Certified Public Accountant Resume Examples & Writing Guideline 2024

Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) are an invaluable part of the accounting profession and are in high demand, with an estimated 75% of the CPA workforce retiring as of 2020.

Yet the need for qualified CPAs means that having a strong and presentable resume is of the utmost importance. With hundreds of applicants for each job, finding a way to differentiate yourself from the competition is essential for landing that ideal CPA job.

Whether you are a recent accounting graduate studying for your CPA exam or looking to apply for a successful CPA position, you will need to write up a professional CPA resume to develop your accounting career further.

What’s the Difference Between an Accountant and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?

A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a regular accountant may have some overlapping skills and responsibilities, but there are significant differences between the two.

An accountant is a professional who manages and analyzes financial records, prepares reports, and ensures compliance with relevant laws and regulations. 

A CPA, on the other hand, is a certified professional who has passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and met additional state-specific education and experience requirements. CPAs can offer a wider range of services than regular accountants, such as auditing, tax preparation, forensic accounting, financial planning, and consulting.

Moreover, CPAs have legal authority to represent clients before the IRS and other regulatory bodies and they are bound by a strict code of professional ethics enforced by state boards of accountancy. These standards ensure that CPAs maintain high levels of integrity, objectivity, and professionalism in their work.

How to Write a Winning CPA Resume

Resume Header

Make sure to add your full details at the beginning of your resume, aka your resume header, so that hiring managers can quickly grasp your basic information including how to contact you.

1. Full name. If you have a hard-to-pronounce name, consider including your English name or a phonetic spelling in brackets.
2. Professional title. Make sure to align this title with the one you're applying for.
3. Email address. While using an email address you have since college is okay, make sure that it looks (or sounds) professional.
4. Phone number. If you cannot be reached via phone number, remember to mention your preferred contact method in your cover letter.
5. Location information. This information can opt-out if you're applying for remote work, or you can mention the country instead of the city you're in.

Resume Headline 

A resume headline for a CPA position needs to briefly highlight your work experience and important information, ideally should be in one or two sentences.

To get hiring staff's attention, t is recommended to tailor your resume headline according to the accounting job to which you are applying and to make it as succinct as possible.

Here are 3 CPA resume headline examples:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Resume Headline Example  #1

CPA-Certified Accountant Ready to Excel in Auditing and Tax Preparation

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Resume Headline Example  #2

Seasoned CPA with 5 Years of Tax Expertise in Financial Analysis for Small and Mid-size Companies 

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Resume Headline Example  #3

Attentive and Diligent CPA | 5 Years of Accounting Firm Excellence | Specialization in Auditing & Forensic Accounting

Career Objectives

A good resume objective can highlight your career goals and allows recruiters to understand your ambitions and qualifications. This section doesn't need to be long, you can mention your career goals, your characteristics (detail-oriented, team player), relevant experience and any noteworthy achievements. 

Resume objectives help capture the recruiter’s attention and might make your application more memorable and impressionable. 

Here are some examples of CPA resume objectives:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Career Objective Example: #1

Objective: Detail-oriented Staff Accountant with 2 years of hands-on accounting experience while finishing my CPA certification this year. Eager to apply newly acquired skills in taxation and auditing to contribute to a dynamic firm's success. Seeking a challenging role where I can deliver exceptional results in tax preparation and auditing.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Career Objective Example: #2

I’m a well-rounded CPA with 4 years of diverse accounting experience looking to transition into financial planning. I have a solid background in accounting principles, taxation, and audit procedures and I’m eager to help clients achieve their financial goals. I’m looking to leverage my analytical skills and strategic thinking to provide comprehensive financial planning services for individuals or organizations.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Career Objective Example: #3

Dynamic and seasoned CPA with 8 years of extensive experience in accounting, including forensic accounting for large firms. Eager to transition into a consulting role where I can utilize my deep understanding of financial analysis, risk assessment, and investigative skills to provide strategic guidance and innovative solutions for clients. 

Work Experience

The most important part of building your CPA resume will be the work experience section.

This section provides employers with valuable insights into the candidate's practical skills, achievements, and level of responsibility held in previous roles. By showcasing specific accomplishments, such as successful audits, tax planning strategies, or financial analysis projects, the work experience section substantiates the CPA's proficiency in key areas of accounting practice.

Additionally, it offers context for understanding the candidate's career progression, highlighting advancements in roles and responsibilities over time. A robust work experience section not only validates the CPA's technical proficiency but also underscores their ability to thrive in diverse work environments, collaborate effectively with teams, and deliver results that drive organizational success.

