This guide shows how to write an entry-level accounting CV for a United Kingdom employer, highlighting relevant experience and making your qualifications clear to hiring managers. You’ll learn how to structure your CV, what to include for UK education and certifications, and concrete bullet-point examples that show measurable impact.
Use these steps to present your transferable skills and accounting knowledge so you stand out while remaining honest and concise.
Building a Cpa resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
How to write an entry-level accounting CV
Start with a clear CV header that includes your full name, a UK mobile number, a professional email address, LinkedIn URL, and your right-to-work status in the UK. If you hold professional qualifications (for example ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW), include the body and membership number near the top, or list them in the Certifications section if you are currently studying with an expected completion date.
You may also include your town or city in the header. Use DD/MM/YYYY for all dates and keep the CV to two pages maximum for early career candidates.
If you’re uncomfortable sharing a home address, you can omit it; ensure you can be contacted easily and clearly.
Personal profile or career summary examples
Begin with a Personal profile (3-4 lines) or a Career summary. Tailor it to the role, emphasise what you bring to the team, your accounting qualifications (ACCA/CIMA/ICAEW status or candidate), software skills (e.g.
Sage, Xero, QuickBooks, Excel), and a key strength such as reconciliations or financial controls.
Examples
Personal profile: Recent accounting graduate pursuing ACCA qualification, with hands-on experience in monthly reconciliations, Excel-based reporting, and basic audit support. Seeking an entry-level accounting role in the UK to support audit and tax functions.
Career summary: Accounting student with internship experience in accounts payable and financial reporting, proficient in Sage 50 and Excel, ACCA candidate. Known for attention to detail and process improvement.
Education and certifications
List your degree first, including university name, degree type, subject, graduation date, and grade if available (e.g. 2:1, First).
For UK education, indicating GCSEs/A-levels is optional and typically included if you are a recent graduate. For certifications, state the professional body (ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW, etc.), status (e.g.
Candidate, Affiliate, Member), and membership number if issued, or list as 'ACCA Candidate' with an expected exam completion date.
Examples
BSc Accounting, University of Leeds, 30/06/2022, 2:1
ACCA Candidate, exams in progress, expected completion 12/2025
Work experience, internships and placements bullets
For entry-level roles in the UK, focus on internships, placement years, part-time accounting roles, campus projects, and relevant volunteer work that used accounting skills. Use bullet points that start with an action verb, describe the task, and include a measurable result where possible to show impact.
Include organisation name, location, and dates in DD/MM/YYYY format.
Examples
Processed accounts payable for a portfolio of 15 suppliers using Xero, reducing processing time by 20%.
Assisted with month-end close and management reporting using Excel; improved accuracy of monthly reports by 5%.
Supported audit preparation for a live client, coordinating data collection and ensuring GDPR-compliant data handling.
Additional Tips
- 1Bring a clean, printed CV to interviews and be ready to discuss the numbers behind your bullet points.
- 2Prepare STAR examples for competency questions that tie to your CV entries.
- 3Maintain an online portfolio or LinkedIn with project samples and a clear summary that aligns with your CV.
- 4Tailor your CV for each role by incorporating keywords from the job description and emphasising relevant UK experience.
- 5Keep the CV to two pages and use UK spelling, dates in DD/MM/YYYY format, and clear section headings.
- 6Be ready to discuss your right-to-work status in the UK and any visa requirements if applicable, and reference UK job boards such as Reed, Indeed UK, Totaljobs, and LinkedIn.