TRADITIONAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RESUME TEMPLATE ================================================= (For Accounting, Legal, Consulting, and Advisory Roles) [YOUR FULL NAME] [Professional Credentials - CPA, JD, MBA, etc.] [Phone Number] | [Professional Email Address] | [City, State] [LinkedIn Profile URL] | [Professional Website - Optional] PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY -------------------- [Write 2-3 sentences emphasizing your credentials, specialized expertise, and years in professional services. Mention recognizable clients or projects if appropriate. Example: "Licensed CPA with 12+ years providing audit and tax services to Fortune 500 clients. Specialized expertise in SEC compliance and financial statement preparation. Led engagements totaling $150M+ in client revenue."] PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ----------------------- [Job Title - Example: Senior Associate, Tax Manager, Staff Attorney] [Firm Name], [City, State] [Month Year] - [Month Year or "Present"] • [Client-focused achievement - Example: Managed tax compliance for portfolio of 25+ corporate clients with revenues exceeding $500M] • [Technical achievement with quantified result - Identified $2.3M in tax savings through strategic planning and credits analysis] • [Project or engagement highlight - Led IPO readiness assessment for technology client, ensuring SOX compliance] • [Client relationship achievement - Expanded key account revenue by 40% through identifying additional service opportunities] • [Team leadership or mentoring - Supervised and developed team of 4 junior associates, with 2 promoted ahead of schedule] [Previous Job Title] [Firm Name], [City, State] [Month Year] - [Month Year] • [Engagement achievement showing expertise growth] • [Client work demonstrating specialized knowledge] • [Result delivered showing business development skills] • [Another achievement demonstrating technical competence] [Earlier Job Title] [Firm Name or Company Name], [City, State] [Month Year] - [Month Year] • [Relevant achievement from earlier role] • [Another accomplishment showing foundation skills] EDUCATION --------- [Advanced Degree - MBA, JD, MS, etc.] [University Name], [City, State] Graduated: [Month Year] • [Academic honors if applicable - Cum Laude, Dean's List] • [Relevant activities - Law Review, Beta Gamma Sigma] [Undergraduate Degree] [Bachelor of Science/Arts], [Major] [University Name], [City, State] Graduated: [Month Year] • GPA: [X.XX]/4.0 (if 3.5 or higher) • [Academic honors or relevant activities] PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES --------------------------------------- [Primary Certification - Example: Certified Public Accountant (CPA)] State: [State where licensed] License Number: [Number] Status: Active Issued: [Month/Year] [Additional Certification - Example: Certified Financial Planner (CFP)] Issuing Organization: [Organization] Issued: [Month/Year] [Bar Admissions - for legal professionals] • [State] Bar, Admitted [Month/Year], Member in Good Standing • [Additional State] Bar, Admitted [Month/Year] SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE --------------------- Industry Focus: [List industries - Example: Technology, Healthcare, Financial Services, Manufacturing] Service Areas: [List specializations - Example: M&A Due Diligence, Tax Planning, Estate Planning, Litigation Support] Technical Proficiencies: [List relevant software and tools - Example: Bloomberg Terminal, Thomson Reuters, LexisNexis, Excel (Advanced), Alteryx] Regulatory Knowledge: [List relevant regulations - Example: SEC Reporting, SOX Compliance, GAAP, IFRS, FDA Regulations] PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING ------------------------------------ [Relevant Training Program], [Sponsoring Organization], [Year] - [XX CPE/CLE Credits] [Leadership Development Program], [Firm or Organization], [Year] [Technical Training Course], [Provider], [Year] PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS (Optional - Include if applicable) -------------------------------- "[Article Title]," [Publication Name], [Month/Year] "[Another Publication Title]," [Journal or Publication], [Month/Year] Speaker, "[Presentation Title]," [Conference Name], [Month/Year] Panelist, "[Panel Discussion Topic]," [Event Name], [Month/Year] PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS ------------------------- [Professional Organization - Example: American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)] • [Role or Committee if applicable - Example: Audit Committee Member] • Member since [Year] [State or Local Professional Organization] • [Role if applicable] • Member since [Year] [Industry Association] • Member since [Year] COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (Optional) --------------------- [Nonprofit Organization Board Member], [Organization Name], [Years] • [Brief description of contribution or role] [Pro Bono Work - for legal professionals] • [Organization or type of work], [Hours or cases] LANGUAGES --------- [Language]: [Proficiency Level - Native/Fluent/Professional Proficiency/Conversational] [Additional Language]: [Proficiency Level] ===================================== PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RESUME GUIDELINES: FORMAT STANDARDS: - Use professional fonts: Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri - Font size: 11-12 point for body, 14-16 for name - Black text on white background only - 1-inch margins on all sides - Length: 1-2 pages (2 pages acceptable for senior roles) CREDENTIALS MATTER: - List credentials after your name in header - Include license numbers and states - Keep certifications current and active - Bar admissions for legal roles - CPA, CFA, CFP for finance roles - PMP for consulting roles CONTENT EMPHASIS: - Client work and outcomes over duties - Quantify engagement size and results - Show progression in responsibility - Demonstrate business development - Highlight specialized expertise - Include thought leadership activities WRITING STYLE: - Professional but not overly formal - Industry-specific terminology appropriate - Quantify results wherever possible - Show impact on clients and firm - Demonstrate technical competence - Balance technical skills with soft skills WHAT TO HIGHLIGHT: - Recognizable client names (if allowed) - Size of engagements or matters - Revenue managed or generated - Efficiency improvements - Team leadership and mentoring - Cross-selling and relationship building - Awards or recognition received FOR ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONALS: - Emphasize audit, tax, or advisory experience - Mention client industries served - Include SEC, SOX, or regulatory work - Show progression through firm levels - Highlight complex technical projects FOR LEGAL PROFESSIONALS: - List practice areas clearly - Include types of cases or matters - Mention court appearances if litigator - Show writing and research skills - Include clerkships if recent graduate - List pro bono work FOR CONSULTANTS: - Focus on client outcomes - Show project management skills - Demonstrate problem-solving abilities - Include change management experience - Highlight data analysis capabilities WHAT TO AVOID: - Photos or graphics - Colored text or creative formatting - Personal information (age, family status) - Controversial affiliations - Unrelated hobbies or interests - References to salary expectations ATS COMPATIBILITY: - Use standard section headings - Avoid tables or text boxes - Keep formatting simple - Use keywords from job descriptions - Save as .docx or PDF per instructions FILE NAMING: Save as: FirstName_LastName_Resume.docx Alternative: FirstName_LastName_Credentials_Resume.pdf (Example: John_Smith_CPA_Resume.pdf) CUSTOMIZATION TIPS: - Tailor expertise section to job posting - Emphasize relevant client work - Match keywords from job description - Highlight industry experience they need - Adjust emphasis on technical vs. advisory work - Show cultural fit through affiliations This template works for: ✓ Public accounting firms (Big 4 and regional) ✓ Law firms (all sizes) ✓ Management consulting firms ✓ Financial advisory firms ✓ Corporate professional services roles ✓ Boutique advisory practices