Navigating the complex world of accounting terminology and tailoring your CV to highlight industry-specific skills can be a daunting challenge. Our guide offers clear, step-by-step advice to help you craft a CV that showcases your expertise and stands out to employers in the accounting sector.
- Design and format your professional accounting CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading accounting CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your accounting CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Structuring your accounting CV layout: four factors to keep in mind
There are plenty of best practices out there for your CV layout and design. At the end of the day, a clear format and concise CV message should be your top priority. Use your CV design to enhance separate sections, bringing them to the forefront of recruiters' attention. At the same time, you can write content that:- Follows the reverse chronological order in the experience section by first listing your most recent jobs;
- Incorporates your contact information in the header, but do skip out on the CV photo for roles in the UK;
- Is spotlighted in the most important sections of your CV, e.g. the summary or objective, experience, education, etc. to show just how you meet the job requirements;
- Is no longer than two-pages. Often, the one-page format can be optimal for your accounting CV.
Before submitting your CV, you may wonder whether to export it in Doc or PDF. With the PDF format, your information and layout stay intact. This is quite useful when your CV is assessed by the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS) . The ATS is a software that scans your profile for all relevant information and can easily understand latest study on the ATS , which looks at your CV columns, design, and so much more.
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Be mindful of white space; too much can make the CV look sparse, too little can make it look cluttered. Strive for a balance that makes the document easy on the eyes.
The top sections on a accounting CV
- Contact Information is vital for any CV to ensure the recruiter can reach out easily.
- A Professional Summary showcases your accounting expertise and career highlights.
- Work Experience details past roles that demonstrate your accounting skills and achievements.
- Key Accounting Skills section highlights specific competencies like tax preparation or auditing.
- Education and Certifications show relevant degrees, CPA status, or other accounting qualifications.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your qualifications by including any accounting-specific certifications, such as ACCA, CIMA, or AAT, which demonstrate your knowledge and skills in the field.
- Emphasise your proficiency in accounting software and systems, like Sage, QuickBooks, or advanced Excel skills, which are essential for modern accounting roles.
- Detail your relevant experience with financial reporting, tax preparation, audit, and compliance, and how you've contributed to financial efficiency and accuracy in past roles.
- Mention any industry-specific experience you have, for example, in public accounting, corporate finance or in a particular sector such as retail or manufacturing, to show your adaptability and sector knowledge.
- Provide examples of your attention to detail and analytical skills through quantifiable achievements in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, which are crucial in accounting.
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Tips and tricks on writing a job-winning accounting CV header
The CV header is the space which most recruiters would be referring most often to, in the beginning and end of your application. That is as the CV header includes your contact details, but also a headline and a professional photo. When writing your CV header:
- Double-check your contact details for spelling errors or if you've missed any digits. Also, ensure you've provided your personal details, and not your current work email or telephone number;
- Include your location in the form of the city and country you live in. If you want to be more detailed, you can list your full address to show proximity to your potential work place;
- Don't include your CV photo, if you're applying for roles in the UK or US, as this may bias initial recruiters' assessments;
- Write a professional headline that either integrates the job title, some relevant industry keywords, or your most noteworthy achievement.
In the next part of our guide, we'll provide you with professional CVs that showcase some of the best practices when it comes to writing your headline.
Examples of good CV headlines for accounting:
- Chartered Accountant | Taxation Expert | ACCA | Financial Reporting | 8+ Years Experience
- Junior Accountant | AAT Qualified | Payroll & Reconciliation Specialist | Emerging Financial Analyst
- Senior Financial Controller | CPA | Strategic Planning & Risk Management | 15 Years Leadership
- Management Accountant | CIMA | Budgeting Guru | Cost Reduction Strategies | 10 Years in Finance
- Forensic Accountant | Fraud Prevention | FCA | Data Analysis Expertise | 12 Years Industry Insight
- Assistant Auditor | CA Intermediate | Compliance & Regulatory Frameworks | Internal Controls | 5 Years Practice
Opting between a accounting CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your accounting CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a accounting job:
- Seasoned accounting professional with over 15 years of experience overseeing financial operations within the retail sector. Expert in crafting detailed financial reports, conducting meticulous audits, and implementing cost-saving strategies that have saved firms upwards of $500,000 annually.
- Diligent Chartered Accountant with 10-plus years navigating the complexities of financial compliance and strategic tax planning for multinational corporations. Prides in improving operational efficiency by streamlining accounting processes, contributing to an average revenue growth of 12% year-on-year.
- Dynamic former Financial Analyst aiming to leverage a decade of expertise in market analysis and investment strategy to transition into the accounting field. Strong foundation in financial modeling and statistical analysis, combined with an MBA focused on financial accounting.
- Accomplished IT Project Manager pivoting into accounting, armed with strong analytical skills and detail-oriented approach acquired over 8 years. Bringing forth a robust understanding of budget management and a proven record of reducing project costs by 20% through strategic resource allocation.