Here are some examples of a well-written CPA work experience section:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Experience Section - Example #1

Tax Accountant | XYZ Accounting Firm
June 2021 to Present

• Prepared and reviewed individual, corporate, and partnership tax returns in compliance with federal and state tax laws and regulations
• Conducted tax research to identify tax savings, analyze tax implications of business transactions, and ensure tax compliance for clients
• Assisted clients with tax planning strategies, including optimizing deductions, credits, and incentives to minimize tax liabilities and maximize refunds

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Experience Section - Example #2

Junior Auditor | ABC Audit Firm

January 2020 to April 2024

• Conducted financial audits of client organizations in accordance with auditing standards, identifying risks, assessing internal controls, and testing transactions
• Prepared audit documentation, including workpapers, testing procedures, and audit findings
• Assisted in drafting audit reports, communicating findings to clients, and providing recommendations for operational efficiency
• Collaborated with audit teams to complete audit engagements within established timelines

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Experience Section - Example #3

Public Accountant | XYZ Financial Partners

February 2018 to Present

• Led audit engagements for a diverse clientele, ensuring compliance with auditing standards and regulatory requirements
• Provided expert tax advice and preparation services for individual, corporate, and partnership clients, optimizing tax efficiency and minimizing liabilities
• Developed and maintained strong client relationships, delivering personalized and responsive accounting services to meet client needs
• Supervised and mentored junior staff, providing training, guidance, and feedback

Relevant Skills to Include on Your Resume

The skill section on a CPA resume plays a critical role, showing potential employers whether you're a correct match for the position. 

Don’t just mention specific accounting software or auditing skills, be sure to highlight some soft skills as well. While you should have a separate skills section on your resume, you should also make sure to mention them in your work experience section. 

Here are some common skills for your resume:

Education

The education section on your resume should include all of the qualifications gained to this point in your career. A relevant degree will be required for your resume.

Moreover, listing relevant coursework or academic achievements can showcase areas of expertise that may be applicable to the job application. You may also include your CPA designation in this section. Yet, if you have more than one certification, list them in a separate section.

Here’s an example of how to write an education section on your CPA resume:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume - Education Example

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

New York Univeristy, 2016-2020

• Completed coursework in accounting principles, financial reporting, taxation, auditing, and business law
• GPA: 3.8

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

New York, 2024

• Successfully passed all four sections of the CPA exam
• NY CPA License Number: XXXXXX

Certification

Attaining your CPA designation is no small feat. And while additional certifications are not a requirement for a CPA resume, it is definitely an advantage to make yourself a more competitive candidate or to branch out into specialized areas of accounting.

If you have numerous certifications then list them here, otherwise you can include your CPA certification within your education section.

Here are some examples of additional certifications to include in a CPA resume:

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
• CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)
• CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)
• CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor)
• EA (Enrolled Agent)
• CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)
• ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation)
• CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics)
• PFS (Personal Financial Specialist)

3 Tips for Writing a CPA Resume That Wins the Attention of a Hiring Manager

1) Start with the Right Resume Format

Be aware of the three different resume formats and choose the one that suits your needs:

• Chronological resume or reverse chronological resume
• Functional resume
• Combination resume

Each type of resume is suitable to each type of job seeker; for example, if you're a fresh grad or career changer, a functional resume might be helpful, and if you're a job seeker with extensive work experience, choosing the traditional chronological resume might be a good idea.

📚 Further reading: What Is a Resume: Resume Formats, Resume Elements, Resume Writing Tips

2) Use Keywords from the Job Description

A lot of companies use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to streamline their recruitment process by scanning and detecting suitable resumes for open positions. ATS scans for keywords, specific skills, and experience that are marked as important to the job. The key to passing these ATS resume screening rounds is to mention keywords in the job listing, you don't need to include exactly same as the job description, but to pick out important keywords and mention them, sometimes more than one.

Consider the following steps when incorporating keywords:

Step 1: Read the job description

This is a standard job description, let's read and analyze it:

“Seeking a detail-oriented Management Accountant responsible for providing strategic financial analysis, budgeting, and performance evaluation to support decision-making within our organization.”

Step 2: Analyze the keywords mentioned

You can identify some important keywords in the abovementioned paragraph, such as "detail-oriented, strategic financial analysis, budgeting, performance evaluation."

Step 3: Craft your sentences using the keywords

After understanding the job description and identifying essential keywords to include in your resume, here's an example of what your resume will look like:

• Conducted detailed and strategic financial analysis to identify key trends, opportunities, and areas for improvement
• Led budgeting processes, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop accurate forecasts and financial plans
• Implemented robust performance evaluation frameworks to assess financial performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions

By incorporating these specific keywords into your resume, you can increase the likelihood of your application successfully passing the ATS filters.

3) Quantify Descriptions Where Possible

Using data and numbers within your CPA resume is essential as it adds tangible evidence of your abilities and competence within the accounting field. 

By quantifying accomplishments with specific numbers, percentages, or dollar amounts, candidates provide concrete evidence of their impact, which can significantly enhance their credibility and effectiveness in the eyes of potential employers. 

Quantified descriptions such as “a 5% increase in cost savings,” or “3-fold revenue generation,” highlight your ability to produce measurable results and drive positive outcomes. 

Here’s a list of examples where you can potentially quantify results and use data to impress employers:

• Financial Results
• Audit Engagements
• Tax Preparation
• Client Relationships
• Project Management
• Training and Development
• Process Improvement
• Regulatory Compliance
• Financial Analysis
• Leadership and Team Management

3 CPA Resume Examples

Junior-level CPA's Resume Example

Mid-level CPA's Resume Example

Senior-level CPA's Resume Example

Conclusion

Putting together a strong resume may seem challenging but is quite straightforward. 

A good CPA resume should always be well-organized and highlight your professionalism. Follow the tips above for each section of your resume and make sure you include some appropriate skills and keywords that will stand out to employers and help you land the right accounting job for you. 

If you're looking for more career advice, follow Cake for more insightful tips.