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Bookkeepers are essential to the financial health of any business, whether working in-house or as part of an accountancy firm. From managing transactions to ensuring compliance and supporting profitability, your role demands accuracy, responsibility, and key bookkeeping skills, and your CV needs to reflect that.
A strong bookkeeper CV highlights your accounting knowledge, attention to detail, and experience with financial systems. The right format helps employers quickly assess your strengths and qualifications. Explore our bookkeeping CV examples and bookkeeper resume templates to start building a job-winning application.
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How to write a bookkeeping CV step by step
Writing a great bookkeeper CV means showing that you’re accurate, organised, and reliable with numbers. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a strong bookkeeper CV.
Step 1. Start with a strong personal statement
Your personal statement (or CV summary) is a 3–4 line intro that highlights your top skills and career goals. Tailor it to the specific role you’re applying for.
Example:
Precise and trustworthy bookkeeper with 6+ years’ experience in managing company finances, reconciling bank accounts, and preparing VAT returns. Proficient in Sage, Xero, and QuickBooks. Known for reducing reporting errors and improving financial accuracy. Seeking a full-time bookkeeping role in a fast-paced finance team.
Step 2. Add your work experience
List your previous work experience in reverse-chronological order. Focus on achievements, responsibilities, and tools used.
Example:
Bookkeeper | Greenfield Business Services, Leeds
January 2021 – Present
- Managed day-to-day bookkeeping for a portfolio of 15 SMEs
- Handled accounts payable and receivable using Xero
- Reconciled monthly bank statements and credit card transactions
- Generated financial reports for senior management
- Assisted with year-end accounts and audits
Junior Bookkeeper | J&H Financials, Leeds
July 2018 – December 2020
- Supported senior accountants with data entry and ledger maintenance
- Processed invoices and payments in Sage 50
- Helped prepare VAT submissions for small businesses
- Maintained up-to-date records for HMRC compliance
Tip: Use bullet points to make responsibilities and results easy to scan. Highlight bookkeeping software, financial processes, and measurable results.
Step 3. Highlight your skills
Follow with a bullet-pointed skills section that shows your technical abilities and soft skills.
Example skills:
- Bookkeeping and ledger maintenance
- Bank reconciliation
- Accounts payable/receivable
- Sage 50, Xero, QuickBooks
- VAT return preparation
- Payroll administration
- Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas)
- Organisation and accuracy
- Time management
- Confidentiality and integrity
Step 4. Include your education
List your qualifications from most recent to oldest. Include any degrees or vocational training relevant to accounting or finance.
Example:
AAT Level 3 Diploma in Accounting
Sheffield College | Completed 2022
BTEC Level 3 Business & Finance
Yorkshire Business School | Completed 2020
Tip: If you’re early in your career, you can move this section above your work experience.
Step 5. Add relevant certifications
Certifications show specialist knowledge and dedication to your profession. If you’ve completed extra courses, list them.
Example:
- Xero Certified Advisor
- IAB Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping
- Sage 50 Accounts Certification
Top tips for a book keeping CV
Recruiters have to sift through countless applications for bookkeeping roles. That’s exactly why your bookkeeper CV needs to tick every box. We’ve put together five bookkeeper CV tips to take you from bottom of the pile to top of the list.
Include keywords from the job description
As more recruiters use scanning software to screen for the most relevant bookkeeping CVs, including keywords is the best way to make sure yours makes the cut. For example, if the job spec wants a candidate who’s familiar with QuickBooks and you’ve used the software before, make sure to mention this on your CV.
Quantify your successes
Bookkeeping is all about the numbers. If you slashed expenditure from £5,000 to £3,500 in your previous job, always include the metrics. Use of numbers helps recruiters quantify your impact and imagine what you could bring to a future role. Use our bookkeeper CV templates to help see where you need to add more detail.
Be open and honest
Bookkeepers are trusted with vast sums of money. Let employers know you’re up to the task by showing some personality in your personal statement. Use words such as ‘confidential’ and ‘discreet’ to describe your work ethic, showing recruiters you have both the required professional and personal skills.
Highlight your specialty
As a bookkeeper, you might have worked for companies within a specific industry or dealt with clients of a certain size. That experience can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for a job that’s relevant to your experience, so be sure to highlight it from the off in your personal statement.
Back it up with qualifications
While day-to-day responsibilities and career experiences are important for recruiters, your bookkeeping qualifications are an absolute must-have for most employers. List them clearly in a dedicated education section with the year you obtained each qualification.
Top bookkeeper CV skills
A bookkeeper CV example is useful for laying out your skills section. Discover some of the best bookkeeper skills to include in your CV below:
Essential bookkeeper skills
- Bookkeeping
- Excellent numeracy
- Reconciliation
- Use of accounting software
- Attention to detail
- Understanding of UK accountancy practices
Additional skills for bookkeepers
- Outstanding communication
- Organisation
- Time management
- Well-rounded business acumen
- Autonomous
- Works well under pressure
- Team-player
Bookkeeper CV FAQs
What should I include in a bookkeeper CV?
A bookkeeper CV should include a personal statement, your work experience, key skills, education, and any relevant certifications. Highlight your bookkeeping software knowledge, accuracy, and ability to manage financial records.
How do I write a bookkeeper resume with no experience?
If you’re writing a bookkeeper CV with no direct experience, focus on transferable skills like organisation, numeracy, and attention to detail. Include internships, voluntary roles, or coursework that involved handling data or numbers. A skills-based CV format can help you emphasise your strengths.
Can I use the same CV for bookkeeping and other finance roles?
It’s best to tailor your CV for each role. A bookkeeper CV should focus specifically on financial record keeping, accounts reconciliation, and compliance. For broader finance roles, adjust your CV to highlight transferable skills.
Should I include soft skills on my bookkeeper CV?
Yes, especially in a skills section. Employers appreciate soft skills such as time management, communication, discretion, and problem-solving. Combine them with examples to show how they’ve helped you succeed in past roles.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a bookkeeper?
A bookkeeper is responsible for keeping track of business transactions and accounts. This can include issuing paychecks and invoices, providing financial advice, and using Excel to monitor spending.
Create your bookkeeper CV today
Create a clear, professional CV in minutes with our easy-to-use CV builder. Simply choose a template, add your bookkeeping experience and skills, and customise each section to match the job. It’s the quickest way to craft a standout bookkeeper CV and move forward in your career.
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