Bookkeeper CV

Bookkeepers keep a business's financial records accurate and up to date. In a small business you might handle everything: purchase and sales ledgers, bank reconciliations, VAT returns, payroll and preparing records for the accountant. In a practice you might do the same for several clients. Your CV should show the range of tasks you cover, the systems you use and how reliably you keep the books.

What employers look for

• End-to-end bookkeeping. Sales and purchase ledgers, bank and credit card reconciliations, through to trial balance.
• VAT. Preparing and submitting VAT returns under Making Tax Digital.
• Payroll. Many bookkeeping roles include running a small payroll, RTI submissions and pensions.
• Cloud software. Xero, QuickBooks and Sage are the most common, often with apps such as Dext or Hubdoc.
• Independence. Working with little supervision, often as the only finance person.
• Qualifications. AAT, ICB (Institute of Certified Bookkeepers) or IAB qualifications are valued. Xero and QuickBooks certifications help too.

Keywords from bookkeeper adverts

• Bookkeeping, full bookkeeping to trial balance
• Purchase ledger, sales ledger, nominal ledger
• Bank reconciliations, credit card reconciliations
• VAT returns, Making Tax Digital, CIS (construction)
• Payroll, RTI, auto-enrolment pensions
• Month-end, year-end preparation, accountant liaison
• Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, Dext, Hubdoc, FreeAgent
• Multiple clients, deadlines, accuracy
• AAT, ICB, IAB

A typical advert, decoded

A paraphrased example of what bookkeeper adverts usually say, and what each line is really asking for.

The advert says	What it really means
"Full bookkeeping to trial balance"	You'll do everything, not one ledger. List the full range.
"Xero or QuickBooks experience"	Name the software and any certifications.
"VAT returns under MTD"	You'll prepare and submit them. Quote how many.
"Payroll for small businesses"	Often part of the role. Mention headcounts and RTI.
"Work independently"	You'll often be the only finance person. Show you're self-managing.

Example CV profile

AAT-qualified bookkeeper and Xero certified advisor, with five years' experience keeping the books for small businesses. I currently look after 18 clients in a local practice, covering ledgers, bank reconciliations, quarterly VAT returns, CIS and payroll for up to 25 employees. I moved six clients from spreadsheets onto Xero and Dext, cutting their monthly bookkeeping time roughly in half.

Example achievements

Replace with your own figures.

• Kept the books for 18 small-business clients, delivering reconciled records by the fifth working day every month.
• Prepared and submitted around 70 VAT returns a year under Making Tax Digital with no HMRC penalties.
• Moved six clients from spreadsheets to Xero and Dext, roughly halving monthly processing time.
• Ran monthly payroll for four clients with up to 25 employees each, including RTI and pension submissions.
• Handled CIS returns for three construction clients, reconciling subcontractor deductions monthly.
• Prepared year-end records for the accountant that needed minimal adjustment.

Common mistakes

• Not listing the full range. Bookkeepers often do VAT, payroll and CIS as well as ledgers. List everything you cover.
• Missing software names. Xero, QuickBooks and Sage are the most common filter terms.
• No client or business numbers. How many clients or businesses, and how large, helps a reader judge your experience.
• Forgetting certifications. Software certifications are quick to get and worth showing.

Interview questions to prepare for

• Talk me through your monthly bookkeeping routine for a typical client.
• How do you prepare a VAT return, and what checks do you make first?
• A bank reconciliation doesn't balance. What do you do?

See all 12 bookkeeper interview questions, with why interviewers ask each one and what a strong answer covers.