The CFO Partnership

Why a Strong CV is Non-Negotiable for Finance Professionals in 2025

As a Senior Resourcer at Sharp Consultancy, I’ve reviewed thousands of CVs...From those just starting out to seasoned professionals with decades of experience. One thing remains consistent: in today’s competitive market, a strong CV isn’t optional—it’s essential. Today, South Yorkshire’s finance landscape is more dynamic than ever. With growing demand across sectors like manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and tech, accountancy and finance professionals are expected to bring more than just technical skills to the table. Your CV is your first opportunity to prove you’re up to the challenge. This blog marks the start of a three-part series focused on helping you craft a standout CV tailored to your career stage and goals. In this first post, we’ll cover general CV tips relevant to all finance professionals. In the next two instalments, we’ll dive deeper into: Transactional Finance CVs – how to highlight your experience in roles such as purchase ledger, sales ledger, and credit control. Part-Qualified Finance CVs – how to position yourself for progression while studying towards your qualifications. Stay tuned for practical advice and real-world insights to help your CV rise to the top of the pile. 🕒 First Impressions MatterRecruiters and hiring managers typically spend less than 30 seconds scanning a CV. That means your CV needs to immediately communicate relevance, professionalism, and potential. A clean layout, clear structure, and tailored content can make the difference between landing an interview or being passed over. 🔍 Specialist Skillsets Are in DemandFinance roles today go far beyond number-crunching. Employers want professionals who understand how finance supports wider business goals. Whether it’s streamlining reporting, implementing new systems, or driving cost efficiencies, your CV should highlight the tangible impact you’ve made. This is your chance to showcase your value-add—what makes you different from the next candidate. Use metrics where possible to quantify your achievements and make them memorable. 📍 Standing Out in YorkshireYorkshire is home to a diverse range of industries, from advanced manufacturing and engineering to professional services and digital tech. This diversity creates exciting opportunities—but also fierce competition. To stand out, your CV should reflect sector-specific experience and transferable skills. Whether you’ve worked in a fast-paced SME or a large corporate environment, highlight how your background aligns with the needs of the region’s employers. 📊 Business Acumen is a MustFinance professionals are increasingly expected to contribute to strategic decision-making. Roles in FP&A, commercial finance, and business partnering are on the rise, and employers want candidates who can offer insight—not just information. Your CV should reflect your ability to influence outcomes. Have you helped drive revenue growth? Supported investment decisions? Improved forecasting accuracy? These are the stories that resonate with hiring managers. 📈 Show a Clear Story of ProgressionRecruiters look for signs of growth and development. A strong CV doesn’t just list job titles—it explains the “why” behind each move. Did you step into a leadership role? Take on a new challenge? Gain exposure to a different sector? Even lateral moves can be powerful if they show a deliberate effort to build your skillset. Make sure your CV tells a cohesive story of your career journey. 🔑 Final ThoughtsIn Yorkshire’s fast-moving industries, a sharp, well-crafted CV is your key to unlocking new opportunities. It’s not just about listing experience—it’s about showing impact, adaptability, and commercial value from the very first glance. Whether you’re actively job hunting or just exploring your options, now is the time to invest in your CV. Visit Our Candidate Advice Pages HereLooking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let's chart your career path together.

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The CFO Partnership: Top-tier Financial Leadership Recruitment in Yorkshire

The CFO Partnership is an elite practice in the identification and appointment of Chief Financial Officers, Finance Directors, Heads of Finance and Non-Executive Directors across all commercial and industry sectors from SME to PLC throughout Yorkshire and North Derbyshire.

Why partner with us?

It’s all we do

Finance is our forte: we’re not only aligned with Yorkshire’s largest independent company committed only to accountancy and financial recruitment, but our Managing Partner is also both an ACA and was a highly successful FD in industry.

Integrity is a core value

Unlike some firms in this market, we’re not old-school recruiters who recycle the same candidates repeatedly. The CFO Partnership carefully manages its client base to minimise conflicts of interest and maximise our outreach potential.

Our research is pinpoint

We always find the best CFO/FD candidates, often rare individuals not actively job seeking, who are exclusive to us—and to you. How? It’s not just smoke and mirrors; it’s about structure, subtlety, and transparency, driven by our dedicated professional research.

The partners

Our Partners take personal accountability for a strong brief, smooth process and superior result. You’ll be dealing with not only a recruitment expert but also a positive advocate for your company and a likeable individual that’s easy to deal with.

Our powerful network

We’ve been recruiting Finance Directors since 1992, day in and day out, building and refining our network in your region. No other independent recruitment company in the UK can remotely compete with this depth of sector experience in Yorkshire.

Innovation is our game

We leverage cutting-edge recruitment strategies and industry insights to redefine excellence in finance leadership recruitment, ensuring access to the most innovative and effective solutions tailored to your unique needs.

Post Acceptance Management

The post-acceptance period is a key part of our process. We’ll stay in regular contact with your new employee, offering advice and information to ensure a positive conclusion. There will also be two reviews for both parties, usually after the first and fourth months of employment.

Superior identification

Using advanced tools, we provide precise market mapping across Yorkshire (and the UK), giving the search and shortlist formation clear direction. We also offer full disclosure of target companies and qualifying individuals, allowing you to share your insights and adjust the search as needed. Many clients find our research to be intrinsically valuable.

The Appointment Stipulation

Our analysis and reporting will be forensic, commercial, and shrewd. During the briefing stage, we’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of your business, the role, and the candidates we’ll target. We also provide guidance on market conditions, reputation management, role marketing, and remuneration. All this will be detailed in our Stipulation document, an authoritative brochure for clients and candidates.

Our Seal of Excellence

We would be happy to attend your interviews with the recommended candidates. This commitment not only shows our dedication to earning your trust but also reflects our confidence in the quality of the upcoming interviews.

Formal Referencing

The CFO Partnership happily obtains formal references for the successful candidates on your behalf. In fact, we often uncover more information, and many clients find our involvement enlightening.

The Smooth Landing

Our role is to anticipate issues, manage expectations, minimise counter offers, and achieve successful outcomes—and that’s exactly what we do. We also excel in discussing expectations around working patterns and compensation, including salaries, bonuses, equity participation, and LTIPs. Our approach is subtle, sensitive, and influential, leading to successful conclusions.

Our elite approach

Discover the secrets behind the innovative strategies and methodologies that distinguish top performers, revealing the unique principles and practices that drive excellence and set them apart from the competition.

Recent Appointments

Sewtec Automation

Financial Director

Michael Ball assisted Sewtec Automation with the appointment of a Financial Director

With his innovative approach and extensive industry experience, Michael was perfectly positioned to assist in this Private Equity Backed company's search for a Financial Director.

Endless LLP

Lee Sweeney helps Endless LLP with the appointment of over 10 employees to their investment and portfolio teams.

Lee used his expert industry knowledge and expertise to successfully places more than 10 candidate's with Endless LLP making a significant impact to their investment and portfolio teams.

Meet the team.