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23 Accountant Resume Examples + Complete Guide

Accountant Resume

• Accountant Resumes by Experience
• Accountant Resumes by Role

Writing Your Accountant Resume

A business is only as valuable as its finances, so successful organizations are built on a foundation of solid accounting practices. To be a successful accountant, you need to be diligent, organized, and an expert with numbers and financial data.

However, to get a role as an accountant, you need to rely on a completely different skill set:  resume writing . (And let’s not forget about cover letter writing! )

That’s where we come in. We’ve reviewed countless accountant resumes, distilling what works and what doesn’t into  23 accountant resume examples that you can use to help you get your next accounting job in 2024!

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Our special tip: avoid any images or graphics. Before a recruiter or hiring manager looks at your resume, a computer scans it for keywords, and graphics are hard for software to read. 
• We’d also recommend putting your experience in reverse-chronological order. By putting your most recent job first, employers will see how you’ve progressed in your career.
• Include the name of the company you’re applying to, the position you’re seeking, and what you hope to achieve in your next role.

Accounting Intern Resume

• When you lack paid work experience, use relevant academic or personal projects to showcase your skills, passion, and capabilities.

Accounting Assistant Resume

• In this resume, the candidate carried out a simulated audit of a fictional company and showcased multiple skills that will help them be a better accounting assistant. If you have similar experiences to talk about, you want to add them to your accounting assistant resume .

Entry-Level Accountant Resume

• Because of your limited background in accounting, don’t worry about trying to extend or fluff your minimal experience.
• Instead,  list any work experience and highlight transferrable skills , like written communication, data analysis, and research.
• Try following a  resume outline  to help you organize your thoughts and ensure you’ve put everything you need onto a single sheet of paper.
• Once you’ve completed the outline, you can use a  resume template  to format your content correctly and make it look great, too.

Junior Cost Accountant Resume

• Using a  resume objective  can be a great decision if you’re having trouble filling the page or trying to provide hiring managers with more context as to why you want the job. 
• But please be cautious and  double-check your resume  before submitting an application!
• Imagine submitting your resume for a position at Instacart and realizing you left the name of another target company in your resume objective. Facepalm anyone?

Junior Accountant Resume

• A ChatGPT resume builder can help you highlight your past accomplishments in any roles or projects that are related to finance or show your knowledge/ability to use an accounting tool. Personalize the objective as much as possible to convey why you’re so passionate about getting hired!

Senior Accountant Resume

• You can further support your work by adding metrics to  show how you’ve helped the company , especially when it comes to revenue.
• But remember that even a spellcheck system misses things, so ask a colleague to review your resume! You’ll be amazed at what they’ll catch before you turn in your application.

Project Accountant Resume

• Ready to move your resume from the backlog to the done folder? First, let’s embellish it – use a different color to distinguish the header, and then choose a larger and legible font for section subheadings. You can even bolden them to improve visibility and make the resume easier to scan.

Senior Tax Accountant Resume

• For your work history section, use numbers (and percentages, too) to back up your vast experience as a senior tax accountant. Take a look at how Kevin capitalizes on this strategy – Directing a team of six in conducting in-depth analysis…, …reducing errors by 12%, and improving financial reporting accuracy to a rating of 9 out of 10- effectively presenting himself as an outcome-oriented expert.

Payroll Accountant Resume

• Certificates like Certified Public Accountant (CPA) prove that you possess the necessary financial skills , knowledge, and experience to apply for this role! Don’t be too overconfident though. Ensure you back your certification with performance metrics that depict you as a diligent and hard worker.

Accounting Analyst Resume

• As you tailor your accounting analyst resume hoping to get the job, include your measurable impact in expediting accounts, invoices, and response to ad-hoc request processing times.

Fund Accountant Resume

• Felix’s example is the best answer to that question. Everything is displayed for the recruiting team to see and make a quick decision. Follow this lead to boost the chances of your application sailing through.

Accounting Specialist Resume

Cost Accountant Resume

• What was your impact in similar or related roles? Tap into you quantifiable achievements, such as accuracy rates, reduction in operational expenses, and workflow improvements.

Staff Accountant Resume

• Beyond just your education section, you can include your progress in a  resume objective  or a  resume summary .
• A great way to do this is through the use of action verbs like “owned,” “led,” and “advised.”
• It’s also a good idea to  show how you’ve made a positive difference  in the company. Use metrics to strut your stuff!
• For example, did you increase revenue or efficiency? Discuss it with numbers and percentages that show your impact.

Forensic Accountant Resume

• Unlike a  resume objective , a summary statement focuses on leveraging the abilities you’ve learned throughout your career.
• Make sure your summary statement includes your years of experience in accounting and the company to which you’re applying (plus the job title). 
• Start by putting your work experience in reverse-chronological order, meaning that your most recent work experience will be listed at the top of the page.
• Then you can consider things like alignment, color, and consistency. Whatever you do, make sure your resume is easy to read at a glance!

