Accounts Assistant CV Examples
Whether you’re creating your first CV or preparing to apply for your next role in finance, we’ve got accounts assistant CV examples and easy-to-use templates to help you stand out. We’ll show you how to clearly present yourself and share helpful CV writing tips to make a strong impression on employers and increase your chances of securing that interview.
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Accounts assistants play a key role in supporting finance teams by managing invoices, maintaining financial records, and ensuring transactions are processed accurately and on time. Whether it’s reconciling bank statements, handling supplier queries, or assisting with payroll and expenses, their work is essential to keeping business finances running smoothly and efficiently.
This guide provides everything you need to create a strong accounts assistant CV, including:
- Accounts assistant CV examples
- Professionally designed CV templates
- Step-by-step advice on how to format and structure your CV
- Practical tips to help your application stand out
- Common mistakes to avoid when writing your CV
- Frequently asked questions about accounts assistant CVs
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Accounts assistant CV sample
Freda Jones
Manchester M60 3TT
07912 345 678
freda.jones@example.co.uk
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Recent Accounting and Finance graduate with a strong foundation in bookkeeping, financial reporting, and invoice processing. Gained hands-on experience through a finance internship, supporting reconciliation and data entry tasks in a busy office environment. Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Xero, and Sage 50, with a keen eye for accuracy and detail. Eager to begin a professional career in finance and contribute to a dynamic accounts team.
WORK HISTORY
December 2024 – March 2025
Harrison & Lowe – Manchester
Finance Intern
- Entered purchase invoices into accounting software
- Assisted with organising and filing financial records
- Supported weekly bank reconciliation tasks under supervision
- Helped prepare basic expense reports and client summaries
- Observed VAT return process and shadowed accounts staff
May 2022 – May 2024
Tesco Express – Manchester
Retail Assistant
- Handled customer transactions and processed payments
- Balanced tills and assisted with stock control
- Developed strong communication and teamwork skills
- Maintained accurate records of deliveries and returns
SKILLS
- Invoice and data entry
- Microsoft Excel (formulas, spreadsheets, data sorting)
- Communication and teamwork
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Willingness to learn
- Confidentiality and accuracy
EDUCATION
2024
Manchester University England
Bachelor of Science Accounting and Finance
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting | The Manchester College | 2023
Xero Advisor Certification | Xero | 2023
Accounts assistant CV templates
Our accounts assistant CV templates offer professional layouts that help you stand out. Each template is designed to be easy to read and compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS). Browse our collection to find a format that suits your experience level and your personal preference.
Choose the right CV format
Picking the right CV format can make a big difference when applying for an accounts assistant role. You want to present your experience and skills in a way that feels clear, confident, and relevant to employers. Here are two formats commonly used in the UK, and how to choose between them:
Chronological CV
The chronological CV format is the most traditional and commonly used. This layout highlights your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role. It typically looks like this:
- Professional Summary
- Work Experience (listed from the most recent role to the earliest)
- Education
- Skills
This format works best if you have relevant experience in accounting or administrative roles because it clearly demonstrates your career progression. Employers can easily track your job history, see how your skills have developed over time, and understand how long you’ve worked in similar roles.
Skills-based CV
The skills-based CV focuses on your abilities and strengths rather than your work history. It’s ideal if you’re new to the accounts assistant role or have limited experience. In this format, the sections will typically be laid out as follows:
- Professional Summary
- Key Skills (focusing on transferable skills like organisation, attention to detail, and communication)
Work Experience (if applicable, this section is kept brief) - Education
This format is useful for showcasing your core skills right away. Instead of emphasising specific job titles or dates, it highlights the relevant skills you possess, such as familiarity with accounting software or strong numerical ability. It’s a great option for those entering the accounts field or those who may not have a continuous job history in accounting.
How to write an accounts assistant CV. Step by step.
To write an effective CV, it’s crucial to include the right sections and present each one clearly. A well-structured CV helps employers easily identify your qualifications, skills, and experience, showcasing why you’re the best fit for the role.
In this guide, we’ll take you through each section of the CV, step-by-step, providing examples to help you craft a polished, professional, and job-ready application.
