FIVE MINUTES WITH….LUCIA VILLAMOR

How to Write a Standout CV for Transactional Accountancy and Finance Roles

A well formatted, standout CV is essential for landing interviews in transactional accountancy and finance. Employers are always looking for candidates who demonstrate attention to detail, numerical proficiency, and a strong understanding of financial processes. So, your CV need to shine a spotlight on your qualifications, skillset, and experience to make sure you stand apart from other candidates. To help you on this quest, Liam Connolly has drawn from his extensive experience in transactional finance recruitment to share some top CV tips. Follow these, and your CV will be the one that grabs the attention of prospective employers. 1. Understanding the Role and Key Requirements / Responsibilities involved:Transactional finance roles typically involve managing financial transactions, reconciling accounts, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Depending on the specific position, responsibilities may include accounts payable and receivable, bookkeeping, financial reporting, or credit control, this is important to make sure these elements are clearly sign posted in your CV. Key Skills to Highlight: Attention to detail and accuracy in financial transactions. Strong numerical and analytical skills. Knowledge of accounting software (e.g., SAP, QuickBooks, Xero). Understanding of financial regulations and compliance. Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 2. Structuring Your CV:Your CV should follow a professional structure with clear sections that make the document easy to read and have a natural flow. If you over complicate your CV or format it in such a way that makes it difficult to read and without a natural flow it will absolutely hinder your application and will likely result in the key and important information within the CV being missed or overlooked. Below is an ideal format to follow to avoid this happening: Section A. Contact Information:Ensure your contact details are up to date, including: Full Name Phone Number Professional Email Address City of residency Notice period LinkedIn Profile (if applicable) Section B. Professional Profile / Summary:Begin with a concise, attention-grabbing summary of your expertise and career goals. Tailor this section of your CV to highlight key skills and experience relevant to the specific transactional finance jobs you are applying for. Example: "Detail-oriented finance professional with five years of experience in accounts payable and receivable. Proficient in financial reconciliation and reporting, with a strong understanding of accounting regulations. Adept at using SAP and Excel for transaction management. Seeking a role where I can fully utilise my skills to add value to a growing transactional finance team." Section C. Relevant Skills & Competencies:This is your opportunity to list your most relevant skills, these should be formatted as bullet points making it easy to read ensuring that the most relevant skills to the role you are applying to are front and centre at the top of the list. Example: Purchase & Sales ledger management Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros) Accounts reconciliation and financial reporting Bank statement reconciliation VAT processing and regulatory compliance Section D. Work Experience:Your work experience should be listed in reverse chronological order (starting with the most recent role first), emphasising achievements and contributions along with all the relevant responsibilities you undertook as part of the role. Example Format: Company Name | Job Title | Dates of Employment High volume invoice processing of both Purchase and Sales ledger invoices (c800 - 1000 per month) Managed Accounts Payable transactions totalling £3 million monthly Reduced invoice processing errors by 30% through process improvements Implemented a new reconciliation system, enhancing accuracy and efficiency Top tip: be specific ‘Managed Accounts Payable transactions totalling £3 million monthly’ instead of ‘Accounts Payable Transactions’. This level of detail not only helps employers and us understand the scope of your responsibilities and the extent of your capabilities but also demonstrates the care and attention you have put in your CV. Section E. Education & Qualifications:Include your school / college results, degrees, certifications, and relevant training. Example: AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 4 BA (Hons) in Accounting & Finance, University of ABC | Graduated: 2020 (1st Class) A level – Further Maths, English, Economics – Grade A,B,A 11 GCSE (Including Maths English, Science – Grade 8) Top tip: Not including your results can raise concerns and you'll likely be asked for them later, so it's best to include them from the start. Section F. Additional Sections (Optional)Languages: If multilingual, mention fluency level (spoken & written communication levels). IT Skills: Intermediate / Advanced Excel knowledge (VLOOKUP / Pivot Tables), Proficiency in accounting software – Sage 50, SAP. 3. Tailoring Your CV to Specific Roles: While transactional finance roles share common responsibilities, tailoring your CV for different positions (e.g., accounts payable vs. credit control) will dramatically improve your chances of selection and make it clear to potential employers that you understand the position you are applying to and can evidence through your experience why you are suitable. Make sure you customise your summary, skills, and experience accordingly to reflect this.For example:Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable:Attention to detailAccuracy in your workUse of specific invoicing accounting softwareSpeed in manual processing Highlighting specifics in volume of invoices processed (p/w or p/m)Credit Controller:Softer skills are very important in Credit controlAbility to account manager – treat each client individually Being a good negotiator is vitalHighlight successes in results again targets (reduced aged debt by 85% in 12 months)Showing empathy and understanding to create strong working relationshipsKnowing when to change tact and take a firmer approach as needed.Accounts Assistant:Demonstrate full understanding of all elements of transactional financeAny professional qualifications you are / have undertaken (AAT) are important to highlightUse of various / specific accounting software (Sage, SAP, Xero) is appealing to clientsPayroll:Highlight the volume of employees payrolled Break down into weekly / salaries quantities Mention the use of specific payroll operating systems (Sage Payroll etc)Speak about the payroll region you cover, is purely UK payroll or do cover Irish Payroll, EMEA, APAC? Is it the full end to end payroll process including query handing / amendments through to sending the payroll to the bank?4. General CV Design and Formatting:Keep it concise: Limited to two pages if possible. Use professional fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman). Ensure the same font and font size are consistent throughout (not too small or too big, 10 - 12 size works fine depending on the font selected). Use Clear headings which separate the different sections. Maintain consistent spacing and margins throughout. Use bold to highlight key skills so they stand out. Use bullet points to list the responsibilities (not just one long paragraph) 5. Common Mistakes to Avoid:Spelling and grammar errors: Proofread thoroughly. Irregular fonts / font sizing and spacing. Generic duties: Customise for each role. Overloading with unnecessary details: Focus on what is relevant to the role in question. Too much information can make CV’s difficult to read and the reader loose focus. Lack of quantifiable achievements: Use specific amounts / results to demonstrate your impact. Final Thoughts?Your CV is your first and best chance to make a positive impression on a prospective employer. They want to see that you are capable of undertaking the advertised role and have a clear, demonstrable track record of handling similar responsibilities. With this in mind, it's essential to clearly showcase your experience, ensuring the right information is highlighted. Additionally, outline why you are interested in the specific role you are applying for. Consider your career goals, why you would be a good fit for the role, and where you see your potential for longer-term development (be realistic). A standout CV for transactional accountancy and finance roles should emphasise relevant experience, technical expertise, and professional achievements. By structuring and tailoring your CV effectively, you will significantly improve your chances of securing interviews and advancing your 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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Diversity and inclusion are essential for today’s modern business as the variety of people from different backgrounds, specialisms, cultures and experiences ensure a balance of outlooks and voices that can help shape an organisation’s culture and support its recruitment and retention programme.

