How to write a winning Accountant CV guide with tips and examples

As an experienced or aspiring accountant, your CV is your ticket to landing your dream job in a highly competitive field. However, crafting a CV that effectively showcases your relevant skills and experience can be challenging. The goal is to strike a balance between providing enough detail to demonstrate your proficiency while ensuring your CV remains concise, applicant tracking system (ATS) friendly, and tailored to your career goals.

This article offers a comprehensive guide to creating a winning accountant CV showcasing your expertise and experience. We'll cover everything from highlighting your qualifications to demonstrating your analytical and problem-solving abilities. We aim to help you create a powerful CV that takes you one step closer to achieving your career goals.

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The CV writing process: Where to start?

Having an up-to-date master CV and a well-crafted job-specific CV is essential for anyone seeking new career opportunities or career advancement. These documents support promotions, salary negotiations, and other career growth opportunities. If you want to learn more about each section of an accountant CV, we can help guide you through the CV writing process. So, let's get started!

Master CV for an Accountant

A comprehensive document that outlines all your professional and academic experience, skills, qualifications, and achievements. It is usually arranged chronologically and serves as a reference point when crafting a customised CV or cover letter.

Job-specific CV for an Accountant

Recruiters and hiring managers are interested in finding the most suitable candidate. They want to understand why you are the perfect fit for the role and whether you have invested time in your application. Therefore, it's essential to tailor your CV for each job application and highlight the most relevant and recent experience. To achieve this, emphasise your qualifications, skills, and experience pertinent to the specific job in the accounting field.

Accountant  CV example 

Download this CV example - Accountant CV

Alex is a seasoned Management Accountant with a passion for financial analysis and the development of strategic financial plans. Her CV showcases her experience and directly relevant skills to her profession. She possesses exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills and has a proven record of collaborating with and leading various teams. The Harvard template highlights Alex's expertise in financial management in a clear, concise, and organised way.

What to include in an Accountant CV? Tips and examples

When creating a CV in the UK, it’s important to include key sections that provide a comprehensive overview of your qualifications, skills, and experience. These typically include personal details, personal profile, education, work experience, skills, and any technical proficiencies if applicable. By effectively highlighting these sections, you can demonstrate your value as a candidate and capture the attention of potential employers. 

How to write a personal profile on an Accountant CV 

When crafting your personal profile, it's essential to make a great first impression by highlighting your professional expertise and personal attributes, also known as soft skills. Begin by stating your career goals and aspirations, along with your level of experience in the field of accounting. 

Consider incorporating strong adjectives that demonstrate your skills, such as 'meticulous,' 'analytical,' or 'detail-oriented.' You may also want to include your communication and teamwork skills, which are crucial in accounting. 

When crafting your profile, tailor it to the job you are applying for using keywords and phrases from the job description. By doing so, you will show the recruiter that you have taken the time to understand the role's requirements and have the necessary skills to excel in the position. Additionally, ensure that your profile is written in a professional tone and avoid using generic phrases or buzzwords. 

What skills to include in an Accountant CV? 

When it comes to including your skills on a CV, it's important to structure it in a way that makes it easy for the reader to identify and understand your skillset. Soft skills should be incorporated into your personal profile, while hard skills should be a separate section. As an accountant, we recommend including your technical skills or proficiencies as a distinct section on your CV. If transitioning into a new career, try to incorporate transferable skills from your previous roles, including hard and soft skills.

It's crucial to highlight your hard and soft skills on your accountant CV, as both are essential for success in this field. Pay attention to the importance of showcasing your communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities, in addition to your technical skills. By doing so, you can demonstrate your well-rounded skillset and stand out to potential employers.

Hard skills are technical abilities specific to the job, industry or discipline. They are generally learned through education, training or practical experience. In the context of an accountant CV, hard skills would include:

• Financial statement preparation and analysis

• Budgeting and forecasting

• Tax planning and compliance

• Accounts payable and receivable management

• Cost accounting

• Audit preparation and support

• Reconciliation of accounts

• Accounting principles and regulations include Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

On the other hand, soft skills are personal attributes that enable individuals to interact effectively with others, such as communication, problem-solving and time management. These skills are often more challenging to measure but essential to any role's success. In the context of an accountant CV, soft skills would include:

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Attention to detail and accuracy

• Time management and organisational skills

• Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Adaptability

• Teamwork

• Analytical skills

• Leadership skills

How to write work experience on an Accountant CV 

When writing work experience, it is important to highlight the specific accounting tasks and responsibilities you performed in each role. Recruiters or hiring managers want to see what you did versus what you achieved. Here are some tips to help you write an effective work experience section for your accountant CV:

• Start with your most recent job and work backwards in chronological order.

