BeforeWorked on audits of financial services clients.
We’d askWhich kinds of client, and which areas did you cover?
AfterAudited cash, investments and fee income on 5 investment funds and 2 insurers across 2 busy seasons
CV example
Audit associate CV example (ACA trainee)
Before you qualify, firms judge you on your client exposure, your exam and degree results and how you've been rated. Every associate has done planning and fieldwork, so say which clients, which areas and what you found.
From vague to specific
Each stronger line comes from answering one question. The facts are the candidate’s, not invented.
BeforePerformed controls testing.
We’d askWhat did you test, and what did you find?
AfterTested 60 payment controls at a fund administrator and raised 2 exceptions that went into the management letter
BeforeStrong team player.
We’d askWhat did you do for the team that shows it?
AfterCoached 4 first-year associates on the firm's sampling approach during their first busy season
What recruiters look for
- Training achievements: the clients and sectors you've worked on, your technical experience and measurable contributions.
- Academic results and a good annual review rating.
- Specific work such as controls testing or overseas audits, not a list of audit stages.
- Exact exam status: what you've passed, what you're studying and any first-time passes.
Common mistakes
- Writing “ACA” after your name while you're training. Give the exams you've passed instead.
- Describing the firm's audit method instead of the clients and areas you covered.
- Leaving out your degree result and review rating, which carry the most weight before you qualify.
Niamh Daly
Audit Associate
Dublin, Ireland · name@example.com · 07700 900000
Profile
Second-year audit associate in financial services, working on investment funds and insurance clients. Chartered Accountants Ireland trainee, CAP1 passed.
Experience
Audit Associate, Liffey Partners2024 – Present
Irish accountancy firm, 30 partners, financial services audit group
- Audited cash, investments and fee income on 5 investment funds and 2 insurers across 2 busy seasons
- Tested 60 payment controls at a fund administrator and raised 2 exceptions that went into the management letter
- Coached 4 first-year associates on the firm's sampling approach during their first busy season
- Rated “exceeds expectations” at the 2026 annual review
Summer Intern, Audit, Liffey PartnersJun – Aug 2023
- Prepared bank and investment confirmations for 12 fund audits
Qualifications
- Chartered Accountants Ireland trainee: CAP1 passed, all papers first time; studying for CAP2
Education
- BComm (Accounting), University of Galway, 2024, First Class Honours
Skills
IFRS · Irish GAAP (FRS 102) · Audit software and data analytics · Excel