This certified public accountant resume example shows a clear template you can adapt to your experience and goals.
You will find formatting tips, sample entries, and guidance for highlighting certifications and measurable results.
View and download this professional resume template
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💡 Pro tip: Use this template as a starting point. Customize it with your own experience, skills, and achievements.
Certified Public Accountant resume example: What to include
Start with a concise header that includes your name, CPA designation, contact information, and LinkedIn URL.
Below that, add a professional summary, core skills, work experience, education, and relevant licenses or certifications.
In each section focus on relevance to the role you want.
Prioritize financial reporting, audit, tax, and systems experience that match job descriptions you target.
How to write a Certified Public Accountant resume example summary
Write a 2 to 3 sentence professional summary that states your CPA credential, years of experience, and primary specialty.
Use one sentence to state the value you bring and one sentence to name key technical skills like GAAP, SEC reporting, tax compliance, or ERP systems.
Example summary sentence structure might read like this.
"CPA with 6 years of audit and financial reporting experience, skilled in GAAP and internal controls.
Experienced in leading audits for public companies and improving month end close processes.
Certified Public Accountant resume example: Template and example
Use a clean, 10 to 12 point readable font and 0.
5 to 1 inch margins to keep the layout compact.
Keep the resume to one page if you have under 10 years of experience and to two pages if you have more detailed leadership or public company experience.
Simple template example below shows section order and sample content.
Header: Jane Doe, CPA | 555-555-5555 | jane@example.
com | linkedin.
com/in/janedoe.
Summary: CPA with 7 years in audit and financial reporting, strong SEC reporting experience.
Core skills: GAAP, SOX, Financial Analysis, Tax Research, ERP: NetSuite, SAP.
Experience: Senior Accountant, XYZ Corp, 2019 to Present.
Led financial close, reduced close time by 20 percent; managed SOX compliance and coordinated external audit.
Staff Accountant, ABC Firm, 2016 to 2019.
Performed statutory and tax audits for mid market clients; prepared financial statements and audit schedules.
Education and Certifications: BBA Accounting, State University; CPA license, State Board, active.
Writing effective work experience entries
Describe achievements with metrics and a clear action plus result structure.
Start each bullet with a strong action verb and include numbers when possible to show impact.
Good entry example: Led month end close for three entities, shortened close cycle from nine to seven days while improving accuracy of reconciliations.
Another example: Managed external audit process and reduced adjusting journal entries by 35 percent through improved internal controls.
Education, certifications, and licenses
List your CPA license prominently, including state and license number if employers ask for verification.
Include any continuing professional education, specialized courses, or certifications like Tax Specialist or IFRS training.
Place education below experience if you have several years of work history.
If you are entry level, put education near the top and include GPA only if it is above 3.
5 and requested.
Skills and technical sections that get noticed
Group skills into categories such as Accounting Standards, Systems, and Reporting.
Use specific names for software and tools, for example, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Excel pivot tables, and ACL for analytics.
Avoid vague terms like strong communicator without context.
Instead add examples in experience bullets that show communication skills such as leading audit meetings or presenting findings to executives.
Formatting and ATS tips for a Certified Public Accountant resume example
Keep formatting simple so applicant tracking systems parse your content correctly.
Use standard section headings like Experience, Education, Certifications, and Skills and avoid complex tables or images.
Save the file as a PDF or Word doc depending on the job application instructions.
If a job post requests plain text, paste a clean text version keeping headings and bullet points for readability.
Final checklist before you submit
Proofread for typos and confirm dates and employer names match your LinkedIn profile.
Double check that your CPA license and any required state information are accurate and current.
Tailor one or two bullets per job to reflect keywords from the job posting.
This helps you pass resume screening and ensures hiring managers see relevant strengths quickly.
Best Practices
Lead with a clear professional summary that mentions CPA and your primary specialty.
Keep it targeted to the role and limit it to two to three sentences.
Quantify accomplishments with metrics such as percentage improvements, dollar amounts, or time saved.
Numbers make results concrete and help hiring managers compare candidates.
List your CPA license and state near the top of the resume so employers can verify credentials quickly.
Include license status and year obtained if space allows.
Use industry specific keywords from job postings such as GAAP, SOX, SEC reporting, tax compliance, and specific ERP systems.
Place keywords naturally in experience bullets and skills.
Keep formatting simple and consistent with clear section headings, uniform bullet style, and readable fonts.
Clean layout improves both human and ATS readability.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
This makes it harder for hiring managers to see fit quickly.
Convert duties into achievements when possible.
These choices can break ATS parsing and distract reviewers.
Adjust two to three bullets per role to match the posting.
Additional Tips
- 1Include 3 to 6 core skills in a skills section and support each skill with an example in your experience bullets.
When possible, show tools and results in the same sentence.
Final Thoughts
Use this certified public accountant resume example as a framework and adapt the wording to reflect your achievements and the job you want.
Focus on clear structure, measurable results, and accurate licensing information to make your application stand out.