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How To Write a CPA Resume (With Template and Example)

Indeed Editorial TeamApr 3, 2026
How To Write a CPA Resume (With Template and Example)
A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is an accountant who has a specialty certification that gives them credentials to complete advanced accounting tasks. Since a CPA typically needs specific skills and expertise to succeed in their field, it's beneficial to ensure that your resume reflects the qualifications that can help you secure a job. If you're thinking about becoming a CPA, you might consider personalizing your resume so it matches the requirements for the accounting positions you want. In this article, we share an example and template of a CPA resume and explore steps for how to write one.

CPA resume example

Consider this example of a CPA resume: CPA Related: Resume Writing 101: Tips for Creating a Resume (With Examples)

CPA resume template

Using a template to create your resume can help you save time and organize your format. Here's a general template you can use for your CPA application: [Full Name]
[Phone number] | [Professional email address] | [City, State] | [Professional website] Professional Summary [Brief summary that mentions your core competencies, work experience and career achievements] Work Experience [Job Title], [Start date–End date]
[Company Name], [Location]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Job Title], [Start date–End date]
[Company Name], [Location]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
[Job Title], [Start date–End date]
[Company Name], [Location]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
  • [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]
Skills [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] | [Relevant skill] Education [Degree earned]
[Institution name], [Graduation year if you graduated within the past three years] Certifications
  • [Certification Name], [Host organization] - [Year completed or expiration date]
  • [Certification Name], [Host organization] - [Year completed or expiration date]
To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file. Related: CPA Resume Examples and Templates

How to write a CPA resume

Here are some steps you can use to write your own CPA resume:

1. Begin with your personal details

To start your CPA resume, add your personal details to the top of the page. Your personal details can include information like your name, your location and your current professional title. This can allow employers to immediately connect your application with your resume and learn your name. It can also be helpful to include both your email address and phone number so employers have multiple ways to contact you.

2. Write a professional summary

A professional summary, sometimes called a summary of qualifications, is a short paragraph that describes a candidate's expertise and background. When writing your professional summary, discuss details like how many years of experience you have and which of your skills are strongest. For a CPA resume, you might highlight your expertise in accounting and refer to the different areas of the industry with which you're familiar. To write this section, include two or three sentences that summarize your most relevant expertise. Related: How To Write a Summary of Qualifications for Your Resume (With Examples)

3. Discuss your professional experience

Work experience can be especially important in a CPA resume. This is because many accountants can qualify for higher-paying jobs when they have experience in multiple areas of accounting. To format this section, start each entry with the job title you held and the duration of your employment. Then, you can add other details like the name of your employer and a few of your typical job duties. It's common to include two or three entries in this section to ensure the resume can remain on a single page while still showcasing your professional background. Related: Top 8 Accounting Certifications To Enhance Your Career

4. List your skills

Under your professional experience, create a section for your skills. A skills section can also be crucial in a CPA resume because CPAs typically need specific abilities and technical knowledge to succeed in their field. For example, you can list the technical skills you have, such as proficiency in accounting and knowledge of financial documents. You can also include soft skills that can be helpful in any position, such as communication and attention to detail. Related: 11 Accounting Skills To List on Your Resume (With Samples)

5. Add your educational background

The final section to include is your educational background. As most CPAs have at least a bachelor's degree, adding this section can verify to employers that you have completed the required level of education. It can also be common for CPAs to earn graduate degrees, especially when they want to pursue higher-level jobs. So, having them listed can immediately tell employers about their advanced level of expertise. When formatting this section, you can create a list that includes each degree you have with the school you attended and your graduation year. Related: FAQ: What Are the Requirements for an Accounting Career?

6. Include your certifications

As their job title suggests, CPAs typically have specialty certification that qualifies them for advanced work. The most common certification for these accountants to pursue is the CPA certification from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). To include this credential on your resume, you can add the certification to your education section directly above your college degrees. This can allow employers to view all of your credentials in one place. You can also create a separate section for your certifications on your resume if you prefer. This may help enhance the readability of your resume.

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