Accounting CV: Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

This accounting CV sample shows you know an asset class from your elbow.

The secret?

Most accountant CVs aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. They waste space promoting the wrong things.

Cite the right achievements the right way and you’ll glitter like Deloitte

This guide will show you:

• Accounting CV examples better than most.
• How to nail your accountant job description on a CV.
• How to write a staff accountant CV that gets the interview.
• Why choosing the right few accounting accomplishments gets the job.

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Looking for other finance CV writing guides? Have a look at these:

• Accounting Manager CV
• Accounts Payable Specialist CV
• Accounts Receivable Specialist CV
• Bank Teller CV
• Bookkeeper CV
• Business Analyst CV
• Data Analyst CV
• Entry-Level Business Analyst CV
• Financial Advisor CV
• Investment Banker CV
• Financial Analyst CV
• Accounting Assistant CV

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our CV Samples.

Accounting CV Example

Now here’s how to write an accounting CV:

1. Select the Right Accounting CV Format

Bottom line:

The wrong accounting CV format shows you don’t know FE from VE.

Here's how to format your CV:

• Choose reverse-chronological CV format. It leads with your most recent wins.
• Use the best CV fonts, 10–14pt, 1-inch margins, big headings, and white space.
• Make a one page CV unless you’ve been at it longer than PWC.
• Your CV header should have name, phone number, email address, social media links. No snail mail, no photo.
• Next, put your accounting CV objective then work experience and education.
• Add CV extras like professional associations, certifications, publications, additional activities, or even hobbies and interests (if relevant) to make your staff accountant CV turn heads.

Expert Hint: Use a CV PDF unless the job offer rules against them. Why? PDFs don’t get creative in transit and they’re machine-readable in 2018.

2. Acid Test Your Accounting CV Objective

How do you start?

Write a high-value CV objective (or CV summary).

It should show employers you aren’t cooking the books.

Include:

1. One adjective (exacting, efficient, hard-working)

2. Job title (Accountant, Chartered Accountant)

3. Years of experience (2+, 6+)

4. How you’ll help (manage accounting operations)

5. Flashiest achievements (found recurring problem that saved £1.5 million annually)

These two accounting CV examples show accepted principles:

Senior accountant with 8+ years of experience at MasterCard and Honda. Seeking to use proven budgeting skills to boost efficiency for Hilton. Saved £1.5 M a year at MasterCard by fixing a recurring budgeting problem. Saved £1 M a year at Honda through detailed cost analysis.

Energetic, exacting, senior accountant with 8 years of experience, seeking position with a forward-thinking firm. Highly skilled in budgeting and month-end-close process, plus financial statements, regulatory filings and asset management, with strong IT skills.

Perfect.

The measurable achievements in that first accountant CV sample will drop the manager’s jaw.

What if You’ve Got No Experience?

You still have accomplishments. Use them to fund your entry-level accounting CV objective.

Results-driven accountant with solid budgeting and reconciliation skills, seeking to solve problems for Daryl H. at Mastercard. Passed ACCA exam with score of 99 in 2 sections and 94+ elsewhere. Worked as accounting consultant to two businesses, prepared 18 tax returns, and streamlined the accounting process for a hardware business.

Max ROI. No accounting jobs, but a professional staff accountant CV summary.

Accounting CV objectives used to talk about your goals. You’ll get more mileage in 2024 by showing how you can help.

Expert Hint: Write your Accounting CV objective or CV summary last. That’ll give you a long list of assets to pick from.

3. Write a Perfect Accounting CV Job Description

Insider tip:

Good CV job descriptions use the perfect few achievements.

Once you learn the system, you’ll prove you’re Ernst & Young material.

Here’s how:

1. Read the job ad.

2. Highlight the accounting CV skills and duties.

3. Make CV bullets that show you know them cold.

These accountant CV examples detail the best practises.

Senior Accountant
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018

• Provided accounting support for monthly closing process.
• Increased adoption of accounting data security best practises to save 700 hours per year, saving £700,000 annually company-wide.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to facilitate reporting. Slashed 20% from time to complete month-end reconciliation.
• Identified & fixed recurring problem, saving £1.5 million a year.

Senior Accountant
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018

• Responsible for monthly closing process.
• Tasked with spreading adoption of accounting data security best practises.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to facilitate reporting.