Financial Analyst Accountant Resume

• Have you joined or started a group for accountants? Maybe you’ve written a personal finance book? Or perhaps you occasionally discuss financial trends at events outside of work? These are on-point examples of using your skills in unique ways, so they’re perfect resume components.
• Focus on including projects and volunteer experience that can demonstrate essential skills (like collaboration and communication). 
• Look for similar structures, word usage, and metrics to see how you can make your resume pop.

Management Accountant Resume

• Make sure that your  management accountant resume  shows your most relevant experience. Include your most significant accomplishments, like if you’ve led any projects or saved your company a lot of money.
• Although your goal is to show your most relevant work, having a cohesive career progression is more important. Employers want to see that you’ve been consistently working.
• Look for specific skill keywords and responsibilities listed in the job description and incorporate them into your work experience and skills section to make the best impact.

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Resume

• To keep to a single page, make your bullet points short. Ideally, every point should be  one sentence  and a  maximum of three lines long .
• List accomplishments and achievements by all means, but don’t clutter your space with empty adjectives or adverbs. Words like “successfully” and “as needed” are generally assumed, so leave them out.
• Certifications need their own section, but you don’t need to add much more than the name of your certificate. You can include the organization that offers the certificate, but most hiring managers will know that information already, so don’t stress about it.

Onboarding Accountant Resume

• However, your  resume is not your cv . As hard as it is to break up with your old jobs, it’s for the best. The best resumes include just three to six of your most relevant work experience roles. 
• Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring team reviewing 100+ resumes. What work experience would stand out and be the most relevant for the position?
• And if you’re worried about forgetting or losing information from your work history that could be relevant later on, don’t sweat it. You can create a separate document with a “master list” of work experience that you can pull from for different jobs.

Accounting Clerk Resume

• Think of the skills section of your resume as a peek into your technical prowess with accounting software. Any tools that help you do your job better are worth adding to this part of your accounting clerk resume .

Tax Accountant Resume

• In this resume example, the candidate’s last job was as a tax accountant—the same position they’re applying to. Putting it at the top highlights what you’ve been able to achieve at your previous job.

Public Accounting Resume

• Do you hold a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification? If you’ve completed your CPA, it’s proof that you have a license and the knowledge to provide accounting services to the public.

Related resume guides

• Bank Teller
• Accounts Payable
• Financial Analyst

As an accountant, you know that precision matters. You’re expected to be an analytical expert who can produce reliable research and solve complex legal and financial problems. So, think of your resume not only as a place to highlight your experience but also as a place to demonstrate your attention to detail and high standard of work.

Boosting your resume’s potential requires special attention to these four areas: 

• Listing accounting skills 
• Formatting your accountant resume properly
• Quantifying your previous impact
• Customizing your resume to each job

List the right accountant skills

When recruiters post an  accountant job description , it’s not unheard of for them to receive upwards of 100 resumes. With the sheer number of applicants, companies can’t carefully review every accountant’s application. The applicant tracking system (ATS) software helps weed out applicants before a recruiter reviews them, which saves time and gets rid of candidates without the right experience.

Applicant tracking systems work by using algorithms that match keywords from the company to keywords in your resume. So even if you’re highly qualified for a job, your resume may be thrown out if it doesn’t include the right keywords. To avoid this, you need to know  how  to include job-appropriate  skills on your resume  (keywords). 

What are the right skills? The right skills will vary depending on the accountant role. Read this excerpt from a sample accountant job description and see if you can pick up on the essential skills: 

Greenhill is seeking a certified accountant who can tackle every level of the accounting process, from balancing ledgers to researching the law and analyzing data to ensure efficient and effective operations. This position is ideal for candidates who are jacks of all trades! Must possess strong public speaking and collaboration skills while demonstrating initiative and the capacity to conduct independent work. 

Based on this small sample, we can create a list of essential skills customized for the job.  You do  not  want to take exact words from the job description or lie about your skill level . Instead, use the accountant job description as a jumping-off point to think about the most relevant skills you possess: 

• Accounting applications: Quickbooks, ERP, Concur, Taxjar
• Tax accounting
• Expense reporting
• State law compliance
• Accounts payable/receivable
• Collaboration and communication
• Data analysis and research presentations

On other accountant job postings, you can expect to see different skills emphasized, such as:

Choose the best resume format

It’s not just about  what  you write on your accountant resume; it’s about  how  you write it. Your  resume format  is important for ensuring that your resume is visually appealing, easy to read, and easy for the ATS to recognize. For these reasons, we always suggest the reverse-chronological format to keep your most recent job experience listed at the top of your resume, but there are some other aspects of resume formatting you need to know.

Here are some other essential elements of resume formatting that you should pay attention to:

• Resume length:  Always ensure your resume is a full, single-sided page.
• Bullet points:  Break up large text sections about your work experience with classic round bullet points.
• Avoiding icons/images:  The ATS does not seem to appreciate icons/images; neither will recruiters.
• Listing the title of the position you’re seeking:  Specialize your resume for each job you apply for to show respect and genuine interest in the job. (This is especially useful for a company that may be hiring for multiple positions.)
• Objective/Summary:  Only use one when necessary (hang tight—we’re about to cover this in-depth).

