Why this resume works
- Quantifies accomplishments: By saving 15% annually and improving audit accuracy, the applicant showcases measurable accomplishments that indicate their tangible impact in past roles.
- Showcases career progression: Progressing from accountant to CPA, the applicant clearly demonstrates increasing responsibility and expertise in financial management, reflecting a trajectory of growth.
- Illustrates problem-solving ability: Analyzing data to reduce waste expenses by 8% indicates strong problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities.
More CPA Resume Examples
Our CPA resume examples show how to highlight your accounting skills, analytical expertise, and attention to detail. Use these accounting resume samples to create a resume that showcases your strengths for roles in finance and accounting.
Tax Accountant
Why this resume works
- Centers on academic background: The applicant’s academic achievements listed in their education section solidify a strong foundation for early career success in accounting and finance.
- Effective use of keywords: Strategic placement of keywords like “tax software skill” and “regulatory compliance” improves the resume’s effectiveness and increases its chances of standing out to employers.
- Shows digital literacy: Using tools like tax software and advanced Excel skills showcases computer skills and digital literacy needed in modern workplaces.
Public Accountant
Why this resume works
- Points to measurable outcomes: By optimizing tax savings by 25% and analyzing budgets to improve accuracy by 20%, the applicant shows a strong commitment to delivering measurable financial improvements for clients.
- Demonstrates language abilities: The applicant’s language skills in Spanish, French, and Mandarin indicate their ability to communicate across diverse cultural settings.
- Includes a mix of soft and hard skills: Skills like data analysis and audit compliance are balanced with interpersonal skills such as client retention strategies, showcasing a well-rounded approach.
Financial Accountant
Why this resume works
- Lists relevant certifications: Listing certifications like CPA and CFA, the applicant’s expertise shines through, showcasing a commitment to continuous learning and mastery in finance.
- Showcases impressive accomplishments: With achievements like optimizing operations to save costs, the applicant showcases impactful senior-level performance.
- Emphasizes leadership skills: Leading teams in financial system overhauls demonstrates the applicant’s strong leadership skills, emphasizing initiative and management prowess.
CPA Resume Template (Text Version)
Sophia Singh
Riverview, FL 33586
(555)555-5555
Sophia.Singh@example.com
Professional Summary
Adaptive CPA with 8 years streamlining audits and optimizing tax strategies, enhancing financial operations and cost efficiency.
Work History
CPA
TaxWise Consultants Inc. – Riverview, FL
August 2022 – June 2025
- Optimized tax strategies, saving 15% annually
- Led audits, improving accuracy by 20%
- Implemented financial controls, cutting costs 10%
Financial Analyst
Golden Finance Solutions – Miami, FL
July 2019 – July 2022
- Developed budgets, increasing revenue 0k
- Analyzed data, reducing waste expenses by 8%
- Forecasted trends, enhancing portfolio returns
Accountant
Precision Accounting Hub – Riverview, FL
June 2017 – July 2019
- Managed accounts, streamlining operations 12%
- Executed reports, improving transparency 30%
- Reconciled discrepancies, enhancing reliability
Skills
- Tax Optimization
- Audit Compliance
- Financial Analysis
- Budget Management
- Data Reporting
- Trend Forecasting
- Expense Reduction
- Cost Efficiency
Education
Master of Business Administration Accounting
MIT Sloan School of Management Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 2017
Bachelor of Science Finance
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona
May 2015
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant – American Institute of CPAs
- Financial Risk Manager – Global Association of Risk Professionals
Languages
- Spanish – Intermediate (B1)
- French – Beginner (A1)
- Mandarin – Beginner (A1)
Advice for Writing Your CPA Resume
Explore tips on how to write a resume tailored for a CPA role. Discover how to highlight your accounting skills and financial expertise in ways that catch the eye of potential employers.