The measurable accomplishments in example #1 fit the job description like a reconciled account.

Entry-Level Accounting CV Example—No Experience

Even with no professional experience for your CV, your staff accountant CV can get attention. Use projects, pro-bono work, and volunteering like this entry-level accounts payable CV sample:

Focus on highlighting your job skills.

Rookie blunder:

Don’t use accounting CV skills lists from online.

To employers, that’s intellectual embezzlement.

Instead:

1. Pick the right accounting skills from the job ad.
2. List them in your CV for accounting jobs.

• Prove them in your bullet points.

Job ad wants: (1) budgeting (2) cost analysis (3) account analysis

Accountant
Honda
2011–2013

• Supported (1) budget reporting and financial reporting process.
• Performed detailed (2) cost analysis that led to saving £1 million annually.
• Used (3) account analysis to identify opportunities to cut variable costs 15%.
• Implemented rolling forecasts and budgets to better align plans with budgets. Increased budgeting efficiency 15% and cut costs 18%.

That accountant CV example is worth its weight in Berkshire Hathaway stock. The numbers and percentages help.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your CV in our CV builder now.

 

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List of Accounting CV Skills

I just said don’t use skills lists, didn’t I?

But for reference:

Accounting CV Skills to Include

Accounting CV Skills

Soft Skills	Hard Skills	Hard Skills
IT Skills	Asset Management	Payroll Taxes
Organisation	MS Office	Revenue Projections
Time Management	Budgets	Tax Compliance
Critical Thinking	Financial Statements	Payroll
Business Knowledge	Account Analysis	Regulatory Filings
Interpersonal Skills	Account Reconciliation	State Tax Law
Leadership	General Ledger	Profit and Loss
Mathematics	Income Tax	Invoices
Communication	Corporate Tax	Tax Returns
Detail Oriented	Quickbooks	Paychex

Computer skills for CVs in accounting are increasingly important. Don’t have ‘em? Sign up for an online class or two.

Expert Hint: Hiring for accounting jobs is strong. Does that mean your staff accountant CV doesn’t matter? Not if you want the good jobs with high pay.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Massive bonus:

Don’t waste space with your CV education section.

Use it to show you know an acquisition from an S-corp.

These entry-level accounting CV examples show the way:

Education

MBA, University of Missouri
2006–2010

• Pursued a passion for accounting classes.
• Excelled in financial accounting coursework.
• Completed Senior Excellence project in budgeting.
• Passed ACCA exam with score of 79%.

Education

MBA, University of London
2006–2010

• Excelled in life science classes.
• Received degree and passed ACCA exam.

Ching!

That first accounting CV sample will hit interview paydirt.

It proves your financial passion started back in school.

Expert Hint: Is your accounting assistant CV experience underfunded? Balance it with a longer education section. Divide it into projects, groups, and positions.

5. Bootstrap Your Accounting CV With These

Here’s a shocker:

Most accountant CVs are like the others.

Make yours blaze by adding personality.

How?

With CV extra sections that prove your passion for £ excellence.

These two accounting CV examples show the way.

Additional Activities

• Member, ACCA, AFWA.
• Accounting volunteer, Willey Swamp Learning Coop.
• Teach biweekly yoga classes as self-care.

Publications

• 2017 Article on month-end-closing published in AICPA Insights.
• 2016 Article on financial statements appeared in Forbes.

Additional Activities

• Teach yoga
• Write occasional articles on accounting
• Love taking long walks

Good Example? Sold.

This first accounting CV samples prove your blood runs silver.

What about certifications? Your licence is key. Put it by your name, in your job descriptions, and in a special section. See the accountant CV template up top for placement.

Expert Hint: For extra credit, send a cover letter with your CV for accounting jobs. Most hiring managers don’t read them, but nearly half demand them.

Double your impact with a matching CV and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

 

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Key Points

To write a great accounting CV:

• Start with our accounting CV template. Your interview account will maximise.
• Match your accountant CV to the job like GAAP to income statements. Do it with accomplishments that velcro to the job description.
• Don’t waste real estate. Even education on a CV for accounting jobs must show matching achievements.
• Write an accounting cover letter. In it, prove your passion with your top two accounting wins.

Got questions on how to write a great CV for accounting jobs? Not sure how to show accounting on a CV? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.

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