- Aspiring to embark on an accounting career, equipped with a fresh Bachelor's degree in Finance and a genuine zeal for quantitative analysis. Eager to develop and apply a robust set of accounting skills through hands-on experience, aiming to contribute to long-term financial success.
- Recent graduate in economics with a strong academic grounding in accounting principles, excited to dive into the accounting profession. Driven to utilise analytical and organisational skills in practising meticulous financial record-keeping and support fiscal decision-making processes.
How to meet job requirements with your accounting CV experience
We've now reached the essence of your actual CV - your experience section. This is the space where you can list your career roles and on-the-job successes. Many candidates tend to underestimate just how much time and effort they should put into writing this CV section. Your experience shouldn't be a random list of your responsibilities, but instead:
- Match the job description with your skills, values, and accomplishments;
- Start each bullet with a strong action verb, followed up with one key skill and your outcome of applying this skill;
- Spotlight parts of your career history that are relevant to the job you're applying for.
Before we move on, make sure to check out some professional CV experience sections.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Efficiently managed a portfolio of 50+ clients, ensuring timely and accurate financial statement preparation and reporting, in compliance with GAAP and applicable financial reporting standards.
- Streamlined accounts payable and receivable processes, improving cash flow management and reducing average debtor days by 15% within one financial year.
- Played a key role in budgeting and forecasting, collaborating with department heads to project annual expenses and revenues with a variance of less than 3%.
- Implemented a new accounting software system which increased the productivity of the accounting team by 25% and reduced errors in data entry.
- Successfully led a cross-departmental team in a cost-reduction initiative, resulting in a 10% decrease in operational expenses through strategic renegotiations with suppliers.
- Conducted in-depth financial analyses to advise management on long-term financial planning and business expansion strategies, influencing decisions on two major projects.
- Regularly reconciled complex accounts, ensuring the accuracy of financial information, and provided detailed reports to support the external audit process with zero audit adjustments.
- Developed comprehensive tax strategies in compliance with HMRC regulations, resulting in a 20% reduction in the effective tax rate for the company.
- Trained and mentored junior accountants and interns, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development within the finance team.
- Managed a portfolio of 50+ client accounts, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and standards, which led to a 15% decrease in compliance issues
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new accounting software that increased department efficiency by 25% and reduced report generation time by half
- Successfully negotiated with suppliers to extend payment terms from 30 to 60 days, improving the company's cash flow by 20%
- Oversaw a team of 10 accountants, improving team productivity by 30% through targeted training and performance incentives
- Implemented a monthly close process that reduced the close cycle from 10 to 6 days, contributing to more timely financial reporting
- Conducted quarterly budget reviews that resulted in identifying 10% cost savings across various departments, reallocating resources to critical growth areas
- Streamlined the reconciliation process for inter-company accounts, which improved reporting accuracy and cut reconciliation time by 35%
- Led a project to reduce accounts receivable days, which succeeded in decreasing the average from 45 to 30 days, enhancing cash flow
- Coordinated with the IT department to develop custom financial reporting tools that helped address specific stakeholder needs more effectively
- Assisted in preparing annual budgets with a focus on cost reduction, identifying opportunities that resulted in a 10% decrease in overhead costs
- Processed payroll for over 200 employees accurately and on time each month, maintaining a 99.9% error-free record over 4 years
- Contributed to the successful external audit process by providing thorough documentation and explanations for financial transactions
- Collaborated with the accounts receivable team to implement a customer payment portal, which reduced late payments by 20%
- Provided key financial data for management reports, leading to more informed strategic decision-making
- Engaged in continuous professional development, becoming proficient in new accounting software which increased personal productivity by 10%
- Contributed to the development of a comprehensive financial reporting package to assist with merger and acquisition due diligence, which facilitated two successful mergers
- Reviewed and improved the monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting processes to enhance the transparency and efficiency of financial disclosures
- Advised on tax strategies and implications for international operations, which saved the company an estimated 5% on international tax liabilities
- Played a pivotal role in the integration of accounting functions following a company acquisition, ensuring a seamless transition for employees and systems
- Designed and implemented robust financial modelling tools to forecast and analyse company performance, enhancing the agility of the business in response to market changes
- Developed financial controls and budgets which guided the company during economic uncertainty, enabling it to emerge in a strong financial position
- Implemented a new accounting structure within the company to centralise functions and reduce duplicate efforts, increasing department efficiency by 20%
- Drove a 15% reduction in operational costs by identifying inefficiencies and recommending solutions within the procurement and inventory management systems
- Managed the successful transition of all accounting systems during a critical software upgrade, which included the training and support for over 40 staff members
What to add in your accounting CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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If you have experience in diverse fields, highlight how this has broadened your perspective and skill set, making you a more versatile candidate.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your accounting CV:
General Accounting
Financial Reporting
Tax Preparation
Account Reconciliation
Auditing
Budget Forecasting
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Cost Accounting
Financial Analysis
Attention to Detail
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Organisation
Communication
Critical Thinking
Adaptability
Integrity
Initiative
Teamwork
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your accounting CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your accounting CV:
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your accounting CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
