Building a Winning CV for ACCA Students in 2025

PFC Education
Nov 26, 2025
3 min read

Landing a great job after completing ACCA studies depends heavily on how well you present yourself on paper. A strong CV can open doors to interviews and opportunities that match your skills and ambitions. In 2025, the job market for ACCA students is competitive, but with the right approach, you can create a CV that stands out and highlights your value to employers.

Understand What Employers Look For

Employers hiring ACCA students want more than just exam success. They seek candidates who demonstrate practical skills, professionalism, and a clear understanding of the finance and accounting world. Your CV should reflect:

Technical knowledge: Your grasp of accounting principles, financial management, and auditing.
Work experience: Internships, part-time roles, or volunteer work related to finance.
Soft skills: Communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Professional development: Any additional courses, workshops, or certifications.

Knowing this helps you tailor your CV to highlight the qualities that matter most.

Structure Your CV Clearly

A well-organized CV makes it easy for recruiters to find key information quickly. Use clear headings and keep sections concise. A typical structure includes:

Contact Information: Full name, phone number, email, LinkedIn profile.
Professional Summary: A brief statement summarizing your background and career goals.
Education: List your ACCA qualification progress, including passed exams and expected completion date.
Work Experience: Detail relevant roles with bullet points focusing on achievements and responsibilities.
Skills: Highlight both technical and soft skills.
Additional Information: Languages, IT skills, or extracurricular activities related to finance.

Keep your CV to one or two pages, focusing on quality over quantity.

Write a Strong Professional Summary

The professional summary is your elevator pitch. It should quickly tell employers who you are and what you bring to the table. For example:

"ACCA student with three passed exams and six months of internship experience in financial reporting. Skilled in data analysis and committed to continuous learning. Seeking a junior accountant role to apply my knowledge and grow professionally."

This summary shows confidence and direction without being too long.

Highlight Relevant Experience with Impact

Even if you have limited work experience, focus on what you achieved and learned. Use action verbs and quantify results when possible. For example:

Assisted in preparing monthly financial statements, reducing report errors by 15%.
Supported audit teams in reviewing client accounts, ensuring compliance with regulations.
Managed data entry tasks with 99% accuracy during internship.

If you lack formal experience, include projects or volunteer work that demonstrate your skills.

Showcase Your ACCA Progress Clearly

Employers want to see your commitment to completing the ACCA qualification. List the exams you have passed and your expected completion timeline. For example:

| ACCA Exams Passed | Expected Completion |

|-------------------|---------------------|

| F1-F3 | December 2025 |

This table format makes it easy to scan and shows your progress transparently.

Emphasize Soft Skills and Professionalism

Accounting roles require more than technical knowledge. Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are essential. Provide examples that show these skills, such as:

Collaborated with a team of four during an internship to streamline invoice processing.
Presented financial findings to supervisors, improving understanding of budget variances.
Adapted quickly to new accounting software during a short-term project.

These details help employers see you as a well-rounded candidate.

Include Relevant Certifications and Training

If you have completed any additional courses, such as Excel for finance, data analytics, or ethics workshops, list them. These show your willingness to learn beyond the ACCA syllabus and can give you an edge.

Use Keywords from Job Descriptions

Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen CVs. To pass these systems, include keywords from the job description. For example, if a job asks for "financial analysis" or "budget management," make sure these phrases appear naturally in your CV.

Proofread and Format Professionally

Errors and poor formatting can ruin a good CV. Check spelling and grammar carefully. Use a clean font like Arial or Calibri, and keep font size between 10 and 12 points. Use bullet points for readability and avoid large blocks of text.

Tailor Your CV for Each Application

Avoid sending the same CV to every employer. Adjust your professional summary, skills, and experience to match the specific job. This shows you understand the role and are genuinely interested.

Prepare a Strong Cover Letter

While not part of the CV, a cover letter complements it by explaining why you want the job and how you fit the company. Use it to tell your story and connect your ACCA studies to the employer’s needs.

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