Reread the experience lines of your CV: how many start with "responsible for", "in charge of" or "involved in"? These phrases describe a position, not an action. In finance, where every line must prove a contribution, the choice of verb changes how a recruiter perceives you. Here are 80 verbs sorted by type of assignment, with the method to use them.
Note: the verbs below are French verbs in the past participle, as used on a French-language CV. English equivalents are given in brackets so you can transpose the logic to an English CV.
Why action verbs matter
A recruiter at a bank or firm spends a few seconds on a first screening. They mainly read the start of each line. A precise, active verb immediately tells them what you did and at what level.
Compare:
- "In charge of monthly reporting": we know neither what you did nor with what result.
- "Automated the monthly reporting of 8 subsidiaries, from 3 days to 4 hours": the action, the scope and the gain are readable.
General CV-writing guides go the same way: favour action verbs, more telling than passive phrases, and back actions with numbers. This is what Welcome to the Jungle recommends in its tips for an attractive CV 🔗 (in French).
The basic rule: an action verb, consistently in the same tense across the whole CV, followed by a precise object, a context and a result. The format is detailed in our article on measurable-result experience bullets.
💡 A technical point: screening software (ATS) looks for job keywords. Verbs help structure the line, but the business terms matter most. See our guide to optimising your CV for ATS.
Verbs for analysis and modelling
These verbs suit analyst, management control, audit, M&A and markets roles.
Analyse and understand
- Analysed, studied, assessed, diagnosed, identified, examined, compared, cross-checked
Model and value
- Modelled, built, valued, projected, calibrated, simulated, estimated, budgeted
Control and make reliable
- Controlled, audited, matched, reconciled, verified, secured, justified, documented
Examples:
- "Modelled an LBO on a target with €120M revenue, with 3 leverage scenarios presented to the investment committee."
- "Matched 1,200 cash entries and identified 14 differences, settled before year-end closing."
- "Valued 6 listed companies using the comparables method for a recommendation memo."
To better understand what these roles expect, see our examples of a finance data analyst CV and internal audit.
Verbs for project management and leadership
They suit a first responsibility, an internship where you led a topic, a society role or a position with responsibilities.
Lead and organise
- Led, coordinated, planned, organised, structured, deployed, launched, supervised
Improve and optimise
- Optimised, automated, simplified, reduced, accelerated, standardised, overhauled, harmonised
Manage and coach
- Supervised, trained, facilitated, managed, supported, mobilised, delegated, recruited
Decide and arbitrate
- Arbitrated, prioritised, proposed, recommended, negotiated, validated
Examples:
- "Coordinated the quarterly closing of 5 entities with 3 teams, delivered 2 days early."
- "Standardised the budget templates of 10 departments, halving correction requests."
- "Trained 6 new colleagues on the department's reporting tool."
Only write "managed" or "supervised" if you really had people under your responsibility, even for a few weeks. An intern who "supervised" a team of executives will be asked about it.
Verbs for client relations
They suit retail banking, private banking, wealth management, sales on the trading floor and advisory.
Win and develop
- Prospected, developed, retained, won, canvassed, brought in, convinced
Advise and support
- Advised, supported, guided, presented, explained, recommended, structured
Negotiate and close
- Negotiated, closed, signed, renewed, contracted, sold
Follow up and resolve
- Followed up, resolved, handled, chased, anticipated, managed
Examples:
- "Advised a portfolio of 150 individual clients (€12M under management) and carried out 25 wealth reviews."
- "Prospected 80 SMEs in the Lyon area, 9 converted into clients, i.e. €1.4M of loans put in place."
- "Resolved 40 complaints a month in under 48 hours, with a 92% satisfaction rate."
See also our example of a retail banking customer advisor CV.
Verbs to avoid
Some verbs weaken a line or make it unverifiable.
| Avoid | Why | Alternative | |---|---|---| | Took part in | Does not state your role | Contributed to, carried out, wrote | | Helped, assisted | Spectator position | Supported, prepared, produced | | Was in charge of | Describes a post, not an action | Managed, led, ensured | | Worked on | Too vague | Modelled, analysed, built | | Did | Says nothing | The precise verb of the assignment | | Dealt with | Blurry register | Handled, followed, administered | | Tried, attempted | Signals failure or doubt | Tested, experimented | | Revolutionised, transformed (without proof) | Excessive | Overhauled, optimised, with a figure |
Two important nuances:
- "Took part in" is not forbidden. If you really were one contributor among others on a deal, say so honestly, then specify your exact share: "Contributed to the financial due diligence of 3 targets: 5-year accounts analysis and drafting of the cash section".
- Vary your verbs. A CV where every line starts with "analysed" tires the reader. But do not force a rare synonym: a simple and accurate verb beats a convoluted term.
⚠️ Warning: a fine verb without substance saves nothing. If you write "optimised" without saying what or by how much, the line stays empty. Our article on mistakes to avoid on a finance CV details these traps.
In practice: a three-step method
- List your real actions for each experience, unfiltered.
- Pick the most precise verb from the lists above, and make sure you can defend each line in an interview.
- Add context and result: scope, volume, deadline, saving or decision obtained.
To structure the whole, you can start from our guide to writing a finance CV.
That leaves the layout. Even the best lines lose their effect in a badly organised document or one that screening software cannot read. With FinanceCV you concentrate on what you write: the tool takes care of structure, typography and ATS compatibility, without you having to handle a single alignment.
Ready to create your finance CV? Use our free generator to get a professional document in a few minutes.