CFO Resume Example and Template
A strong CFO resume demonstrates mastery of corporate finance, financial reporting, and strategic decision support. Highlight financial scale managed, key accounting achievements, financial system improvements, audit track record, and how your finance leadership enabled business strategy.
Recruiters and boards look for financial expertise depth, public company or complex financial environment experience, audit management track record, investor relations capability, and demonstrated ability to provide strategic finance decision support to the CEO.
A complete, realistic CFO resume, laid out in an ATS-tested template. The candidate is illustrative: the name, employers and figures were written for this example and identify no real person, so you can copy its structure and wording freely.
Updated September 2026
Also searched as
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Finance Manager, Controller, Senior Accountant
Katherine Stewart: CFO
Atlanta, United States
Summary
Chief Financial Officer overseeing all financial operations and planning for $320M professional services firm. Implemented accounting system upgrade reducing month-end close time by 35%. CPA with 11 years experience in accounting, financial planning, audit management, investor relations, and strategic financial decision-making for complex organizations.
Work Experience
Chief Financial Officer, Catalyst Professional Services
Jan 2023 – Present. Professional services firm, 400 employees, $320M revenue
- Direct all financial operations for $320M professional services company including accounting, financial planning, treasury, and investor relations with team of 15 finance professionals
- Implemented new enterprise accounting system improving month-end close process by 35%, enhancing financial reporting accuracy and executive decision-making capability
- Led quarterly financial planning and analysis process supporting strategic business decisions on pricing, cost structure, and capital allocation for company growth
Senior Finance Manager, Beacon Advisory Services
Jun 2020 – Dec 2022. Professional services and consulting firm, 280 employees, $185M revenue
- Managed financial planning, cost accounting, and profitability analysis for $185M professional services firm, supporting executive team financial decision-making
- Implemented time and expense system improving project profitability analysis and enabling data-driven staffing decisions, increasing project margins by 12%
- Coordinated external and internal audit processes ensuring clean audits and financial statement integrity, with zero audit findings in 2 years of tenure
Controller, Beacon Advisory Services
Aug 2017 – May 2020. Professional services and consulting firm, 280 employees, $185M revenue
- Managed accounting function and financial reporting for $185M professional services firm with team of 7 accounting professionals
- Achieved clean audit results with zero material findings in all three years, strengthening relationships with auditors and senior leadership confidence in financial reporting
- Implemented revenue recognition improvements and project profitability tracking improving accuracy and enabling better financial analysis
Senior Accountant, Beacon Advisory Services
Feb 2015 – Jul 2017. Professional services and consulting firm, 280 employees, $185M revenue
- Performed financial accounting and analysis for professional services firm, managing general ledger, revenue recognition, and variance analysis
- Supported annual and quarterly audit processes, maintaining strong relationships with external auditors and ensuring timely, accurate reporting
- Developed financial reporting dashboards improving visibility to business unit performance and supporting faster decision-making
Education
Emory University
Master of Business Administration, Finance. Sep 2012 – May 2014
University of Georgia
Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting. Sep 2008 – May 2012
Skills
Corporate financial management, Financial planning and analysis, Accounting systems and controls, Audit management, Financial reporting and analysis, Cash management and treasury, Investor relations, Budget development and management, Risk management and compliance
Languages
English
Certificates and Awards
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Georgia State Board of Accountancy, 2015
Why this look works
CFOs operate at the strategic finance level commanding respect and trust. Use a polished, sophisticated layout that conveys financial discipline and executive presence. Conservative professional colors reflect the financial services and audit environment. Your resume should feel as trustworthy and precise as your financial management.
Resume tips for this job
- Lead with financial scale and company profile. '$320M revenue professional services firm' tells hiring managers your financial complexity experience.
- Show financial system improvements with business impact. 'Implemented accounting system reducing close time 35%' demonstrates you drive efficiency and accuracy.
- Emphasize audit track record prominently. 'Clean audits with zero findings' is your credential statement as CFO. Audit health is non-negotiable.
- Demonstrate investor relations capability. If you have public company experience or investor communication examples, include them. CFOs often interface with investors and lenders.
Common questions
Should I detail specific accounting standards or GAAP implementations?
Mention them in context of business decisions. 'Implemented revenue recognition improvements enabling better profitability analysis' tells the business story. Detailed accounting standards training belongs in technical interviews, not your resume.
How do I present financial performance without claiming credit for sales growth I didn't drive?
Focus on your domain: financial operations, reporting accuracy, cost management, planning excellence. 'Supported strategic business decisions through financial planning' shows you enable strategy without claiming credit for execution.