ToC

Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

Graduate Accountant CV Template (Text Format)

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Highly motivated Mathematics graduate with first-class honours from the University of Warwick. Internship experience at Deloitte through which I’ve developed a solid foundation in financial modelling, budgeting, and data analysis. Eager to leverage my analytical abilities in KPMG’s Accountancy Graduate Scheme, contributing to your firm’s reputation for excellence and innovation.

EDUCATION

BSc (Hons) Mathematics
University of Warwick, 20XX – 20XX

  • First-class honours

Dissertation: ‘Mathematical Modelling in Financial Markets: Applications of Stochastic Processes in Option Pricing’

  • Comprehensive study on the application of stochastic processes in financial markets, focusing on option pricing models such as the Black-Scholes model

ACCOUNTING EXPERIENCE

Deloitte
Finance Intern, June 20XX – August 20XX

  • Prepared financial statements and reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards
  • Conducted data analysis on the firm’s financial performance, identifying key trends and reporting findings to management
  • Developed and maintained financial models in Excel to support budgeting and forecasting processes
  • Participated in client meetings, presenting data-driven recommendations to improve financial processes and efficiency
  • Collaborated with senior accountants and auditors on various projects, gaining exposure to audit practices and financial reporting standards

ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

Next
Team Lead, September 20XX – June 20XX

  • Managed a team of retail assistants while balancing part-time work with full-time university studies
  • Analysed weekly sales data to identify trends and optimise product placement
  • Oversaw inventory management, reducing stock discrepancies by implementing improved tracking processes
  • Trained new team members, enhancing overall team productivity and efficiency

Retail Assistant, June 20XX – August 20XX

  • Provided excellent customer service, consistently meeting sales targets
  • Assisted in inventory control and cash handling
  • Supported visual merchandising efforts, contributing to a well-organised and appealing store layout

KEY SKILLS

  • Financial reporting: Developed and presented financial reports at Deloitte, contributing to the timely submission of quarterly statements
  • Data analysis: Conducted analysis that identified key trends, directly leading to a 10% increase in sales during promotional periods at Next
  • Financial modelling: Created Excel models for budgeting and forecasting at Deloitte, streamlining the forecasting process by 20%
  • Budgeting: Managed and optimized a departmental budget at Next, reducing unnecessary expenses by 15%
  • Microsoft Excel: Automated monthly financial reporting at Deloitte using advanced Excel techniques

HOBBIES & INTERESTS

  • Debating Club: Active member of the University of Warwick Debating Society
  • Football: Played as a midfielder for the university football team
  • Volunteering: Volunteer at a local food bank, organising food drives and working closely with a team to distribute resources to those in need

How to write an engaging graduate accounting CV

Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.

As a graduate accountant, you have a freshly minted degree in finance, accounting, or another related course. You’re likely looking for a position where you can put your skills and passion into practice.

Here are four tips on how to write a CV and land that first job out of university.

1. Craft a compelling personal statement

If you want to win over hiring managers, your personal statement should focus on your recent education, the fresh perspective and enthusiasm you bring to the industry, and your learned skills.

A personal statement represents an opportunity to make a solid first impression and highlight how you’re eager to put your qualifications and expertise to work.

Example personal statement for a graduate accountant

An enthusiastic recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Birmingham. Highly motivated and detail-oriented, with a passion for financial analysis and reporting. Eager to contribute to Armstrong Accountant’s dynamic finance team and apply knowledge in a practical setting.

2. Highlight your graduate accounting education

List your degree(s) and relevant qualifications in your CV’s education section, starting with the most recent so recruiting managers can quickly see you’re trained for the role.

It’s also a good idea to include any relevant modules or projects that demonstrate your knowledge of accounting and how it translates into industry-specific expertise. This will give you an edge over other applicants.

Example education section for a graduate accountant

Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Accounting
University of Birmingham, Graduated: July 20XX

  • Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Taxation, Auditing
  • Final Year Project: ‘Blockchain Revolution: Transforming Financial Transactions’

Skip the writer’s block and make a CV in minutes with our AI software.

3. Showcase your financial and technical skills

Include a skills section that focuses on both technical and soft skills relevant to accounting. Be specific and, where possible, quantify your skills to highlight the impact you’ve had in your previous work or projects.

Example skills section for a graduate accountant

Technical Skills:

  • Proficient in accounting software (Sage, QuickBooks)
  • Microsoft Excel (advanced functions, pivot tables)
  • Data analysis
  • Financial modelling
  • Budgeting

Soft Skills:

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Effective communication skills
  • Time management
  • Analytical thinking

4. Detail accounting experience gained through coursework, projects, and internships

As a recent graduate, you may not have much formal work to list in the work experience section of your CV, so be sure to include any experience you gained through coursework, projects, internships, or volunteer roles related to accounting. Doing this proves you have a good work ethic and can contribute to a team effort.

Focus on what you learnt as part of these experiences to show you’re prepared for your first role.

Example experience section for a graduate accountant

Financial Analyst Intern
Pharmacy Supplies Limited, Leicestershire | June 20XX-August 20XX

  • Assisted in preparing financial statements and reports for clients
  • Conducted data analysis to identify trends and improve financial processes
  • Collaborated with senior analysts to support audit preparations, enhancing my understanding of compliance and regulatory standards

Final Year Project – Financial Reporting Analysis
University of Leicester, Leicestershire | January 20XX – May 20XX

  • Conducted a comprehensive analysis on ‘The Role of Financial Reporting in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)’
  • Examined the impact of UK regulatory changes on financial transparency for SMEs, providing key insights and recommendations
  • Collaborated with academic supervisors and used accounting software to assess real-world financial data, applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios

Samuel Johns
Written by

Samuel Johns

Samuel Johns is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Senior Editor on the CV Genius team, with 6+ years of experience in the careers space. He has helped countless job hunters craft high-quality CVs and cover letters, exceed expectations at interviews, and obtain their dream jobs. Born and raised in County Durham in the beautiful North East of England, he graduated with a BA (Hons) in French Language and Literature from the University of Bristol in 2013 and has worked in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, London, Paris, and Taipei as a French–English translator. He’s determined to use his native English and fluent French skills to help UK and French candidates get the jobs they deserve. In addition to the British and French versions of CV Genius, Samuel’s job-hunt advice has been published on numerous websites, including Careers.org, the University of Warwick, the Enterprisers Project, and HR.com. If you’d like to collaborate, please reach out to Samuel through LinkedIn. Please note, we don’t accept guest posts and won’t reply to such requests.