• Describe your responsibilities and achievements in each role, focusing on quantifiable results where possible. Use action verbs to begin each bullet point, such as managed, developed, prepared, and analysed.

• Tailor your experience to the job you are applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job description.

• Use numbers and percentages to quantify your achievements. For example, you could say, 'reduced the accounts receivable cycle by 20%' or 'saved the company $50,000 in tax liabilities'.

• Use industry-specific jargon and acronyms to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise. 

• Be concise and avoid using lengthy paragraphs. Instead, use bullet points to make your experience more readable.

Example of work experience for a Senior Accountant 

Senior Accountant | AC Limited., London, UK | 2018 - Present

Manage month-end close process, including preparation of financial statements and journal entries. Develop and maintain relationships with external auditors and tax advisors, ensuring timely and accurate completion of annual audits and tax filings. Analyse financial data to identify trends and potential areas for improvement and train junior accountants, providing guidance and support to ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations.

• Successfully managed the implementation of a new accounting system, resulting in a 30% increase in the accuracy and timeliness of financial reports.

• Developed and implemented an inventory control system, resulting in a 15% reduction in inventory holding costs and a 5% increase in inventory turnover.

How to add education on an Accountant CV

When writing the education section on a CV, it is important to highlight your relevant educational achievements and qualifications that demonstrate your knowledge and skills in accounting. Here are some tips to help you write an effective education section for your accountant CV:

• Start with your highest level of education and work backwards in chronological order. List the name of the institution, the degree earned, and the graduation date.

• Include any relevant certifications or licenses you have earned in accounting.

• If you have completed any specialised coursework or training in accounting, such as courses in taxation or auditing.

• Mention any academic honours or awards you have received.

• If you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can highlight relevant coursework that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in accounting. Consider a skills-based CV, or refer to our graduate CV example for more information. 

• Keep the education section brief and to the point. A single line item for each degree or certification is sufficient.

Example of how to write education on a CV

Master of Science in Accounting, University of London, UK | In progress

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, NML College | UK, 2022

How to list courses and certificates on an Accountant CV

When listing courses and certificates on a CV, it is important to highlight those relevant to the job you are applying for. Here are some tips to help you effectively list courses and certificates on your accountant CV:

• Use a separate section for courses and certificates.

• List the course or certificate name, the institution or provider, and the date of completion or in progress.

• Focus on courses and certificates that demonstrate your skills and knowledge in accounting, such as taxation, auditing, financial reporting, and cost accounting.

• If you have completed continuing education courses or attended conferences or seminars, you can also include these in this section or try incorporating them into the education section

• Only list courses and certificates that are recent or relevant to the job you are applying for.

How to list achievements on an Accountant CV

Listing achievements on your CV is a great way to showcase your skills, knowledge, and accomplishments. They need to be included in your work experience, but if you are a seasoned professional, consider creating a separate section for your top three or so career achievements or accomplishments. Here are some tips to help you effectively list achievements on your accountant CV:

• Focus on quantifiable achievements. Use numbers, percentages, and other metrics to demonstrate the impact of your achievements.

• Use strong action verbs to describe your achievements, such as achieved, improved, increased, and reduced.

• Tailor your achievements to the job you are applying for. Highlight those that are most relevant to the job description.

• Be specific and provide details about the achievement. For example, instead of saying 'reduced costs', you could say 'reduced operating costs by 15% through process improvements.'

• Use bullet points to make your achievements stand out and be easy to read.

• Group similar achievements together to create a more powerful impact.

Example of Accountant CV achievements

• Achieved a 98% accuracy rate on financial reporting for a Fortune 500 company with over £5B in annual revenue.

• Reduced accounts receivable cycle time by 20%, resulting in a cash flow increase of £500K annually.

• Developed and implemented new tax strategies, resulting in tax savings of over £100K for a mid-sized business.

• Developed and delivered training programs for junior accountants, resulting in improved performance and reduced errors.

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Key takeaways

With all this new information on what makes a good accountant CV, we have summarised some key points below. 

• Emphasise your relevant education, qualifications, and certifications in accounting or finance.

• Highlight your technical skills, including proficiency in accounting software and other tools.

• Showcase relevant experience such as managing financial processes, preparing financial statements, and analysing financial data to identify areas for improvement.

• Include your soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to detail.

• Tailor your CV to the specific job requirements, focusing on the skills and experience that match the job description.

• Use bullet points to organize your information and make it easy to read.

• Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and numbers whenever possible.

• Proofread your CV thoroughly for spelling and grammar errors.

• Keep your CV concise, focusing on the most relevant information.

• Customize your CV for each job application, highlighting the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.

• Consider using a professional CV template or seeking feedback from a career counsellor or mentor.

Next steps? 

Need to polish some inconsistencies in your text or improve your CV writing? Check out our CVMaker website for professional CV Writing Service or our easy-to-use CV Builder.

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FAQ

What is the best format for an Accountant CV?

A well-written accountant CV is crucial for anyone looking to pursue a career in accounting. The CV is a marketing tool that highlights an individual's skills, experience, and qualifications to potential employers. It is often the first point of contact between a candidate and a hiring manager, and therefore, it is essential that it effectively showcases the individual's expertise and demonstrates their fit for the position.

What makes a good Accountant CV?

It should demonstrate a candidate's attention to detail, analytical skills, and ability to manage complex financial information, which are all essential qualities for success in the field of accounting. It is an opportunity for candidates to showcase their educational background, professional certifications, and relevant work experience and to differentiate themselves from other candidates who may have similar qualifications.

What is ATS?

ATS stands for applicant tracking system - automated software recruiters and hiring managers use to screen CVs based on several factors, such as years of experience, expertise with specific tools, or knowledge of an industry niche. 

How do I become an Accountant in the UK?

Becoming an accountant in the UK can vary depending on your qualifications and circumstances. Typically, there are a few things to consider:

• Choose your qualification: There are several accounting qualifications you can choose from, including ACCA, CIMA, and ACA. Research each qualification and choose the one that best fits your career goals. Remember that each qualification has its own entry requirements, but generally, you will need a certain level of education and work experience. 

• Register with the relevant professional body: Once you have chosen your qualification, you must register with the relevant professional body. For example, if you have chosen ACCA, you will need to register with ACCA.

• Complete your studies: Depending on your chosen qualification, you will need to complete a series of exams and/or work-based training. 

• Gain work experience: Many accounting qualifications require completing some work experience. This is typically gained through a training contract with an approved employer.

• Apply for jobs: Once you have completed your studies and gained the required work experience, you can start applying for accounting jobs.

Where do I get relevant accounting work experience?

It can be helpful to research opportunities in your local area and reach out to accounting firms and organisations to inquire about potential opportunities.There are several ways to get relevant accounting work experience, including:

• Many accounting firms offer internships to students and recent graduates. These internships can provide valuable work experience and help you build your professional network.

• You can also gain accounting experience by volunteering with non-profit organizations or community groups. This can be a great way to gain experience while giving back to your community.

• If you are still in school or studying for your accounting qualification, you can gain relevant work experience by working part-time in an accounting-related role. Look for opportunities at local businesses or accounting firms.

• Many large accounting firms offer graduate schemes that provide recent graduates with structured training and work experience.

• If you have already gained some accounting experience, you can consider freelancing or working as a consultant. This can give you the flexibility to work on various projects and gain experience in different areas of accounting.

Which accountancy qualification is the best? 

The best accountancy qualification for you will depend on your career goals and individual circumstances. There are several accounting qualifications available, including:

• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA): The ACCA qualification is globally recognized and provides a broad range of accounting, finance, and business skills and knowledge. It is a flexible qualification that allows you to study at your own pace and can be completed through a combination of exams and work experience.

• Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA): The CIMA qualification focuses on management accounting and provides skills and knowledge in financial, strategic, and risk management. It is a globally recognized qualification and can be completed through exams and work experience.

• Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW): The ICAEW qualification is a prestigious qualification that provides a broad range of skills and knowledge in accounting, finance, and business. It is a rigorous qualification that requires the completion of a training contract with an approved employer.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): The CPA qualification is a globally recognized qualification that provides a broad range of accounting, finance, and business skills and knowledge. It is a flexible qualification that can be completed through a combination of exams and work experience and is widely recognized in the US and other countries.

How to write an accounting CV with no experience?

Even if you have not gained direct accounting experience, you can still create a strong accounting CV highlighting your skills, education, and potential. Emphasise your motivation to learn and enthusiasm for the accounting field within your personal profile or accounting cover letter. Even if you have no direct accounting experience, you may have transferable skills from other jobs or experiences relevant to accounting. Highlight these skills on your CV, such as strong analytical and numerical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in Microsoft Excel. If you have recently completed an accounting degree or are currently studying for one, highlight this higher up on your CV and possibly in your personal profile. Include any relevant coursework, academic achievements, or extracurricular accounting-related activities.