Finance managers reading accountant CVs look for accuracy, the right qualifications, systems knowledge and evidence that you improve processes — not just complete them.
Put qualifications up front
Professional qualifications often decide shortlists. Add them after your name or in your profile, and list them with status: "ACCA (affiliate)", "CPA candidate — 2 of 4 exams passed", "CA finalist".
Skills and software
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Technical | Month-end close, reconciliations, accruals, VAT/GST, payroll, budgeting, forecasting |
| Standards | IFRS, US GAAP, local tax regulations |
| Software | SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, QuickBooks, Xero, Tally, advanced Excel |
| Analysis | Variance analysis, cost control, financial modelling, Power BI |
Accountant profile examples
Accounting graduate and ACCA student (9 of 13 exams passed) with a 12-month placement in a mid-size audit firm. Prepared working papers for 15+ client audits and reconciled bank and supplier accounts in Xero and QuickBooks. Seeking an assistant accountant role.
CIMA-qualified financial controller with 12 years in manufacturing and distribution. Lead a team of 7 covering reporting, payroll and treasury for a group with $150M revenue. Implemented a new ERP that shortened month-end close by 40%.
Put this into practice
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How to structure an accounting CV
- 1Header with your qualification letters after your name (e.g. "Sarah Ali, ACCA").
- 2Profile naming your sector, scope (entities, revenue, team) and one result.
- 3Core competencies: reporting, tax, audit, systems — tailored to the advert.
- 4Experience with achievements: faster close, savings found, audit outcomes, compliance record.
- 5Qualifications with exam progress and expected completion dates.
- 6Education and relevant training (IFRS updates, tax courses, Excel/Power BI).
Mistakes accountants make on CVs
- Listing routine tasks ("processed invoices", "did bank reconciliations") without scale or impact.
- Burying qualifications at the bottom of page two.
- Not naming the ERP or accounting system — many shortlists filter on SAP, Oracle or NetSuite.
- Errors in numbers or formatting: for an accountant, a typo is a red flag about attention to detail.
Accountant achievement bullets
- Reduced month-end close from 10 to 6 working days by standardising reconciliations.
- Identified $120,000 in duplicate supplier payments through a payables audit.
- Prepared VAT returns for 3 entities with zero penalties over four years.
- Built an Excel cash-flow forecast that improved forecasting accuracy to within 5%.
Use our accountant CV template and add keywords from the CV keywords guide.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include part-qualified status?+
Yes. Show exactly how many papers you have passed and your expected completion date.
Which software matters most?+
Advanced Excel is universal. Beyond that, match the ERP or accounting system named in the job advert.
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BuildCVFast Editorial Team
This guide is written and reviewed by the BuildCVFast editorial team using current hiring practices, published employer guidance and official government sources where relevant. We update our guides regularly. Read our editorial policy or send us a correction.