CV keywords

Accountant CV keywords: what to include and where

Accounting postings are precise. They name the standard, the software and the close cycle. A filter matches those exact terms, so "finance experience" is weaker than "month-end close in SAP".

Keywords for a Accountant CV

Use a word only if it is true for you. If the posting uses a different spelling, use the posting's.

What is specific to this role

Standards and qualifications depend on the country: IFRS or local GAAP, ACCA, CPA, CIMA or a national licence. Write the ones that apply to you with their full name once, and say "in progress" with the expected date if you have not finished. Never list a licence you do not hold.

Five example bullets

Replace everything in [brackets] with your real facts. If you do not have the number, leave it out instead of guessing.

• Prepared the month-end close for [entity or department], including accruals and bank reconciliations, within [number] working days.
• Processed about [number] supplier invoices a month in SAP and matched them to purchase orders.
• Prepared [monthly or quarterly] VAT returns for [entity] and kept the supporting files ready for review.
• Built an Excel model with pivot tables to track [cost or revenue] by [department or client] for the finance manager.
• Supported the [year] external audit by preparing [schedules or reconciliations] and answering auditor queries.

Where to put them

• Summary: give your qualification status, your main area and your software, for example "Accountant (ACCA part-qualified) in accounts payable and month-end close, using SAP".
• Skills: list the standard and the software separately, and write the version the posting uses, such as "SAP S/4HANA".
• Experience: say which part of the cycle you owned and for what size of business, without inventing figures.
• Certifications: give each qualification its own line with the full name, the body and the year or expected date.

Only the true ones

A keyword you cannot back up will not survive the interview, and the changes CVora proposes only use facts from your own CV. Take the words from this list that describe your work, and leave the rest.

Keywords for other roles

• Data analyst
• Customer service
• Project manager
• Administrative assistant
• Software developer
• Sales representative
• Marketing specialist
• Teacher
• Nurse