From increasing creativity and innovation to creating happier employees and boosting productivity, the importance of a clear and proactive diversity and inclusion strategy is fundamental. Recently Executive Director Lee Sweeney caught up with Lucia Villamor, Partner – Investor Relations at Endless, who he placed, to discuss how the private equity investor’s approach has had a positive impact on her career to date.

Lee Sweeney (LS): Firstly, congratulations on your well-deserved promotion. What does your new role involve and how has your career developed?

Lucia Villamor (LV): Thanks Lee. My role at Endless mainly consists of managing relationships and communications with existing and potential investors in our Funds and project manage our fundraising processes. I studied Law at University in Spain but I did not fancy a legal career so ended up moving to the UK and doing a post graduate degree in Business Administration at the University of Leeds. I joined Deloitte straight from university where I spent three years in the Audit team and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. Following this, I joined the Commercial Due Diligence team – I was there for another year before moving to Endless in 2008. Initially, I worked within the Investment team where I had both portfolio and transaction responsibilities, before moving across to Investor Relations in 2015.

LS: Having gained experience in a number of different areas, what made you choose this particular career path?

LV: The variety of work in Private Equity was a real draw for me; we get to see a range of different types of companies in what are often very diverse industries and work with management teams that embrace different leadership styles, ambitions, challenges to help transform businesses. Since moving into Investor Relations, I thrive on meeting investors from across the world, understanding their aims and their organisations and helping to generate real value for them.

