Written by: Frank Hackett (CPRW)
Updated:February 1, 2023
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for financial analysts was $83,862 in 2020. Studies also indicate that this field is expected to experience a 6% increase in growth over the next decade. Due to the lucrative nature of these positions, you’ll need a strong resume to break into the industry. Creating an accomplishment-driven document that highlights your ability to create value for employers will always attract more attention than a resume that only features vague job responsibilities. Below, you’ll find three examples for entry-level financial analysts to guide you during your job search.
Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Example #1#1
- Example #2#2
- Example #3#3
Harold Burmont
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
A Financial Analyst with entry-level experience specializing in economics, finance, financial modeling, and accounting principles. A proven track record of developing and refining financial reporting for small and medium-sized businesses across various market verticals.
Professional Experience
Entry-Level Financial Analyst, Boutique Fashion Co., New York, NY
May 2021 – Present
- Conduct financial reporting on monthly and annual performance of clothing products for a boutique fashion company, conduct forecasting, and provide financial insights to the business intelligence team to facilitate data-driven decision making
- Perform audits on operating costs for the business and identify opportunities to reduce expenses by 15% through the outsourcing of IT processes to an external vendor
- Coordinate with the accounting team to perform month-end and year-end close
Academic Experience
Financial Analyst Projects, Columbia University, New York, NY
September 2020 – May 2021
- Developed financial documentation for a three-month simulation of a startup e-commerce business, which included translating hypothetical business events into financial reporting
- Created 12 pages of journal entries and financial statements using MS Excel, including reconciliations and month-end close
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Accounting
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2017 – May 2021
Key Skills
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Reporting
- Data Analysis
- Accounting Principles
- Business Analytics
Alicia Jameson
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, San Diego, CA12345
Profile
A Financial Analyst with entry-level experience specializing in investment strategy, market analysis, financial analysis, and risk management. Adept at coordinating with investors to evaluate ROI potential and risks for acquisitions and investment opportunities.
Professional Experience
Entry-Level Financial Analyst, Coleman Financial Firm, New York, NY
May 2021 – Present
- Perform comprehensive financial analysis on business financials, product use cases, and market indicators to inform investment decision making for a premier financial firm
- Conduct due diligence on an investment in a startup food delivery service based on competitive analysis and cash flow, resulting in a potential ROI of up to 150%
- Coordinate with financial analysts and accounting teams to evaluate risk factors and conduct financial reporting on investment opportunities
Academic Experience
Financial Analyst Projects, Columbia University, New York, NY
September 2020 – May 2021
- Conduct financial modeling for a simulated retail business, which included evaluating company financials, developing financial reporting, and performing market research to assess risks and long-term economic outlook
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Finance
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2017 – May 2021
Key Skills
- Financial Analysis
- Financial Modeling
- Investment Strategy
- Business Intelligence
- Risk Management
Bob Laurence
(123) 456-7890
[emailprotected]
123 Your Street, Nashville, TN 12345
Profile
A Financial Analyst with entry-level experience specializing in accounting, financial modeling, business intelligence, and data-driven decision making. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance financial reporting and improve profitability for client businesses.
Professional Experience
Entry-Level Financial Analyst, SouthWest Financial Services Inc., Nashville, TN
May 2021 – Present
- Analyze financial operations and reporting for five client accounts valued at $100K-$250K, including operating expenses, vendor relationships, labor costs, and revenue cycle management
- Interface with client teams to evaluate financial reporting, analyze variance to actuals, perform forecasting, develop operating plans, and conduct headcount planning
- Develop financial models and strategies in coordination with senior financial analysts, including creating short-term and long-term financial plans based on KPIs
Financial Analyst Internship, Aegis Investment Firm, Nashville, TN
January 2021 – April 2021
- Supported financial analysts in conducting financial reporting, evaluating business financials, and identifying risk factors for investors
- Coordinated with the finance team to create presentations on business intelligence reports and due diligence on businesses to determine investment viability
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Economics
University of Nashville, Nashville, TN September 2017 – May 2021
Key Skills
- Financial Analysis
- SAP
- Financial Modeling
- Microsoft Excel
- Forecasting
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resumes
Showcasing the appropriate skills and action verbs that companies are looking for is essential for achieving compliance with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Employers utilize software algorithms to parse resumes for specific keywords from the job description. If your document lacks a sufficient number of key terms, your application will likely be rejected before it reaches the hiring manager. Tactically integrating a mix of skills and action verbs that align with the job posting will send a strong message to potential employers that you have the qualifications to succeed with their organization. Below, you’ll find a list of keywords that you may encounter during your job hunt.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Client Relations |
| Bloomberg | Budgeting |
| Business Administration | Business Intelligence |
| Due Diligence | Economics |
| Finance | Financial Analysis |
| Financial Modeling | Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) |
| Financial Reporting | Financial Strategy |
| Forecasting | GAAP |
| Investment Strategy | Mergers and Acquisition (M&A) |
| Microsoft Excel | Microsoft Office Suite |
| Project Management | Reconciliation |
| Risk Management | SAP |
| Statistical Analysis | Variance |
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Coordinated | Created |
| Designed | Developed |
| Drove | Enhanced |
| Evaluated | Examined |
| Executed | Forecasted |
| Identified | Improved |
| Implemented | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Supported | |
Tips for Writing a Better Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume
Quantify your financial analyst experience
As a financial analyst, it’s important to add depth to your professional achievements by incorporating numbers, metrics, and monetary figures into your bullet points. This is why it’s important to try and accumulate as much data as possible during your internships and current position. Quantifying your accomplishments will establish a sense of scope for the reader and deliver a broader understanding of your professional experience and expertise. Below, you’ll find examples to help you integrate metrics and numbers into your work history.