Highlight your most relevant skills
When applying for a CPA position, listing your relevant skills is a key part of your resume. It helps employers understand what you can bring to their company. A dedicated skills section shows both technical skills, like accounting software and financial analysis, as well as interpersonal skills such as teamwork and communication.
This balance makes you stand out because it highlights not only your ability to crunch numbers but also how well you work with others. Integrating these key skills into the work experience section is also important. By doing this, you show how you’ve applied your skills in real-life situations and made a difference at past jobs.
For example, mentioning how you used analytical skills to improve financial reports or your communication skills to explain complex data to clients adds depth to your resume. This approach gives employers a clear picture of how you’ll contribute if hired.
Crafting your resume this way helps ensure that potential employers see the full range of what you have to offer. Remember, it’s not just about listing skills; it’s about showing how those skills have been used effectively in the workplace and can be beneficial in the role you’re applying for.
A resume format that highlights financial achievements, accuracy in reporting, and compliance expertise can help CPAs make a strong impression.
Showcase your accomplishments
When organizing your work experience, start with the most recent job and work backward. Each job entry should include your job title, employer name, location, and employment dates. This helps hiring managers quickly see your career progression.
Quantifying your accomplishments makes your resume stand out more than just listing job duties. Instead of saying you “handled financial reports,” say you “reduced report errors by 20% through improved review processes.”
Use numbers to show percentages, time saved, cost reductions, or efficiency improvements. Strong action verbs, like “achieved,” “implemented,” or “improved,” make your resume more dynamic.
Turning duties into achievements helps hiring managers see the impact of your work. For example, instead of writing that you “managed accounts,” say you “led a team to streamline account management, cutting processing time by 30%.”
Quantified accomplishments let employers quickly assess your skills and contributions. Focus on core duties and measurable results to highlight what you’ve achieved as a CPA.
5 CPA work history bullet points
- Prepared and analyzed financial statements for over 50 clients annually, ensuring compliance with GAAP and reducing reporting errors by 25%
- Conducted in-depth audits for small to mid-sized businesses, identifying $1.2 million in recoverable expenses
- Streamlined tax preparation processes for corporate clients, decreasing turnaround time by 30% during peak seasons
- Advised clients on strategic tax planning initiatives that resulted in $500,000 in annual savings collectively
- Managed accounts payable and receivable for a portfolio of 20+ clients, improving cash flow accuracy by 15%
Choose a clean, simple resume template with clear sections for your details, and steer clear of fancy fonts or too many colors that can make it hard to read.
Write a strong professional summary
A professional summary is a brief section at the top of your resume that introduces you to hiring managers. It helps them quickly understand your experience and skills, making it easier for them to decide if you’re a good fit for the CPA role. You can choose between a summary and an objective based on your career stage.
A professional summary is typically three to four sentences long, highlighting your experience, skills, and achievements. It’s most effective for those with considerable work history, like experienced CPAs, and showcases your professional identity and value to potential employers. It focuses on what you’ve accomplished in past roles.
On the other hand, resume objectives are statements about career goals and are best suited for entry-level candidates, those changing careers, or individuals with employment gaps. Unlike summaries, objectives emphasize what you aim to contribute rather than past successes.
We’ll provide examples of both summaries and objectives tailored for various industries and levels of experience to help illustrate how they can improve your resume effectively. Explore our library of resume examples for additional samples tailored to various career stages.
CPA resume summary examples
Entry-level
Recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from a top-tier university, holding a CPA certification. Strong foundation in financial reporting, auditing, and tax preparation. Proficient in using accounting software such as QuickBooks and Excel. Eager to contribute analytical skills and attention to detail in a dynamic accounting team.
Mid-career
CPA with over five years of experience in public accounting and corporate finance. Expertise in managing audits for diverse industries, including retail and manufacturing. Successfully led the implementation of cost-saving initiatives, resulting in a 15% reduction in expenses. Known for strong problem-solving abilities and delivering comprehensive financial analysis.
