Bookkeeper CV Example, A Guide with Key Tips

Key Sections to Include in CV

A successful bookkeeper CV will showcase both your skills and your relevant bookkeeping experience. The structure and layout of your CV depends on your level of experience. Most CVs for bookkeeping applications need to include the following sections:

Header

In your header, add your full name, address, phone number and email address. You may also wish to include a headline or title, to set the tone for the document. This could be ‘Professional bookkeeper’, ‘Qualified, experience bookkeeper’, or anything that describes you as a candidate. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you could include it here, though make sure it’s up-to-date and doesn’t contradict any details in your CV. Avoid adding a photo or any personal demographic information, such as your age or gender. These can create unintentional bias in the recruitment process.

CV objective or summary

A CV objective is a great way to make a positive first impression and encourage recruiters and hiring managers to read on. It’s a summary of your skills, experience and ambitions, and gives you the chance to highlight specific things you’d like employers to take note of. Adapt your CV objective according to the job description, and make sure it reflects the type of candidate the employer is seeking.

Take a look at this example bookkeeper CV objective:

An accomplished bookkeeper with five years’ experience managing financial transactions for a large travel firm. Capable of managing invoicing, payroll processing, VAT returns and financial statements, with an eye for detail and strong Excel skills. Seeking new bookkeeping opportunities with the chance to train for accountancy qualifications.

Work experience

If you’re an experience bookkeeper, the next section of your CV is likely to be your work history. If you don’t have very much experience, you might prefer to place this section below your education and skills.

Start with your most recent job and work backwards, listing your job title, the company name, its location and the dates you worked there. Under each entry, add some bullet points listing your responsibilities and achievements in the role. Refer to the job description for an indication of the experience and skills the employer is looking for.

Here’s an example work experience section for a bookkeeping professional:

Bookkeeper, Anderson’s Frozen Foods, Harrogate, September 2019 – Present

• Managing invoicing and receipts for a market-leading producer of frozen vegetables with an annual budget of £12m
• Processing payroll payments to a team of 50 permanent and temporary employees
• Producing financial reports to comply with HMRC regulations
• Recording financial transactions using Excel and accounting software, ensuring 100% compliance with financial audits

Education

In your education section, list your highest qualifications or anything relevant to bookkeeping roles. Bookkeeping roles don’t usually need a specific qualification, but if you have one, it can increase your chances of success. GCSEs or A-levels may be the minimum educational requirement for the role. A-levels in maths, economics or business studies can be particularly useful. A certificate in bookkeeping at either Level 1, 2 or 3 could also help your prospects.

For each entry in this section, list the name and level of the award, the institution and the dates you studied there. If you have space, you could also add some bullet points under each entry listing any awards you won, societies you were a member of or minor subjects you studied.

Here’s an example education section for bookkeeping CVs:

• AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping, Kaplan Training, London, 2019
• A-levels in Maths (B), Business Studies (B) and Economics (C), Tiffin School, Kingston, September 2017 – July 2019

Skills

In this section, list any skills relevant to the role youre applying for. For bookkeeping jobs, this might include record keeping, financial analysis, Microsoft Excel, accounting software, administrative skills and knowledge of financial regulations. You may also wish to list soft skills, such as attention to detail, teamwork, communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.

You can list your skills in one section or divide it into hard and soft skills, depending on the space you have available. Consult the job description for a list of essential and desired skills, and make sure you only list skills relevant to the role.

Your bookkeeping skills section could look something like this:

Hard skills:

• Certified bookkeeper
• Invoicing and receipts
• Balance sheets
• Financial reporting
• Microsoft Excel

Soft skills:

• Attention to detail
• Time management
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Ability to work under pressure

Optional sections

There are several optional sections you might consider adding, to enhance your chances of success. These can be particularly useful if you’re short of real-world work experience. You could add certifications or training courses, any languages you speak, hobbies or volunteer work. Only add these if they help to prove you’re a suitable candidate for the job.

Tips for Writing the Role-Specific CV

These tips can help improve your chances of success in bookkeeping job applications:

Use a reverse-chronological format

The reverse-chronological format lists your current or most recent employment and education first, followed by each previous entry in reverse order. This helps to highlight your most recent and most relevant achievements. 

Tailor your CV

Adapting your CV for each job application may sound time-consuming, but it can make the difference between an engaging CV that answers the job advert, and a generic one that lacks relevance. Spend some time reviewing the job description and identifying keywords, skills and experience that you can mention in your CV.

Quantify your achievements

Add extra weight to your CV by backing up your previous duties and responsibilities with evidence of your impact. This could mean including figures that show the size of the budget you managed, the number of financial transactions you handled, or results from audits that show the reliability of your work.

Keep your CV concise

Use simple language, avoiding industry jargon or over-elaborate words and phrases. Keep your document concise. An ideal CV length is either one or two sides of A4, depending on your experience.

Write a great cover letter

While your CV or resume is a brief summary of your skills and work history, your cover letter provides more space to highlight your achievements and explain why you’re suitable for the role. Take a look at our bookkeeper cover letter example for inspiration.

Use an eye-catching CV design

Your CV layout and design can make the difference between a hiring manager noticing you and your application fading into a sea of similar-looking CVs. Subtle use of colour, heading, fonts and columns can turn your CV into an attractive, easy-to-read document that makes an impression with employers. Jobseeker’s CV examples can help inspire you to create an eye-catching CV.

Key Takeaways for a Successful Bookkeeper CV

A successful bookkeeping CV showcases your skills and experience in a concise, well-structured and well-presented document. Focus on the job description, and make sure your CV confirms you’re capable of carrying out the duties and responsibilities listed. Keep your CV concise (two pages at the most), and support your application with a strong cover letter. Presentation can really make a difference to your chances of success, so use Jobseeker’s CV templates and cover letter templates to create a beautiful CV that’s a pleasure to read. Sign up today to create your winning bookkeeping CV in minutes.