Controller Resume—Examples & Guide for Financial Position

You’re in control of the company’s finances. Juggling numbers and balancing books are your daily bread and butter. But are you in control of your job search? Or are your opportunities failing like terrible investments?

Get back in control by writing a controller resume that gets you in the green! Follow our guide and get ready to take your financial career to new heights!

In this guide:

• A controller resume example that shines like a bar of gold.
• How to make the perfect financial controller job description for a resume.
• What controller skills will make you stand out from the competition.
• Expert tips to make your financial controller resume irresistible to recruiters.

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Looking for a different resume in the field of finance? See our guides:

• Accounting Resume Sample
• Accounts Payable Resume Example
• Accounts Receivable Resume Example
• Bookkeeper Resume Guide
• Consultant Resume Sample
• Finance Resume Guide
• Loan Officer Resume Sample
• McKinsey Resume Guide
• Medical Billing Resume Example
• Tax Accountant Resume Sample
• Payroll Manager Resume

Controller Resume Sample 

Controllers are senior-level professionals responsible for overseeing the financial activities of organizations. They ensure the financial health, accuracy, and compliance of financial statements and reports. Controllers also protect the company's assets, maximize returns and limit risks.

Here’s how to write an effective controller resume:

1. Start With a Clear Controller Resume Format

Don’t let your controller resume haunt the recruiter at night. Fix the resume format upfront. Here’s how:

• Use the chronological resume format to put your most recent experience first.
• Pick one resume font to use throughout the document. Cambria is a great choice.
• Apply 1-inch margins on the resume. Leave some white space showing, and don’t crowd the page.

• You don’t need to cram everything on one page. Financial controllers are higher-up positions, so a two-page resume is a fine length for the resume.

• Add these resume sections: Header, Summary, Experience, Education, Skills, and “Additional.”

Expert Hint: You wouldn’t want your formatting to fall apart after you set it up, would you? That’s why you should save your resume as a PDF rather than a DOC file. It ensures your resume layout stays the same across all software and devices.

2. Write a Million-Dollar Controller Resume Summary

A well-crafted resume summary is like a good investment—it may take some time and thought upfront, but the returns can be fantastic. This isn't just about stating "responsible for financial reports", it’s about showcasing how you've orchestrated financial operations with the precision of a Swiss watch.

Here’s the deal. Use:

1. One adjective (efficient, dedicated, results-driven)
2. Job title (Controller, Financial Controller, Business Controller)
3. Years of experience (4+, 8+)
4. How you’ll help (improve cash management and provide financial analysis.)
5. Nicest 2–3 achievements (Secured a $5 million line of credit, enhancing the company's financial flexibility. Implemented streamlined financial reporting procedures, reducing the monthly closing time by 20%.)

These controller resume examples show how:

Financial Controller Resume Summary—Example

Dedicated financial controller with 6+ years of experience overseeing financial operations. Secured a $5 million line of credit, enhancing the company's financial flexibility. Implemented streamlined financial reporting procedures, reducing the monthly closing time by 20%. Seeing to join Hammer Finance to improve cash management and provide financial analysis.

Dedicated and results-driven financial controller with 6+ years of experience overseeing financial operations. Expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, and analysis. Proven track record of implementing effective internal controls and driving process improvements. Eager to join your company as a financial controller.

All that second example offers are empty promises. Saying that something is “proven” and then providing nothing of substance to back it up isn’t the smartest idea. And the recruiter will be able to sniff that poor investment from a mile away.

But that first example shows an employee certain to soar in value. What company wouldn’t bet on them?

What if you’re inexperienced in the field of finance? You just need a controller resume objective, right?

The problem is that even assistant controller jobs require several years in senior-level financial positions and often offer $100,000+ a year. So, the only time you would realistically write a career objective on an assistant controller resume is if you’d be making a career-change resume.

In that case, you’ll need to think of applicable professional achievements from your previous job that would apply to a controller resume. Things like investments, money management, data analysis, etc.

