SmashTheJob

Check your bookkeeper CV against the job advert

Bookkeeping adverts are practical: which tasks, which software, how many clients or entities. Answer those three and the rest is easy.

Updated 3 October 2026. General guidance for UK job adverts; your advert decides what matters.

Start with your advert

Every bookkeeper advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:

  1. Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
  2. For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
  3. Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.

Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.

What bookkeeper adverts usually ask for

Ledgers and reconciliations

Why they ask

Day-to-day bookkeeping is purchase ledger, sales ledger and bank reconciliations.

How to show it

List what you do and how often.

Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts
  • Ran purchase and sales ledgers and [weekly / monthly] bank reconciliations for [number] [clients / companies].

VAT returns

Why they ask

Many roles include preparing VAT returns under Making Tax Digital.

How to show it

Say whether you prepared or submitted them, and the scheme if relevant.

Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts
  • Prepared and submitted quarterly VAT returns under Making Tax Digital for [number] [clients / businesses].

Cloud accounting software

Why they ask

Adverts almost always name the software.

How to show it

Name each system, and any certifications.

Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts
  • Daily use of [Xero / QuickBooks / Sage]; [Xero / QuickBooks] certified ([year]).

Payroll and year-end support

Why they ask

Some bookkeepers run payroll or prepare records for the accountant at year-end.

How to show it

List what you've done.

Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts
  • Ran [weekly / monthly] payroll for [number] staff and prepared year-end records for the accountant.

AAT or similar

Why they ask

Adverts may ask for AAT or equivalent experience.

How to show it

Give the level and year.

Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts
  • AAT Level [2 / 3 / 4], [year].

Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.

Mistakes that cost bookkeeper applications

Questions

Do I need AAT to be a bookkeeper?

Not always. Experience and software skills matter a lot. AAT helps, especially for practice roles.

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