Whether you want an entry-level role or you’re ready to be a senior accountant, you need a great resume for an accounting job. Here’s how you can write one!
An Accounting Resume Example That Turns Heads This Year
Updated June 17, 2022
Accounting Resume Example
Accounting may be a broad field, but it is filled with intelligent and educated people, so, as you can imagine, the job market is competitive. The proper resume will help you stand out from the crowd and impress a hiring manager. Here’s how you can write the perfect resume for your job search and distinguish yourself from other accounting professionals.
Types of Accounting Jobs
The general term ‘accountant’ covers a range of different fields and specializations. Here are some of the most common job titles you can hold as a qualified accountant:
- Certified public accountant (CPA)
- Accounting manager
- Financial analyst
- Staff accountant
Of course, these roles all share the same basic technical skills, but potential employers hiring for different accounting roles will be looking for different kinds of candidates. This is why your resume writing skills are so important; a persuasive resume will make all the difference to your chance of landing your dream job.
Important Elements of an Accounting Resume
Though every resume is different, the basic structure remains the same no matter what industry you work in. Whatever job title you are applying for, your resume should contain these basic elements to ensure that a recruiter has all the information that they need.
Header
All resumes require a header containing the job seeker's full name, phone number, and mailing and email address. A header can also contain a job seeker’s professional links (for example, your LinkedIn profile).
Resume summary or objective
Whether you have a resume summary or resume objective statement will depend on how much professional experience you have. A resume summary is best for those who have many years of experience and should present your most relevant experience and achievements. A resume objective, by contrast, is a statement of goals and is best for those with little to no experience.
Skills
Your accounting resume should include a skills section with 8 to 12 bullet points that detail your most relevant skills. Here are some examples of skills that are commonly listed on accounting resumes:
- Financial reporting
- Microsoft Office Excel
- QuickBooks
- Account reconciliation
- Bookkeeping
- General ledger knowledge
- Reading financial statements
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Written and verbal communication
- Accounts receivable
- Time management
Work experience
An accounting work experience section should contain up to the last ten years of experience. Include your job titles, the companies you worked for, your employment dates, and for each job, a few highlights showcasing your major duties and best achievements.
Education
Your education section should include only the most recent and advanced academic qualifications you have. For example, you should list your accounting degree but not your high school GPA.
Professional certifications and memberships
Include your professional certifications and any professional memberships you have (for example, if you are a current member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, then you should include this). This section is optional, but when you are writing an accounting resume, it is a great idea to include it.
If you want to really set yourself apart, then consider accounting resume samples to get an idea of what works in the job market right now.
Do’s and Don’ts for Creating Your Accounting Resume
These extra resume writing tips will help you write the best possible accounting resume:
Do:
- Use specific metrics when discussing your achievements (e.g., a 15% improvement).
- Use action verbs to make an impact (e.g., “managed” or “implemented,” or “oversaw”).
- Tailor your skills section to match the required skills listed in the job posting.
Don’t:
- Forget to list relevant soft skills. Attributes like attention to detail, flexibility and collaboration are valuable in this line of work.
- Ignore relevant experience because it's unpaid (internships and other activities that feature useful skills can add a lot of value to a resume).
- Forget to check the job posting for important keywords to improve your ranking in applicant tracking systems.
FAQ: Accounting Resume Examples
Yes, you need a cover letter for every single job application that you submit. Your cover letter is the best opportunity to make a lasting impression on a hiring manager by providing extra information about your resume. The ResumeNerd cover letter builder can make the process of creating your accounting cover letter easy.
Yes! If you are a recent graduate or you have a short work history, then you can still get a job as a certified public accountant (CPA). If you want to land a great accounting position, then all you have to do is focus on your education, the relevant accounting skills you have learned, and the work experience that you do have.
No, you should tailor your resume to every job application in order to have a good chance of impressing recruiters. Consider your resume skills and how they line up with the needs of the job description. Try to showcase your years of experience in a way that matches the needs of the role you have applied for.
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