WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE MAKING A MOVE

How to Write a Winning CV as a Part-Qualified Accountant

Whether you’re halfway through your ACCA, CIMA, or ACA qualification, being a part-qualified accountant is a valuable position that opens doors to numerous opportunities...However, capitalising on those opportunities starts with one critical tool: a well-crafted CV. Your CV isn't just a list of previous roles — it’s a strategic marketing document. It's your chance to demonstrate to employers that although you're not yet fully qualified, you already deliver tangible value and have the potential to grow into a fully-fledged finance professional. Based on experience within the demanding and fast-growing part-qualified market, here are five essential elements your CV must include to stand out.1. Lead with a Powerful Personal StatementThis is the first impression — and one of the most important parts of your CV. A strong personal statement should make hiring managers want to read more. Your personal statement should cover: Your current qualification status (e.g., “ACCA part-qualified with 7 out of 13 exams completed”). Your professional ambitions and what drives you. Key strengths developed so far (e.g., process improvement, analytical thinking, stakeholder collaboration). Areas you’re eager to grow in. Tailor this section for each role you apply to. Show your enthusiasm for the specific opportunity and highlight relevant experience. Crucially, mention where you've added value — perhaps by streamlining a process, supporting a new project, or exceeding performance targets.2. Showcase Your Professional Experience with ImpactThe experience section is your chance to back up your personal statement with evidence. Avoid vague job descriptions. Instead, go into detail: Describe key processes you’ve worked on (include figures or financial details where possible). Highlight your role in cross-functional teams or collaboration with senior stakeholders. Focus on contributions you've made — especially in process improvements, efficiencies, or data-driven decisions. Rather than just listing duties, emphasise achievements. What did you deliver? What changed as a result? Who benefited from your input? Remember: employers in the part-qualified market want to see your potential and how you've already added value. 3. Highlight Transferable Skills and Tailor for Each JobIt’s easy to fall into the trap of sending the same CV to every job. Don’t. Tailoring your CV to each opportunity shows initiative and relevance. Start by thoroughly reading the job description. Identify what the employer is really looking for — and match that to your skills and experience. For example, if the role emphasizes SOX compliance, IFRS, or UK/US GAAP reporting standards, and you’ve had exposure to these, make it clear. If a job involves partnering with non-finance departments, highlight any experience communicating with cross-functional teams or presenting financial insights. Mention transferable skills such as: Problem-solving Analytical thinking Use of ERP systems Forecasting and budgeting support This shows you’ve not just read the job description — you understand what the company needs and the transferable skills and experience you have.4. Don’t Just List Technical Skills — Demonstrate ThemHiring managers don’t just want to see a list of accounting systems and tools you’ve used — they want to understand how you’ve used them. For each system (e.g., SAP, Sage, Excel, Power BI), include: What you used it for (e.g., “automated monthly reporting using Excel macros”). Any efficiencies or improvements achieved through its use. If you implemented or helped roll out a system or process, explain your role and the outcome. Example: "Developed a reporting dashboard in Power BI that reduced manual month-end reporting time by 30%, allowing the team to focus on variance analysis and forecasting." This showcases your technical ability and your contribution to the wider team.5. Include Key Achievements or Case Studies Using STAR In a competitive job market, including 2–3 concise achievements or mini case studies can elevate your CV. Use the STAR Method to structure them: Situation – What challenge or context were you working in? Task – What was your role or responsibility? Action – What steps did you take? Result – What was the outcome? Quantify it if possible. For Example: Situation: Month-end reporting was consistently delayed due to data inconsistencies. Task: Identify the bottlenecks and improve the workflow. Action: Collaborated with the data team to build an automated reconciliation process. Result: Reduced reporting time by 2 days and improved data accuracy, enabling earlier board review. Including achievements like this gives your CV personality and provides excellent talking points during interviews. Final ThoughtsBeing a part-qualified accountant isn’t a limitation — it’s a launchpad. The right CV will not only reflect your current abilities but also show employers your drive, value, and potential. To recap: Craft a compelling personal statement tailored to each role. Highlight achievements and value-adds, not just responsibilities. Tailor your CV to every application — make your skills match the role. Showcase your technical experience with real examples. Include 2–3 achievements using the STAR method to give your CV depth. With these elements, your CV won’t just get you through the door — it will set the tone for your progression toward full qualification and a thriving finance career. Visit Our Candidate Advice Pages HereLooking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don't wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAYand let's chart your career path together.

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“We would like to offer you the role.” After a nerve-wracking interview, they are the words every candidate wants to hear. But before accepting a new position, what are the final few things that you should you consider, to ensure that this career move is the right one for you?

The research and preparation work that you did in applying for the role should have given you a good insight into whether this move would help you achieve your career goals. And the interview was as much of an opportunity for you to decide if this is a company you would like to work for as it was for the employer to assess if you were the best candidate for the vacancy.

Making the decision to accept a new role is not one that should be taken lightly; there are several factors to consider before writing your letter of resignation.

Take a step back. Remember why you started your job search in the first place. Were you looking for a new challenge? Did you want additional responsibilities? Had your personal circumstances changed and you were looking to relocate? By focusing upon what prompted you to consider making a move will help determine if this new role addresses those key areas.

Look ahead. Take into account your longer-term ambitions and assess how this role will help achieve them. Will there be further opportunities for progression within the organisation? Is there scope for promotion within your new department and what training will be provided to help you? Could you gain valuable experience that will stand you in good stead for a future move?

Money, money, money. Salary is one of the biggest decision-making factors; more often than not, you will be hoping for an increase in your pay but have realistic expectations, taking into account the current market conditions and any variations between locations. Make sure you consider the overall package being offered and determine what ‘value’ perks and benefits such as pension contributions, holiday entitlement, flexible working, and subsidised gym membership hold for you.

Location, location, location. If you are used to working in the centre of town, consider what differences you might find working on an out-of-town business park? Similarly, if your new employer is based in the city centre, what will that mean in terms of a daily commute? Are there good bus or rail links? What will the traffic be like and is there plenty of parking available? Is the commute one that you will be prepared – and can afford – to do every day?

Being part of the team. You spend a large proportion of your time at work, so it is vital that the environment and culture is one which suits your approach and personality. Sharing the company’s values and vision is key and gelling with other team members will be essential in allowing you to perform in your role to the best of your ability. You need to have a good rapport with your manager, peers and those you will be responsible for – can you work with these people, will you learn from them, do they motivate you, can you inspire them to get the best results?

Work life balance. If you have spent a large proportion of the last 18 months working from home, if your new role will be primarily office based, how do you feel about that? Likewise, if you are keen to spend more time working alongside your colleagues in an office environment, what provisions are in place with your new employer? Do you have the opportunity to shape your working week in a way that enables you to have more flexibility about when and where you work? And how would the organisation’s approach to flexible working impact on your ability to familiarise yourself with the company and your team and enable you to perform fully in your role?

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment of temporary, interim and permanent finance and accountancy professionals. With offices in Leeds and Sheffield our highly experienced team of consultants recruit for positions throughout Yorkshire and beyond. CONTACT US today to find out more.