Just like in the example below:

Controller Resume Objective—Example

Goal-oriented supply chain manager with 8+ years of experience looking for an opportunity to work as a financial controller at Hammer Finance. At WTA, managed $15M in inventory and $12M of spending. Performed a market analysis and spearheaded a sustainability initiative, achieving a 17% reduction in carbon emissions across the supply chain, which led to the company receiving over $20 million in government grants.

As a recent college graduate with a degree in Finance, I am eager to embark on a rewarding career as a financial controller. While my formal experience is limited, my academic foundation and analytical mindset have prepared me to excel in this role. I am dedicated to learning and applying the best financial management, budgeting, and reporting practices. With a strong work ethic and a determination to contribute value to your organization, I am excited to leverage my fresh perspective and enthusiasm to support your financial operations and help drive growth as a financial controller.

That first controller resume shows you a candidate who, despite having zero experience in financing, is no stranger to dealing with large sums of money, investing, grants, and money management.

The second candidate, on the other hand, is a recent college graduate who, despite the best intentions, is trying to get into a senior-level position straight away. And that’s not going to happen. What this candidate should be doing is applying to a junior business position, and in just a couple of years, they will get to that controller position.

One more tip for writing a controller resume profile—leave it for the end. You’ll make it easier for yourself when you have all your work achievements laid out on your resume.

3. Balance Your Controller Job Description Section

Start the work experience section with your most recent job and work backward. It's like time-traveling but without the need for a DeLorean. Each entry should include your job title, the name and location of the company, dates of employment, and a bullet list of your achievements.

How to write a controller job description for a resume:

1. Read the job ad carefully.
2. Spot the controller's duties and responsibilities.
3. Think of times you’ve tackled similar tasks at your previous workplaces.
4. Write resume bullets that show those things. And remember, numbers are your friends here.

Take a look at these controller resume examples:

Controller Job Description for a Resume—Sample

Financial Controller

Graham Finance Industries, Houston, TX

September 2019–Current

• Implemented streamlined financial reporting procedures, reducing the monthly closing time by 20%.
• Secured a $5 million line of credit, enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
• Oversaw a team of 10 finance professionals, providing mentorship and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Spearheaded financial analysis of potential acquisitions, contributing to informed investment decisions.
• Reduced financial reporting cycle time by 25% through process reengineering and automation, resulting in timely and accurate financial statements.

Accounts Receivable

K3 Banking, Houston, TX

January 2017–September 2019

• Achieved a 20% decrease in average days sales outstanding (DSO) by implementing credit evaluation policies and efficient payment tracking methods.
• Implemented a customer credit assessment process, resulting in a 25% reduction in bad debt write-offs.
• Reduced past-due accounts by 40% through proactive communication with clients and effective credit risk analysis.

Controller

Graham Finance Industries, Houston, TX

September 2019–Current

• Managed all aspects of financial reporting, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements.
• Led budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Conducted in-depth financial analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Coordinated with external auditors to ensure the timely completion of financial audits and provided necessary documentation and support.
• Conducted variance analysis for budget vs. actual results, identifying cost-saving opportunities and improving budget accuracy.

That first example would make even Warren Buffett do a double-take! It tells a compelling story of your career journey, showcasing your skills, achievements, and the exact value you brought to each role.

Meanwhile, the second candidate shows a list of responsibilities. That doesn’t instill confidence in their skills.

If you have a lot of work experience but not necessarily in finance, don’t worry. Use work achievements from other jobs that are applicable to the controller position you’re pursuing.

Expert Hint: We cannot stress enough how important it is to target specific resume keywords. Writing a targeted resume for each company helps to pass the ATS scan and makes the recruiter see your motivation to get into this particular company.

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4. Audit Your Controller Skills

Your controller resume isn't a ledger but needs to balance just as well. So, don't stuff it with every skill you've ever had since your lemonade stand at age 5. We're talking relevant resume skills that will make the hiring manager sit up straighter and say, "Where have you been all my fiscal year?"

