How to tailor your CV for a graduate accountant or audit trainee job in the UK
Accountancy and audit schemes look for accuracy, numeracy and professionalism. Many ask about the qualification route you want, so say it plainly if you want to study for ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
Keywords to look for in the job ad
Check the ad for these words. Use them only where your experience genuinely backs them up.
ACAACCACIMAauditfinancial reportingreconciliationExcelattention to detaildeadlinesclient service
What to show
+Show accuracy under pressure, such as cash handling, reconciliations or coursework with strict deadlines.
+Name Excel skills you really use, such as pivot tables or lookups.
+State the qualification you plan to study for.
A common mistake
Writing 'detail-oriented' with nothing to back it up. Give one example where accuracy mattered.
Example bullet, before and after
Before
Worked in a shop and handled money.
After
Balanced the till and reconciled daily takings for a shop turning over about [add: weekly figure], with no unresolved discrepancies over [add: how long].
Items in [square brackets] are for you to fill in with real figures. Never add numbers you cannot back up.
Tailor your CV to the real ad
Paste the job ad and your CV. You get a free preview, and you pay £4.99 only if you want the full rewrite, cover letter and keyword checklist.