Example #1
Good
- Supported the finance and accounting teams in performing comprehensive analysis and audits of operating expenses, which uncovered an error in billing procedures costing the organization over $20K per year
Bad
- Analyzed operating expenses with the team, reviewed billing processes, and identified an error costing the company large sums each year
Example #2
Good
- Coordinated with the senior financial analyst to review labor costs and conduct headcount planning based on forecasting, which reduced overhead by 10%
Bad
- Worked well with an analyst to evaluate labor expenses and create improved allocation plans to reduce costs for the company
Create an eye-catching professional profile
You may experience some difficulty incorporating numbers and metrics into your document at the entry-level due to limited hands-on experience within the industry. If you don’t have relevant numbers to include in your resume, you should focus on showcasing areas of expertise from your academic background that align with the job posting. A compelling summary at the top of your document is the best way to bring these skills to the forefront of your document and grab the hiring manager’s attention. Below, you’ll find an example to help you craft your professional profile on your resume.
Example #1
Good
An entry-level financial analyst specializing in SAP, financial reporting, budget management, and cost analysis. Adept at coordinating with diverse teams to evaluate business operations and develop financial strategies to drive profitability and growth.
Bad
I’m a financial analyst looking for a lucrative opportunity to jump-start my career. I’m excited for the chance to join your team and continue to grow as a finance professional.
Example #2
Good
A results-driven financial analyst with entry-level experience specializing in business intelligence, client relations, accounting, and economics. Adept at leading the development of KPIs and financial reporting to facilitate organizations’ data-driven decision making.
Bad
I’m a hardworking financial analyst with a passion for economics and team collaboration. Based on my academic achievements, I feel that I’m the ideal candidate for this position.
How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description
The key to generating interviews in the early phase of your career is tailoring your resume to individual job descriptions. Drawing attention to skill sets that align with the organization’s needs will help compensate for limited work experience in the field and ensure that you make a positive impression on the hiring manager. This strategy is also essential for ensuring that your document achieves compliance with ATS requirements.
When determining what keywords to prioritize in your resume, evaluate the order in which these key terms appear in the job posting and how the information is presented. For example, qualifications mentioned multiple times throughout the posting should be placed either in your professional profile or in one of your top bullet points. Be sure to carefully read the first paragraph of the job description, as any skills that appear here are likely to be present in the initial ATS scan. Below, you’ll find an example to help you align your resume with the job description.
Entry-Level Financial Analyst Job Description Example
XYZ, Finance Inc is a leading financial firm named one of the best places to work in Boston. Put your financial analysis and accounting skills to the test in a fast-paced business environment. We’re looking for a financial analyst who excels in risk management and economics to aid our team in developing a long-term investment strategy.
Responsibilities:
- Coordinate with the finance team to perform due diligence on businesses to determine investment risks, including financial modeling and forecasting
- Support FP&A to aid the organization in identifying optimal allocation of resources, conducting budget management, and developing KPIs
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or economics required
- One year of experience as a financial analyst preferred
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and SAP
- Strong communication and client relations skills
According to the job description, the ideal job applicant should have the following qualities and/or experience:
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Analysis
- Accounting
- Risk Management
- Economics
- Due Diligence
- Investment Strategy
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
- Microsoft Excel
- SAP
- Communication
- Client Relations
- FP&A
- Budget Management
- KPIs
Next, take what you highlighted from the job description and include your experience and skills that match. Below is an example of how to incorporate them in your resume to your advantage:
Entry-Level Financial Analyst Work Experience Example
Profile
A Financial Analyst with entry-level experience specializing in economics, investment strategy, FP&A, and risk management. Adept at performing due diligence and financial analysis on investment opportunities and providing financial advice to clients.
Junior Financial Analyst
Investment Firm, Boston, MA October 2014 – Present
- Provided support to financial analysts and investment analysts to conduct financialanalysis on startup businesses to inform investment strategy for clients
- Created spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel and coordinated with the team to create presentations on company financials, KPIs, and long-term forecasts
Key Skills
- Finance
- SAP
- Communication
- Client Relations
- Budget Management