Think about what makes you excel as a controller. And cross-reference that with the job ad to see what skills the company values most. Then, write a curated list of 5-10 controller skills on your resume.

Use these controller skills for reference:

Controller Skills for a Resume

• Financial Reporting
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Cost Analysis
• Financial Analysis
• Variance Analysis
• Strategic Planning
• Time Management
• Performance Metrics
• Internal Controls
• Audit Preparation
• Cash Flow Management
• Financial Modeling
• Process Improvement
• Risk Management
• Regulatory Compliance
• Financial Statement Preparation
• ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle)
• Data Analysis
• Taxation
• Investment Analysis
• GAAP and IFRS
• Capital Budgeting
• Inventory Management
• Vendor Negotiation
• Leadership Skills
• Project Management
• Business Intelligence
• Cost Reduction
• Management Skills
• Financial Planning
• Communication Skills

5. Invest in Your Controller Resume Education

Now, let's talk about your resume education section. Browsing through controller job offers, you’ll see that most of them require a Bachelor’s degree. That means doing the bare minimum—listing school name, degree, and graduation date—won’t give you an edge over the competition. So, what more can you do?

It's all about highlighting relevant courses, projects, or accomplishments and demonstrating your financial acumen.

Just like in this controller resume example:

Controller Resume Education—Sample

Education

Master of Science in Finance

The University of Texas, Austin, TX

April 2013–June 2015

• Interned as an accountant at Walmart for 1 year
• Relevant Coursework: Business Analytics, Portfolio Management, Investments, Equity Analysis

If you’ve been hard at work for 10+ years, you don’t need to include any bullet points in your resume education section. Your work achievements in the previous parts of your resume will speak for themselves.

But if you’re still a bit short on finance experience, roll up your sleeves and turn this often overlooked section into a compelling testament showing your financial acumen.

6. Skyrocket Your Controller Resume Value With Bonus Sections

You've made it to the bonus round. There's no glittering prize wheel or dramatic music, but the stakes are just as high. We're talking about the bonus sections of your resume. These sections will take your controller resume to the next level.

Choose 1-3 of the following options:

• Certifications
• Foreign Languages
• Publications
• Professional Associations
• Conferences
• Volunteering
• Additional Activities
• Classes Taken
• Awards
• Hobbies and Interests
• Professional References

These two financial controller resume examples show yes vs no:

Controller Resume Sample—Extra Sections

Certifications

• Certified Financial Controller (CFC), AAIFM, July 2019
• Accounting Data Analytics Specialization, University of Illinois, March 2018
• Financial Reporting Specialization, University of Illinois, February 2017

Languages

• Spanish - C2 Certified
• Italian - B1 Certified

Awards

• MVP of the company's softball team

Hobbies & Interests

• Passion for extreme ironing
• Impressive rubber duck collection

Remember, these bonus sections are all about adding value and showing potential employers that you're more than just a one-trick pony. Or more than an extreme ironing enthusiast and rubber duck collector.

Each bonus section should further prove your financial expertise. Relevance is key. Things like a CFA membership or one of the top financial certifications will make your controller resume much more desirable.

Expert Hint: Now you know how to write a stunning controller resume. But can you write a cover letter that’s just as terrific? Cover letters are necessary for a successful job hunt, so don’t sleep on them.

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Key Points

For a controller resume that gets you in the office chair:

• Use our best resume templatefor financial controllers.
• Add controller work experience that works. Treat your job description section like a compelling backstory.

• Tailor your financial controller skills to the job at hand. Ensure to include hard and soft skills, and focus on the skills the employer wants.

• Write a controller cover letter. Make it stand out by showing your passion and how you’ll benefit the company.

So, there you have it. Now you know how to write a controller resume that's as perfect as a balanced budget. Now, if you have any questions about how to write any specific sections on your controller resume, leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.