Remember these formatting tips, and you’ll be confident that your resume is ATS-friendly and easy to read for recruiters. 

Understand the elusive resume objective and summary

All right, back to the objective and summary.  A resume objective  is one of the most misunderstood sections of your resume. Most people think objectives are outdated and pointless, but that’s only the case if you don’t tailor them and keep them short. 

But what exactly is a resume objective? And what’s the difference between that and a resume summary? Let’s dive in!

A resume objective and summary statement are both short, two to three-sentence paragraphs at the top of a resume to express your interest in a position or a brief career synopsis. Both require customization and should be avoided if you don’t plan on writing a new one for every job application. 

However, these two types of paragraphs differ in how they communicate interest in the job. An objective describes  the value you’ll add to a company  and  why you want the job . Objectives are best suited to accountants who are just starting their careers or going through a career change (like from a staff accountant to an accounts payable specialist). 

A  resume summary  highlights  your past work experience , leveraging it to  prove your qualifications and skills . Because the summary relies on many past job experiences, it’s only recommended for senior accountants with many years of industry experience. 

Let’s work through a few examples together, so you can better understand all the moving parts: 

Poor resume objective:  Years of experience in the industry, looking for a full-time job in the accounting field with benefits. 

• There are multiple issues at play here. First, it’s uninformative. The applicant doesn’t list anything that provides concrete evidence of their skills. Secondly, it’s not specific. They don’t mention a particular job title, applicable skills, or the company to which they’re applying. Lastly, this candidate is only focused on what the job will do  for   them . You need to mention why you’ll be an asset to the company, not what the job will provide for you personally.

Better resume objective:  Detailed junior accountant with 4+ years of experience working for Big Four accounting firms. Seeking an opportunity as a staff accountant at a smaller-scale operation like Fender Co., where my specializations in optimizing pricing through software adoption and systems streamlining would positively impact sales. 

• This resume objective makes the case that the applicant is valuable to the company by highlighting relevant skills and years of experience. Furthermore, it’s customized to the specific job the candidate is seeking, which is a major green flag for employers. 

Poor summary statement:  Experience as an accountant for 3 businesses. My role, which was providing organized, detailed work for all 3 companies, positively impacted the companies. 

• This statement is vague and confusing, not to mention it’s poorly worded. Would you trust this person with your company’s financial accounts? 

Better summary statement:  Data-driven certified accountant with specialized work in small and mid-size businesses for 22 years. Dedicated to providing services that adhere to GAAP standards while optimizing operations and financial performance. Expertise in many types of accounting software relevant to business size, including Xero, QuickBooks, Zoho, and SAP. Experience supervising and collaborating across cross-functional teams and departments while increasing ROI by 5%+ YTD. 

• This summary statement provides specific metrics, specialized skills, and a job title. It’s a great example of a strong statement that would impress a hiring team. 

Quantify your positive impact as an accountant

If you want to prove to a company that you’re an excellent accountant, you’ll want to focus on numbers. Quantifying your impact on your accountant resume provides concrete proof that you’re an asset to the company.

Fortunately, as an accountant, there are many ways to quantify your impact, such as:

• Internal company operations:  Have you worked with company executives to propose financial incentives to improve employee retention? Have you instituted software adoption that reduced error rates? 
• Leadership:  Do you manage, mentor, or collaborate with a team? Do you work across several departments? 
• Work with vendors:  Do you assess vendor invoicing or review vendor statements? Do you manage accounts payable for vendors? 
• Clients:  How many clients do you advise if you work with individual clients? How long have you retained these clients? 
• Revenue:  How much revenue does the company you work for generate? How many assets do you oversee? How much have you saved in potential penalty costs? 
• Reductions in error rates:  Have you reduced errors during employment at your past jobs? Do you use specific types of software to minimize mistakes? 

Based on the above, check out these examples that demonstrate how metrics can fuel your bullet points: 

• Proactively identified and communicated potential problem areas related to a client’s reporting issue, saving the client $2K+ in penalty fees
• Supported management in executing an employee equity compensation plan to improve employee retention by 11%
• Led a team of 2 junior accountants, providing mentorship and feedback through weekly 1:1 sessions
• Reconciled vendor statements in QuickBooks, investigating and correcting any discrepancies within 48 hours 

Optimize your accountant resume for each job

Unfortunately, you can’t just have one copy of your resume that you submit for every accountant job application. Every application deserves a tailored resume.

With the job description in view, these are the areas you’ll need to pay special attention to:

• Objective/summary statement:  Remember how we encouraged you to include specific company names? One of an applicant’s worst mistakes is failing to change the company name on multiple job applications. Make sure you read over your statement (if included) before submitting your resume, changing the job title, skills, and company name.
• Skills:  To customize your skills section, read the job description. Often, hiring managers will overtly say what skills are important for the specific accounting job (but be careful not to plagiarize). 
• Job description bullet points:  Are you applying to a job that needs you to interface with clients? Or maybe you’ll be working behind the scenes with data? Think about how you can shift how you discuss your work experience to highlight what’s important for each particular job. 

We know it’s frustrating to focus on customizations when you want to submit multiple applications in a short amount of time. