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Accountancy is one of the busiest professional sectors in the UK, with many chartered accountants finding secure and steady work. Whether you're changing roles or entering the workforce after a break – creating your accountant CV needn't be a headache.
Our accountant CV example will show you the essential headers, order and format to create the perfect accountant CV. That’s paired with professional accounting CV templates to give you a head start and tips on the must-have skills and accounting qualifications keep recruiters happy.
Accountant CV templates
Top tips for your accountant CV
Recruiters can be overwhelmed by applications especially for popular roles like accountants. The best way to ensure your CV is read by the recruiter is to focus on these top areas:
Write clearly and succinctly
Don't worry about overcomplicating your CV with big words. Using plain language like our accounting and finance CV examples will help recruiters to read your CV quickly and easily.
Express the real you in your personal statement
Accountants have been stereotyped over the years to be dull and boring, things we all know are absolutely not true. Show off your true personality with an engaging personal statement using active language to best present your passions and skills at the top of your accountant CV.
Formatting your career history
Always list your accountant jobs from newest to oldest and unless you've had 2 jobs or less, don't worry about including experience from over a decade ago. Lucky for users of myPerfectCV, we will automatically list your accounting experience in the correct order. But if you’re editing your accountant CV format in Word, this is certainly something to note.
Crunch the numbers
Numbers are at the heart of everything accountants do. You can bolster your accountant CV by adding specific facts and figures from your previous accounting jobs or current role. From reducing expenditure by 15% to working with a team of 5 accountants, it all adds weight to your CV and gives recruiters a better idea of how you work.
Cover letter
As with our accountant CV example, UK applicants should keep their CV within 1-2 pages. If you want to expand on any accounting qualifications, experiences, or other achievements, a cover letter is the place to do it. Here, you can highlight the best bits of your CV and how they make you a great fit for the job, as well as talking a bit more about your passion for accounting and why you want the job.
Accountant skills to include in your CV
The skills you list on your CV play a vital role in getting past CV scanning software and convincing a recruiter that you've got what the role demands. Acting like keywords, you will need to include soft and hard skills on your accountant CV:
Essential skills for accountant positions
- Accounting principles
- Documentation and reporting
- Budget administration
- Payroll oversight
- Account reconciliation
- Month/year end reporting
Additional skills to help your CV stand out
- Integrity
- Self-motivation
- Clear verbal and written communication
- Dependability
- An eye for detail
- Business acumen
Summarise your skills with a great personal statement
Whether it’s internal or external, stakeholders and managers want a clear, concise summary from their accountants. Your personal statement should reflect this at the top of your CV, summarising your main accounting qualifications, skills, and personal qualities.
Include qualifications required for accountant roles like ACCA or CIMA if applicable. List sought-after qualities like “analytical” and “meticulous”. Then be sure to mention your years of experience with any specialisms you have, whether it’s an area of accounting like tax or a specific industry you’ve excelled in.
Top FAQs about your accountant CV
What is an accountant?
An accountant is a finance professional, responsible for a wide range of financial duties. They can work for a dedicated accounting agency on behalf of clients, as part of a business’s accounting department, or even as a standalone accountant at a smaller organisation.
What does an accountant do?
Accountants complete a vast array of tasks for their employer or clients, from preparing accounts and tax returns to analysing financial performance, assessing risk and forecasting for the future. You may also be asked to monitor expenditure and budgets, as well as compiling and presenting reports about a company’s financial performance.
How to become an accountant (UK)?
To become an accountant, you’ll usually need to start with a relevant degree in accounting, finance, mathematics, or a business-related subject. You’ll then need to obtain AAT qualification as a minimum. Qualifications required for accountant roles can also include certification from ACCA, ICAEW, and CIMA, which usually form the final step of your journey.
How do I write a CV for an accountant?
Write a successful CV for an accountant by outlining a mixture of formal accounting qualifications, work experience, and additional skills.
- Adopt language that shows your professionalism, and avoid using exclamation marks.
- Try to make sure you use keywords that an employer will be looking for.
- Your work history should detail two or three achievements from each position.
- Any education and qualifications should be stated clearly.
What qualities make a good accountant?
The qualities that make a good accountant include a combination of technical skills and personal qualities:
- An accountant CV needs to demonstrate an eye for detail and a methodical nature.
- A UK accountant should be able to work with the latest accounting or financial software and be aware of a range of accounting methods.
- An accountant should be able to communicate their findings clearly and concisely.
What qualifications are needed to be an accountant?
Accounting qualifications cover various aspects of accountancy, business, and finance. Here’s a rundown of the accountant qualifications needed (UK):
- Most accounting positions will demand a degree in accounting and finance.
- Many will also require or favour candidates with certification from bodies like the ACCA and the ICAEW.
- Specialist qualifications from bodies such as CIMA to work in areas such as management accountancy.
- Qualifications required for accountant roles may also include training in the latest accounting software or be particularly adept at Excel will be extremely valuable.
What is the average accountant salary (UK)?
On average, UK accountants can expect to make around £30,000. That varies from around £25,000 for starters and newly qualified accountants to upwards of £35,000 for experienced professionals.
Related CVs Accounting CV Examples
Time to give the best account of yourself
Building an accountant CV that captures who you are and appeals to an employer is a tricky task. Our accountant CV example and templates provide the framework for you to get started, and our tips will help you draft brilliant content.
Working with our CV builder makes it quick and easy to set down who you are in the right format, keeping your application clear and concise to encourage recruiters to learn more. Get started now to take the next step in your career.
