Chartered Accountant CV Example
A chartered accountant CV should showcase your fully qualified status, deep technical expertise, and proven track record of delivering strategic financial guidance at a senior level.
Recommended template: ProfessionalPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Lead with your chartered status and the professional body you are affiliated with.
- Highlight strategic contributions such as tax planning savings, successful funding rounds, or M&A advisory work.
- Include industry specialisms to position yourself as an expert in a particular sector.
- Demonstrate business development achievements such as new client wins or expanded service offerings.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Chartered Accountant CV
A chartered accountant CV must demonstrate the depth of expertise and commercial impact that comes with full professional qualification. At this level, employers expect to see not just technical competence but evidence of strategic thinking, leadership, and client or stakeholder management. Your CV should tell a compelling story of career progression from qualification through to increasingly senior responsibilities and measurable contributions to business success.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with a strong, detailed profile at the top. Your chartered status should be immediately visible — either in the profile or a qualifications banner. Each role should include context about the organisation, your team, and the scope of your responsibilities, followed by quantified achievements. Keep the CV to two pages, dedicating the most space to your current or most recent senior role.
CV Format
Select a professional template that conveys seniority and credibility. Conservative colour schemes and clean typography work best. Ensure the layout is well-organised with clear section headings and consistent bullet point formatting. Avoid creative elements that could undermine the professional gravitas expected at chartered level.
CV Profile Examples
Chartered Accountant — Practice
ACA-qualified chartered accountant with twelve years of post-qualification experience in a top-20 practice, specialising in owner-managed businesses and private equity-backed groups. Proven track record in statutory accounts preparation, corporate tax planning, and business advisory services. Managed a client portfolio generating £650,000 in annual fees and consistently achieved high client retention through proactive, commercially focused advice.
Chartered Accountant — Industry
ACCA-qualified chartered accountant with nine years of experience in commercial finance roles across manufacturing and logistics sectors. Skilled in financial strategy, budgeting, and business partnering with operational leadership to drive profitability. Successfully led the finance integration following a £28M acquisition, delivering synergies of £1.5M within the first year.
Chartered Accountant — Financial Services
CIMA-qualified chartered management accountant with ten years of experience in financial services, covering management reporting, regulatory capital calculations, and profitability analysis. Experienced in presenting financial insights to board-level stakeholders and supporting strategic initiatives including product launches and cost transformation programmes. Known for building high-performing finance teams that deliver accurate, timely information.
Your profile should state your chartered status, professional body, years of PQE, and sector specialisms. Include one or two headline achievements — such as portfolio fee income, tax savings delivered, or a significant project led — to immediately convey your calibre.
Key Skills for Your Chartered Accountant CV
Financial Strategy
Developing and implementing financial strategies that support business growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
Corporate Tax Planning
Advising on tax-efficient structures, reliefs, and compliance strategies to minimise liabilities within legislative frameworks.
Statutory Accounts Preparation
Preparing financial statements in compliance with UK GAAP, FRS 102, or IFRS for filing with Companies House.
Business Advisory
Providing strategic guidance to business owners and directors on financial performance, growth planning, and risk management.
IFRS / FRS 102
Applying international and UK accounting standards to ensure accurate financial reporting and disclosure.
Due Diligence
Conducting financial, tax, and commercial due diligence to support mergers, acquisitions, and investment decisions.
Client Relationship Management
Building and maintaining trusted advisor relationships with clients at director and board level.
ACA / ACCA / CIMA Qualified
Holding a fully qualified chartered accountancy designation recognised across practice and industry.
Team Leadership
Managing and developing finance professionals, fostering technical growth and supporting career progression.
Work Experience Examples
Focus on roles that demonstrate strategic impact and leadership. For each position, describe the organisation, your scope, and team size before listing responsibilities and achievements. Quantify everything — fee income, tax savings, budgets managed, team sizes, and project outcomes. Show progression from technical delivery to advisory and leadership responsibilities.
Senior Manager
Crowe UK LLP
Managed a portfolio of 40 owner-managed and group clients, leading a team of six across audit, accounts, and tax advisory engagements.
Responsibilities
- Prepared statutory accounts under FRS 102 and IFRS for limited companies, LLPs, and group consolidations with turnover up to £90M.
- Delivered corporate tax planning strategies including R&D tax relief claims, capital allowances, and group loss relief optimisation.
- Conducted financial due diligence on acquisition targets, preparing reports for private equity investors and corporate buyers.
- Managed client relationships at director and board level, providing year-round advisory support beyond compliance work.
- Recruited, trained, and performance-managed a team of six, supporting two through to ACA qualification.
Achievements
- Generated £180,000 in new fee income through business development activities including networking events and client referrals.
- Delivered cumulative tax savings of £2.1M across the portfolio through proactive restructuring and reliefs advisory.
- Won the firm's Client Service Excellence award for achieving the highest client satisfaction scores in the regional office.
Financial Controller
Ashworth Logistics Group
Oversaw all financial reporting and control for a £55M turnover logistics group operating across eight UK depots.
Responsibilities
- Managed the month-end close, producing consolidated management accounts within five working days.
- Prepared annual statutory accounts and liaised with external auditors to ensure a clean audit opinion.
- Developed rolling forecasts and annual budgets in collaboration with operational directors.
- Implemented a new ERP system, leading requirements gathering, data migration, and post-go-live support.
Achievements
- Reduced external audit fees by £35,000 annually by improving the quality of year-end working papers and audit readiness.
- Identified and recovered £220,000 in overpaid fuel duty through a detailed retrospective analysis of rebate entitlements.
Education & Qualifications
Lead with your chartered qualification, stating the professional body and year qualified. Follow with your degree, noting the institution and classification. Include any post-qualification courses such as IFRS updates, leadership programmes, or specialist sector training.
ACA (ICAEW)
Chartered accountant qualification from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
ACCA
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, providing a globally recognised route to chartered status.
CIMA
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, specialising in management accounting and business strategy.
CTA (Chartered Tax Adviser)
Specialist tax qualification demonstrating advanced expertise in UK tax legislation and planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Should I include business development on my chartered accountant CV?
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