Top 12 Finance and Administration Manager Skills to Put on Your Resume
In the competitive world of finance and administration, a sharp mix of technical and managerial skills can lift your resume and nudge you ahead of the pack. Below, a focused tour through twelve skills finance and administration managers should highlight to show real impact, readiness, and a steady hand under pressure.
Finance and Administration Manager Skills
- QuickBooks
- Excel
- SAP
- Oracle Financials
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Cash Flow Management
- GAAP
- IFRS
- Payroll Processing
- Financial Analysis
- Risk Management
1. QuickBooks
QuickBooks is accounting software for handling the essentials—AP/AR, payroll, invoicing, bank feeds, and core reporting—so teams can keep the books clean and the month-end close moving.
Why It's Important
For a Finance and Administration Manager, it cuts noise: faster closes, reliable audit trails, consistent reports, cleaner reconciliations. Better data in, better decisions out.
How to Improve QuickBooks Skills
To raise the bar:
Integration: Connect QuickBooks with CRM, payroll, expense, and commerce tools to reduce manual entry.
Automation: Use recurring invoices, rules on bank feeds, and scheduled payments to trim routine work.
Customization: Build role-based dashboards and custom reports tied to your KPIs.
Training: Schedule short, regular training for your team; document close checklists and standards.
Security: Enforce MFA, restrict user roles, and set a backup cadence.
Cloud Access: QuickBooks Online enables real-time collaboration and remote closes.
Add-ons and Apps: Add inventory, time tracking, or bill pay apps when the use case is proven and the process is stable.
How to Display QuickBooks Skills on Your Resume
2. Excel
Excel is the workhorse for analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting. From quick pivots to robust models, it turns raw tables into direction.
Why It's Important
It speeds analysis, structures data, and lets you test scenarios fast—so plans are grounded, not guessed.
How to Improve Excel Skills
Level up by focusing on:
Advanced Formulas: INDEX/MATCH or XLOOKUP, dynamic arrays, INDIRECT, nesting with intention.
PivotTables: Slice, group, and summarize to surface drivers quickly.
Macros and VBA: Automate repetitive reconciliations and formatting; reduce keystrokes, cut errors.
Data Visualization: Clean charts, sparklines, and dashboarding that tell a crisp story.
Power Query and Power Pivot: Transform, model, and relate large datasets without bloating files.
Financial Modeling: Driver-based models, scenarios, sensitivities, and clear assumptions.
How to Display Excel Skills on Your Resume
3. SAP
SAP’s ERP ties finance, procurement, HR, and operations into one fabric, bringing controls and data together for end-to-end visibility.
Why It's Important
It standardizes processes, hardens controls, and provides real-time reporting—vital for compliance, scale, and cost discipline.
How to Improve SAP Skills
Push performance by:
Process Optimization: Map workflows, remove handoffs, and document ownership and SLAs.
Training and Support: Role-based learning and quick-reference guides keep adoption high.
Data Quality and Integration: Master data governance, clear retention rules, and stable integrations.
Automation and AI: Apply RPA for routine tasks and AI for anomaly detection.
Regular Updates and Maintenance: Patch routinely, test carefully, and monitor performance.
Analytics: Use embedded analytics or SAP Analytics Cloud for dashboards tied to business outcomes.
Security and Compliance: Tight roles, SoD controls, and audit-ready documentation.
How to Display SAP Skills on Your Resume
4. Oracle Financials
Oracle Financials delivers a unified suite for accounting, reporting, procurement, and analytics—especially strong in multi-entity and multi-currency environments.
Why It's Important
It streamlines core processes, tightens accuracy, and surfaces real-time insights so leadership can act, not wait.
How to Improve Oracle Financials Skills
Sharpen value with:
Stay Updated: Adopt new releases after a controlled test cycle to capture new features.
Configure Thoughtfully: Tailor chart of accounts, approvals, and tax rules to your operating model.
Training and Certification: Build internal champions who can troubleshoot and coach.
Analytics: Use Oracle’s reporting and dashboards to track KPIs and variance drivers.
Best Practices: Standardize close processes, reconciliations, and procurement policies.
Automation: Apply workflows for invoices, approvals, and reconciliations to reduce cycle time.
How to Display Oracle Financials Skills on Your Resume
5. Budgeting
Budgeting sets spending guardrails and ties resources to strategy. It shapes priorities, not just numbers.
Why It's Important
It aligns plans with reality, protects liquidity, and drives accountability across teams.
How to Improve Budgeting Skills
Make the process lighter and smarter:
Accurate Forecasting: Anchor on clean historicals and clear drivers; reconcile assumptions with actuals often.
Set Clear Objectives: Tie every line item to a measurable goal or outcome.
Involve Stakeholders: Bring department leads into the build; systems like Xero or NetSuite can support collaboration.
Monitor and Review Regularly: Track budget vs. actual with monthly reviews; use spend tools like Ramp or Expensify to keep visibility tight.
Implement Cost Controls: Policy-based approvals, vendor rationalization, and category caps where it makes sense.
Leverage Technology: Adopt planning platforms such as Workday Adaptive Planning to reduce errors and speed iterations.
Continuous Improvement: After each cycle, capture lessons learned and refine templates and timelines.
How to Display Budgeting Skills on Your Resume
6. Forecasting
Forecasting projects revenue, costs, and cash based on drivers, trends, and judgment—so plans can pivot before reality does.
Why It's Important
It guides resource allocation, buffers risk, and keeps strategy honest.
How to Improve Forecasting Skills
Boost accuracy with:
Historical Analysis: Identify seasonality, outliers, and structural shifts before modeling forward.
Modern Tools: Use forecasting features in your FP&A or ERP suite to streamline updates.
Rolling Forecasts: Refresh monthly or quarterly to keep horizons current.
