Accountant CV Example & Writing Guide

Writing an effective accountant CV 

Before we begin, it’s important to understand each section of a great CV and their functions. Here’s what we should include: 

• The CV header
• The professional profile, or personal statement
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

We’ll help you with each section and get you closer to landing your dream job role.

It’s important that your CV includes the right keywords and details, as many employers use software and systems like Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter out applicants. This means that bots can reject experienced accountants if their CV doesn’t pass the testing criteria. Boo! 

Fortunately, at CVapp.ie, we’re professionals at ensuring your CV gets noticed and finds its way to employers. With our comprehensive guide, we’ll help you build a stellar CV that will get you hired in no time.

Professional Profile

All employers want a candidate that can get the job done right, but nobody wants a robot. Humanising your CV is a critical part of ensuring your CV gets noticed by employers and recruiters. Your professional profile, otherwise known as your personal statement, should hook potential employers in and convince them that you’re the best candidate for the job. Don’t be afraid to highlight your personality! 

In your professional profile, you’ll want to sell your professional story to potential employers. Why should they hire you? What do you have to bring to the role? What makes you different from other accountants? Try to use dynamic and descriptive language when sharing any relevant accomplishments, experiences and details. 

Certifications 

As an accountant, you’ll know the importance of being fully qualified or certified to practice your profession. We recommend including certifications or qualifications in the education section, however you can include them in the professional profile, too. This can attract and engage employers and let them know that you’re an ideal candidate right away. This is especially important when applying for more advanced accounting roles, where qualifications are mandatory and expected. 

Employment History

Your employment history section should list your previous job roles and your professional experiences. Potential employers like to see applicants with a history of relevant job positions that would support their ability to fulfill their new potential job role. Be sure to list previous jobs and internships in order of most recent to least recent, and try to only include relevant job positions. The language you use here is also important, so it’s best to use descriptive and positive words when describing your professional history. Try to use specific numbers, facts and figures where possible! 

Education

As discussed earlier, many accounting positions will require formal qualifications and certifications. Academic qualifications are also often essential, and employers will often assess academic credentials when reviewing your CV. You’ll want to include your academic certifications and accolades in this section in order from most recent to least recent, just like you did in your employment history section. For example, if you have a Master’s degree in Accounting and a Bachelor’s degree in Business, you’ll want to list your Master’s degree first. If spacing permits, you can also include any relevant academic achievements and milestones. 

Skills

Finally, in your skills section, you’ll want to convince potential employers that you’re the best candidate for the job by listing concise skills relevant to the accounting role you’re applying for. You can list hard skills, such as financial report creation and auditing, or more soft skills such as problem-solving and communication skills in this section. It’s always a good idea to scan the job description for keywords and match them to your skillset. Good luck!