When I suggest to finance professionals that they build a portfolio, I’m usually met with raised eyebrows. “I’m an accountant, not a photographer.” But stick with me here, because the finance professionals who have embraced digital portfolios are consistently outperforming their peers when it comes to career advancement and client acquisition.

The traditional approach in finance — a polished resume, a CPA designation, and a referral from a colleague — still matters. But it’s no longer enough in a market where clients and employers are doing their own research online before making any decision.

What Goes in a Finance Portfolio?

You obviously can’t share client financials or confidential business data. But there’s more portfolio-worthy material in your career than you might think:

Process improvements. Did you streamline a month-end close process from 15 days to 8? Did you implement a new reporting framework that saved the leadership team hours of manual work? These are case studies waiting to be written — focus on the process and outcome, not the confidential details.

Systems implementations. Migrated from MYOB to Xero? Led a NetSuite implementation? Rolled out a new budgeting tool across the organisation? Document the scope, your role, the challenges you navigated, and the results.

Regulatory and compliance work. Guided a business through an ATO audit? Managed the transition to new reporting standards? These demonstrate high-level expertise and judgement that clients and employers value deeply.

Training and mentoring. If you’ve trained junior staff, developed onboarding programs, or mentored graduates, document it. Include the scope, your approach, and any feedback or outcomes.

Thought leadership. Published articles, conference presentations, webinar contributions, and industry commentary all belong in your portfolio. If you haven’t started creating thought leadership content, now is the time.

Board and committee work. Service on professional association boards, industry committees, or community organisation boards demonstrates leadership and breadth.

Compliance Considerations

Finance is a regulated industry, and your portfolio needs to respect that:

Never share client-identifiable information. This is non-negotiable. Use aggregate descriptions: “a family-owned manufacturing business with $12M turnover” rather than naming the client.

Check your employer’s policies. Some firms have restrictions on what employees can publish about their work. Review your employment agreement and have a conversation with your manager if needed.

ASIC and AFSL considerations. If you’re a financial planner or adviser, be careful that your portfolio content doesn’t constitute financial advice. Stick to describing your process and capabilities, not recommending strategies.

Professional body guidelines. CPA Australia, CA ANZ, and other bodies have codes of conduct that cover public communications. Make sure your portfolio content aligns with their requirements.

Building Trust Through Content

For finance professionals, trust is the fundamental currency. Your portfolio should be built around establishing credibility:

Share your methodology, not your secrets. Explain how you approach a tax planning engagement, a business valuation, or a financial model without giving away the specifics. Potential clients want to understand your process and rigour.

Use numbers about your work, not about clients. “Managed advisory engagements for 40+ SMBs across manufacturing, retail, and professional services” tells the reader about your breadth without revealing anything confidential.

Include professional development. List relevant CPD activities, certifications, and training. In a profession where ongoing learning is mandatory, showing that you exceed the minimums signals commitment to excellence.

Publish your professional perspective. Write short pieces on topics like changes to tax legislation, superannuation updates, or industry trends. This positions you as someone who stays ahead of the curve and can communicate complex topics clearly.

Platform Recommendations for Finance

The finance sector is more conservative than most, so your platform choice matters:

LinkedIn is essential. A comprehensive LinkedIn profile functions as a de facto portfolio for many finance professionals. Use the Featured section for articles and presentations.

A personal website signals seriousness. For partners, directors, and senior advisors, a simple portfolio website adds a level of professionalism that LinkedIn alone doesn’t match. It doesn’t need to be flashy — clean, well-written, and current is perfect.

PDF portfolios for client pitches. When you’re pitching for a new client engagement, a curated PDF portfolio summarising your relevant experience is more powerful than a generic firm brochure.

The Career Advancement Angle

Even if you’re not looking for clients, a portfolio accelerates career progression within organisations. When internal promotions are competitive, the candidate who can document their contributions with specific outcomes has a distinct advantage.

Build an internal portfolio — a living document that tracks your projects, outcomes, and feedback. When performance review season arrives or a promotion opportunity opens up, you’re not scrambling to remember what you did. You’ve got it documented and ready.

Getting Started

Start with your most impactful project from the last 18 months. Write 300 words about it: the situation, your role, the approach, and the outcome. Strip out any identifying details. Post it on LinkedIn or your personal website.

That first piece breaks the inertia. The second one is easier. By the fifth, you’ll have a portfolio that differentiates you from the vast majority of finance professionals who are still relying solely on their resume and credentials. In a field built on evidence, let your portfolio be the evidence of what you can do.