Addressing Employment Gaps on Your CV: A Guide for Finance and Accountancy Professionals

Employment gaps on a CV can feel daunting, especially in highly structured fields like finance and accountancy where consistency and career progression are often closely scrutinised. The good news is that with the right approach, gaps don’t have to be a barrier, in fact, they can be framed as periods of growth and development. Here’s how finance professionals can address them effectively.

1. Be Honest and Transparent
The first rule is simple: don’t try to hide a gap. Employers are experienced at spotting unexplained periods on a CV, and honesty goes a long way. Briefly acknowledge the gap in your CV or cover letter, and be ready to discuss it in an interview.

2. Focus on Transferable Skills and Experiences
Even if you weren’t in a formal finance role, consider what you were doing during the gap that could add value. Did you undertake professional development courses, freelance or consult, volunteer, or gain experience in related areas? Highlighting these activities demonstrates initiative and continuous learning.

3. Use a Functional or Hybrid CV Format
Traditional chronological CVs can make gaps more visible, so consider a functional or hybrid format that emphasises skills and achievements over exact timelines. For finance and accountancy roles, this can mean grouping your experience by expertise, such as auditing, financial analysis, or tax compliance, rather than by date.

4. Keep Explanations Concise
When addressing gaps, clarity is key. You don’t need to provide every detail; a simple, professional explanation is sufficient. For example:

• “Took a career break to upskill in IFRS and taxation updates.”

• “Volunteered with a non-profit finance team to maintain and develop accounting systems.”

5. Highlight Your Commitment to the Profession
Gaps can be reframed as periods that strengthened your commitment to finance and accountancy. Whether through online courses, part-time work, or self-study, showing that you stayed connected to the profession reassures employers that you are ready to re-enter the workforce.

6. Prepare to Discuss the Gap Positively in Interviews
Employers often probe gaps during interviews. Have a concise, positive explanation ready that emphasises growth, reflection, or skill-building. Avoid over-explaining or apologising — instead, focus on what you gained and how it prepares you for the role you’re applying for.

7. How Downey Osborne Can Help
At Downey Osborne, we work closely with finance and accountancy professionals to help present their experience in the best possible way. We can advise on how to address employment gaps honestly and positively, tailor your CV to highlight transferable skills, and prepare you to discuss gaps confidently in interviews. By providing guidance and insight from our extensive experience in the Northern Ireland and Ireland finance market, we help candidates turn potential concerns into strengths that make them stand out to employers.

Conclusion
Employment gaps don’t need to be a career obstacle. By being transparent, emphasising transferable skills, and framing the gap as a period of development, with support from recruitment specialists like Downey Osborne, finance and accountancy professionals can present a CV that reflects both their experience and resilience. With the right approach, a gap can become an opportunity to showcase growth, adaptability, and professionalism.