Accounting Intern CV Example
For accounting students and graduates seeking internship positions in finance departments or accounting firms. Demonstrates your academic foundations, attention to detail, and eagerness to gain practical experience.
Recommended template: ProfessionalPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, and any accounting software you have studied or used.
- Include any part-time work or volunteering that demonstrates numerical accuracy and responsibility.
- Mention your degree classification or predicted grade if it is strong, along with relevant modules.
- Express your motivation for entering the accounting profession and any AAT or ACCA progress.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Accounting Intern CV
An accounting intern CV must demonstrate your academic foundations, numerical aptitude, and enthusiasm for starting a career in accounting. Employers understand that interns have limited professional experience, so they are looking for evidence of relevant coursework, transferable skills, and a genuine motivation to enter the profession. Your CV should show that you are organised, detail-oriented, and ready to learn in a professional environment.
CV Structure
Use a clean format that leads with your education, followed by any work experience, skills, and extracurricular activities. Place your degree and relevant modules prominently, as academic credentials are the primary measure of your suitability at this stage. If you have internship or placement experience, describe it in detail. Keep your CV to one page if possible, or two pages at most.
CV Format
Choose a fresh, modern template that looks professional without being overly corporate. Accounting internship CVs benefit from a clean layout with clear sections and plenty of white space. Use a readable font and consistent formatting throughout. Save as a PDF to maintain your layout across different devices.
CV Profile Examples
Accounting Student
Second-year accounting and finance student at the University of Birmingham with a predicted 2:1 degree classification and strong academic performance in financial reporting and management accounting modules. Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Sage 50 through university-led workshops. Seeking a summer internship to gain practical experience in accounts preparation and bookkeeping within a professional accountancy practice.
Graduate Seeking Internship
Recent accounting graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University with a 2:1 BSc in Accounting and Finance. Completed a university module in audit and assurance and achieved distinction-level marks in financial accounting. Experienced in data entry and invoice processing through a part-time administrative role alongside studies. Eager to apply academic knowledge in a professional environment while working towards AAT or ACCA qualifications.
Career-Change Intern
Motivated career changer with two years of administrative experience in the retail sector, currently studying towards AAT Level 2 in Bookkeeping. Accurate and detail-oriented with strong Excel skills developed through daily use in stock management and sales reporting. Seeking an accounting internship to transition into the finance profession and build practical experience alongside continued professional study.
State your degree subject and institution, your predicted or achieved classification, and the type of internship you are seeking. Mention any relevant modules, software skills, or professional qualification progress. Express your motivation for the accounting profession in one concise sentence.
Key Skills for Your Accounting Intern CV
Bookkeeping Basics
Understanding of double-entry bookkeeping, ledger management, and the preparation of trial balances from academic study and practical placement experience.
Microsoft Excel
Proficiency in spreadsheet functions including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and conditional formatting for financial data analysis and reporting.
Financial Reporting
Knowledge of profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports gained through university modules and practical accounting work.
Data Entry Accuracy
Maintaining high levels of accuracy when inputting financial data, processing invoices, and reconciling transactions.
Accounts Payable & Receivable
Understanding of purchase and sales ledger processes, invoice processing, and payment reconciliation procedures.
Academic Research
Conducting research for academic assignments and projects, demonstrating analytical thinking and the ability to synthesise information.
Numerical Analysis
Applying mathematical and statistical skills to analyse financial data and identify patterns, discrepancies, and trends.
Time Management
Balancing academic commitments with part-time work and extracurricular activities, meeting deadlines consistently.
Work Experience Examples
If you have accounting placement experience, describe it in detail with responsibilities and achievements. For part-time or unrelated roles, focus on transferable skills such as numerical accuracy, customer service, and time management. Quantify where possible with transaction volumes, accuracy rates, or specific contributions that demonstrate your capability.
Accounts Intern (Summer Placement)
Hargreaves & Co Chartered Accountants
Completed a 10-week summer internship supporting the accounts preparation team at a small practice serving 200 SME and sole trader clients.
Responsibilities
- Assisted with the preparation of year-end accounts for sole traders and limited companies using Sage and QuickBooks.
- Processed purchase and sales invoices, reconciled bank statements, and maintained accurate bookkeeping records for client accounts.
- Prepared basic VAT calculations and assisted with quarterly VAT return submissions.
- Filed client documentation, scanned receipts, and maintained organised digital records in the practice management system.
Achievements
- Processed over 1,500 transactions during the ten-week placement with a 99% accuracy rate verified by the supervising accountant.
- Received an offer to return for a subsequent placement based on performance and positive client feedback on the quality of work produced.
Retail Sales Assistant (Part-Time)
Waterstones — Birmingham New Street
Worked part-time alongside university studies, providing customer service and handling cash transactions in a busy city-centre bookshop.
Responsibilities
- Operated the till and processed card and cash payments, reconciling the till drawer at the end of each shift.
- Assisted with stock management including deliveries, inventory counts, and stock room organisation.
- Provided friendly and knowledgeable customer service, assisting with product queries and recommendations.
- Maintained a clean and organised sales floor, following visual merchandising guidelines.
Achievements
- Maintained a zero till discrepancy record across 18 months of part-time employment, demonstrating strong numerical accuracy.
- Recognised by the store manager for excellent customer service during the busy Christmas trading period.
Education & Qualifications
List your degree first, including your institution, dates, and classification. Highlight relevant modules such as financial accounting, management accounting, audit, and taxation. Include A-Level and GCSE results, particularly in mathematics and English. Note any AAT, ACCA, or other professional qualification progress.
BSc Accounting and Finance
An undergraduate degree providing the academic foundations for a career in accounting, covering financial reporting, management accounting, and taxation.
AAT Level 2 Foundation
The introductory level of the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification, covering basic bookkeeping and accounting principles.
ACCA Applied Knowledge
The first level of the ACCA qualification pathway, covering accountant in business, management accounting, and financial accounting.
Microsoft Excel Certification
Certification in Microsoft Excel demonstrating proficiency in spreadsheet functions, data analysis, and financial modelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What skills should I highlight for an accounting internship?
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