt for it.
Qualifications belong at the top, not the bottom
If you're ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA, AAT qualified — or partway through — that needs to sit near your name, not in an education section three-quarters of the way down the page. Include the qualifying body and your level (qualified, part-qualified with expected completion date, or studying). It's one of the first filters a reviewer applies, so don't make them dig for it.
Lead with regulatory and compliance experience where relevant
If your role has touched FCA regulation, audit, risk, or compliance frameworks, be specific about what that involvement actually was. "Ensured compliance with FCA requirements" is vague. "Managed quarterly regulatory reporting for a £200m loan book, liaising directly with internal audit" tells a reviewer exactly what you're capable of and at what scale.
- Name the specific regulatory framework or standard you worked within
- Describe your actual role — did you own the process, review it, or execute it?
- Reference any direct dealings with regulators, auditors, or external assessors
Numbers do more work here than almost anywhere else
Portfolio size, transaction values, budget managed, assets under management, percentage variance reduced, forecast accuracy improved — finance CVs reward precision. Where you can genuinely quantify your contribution, do it. Where you can't, be honest about scope rather than inflating a number that won't hold up under interview questioning.
Accuracy is the message, not just the content
In finance, a CV with typos, inconsistent formatting, or sloppy number formatting sends a signal that has nothing to do with your actual competence — but reviewers read it as one anyway. Proofread numbers as carefully as you'd proofread a client-facing report.
Keep the personal statement short and let the evidence carry weight
Three to four lines is enough: your specialism (audit, financial planning, treasury, corporate finance, and so on), your qualification level, and what you're looking for next. This isn't the section to sell yourself in broad strokes — that's what the qualifications and experience sections below it are for.
If your CV's foundations need attention beyond the finance-specific details covered here, our guide to UK CV format covers structure, length, and ATS formatting from the ground up. And once an offer is on the table, our salary negotiation guide is worth reading before you respond.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I list my qualifications (ACA, ACCA, CFA, AAT and similar)?
Near the very top — directly under your name or in your profile — not tucked into an education section further down. Finance recruiters and hiring managers often check qualifications before reading anything else, so make them impossible to miss.
How much detail on regulatory experience do I need?
Enough to be specific and credible: which regulatory framework, what your role in compliance actually was, and any direct interaction with regulators or audit bodies. Vague references to "working in a regulated environment" carry far less weight than a concrete example.
Should I include salary or bonus figures?
Not on the CV itself — those conversations happen separately with a recruiter or during the offer stage. What's worth including are figures that demonstrate scale and impact: portfolio size, budget managed, transaction values, assets under management.
Is a personal statement necessary for a finance CV?
Yes, but keep it tight — three or four lines covering your specialism, qualification level, and the type of role you're targeting. Finance hiring moves fast on qualifications and numbers, so don't let the statement crowd out the evidence below it.
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