- Add your contact details
- Writing your accounts assistant CV personal statement
- Adding work experience to your CV
- Skills to include for your accounts assistant CV
- Outlining education on an accounts assistant CV
Add your contact details
Begin your CV by placing your contact details at the top of the page. Include the following:
- Full name
- Current location (town or city)
- Professional email address
- A reliable mobile number
Make sure your contact information is up to date and easy to find, ensuring employers can get in touch with you without any hassle.
Example contact section
Freda Jones
Manchester M60 3TT
07912 345 678
freda.jones@example.co.uk
Writing your accounts assistant CV personal statement
Your personal statement (professional summary) should give employers a quick overview of your skills and experience. This section should be around three to four sentences, focusing on your key strengths, attention to detail, and ability to contribute to accurate financial operations.
Quick tips for writing your personal statement:
- Be concise: Keep it brief, focusing on your core skills.
- Highlight relevant skills: Emphasise your attention to detail, organisation, and experience with accounting software (e.g., Sage, QuickBooks).
- Tailor it to the job: Customise your statement to the specific role, using keywords from the job description.
Example personal statement for an accounts assistant CV:
Detail-oriented Accounts Assistant with a degree in Accounting and over two years of experience in managing accounts payable, receivable, and payroll. Proficient in accounting software such as Sage and Xero, with a strong focus on maintaining accurate financial records and meeting deadlines. Committed to supporting senior accountants and ensuring smooth financial operations.
Adding work experience to your CV
For an accounts assistant role, your work experience section should showcase any relevant skills or responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to manage financial tasks, stay organised, and work with accuracy. Since an accounts assistant is often an entry-level role, recruiters do not expect an extensive work history, but even non-financial experience can still be valuable if it highlights transferable skills.
Key points for listing your work experience:
- Job title, company name, and employment dates
- Short summary of duties: Highlight responsibilities like organising tasks, meeting deadlines, or using software systems.
- Tools or systems used: Include any accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Excel) or even experience with administrative tools.
- Results or improvements: If possible, include tangible results, like improved processes or savings achieved.
Example of work experience for an accounts assistant CV:
Accounts Assistant
HSBC, London
July 2023 – Present
- Assist with processing invoices, payments, and receipts
- Maintain financial records using accounting software (e.g., Xero)
- Help prepare monthly financial reports
- Ensure compliance with company accounting policies
- Support senior accountants with reconciliations and month-end tasks/li>
Retail Assistant
Sephora, London
June 2021 – June 2023
- Managed customer transactions and handled cash
- Assisted with daily reconciliation of cash register
- Organised product inventories, ensuring accuracy and availability
- Provided excellent customer service, improving repeat business
- Developed strong organisational skills, meeting deadlines and handling multiple tasks efficiently
Skills to include for your accounts assistant CV
The skills section of your CV is a great way to quickly demonstrate that you have the right practical skills and knowledge to succeed in an accounts assistant role. This section should highlight both your technical accounting skills and general soft skills that support the organisation, communication, and teamwork.
If you have limited work experience, consider placing the skills section before the work experience section. This will allow you to emphasise your strengths and capabilities, even if you don’t have extensive hands-on experience yet.
Aim to list 8 to 10 relevant skills using bullet points to make it easy for hiring managers to scan. Keep the wording concise so both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) can quickly identify your abilities.
Technical skills for an accounts assistant:
- Bookkeeping and financial record-keeping
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Bank reconciliations
- Invoice and purchase order management
- Payroll processing
- Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Xero, Sage)
- Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables, formulas, and v-lookups)
General skills to Include:
- Strong attention to detail
- Time management and organisation
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Problem-solving and analytical thinking
- Teamwork and collaboration
Outlining education on an accounts assistant CV
For most accounts assistant roles in the UK, a university degree is not always required, but it is often preferred. This is especially true if you are entering the field with limited practical experience. A degree in accounting, finance, or a related subject helps demonstrate your understanding of financial processes and your commitment to a career in the industry.