Experienced
Seasoned CPA specializing in strategic financial planning and risk management with over 15 years of experience. Proven track record in leading finance teams to achieve organizational goals, driving efficiency improvements that increased profitability by 20%. Expert in mergers and acquisitions, tax strategies, and regulatory compliance. Passionate about mentoring junior accountants to foster professional growth.
CPA resume objective examples
Recent graduate
Detail-oriented and ambitious recent accounting graduate seeking an entry-level CPA position to apply academic knowledge and analytical skills in a fast-paced financial environment. Committed to contributing to the team’s success by delivering accurate financial reports and supporting compliance efforts.
Career changer
Dedicated professional transitioning into accounting, with a background in business administration and strong analytical skills acquired through coursework and practical experience. Eager to leverage these skills in an entry-level CPA role to support financial operations and drive organizational growth.
Specialized training
Aspiring accountant with specialized training in tax preparation and auditing seeking a CPA position at a forward-thinking firm. Passionate about using training in financial analysis to assist clients in optimizing their tax strategies and ensuring adherence to regulations.
Want to make your CPA resume stand out? Use our Resume Builder for easy tips and examples that highlight your skills and experience.
Match your resume to the job description
Tailoring your resume to the job description is essential in today’s competitive job market. Employers often rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords and phrases from their job postings.
By aligning your resume content with the job description, you boost your chances of standing out and making it through these automated filters. An ATS-friendly resume incorporates the right keywords to align your skills with what employers are looking for.
Highlighting the exact terms and phrases from the job ad helps hiring managers quickly see how you fit the role. This approach bridges the gap between automated screening software and human review.
To identify these keywords, carefully analyze the job posting. Pay attention to repeated words or phrases tied to skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. For instance, if you’re applying for a CPA position, emphasize terms like “financial analysis,” “audit preparation,” or “budget management.”
Once you’ve pinpointed these terms, weave them naturally into your resume content. If a listing mentions “perform financial audits,” adapt this by stating you “performed comprehensive financial audits” in past roles. This ensures relevance without sounding forced.
By taking time to customize your resume, you’ll not only improve ATS compatibility but also create a document that resonates with potential employers by highlighting skills that match their expectations directly.
Boost your resume’s success! Our ATS Resume Checker reviews your resume and gives fast feedback to increase your chances with hiring managers.
FAQ
Do I need to include a cover letter with my CPA resume?
Including a cover letter with your CPA resume can help you stand out from other applicants. A cover letter lets you explain your interest in the specific company and role, highlighting relevant experiences that make you a great fit.
Check out our cover letter examples to see how others have effectively communicated their skills. For instance, if the firm specializes in auditing or tax services, mention any related experience or certifications that match their needs.
You might also want to share unique skills or accomplishments, like expertise in specialized accounting software or successful project management strategies. Consider using our Cover Letter Generator to create an impactful cover letter.
How long should a CPA’s resume be?
For a CPA, a one-page resume is usually sufficient, especially if you’re early in your career or have under 10 years of experience. Focus on showcasing your accounting skills, certifications like a CPA license, and any relevant software expertise.
If you have significant experience or specialized knowledge, opting for a two-page resume can work well. Just ensure every detail highlights your strengths as a CPA, such as achievements in financial reporting or audit management.
Check out our guide on how long a resume should be for more examples and tips tailored to your career stage.
How do you write a CPA resume with no experience?
If you’re putting together a CPA resume and have no experience, emphasize your education, skills, and relevant coursework or certifications. Here are a few tips:
- Emphasize your education: Start with your accounting degree details, including the university name, graduation date, and any honors. If you’ve passed any CPA exam sections or are pursuing certification, mention it here.
- Showcase relevant coursework and projects: Highlight accounting courses that align with CPA responsibilities. Include academic projects where you applied accounting principles or used financial software.
- Highlight transferable skills: Focus on skills such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, and skills in Excel or other accounting tools that are important for CPAs.
You can find tips on building a strong entry-level CPA resume by checking out this guide on writing a resume with no experience.
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