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Part Qualified ACCA Accountant CV Example

A part qualified ACCA accountant CV should showcase your exam progress, practical experience gained to date, and commitment to completing your professional qualification.

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Key Skills to Include

ACCA Papers PassedFinancial AccountingManagement AccountingTax ComputationAudit & AssuranceFinancial ReportingExcel ProficiencyStudy & Time Management

Quick Tips

  • Clearly state the number of ACCA papers passed and your expected qualification date.
  • Highlight relevant work experience that complements your exam progress.
  • Demonstrate how you balance working and studying, showcasing strong time management skills.
  • Include any exemptions gained and the basis for them, such as a relevant degree.

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How to Write Your Part Qualified ACCA Accountant CV

A part-qualified ACCA accountant CV should clearly communicate your exam progress, practical experience, and commitment to completing your qualification. Employers hiring part-qualified candidates want to see that you are progressing steadily through your exams while developing relevant practical skills. Your CV should demonstrate that you can balance study with work, apply your learning in practice, and contribute meaningfully to the team while continuing your professional development.

CV Structure

Lead with a profile that states your ACCA progress, expected qualification date, and current role. Place your ACCA exam progress prominently — either in the profile or a dedicated qualifications section near the top. Use reverse-chronological work experience to show how your responsibilities have grown alongside your exam progress. Keep the CV to one or two pages depending on experience.

CV Format

Use a professional template that presents your information clearly. Ensure your ACCA progress is immediately visible — this is the first thing employers will look for. Use consistent formatting and avoid cluttering the page with unnecessary details. Submit as a PDF to maintain your formatting across different systems.

CV Profile Examples

Part Qualified ACCA — Practice

ACCA part-qualified accountant with nine papers passed and two years of experience in a medium-sized practice, covering accounts preparation, audit assistance, and personal tax returns. Gained five exemptions from the Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills levels through a BSc in Accounting and Finance. On track to complete the Strategic Professional level by December and eager to broaden technical exposure ahead of qualification.

Part Qualified ACCA — Industry

Part-qualified ACCA accountant with seven papers passed and three years of experience in a commercial finance team within the hospitality sector. Responsible for month-end reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, and assisting with the annual budget process. Effectively balances a full-time finance role with ACCA studies, consistently passing exams at first attempt while delivering accurate work to tight deadlines.

Part Qualified ACCA — Aspiring Auditor

Driven ACCA part-qualified professional with eleven papers passed, currently completing the Strategic Business Leader and Strategic Business Reporting modules. Gained two years of external audit experience across SME and owner-managed business clients, developing skills in financial statement analysis, risk assessment, and audit documentation. Aims to qualify within six months and transition into an audit senior position.

State the number of papers passed, your current level, expected qualification date, and any exemptions. Mention your practical experience and the types of work you are involved in. Keep it to three sentences that clearly position you as a progressing professional.

Key Skills for Your Part Qualified ACCA Accountant CV

ACCA Papers Passed

Demonstrating progressive achievement through the ACCA qualification framework across knowledge, skills, and strategic levels.

Financial Accounting

Preparing financial statements and understanding the double-entry framework that underpins accurate financial reporting.

Management Accounting

Supporting budgeting, costing, and performance reporting processes that inform management decision-making.

Tax Computation

Calculating corporation tax, personal tax, and VAT liabilities in compliance with current UK tax legislation.

Audit & Assurance

Assisting with audit planning, fieldwork, and documentation in accordance with auditing standards.

Financial Reporting

Applying FRS 102, FRS 105, and IFRS standards when preparing accounts for different types of entities.

Excel Proficiency

Using pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and financial functions to analyse data and produce accurate working papers.

Study & Time Management

Effectively balancing professional exam preparation with full-time work responsibilities and deadlines.

Client Communication

Engaging with clients and colleagues professionally to gather information and explain financial matters clearly.

Work Experience Examples

Show how your role has developed as you have progressed through your exams. Highlight responsibilities that align with your ACCA studies — accounts preparation, audit work, tax computations — and demonstrate that you are applying your learning in practice. Include achievements that show initiative and impact alongside your study commitment.

Semi-Senior Accountant

Greenfield & Hurst Chartered Accountants

Prepared accounts and tax returns for a portfolio of 35 SME clients while studying towards the ACCA Strategic Professional level.

Responsibilities

  • Prepared year-end statutory accounts under FRS 102 and FRS 105 for limited companies and sole traders.
  • Calculated corporation tax liabilities, identifying available reliefs including capital allowances and annual investment allowance.
  • Assisted audit seniors with planning and fieldwork on statutory audit engagements for mid-market clients.
  • Reviewed bookkeeping records and bank reconciliations prepared by junior staff, providing feedback and corrections.
  • Liaised with clients to gather information, resolve queries, and explain financial statements in accessible language.

Achievements

  • Passed all ACCA Applied Skills papers at first attempt while managing a full client portfolio during busy season.
  • Identified an R&D tax relief opportunity worth £42,000 for a software development client that had not previously claimed.
  • Reduced the average turnaround time for accounts preparation by two weeks through better workflow planning and client information requests.

Finance Assistant

Meridian Healthcare Group

Provided transactional and reporting support within the finance team of a £30M turnover healthcare services provider.

Responsibilities

  • Processed purchase invoices, expense claims, and credit card statements, coding to correct cost centres in Sage 200.
  • Prepared monthly bank reconciliations for four company accounts and investigated outstanding items.
  • Assisted the management accountant with month-end accruals, prepayments, and journal entries.
  • Ran weekly aged debtor and creditor reports and supported the credit control function with follow-up calls.

Achievements

  • Gained ACCA Applied Knowledge exemptions and passed the first three Applied Skills exams within the first year of employment.
  • Implemented a purchase order matching system that reduced invoice processing errors by 25%.

Education & Qualifications

List your ACCA progress first, stating papers passed by level and any exemptions gained. Include your degree and the basis for any exemptions. Mention A-levels if you are early in your career. State your expected qualification date clearly.

ACCA (Part-Qualified)

Progress towards the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification, demonstrating commitment to professional development.

BSc Accounting & Finance

Undergraduate degree that may provide exemptions from early ACCA papers and demonstrates academic capability.

AAT (if applicable)

Prior accounting technician qualification that may have provided a foundation for ACCA studies.

Excel Skills Certificate

Formal recognition of spreadsheet proficiency that supports financial analysis and reporting tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I present my ACCA progress on my CV?
State the number of papers passed, your current level within the ACCA framework, and your expected qualification date. If you have exemptions, mention how many and the basis for them. Consider creating a brief table or list showing papers passed by level to give employers a quick overview of your progress.
Should I mention first-time pass rates on my ACCA CV?
Yes, if you have a strong first-time pass record. Passing exams at first attempt demonstrates both technical ability and effective study habits. If you have achieved high marks or prizes, include these as they differentiate you from other part-qualified candidates. Even a consistent first-time pass record without exceptional marks is worth highlighting.
How do I balance work and study on a part-qualified accountant CV?
Demonstrate your time management by showing progression in both your exams and your work responsibilities. Employers understand the challenge of balancing study with work and value candidates who manage both effectively. Mention any study support from your employer and how you organised your time to meet both professional and academic commitments.
Is it better to qualify in practice or industry as an ACCA student?
Both routes have merit, and your CV should reflect the strengths of your chosen path. Practice provides breadth of experience across multiple clients, while industry offers deeper commercial exposure. Position your experience positively regardless of your route and focus on the skills and knowledge you have gained that are relevant to the role you are applying for.

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