Scenario Planning: Build base, upside, and downside cases; pre-plan triggers and actions.
Variance Reviews: Reconcile forecast vs. actuals and update drivers promptly.
Cross-Functional Inputs: Sales, operations, HR—collect assumptions where the activity starts.
Skill Development: Train the team on modeling techniques and data hygiene.
Feedback Loops: Document misses, refine methods, and standardize what works.
How to Display Forecasting Skills on Your Resume
7. Cash Flow Management
Cash flow management tracks timing and magnitude of inflows and outflows, ensuring bills get paid, growth gets funded, and surprises don’t sink the plan.
Why It's Important
Liquidity keeps the lights on and options open. It’s that simple—and that unforgiving.
How to Improve Cash Flow Management Skills
Strengthen control by:
Monitor Frequently: Weekly or monthly cash views, with short-term forecasts to spot gaps early.
Improve Receivables: Invoice promptly, enable online payments, and offer early-pay incentives.
Extend Payables Thoughtfully: Negotiate terms without burning supplier trust; communicate clearly.
Manage Inventory: Right-size stock levels; tools like Cin7 or NetSuite Inventory can help balance turnover and service levels.
Forecast and Budget: Use rolling cash forecasts and tie them to operational plans; tools like Float or Fathom can assist.
Reduce Costs: Trim nonessential spend and lock in strategic vendor pricing.
Smart Financing: Keep a line of credit as a buffer; compare options with your banking partners and advisors.
Park Surplus Cash: Use short-term treasuries or money market funds, keeping liquidity and safety first.
How to Display Cash Flow Management Skills on Your Resume
8. GAAP
GAAP is the U.S. framework of accounting standards and rules that drives consistency, comparability, and clarity in financial statements.
Why It's Important
It underpins trustworthy reporting, supports audits, and keeps decisions grounded in common principles.
How to Improve GAAP Skills
Raise compliance and confidence:
- Stay Informed: Track updates from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and industry guidance.
- Implement Technology: Use accounting systems aligned with current GAAP to reduce manual overrides.
- Continuous Training: Provide recurring education through accredited providers and internal workshops.
- Internal Controls: Strengthen reconciliations, approvals, and access controls; test them regularly.
- External Review: Engage auditors or advisors for periodic checkups and remediation.
- Transparent Reporting: Clear disclosures and consistent policies build stakeholder trust.
How to Display GAAP Skills on Your Resume
9. IFRS
IFRS is the global set of accounting standards designed to make financial statements comparable and transparent across borders.
Why It's Important
For multinational operations and cross-border stakeholders, IFRS brings a common language that reduces friction and guesswork.
How to Improve IFRS Skills
Keep your practice sharp:
Stay Updated: Follow the IFRS Foundation and IASB communications for new standards and interpretations.
Engage Stakeholders: Participate in comment periods when feasible; align internal policies early.
Training and Education: Build IFRS fluency across your finance team with structured learning.
Enablement Tech: Use reporting tools that track standard changes and support multi-GAAP reporting where required.
Global Networking: Compare approaches with peers through professional groups and industry forums.
How to Display IFRS Skills on Your Resume
10. Payroll Processing
Payroll processing calculates and pays wages, benefits, and taxes on time and in full compliance—no excuses, no surprises.
Why It's Important
It protects employee trust, avoids penalties, and feeds accurate labor costs into budgets and forecasts.
How to Improve Payroll Processing Skills
Make it precise and painless:
Automate: Implement payroll software that handles calculations, tax updates, and payslips reliably.
Integrate: Connect payroll with time tracking and HRIS to eliminate double entry.
Train Regularly: Keep staff current on system changes and regulatory updates.
Audit Frequently: Run periodic payroll audits; reconcile tax filings and adjust promptly.
Outsource if Needed: For complex setups, consider full-service providers such as Gusto or ADP.
Stay Compliant: Monitor changes from tax authorities and labor regulators in your jurisdictions.
Feedback Loop: Provide employees a simple process to flag discrepancies for quick resolution.
How to Display Payroll Processing Skills on Your Resume
11. Financial Analysis
Financial analysis evaluates performance, risk, and value. It turns statements into signals and choices.
Why It's Important
It uncovers trends, highlights constraints, and informs strategy and capital allocation.
How to Improve Financial Analysis Skills
Elevate the craft:
Continuous Learning: Study core concepts through reputable programs and structured curricula.
Modern Tooling: Pair your accounting system with BI tools for modeling and visualization.
Forecasting Discipline: Build driver-based models and stress-test assumptions.
KPIs that Matter: Define metrics tied to growth, margin, cash, and efficiency; report them consistently.
Storytelling: Present insights clearly—what happened, why it matters, what’s next.
Regulatory Awareness: Track changes that influence reporting and capital markets expectations.
Professional Network: Exchange techniques and benchmarks through finance communities.
How to Display Financial Analysis Skills on Your Resume
12. Risk Management
Risk management identifies threats, sizes their impact, and sets controls so the business stays resilient when the unexpected arrives.
Why It's Important
It protects assets, ensures compliance, and preserves the capacity to execute on strategy—even in choppy waters.
How to Improve Risk Management Skills
Build a sturdier framework:
Identify Risks: Map market, credit, operational, cyber, and compliance exposures; a SWOT can help kickstart the list.
Analyze: Use both quantitative methods like VaR and qualitative assessments to rank severity and likelihood.
Controls: Diversify, insure, segregate duties, and document processes using the COSO framework as a guide.
Monitor: Track KRIs, review incidents, and update registers as conditions change; automate alerts where possible.
Report: Communicate risks, mitigations, and residual exposure clearly to leadership and the board.
Educate: Train teams on policies and response plans; run tabletop exercises and postmortems.
How to Display Risk Management Skills on Your Resume