List your most relevant or recent qualification first. You can also include any additional certifications that show further training, such as bookkeeping courses or accounting software proficiency.
What to include in your education section:
- The full title of your qualification
- The name of the university, college, or training provider
- The dates you attended or graduated
- Certifications that support your accounting knowledge
Example of education for an accounts assistant CV:
BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance
University of Manchester | 2020 to 2023
Certifications:
Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, AAT | Completed 2023
Excel for Finance Professionals, Coursera | Completed 2022
Dos and don’ts for your accounts assistant CV
DO
DO showcase your organisational and time management abilities
Employers appreciate candidates who can manage multiple tasks efficiently. Highlight your ability to prioritise workloads, meet deadlines, and maintain organised financial records. For example:
- Managed monthly reconciliations and ensured timely submission of financial reports.
DO use industry-specific keywords
Including relevant finance and accounting terminology can help your CV get noticed, especially by applicant tracking systems (ATS). These keywords also show that you’re familiar with the duties and tools expected of an accounts assistant. Examples include:
- Invoice processing
- Bank reconciliation
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Sage or Xero
- Data entry
- Financial reporting
- VAT returns
DON’T
DON’T forget to tailor your CV
Avoid sending the same version of your CV to every employer. Take time to adjust it for each role by emphasising the skills and experiences most relevant to the job description. This shows attention to detail and increases your chances of landing an interview.
DON’T overlook presentation
A clean, professional layout helps employers find key information quickly. Stick to one font style, use clear section headings, and ensure your formatting is consistent. Avoid cluttered layouts, bright colours, or decorative graphics that distract from your content. If you need ideas, explore our accounts assistant CV templates and examples.
Your CV questions answered
How can I improve my chances of getting an interview?
To increase your chances of landing an interview as an accounts assistant, consider these tips:
Tailor your CV: Customise your CV to reflect the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Use key phrases from the job description, such as “accounts reconciliation,” “payroll processing,” or “financial reporting,” to demonstrate your relevance.
Show quantifiable results: Employers appreciate candidates who can show measurable impact. For example:
- “Reduced invoicing errors by 15% through improved attention to detail.”
- “Successfully managed accounts payable, reducing overdue payments by 20% within the first quarter.”
Write a strong cover letter: A well-written cover letter can make a significant difference. Use it to explain why you’re a great fit for the position, highlighting specific experiences or skills, such as your ability to meet deadlines, manage financial records, or work with accounting software.
Should I include certifications on my accounts assistant CV?
Yes, including relevant certifications can strengthen your CV and show your commitment to professional development. Consider adding:
- AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification
- ACCA Foundation or similar accounting qualifications
- Bookkeeping certification
- Payroll and VAT training
These certifications demonstrate your technical proficiency and readiness to handle accounting tasks in a professional setting.
What’s the best way to structure my accounts assistant CV?
A clear and well-organised CV ensures that employers can quickly identify your qualifications. Here’s a recommended structure:
- Contact details
- Professional summary (2-3 sentences summarising your experience, skills, and qualifications)
- Key skills (e.g., “accounts reconciliation,” “financial reporting,” “accounts payable,” “payroll processing”)
- Work experience (in reverse chronological order)
Education & certifications (any relevant qualifications or training)
Should I include a photo in my accounts assistant CV?
In the UK, photos are generally not necessary for professional CVs. It’s best to focus on your qualifications, experience, and skills, as including a photo may distract from the content, especially when applying through applicant tracking systems (ATS).
What if I have limited experience in accounting?
If you have limited experience in accounts work, focus on transferable skills from other roles, such as administration, customer service, or data entry. Emphasise your ability to work with numbers, manage tasks efficiently, and pay attention to detail. A skills-based CV format is ideal if you’re changing careers or don’t have much direct experience in accounting.
Create your professional CV today
Create your accounts assistant CV with ease using our online CV builder. Select from a variety of polished, professional templates designed to highlight your skills and achievements in finance. Simply input your work experience and education, and use our pre-written content for quick customisation. Once you’re finished, download your ATS-friendly CV in just a few clicks and get ready to impress potential employers in the accounting field.
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