LS: When you look back to the time when you joined Endless, can you remember what it was that attracted you to this particular role and organisation?

LV: Yes, whilst working at Deloitte, I enjoyed getting under the skin of different businesses and industries during Commercial Due Diligence assignments. We worked mainly for Private Equity businesses advising them on potential targets or helping them prepare existing investments for sale. However, I wanted to see what happened on the other side after the transaction had taken place and the new owner set off to deliver their value creation plan. I had a strong interest in being on the other side of the table and wanted to experience what it would be like to see and work with a business that was being transformed. Endless had a great reputation in the market as an experienced, responsible investor and I liked their ethos of “making businesses better for everybody”.

LS: One thing that has always come across when I’ve worked with Endless, or talk to others in the industry about them, is they have a real and genuine focus upon supporting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Is this something that you have seen during your time with the organisation.

LV: Absolutely. We have a Diversity & Inclusion team which in the past two years has done fantastic work to bring D&I to the forefront of our agenda. We have worked very hard at reviewing our recruitment practices, we have reviewed our parental leave policies and we have supported a number of industry initiatives such as Level 20 and the 100 Black Interns Program. We also try to promote flexible working and emphasise to the team that we care about results and not hours spent in the office – that really helps people who, for example, may have family commitments, like myself.

LS: How did this approach help you in your career development?

LV: It has made a huge difference; by having a very progressive flexible working policy and a culture where you can have open, honest discussions about your career, I’ve never felt that I’ve had to make the same career versus family compromises that I’ve seen others have to make. When you look at the team page on our website, it is very clear to see the importance the company places on diversity and inclusion and how this is reflected in our people – this in turn encourages others to want to join and be part of a business with a progressive outlook.

LS: What do you think employers need to have in place to support their employees achieve their career goals?

LV: Without a doubt, there should be more emphasis placed upon mentoring and sponsoring to support employees – and this doesn’t necessarily have to be from an individual’s line manager or boss. Often the best mentor/mentoree relationships are developed by those who may not necessarily work closely together on a day-to-day basis but they have skills, experience or an outlook which the other can benefit from. There also has to be an openness around communication – from both sides - particularly when it comes to discussions about career ambitions as well as honest feedback on development areas. Difficult conversations are never the most comfortable for either party involved, however by approaching them honestly and constructively, far more will be achieved in the long run.

LS: Would you say there has been somebody who has supported you as a mentor and how do you feel they influenced you?

LV: I think the value of mentoring is something which should never be under-estimated and is something which, when approached correctly, will have real benefits for both the mentor and the mentoree. I have learnt a lot from our Managing Partner on how he communicates to investors and other stakeholders. We have our own “in-house style” - I think our investors appreciate and respond well to it and he has played a key role shaping this up over the years.

LS: What would you say has been a particular challenge that you have had to overcome and how did the guidance or support that was put in place help?

LV: The move from the Investment team to Investor Relations was a big one and I felt a bit out of my comfort zone at the start. I did a lot of listening and observing and had a lot of support from our two founding Partners whom I learnt a lot from. It made me realise that is good to push yourself into unfamiliar areas sometimes – it’s one of the best ways to learn!

LS: There’s also a real focus upon ‘celebrating success’; is there an achievement that you are particularly proud of?

LV: I agree and it’s so important to celebrate success whether that is something achieved as an individual or as part of a team. It’s also important to support and celebrate the achievements of others. I was very proud of the Endless V fundraise back in November 2020. We hit our fundraising target in 12 weeks in the middle of a global pandemic. We were so pleased with the support from existing and new investors. And from a personal perspective, I was also very proud to be promoted to Partner earlier this year.

LS: If you could offer one piece of advice to someone – regardless of whether they were at the beginning of their career or about to make a move into a senior role – what would it be?

LV: I think whatever stage you are at in your career, this same piece of advice rings true - work as hard as you can and be brave!

Sharp Consultancy specialises in the recruitment and executive search of finance and accountancy professionals within owner managed businesses, national and global plcs and leading venture capital and private equity firms. 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.