CPA Resume Examples & Guide for 2022

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Volen Vulkov

8 minute read

Updated on 2021-11-11

Here’s what you’ll learn in this short CPA resume guide

What are the most important resume sections recruiters look for when reviewing your application;
What content to add in each section of your resume;
CPA resume example from a job-seeker who got hired, which you can use as a base to build your own resume;
Additional tips and tricks on resume layout, formatting, and design;
Little known resume red-flags, you have to pay extra attention to.

How to write a CPA resume

Top CPA resume sections that make the best layout

Header
Professional summary
Experience (with numbers and results)
Relevant skills
Education
Certifications

There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:

The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.

Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.

hybrid (combination) resume format built on Enhancv platform

Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:

Clear and legible 12p resume font size;
Use 10’’ resume margins - that’s default for a great resume design;
Use a one-page template resume length if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
Save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiter.

To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.

Recommended reads:

PRO TIPTest your draft CPA resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.

CPA Resume Header: Tips, Red Flags, and Best Practices

Resume header by Enhancv - image for resume example guides

Here’s what to include in your CPA resume header:

Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
Email address
Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)

Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:

first.last@gmail.com
last.first@gmail.com
firstlast@gmail.com
f.last@gmail.com
first.l@gmail.com

Recommended reads:

PRO TIPSome companies, states, and countries have policies about identifying information like photos on your resume. Be sure to check all the relevant rules before submitting yours. If you’re in doubt, you can always try contacting the company’s HR department to ask for their policy.

CPA Resume Summary best practices

resume summary - Enhancv resume examples article image

Checklist: what to include in your CPA resume summary:

Years of experience;
Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.

Recommended reads:

PRO TIPRead the job description carefully and understand what the hiring company is exactly looking for. After that, write your summary accordingly while highlighting your potential and ability to be the best at that job.

Best Practices for CPA Resume Experience Section

resume experience best practices - image for Enhancv resume example guides

Job experience checklist - what to add to your CPA resume:

Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.

Recommended reads:

PRO TIPCheck the job description for inspiration. Look for similarities between your employer’s values and your experience.

CPA Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters

Top skills to add to your CPA resume

HTML
ADAPT EASILY TO NEW CONCEPTS
SQL
Scheduling
Hashtag research

Resume Skills Section Checklist:

Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.

Recommended reads:

How to Create A Resume Skills Section To Impress Recruiters

PRO TIPDon’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.

Listing Your Education, Certifications and Courses

Checklist for your resume education

Include your highest education degree;
List the duration you spent there, as well as the institution;
If you’re applying for an entry-level position, include additional details like relevant courses and projects;
Feature your certifications if they are necessary for the position - either as a separate section, or, in your resume headline.
Add the year your certificate was issued or renewed, if it’s in a subject area that requires regular updates.

Recommended reads:

PRO TIPIf you hold a certain major and a minor, your majors should be mentioned first.

CPA Cover Letter Tips

Nowadays, job application forms include questions like “why do you want to work here”, or “explain why you’re the best fit for us”, which makes you wonder: are cover letters really necessary?

In case the job description says you need to provide a cover letter, do include yours. Otherwise, you can always leave it out.

Still, they help you tell your story in a way that, if written right, it’s captivating and engaging.

In any case, you should pay close attention to the following tips when a cover letter is a must:

Make sure you go over a cover letter checklist, so you don’t forget what your cover letter should say;
Match the cover letter design with your resume’s;
Address your cover letter properly;
Keep an eye on your cover letter length;
Use an appropriate cover letter ending.

If you need more inspiration, check out our cover letter examples for different jobs.

Other sections to include in your resume

Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your CPA resume:

CPA Resume: How to Make Yours More Creative & Stand Out

When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your CPA resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.

What Makes a Great CPA Resume: Key Takeaways

Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
List soft skills backed by examples;
Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.

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Volen Vulkov

Volen Vulkov is a resume expert and the co-founder of Enhancv. He applies his deep knowledge and experience to write about career change, development, and how to stand out in the job application process.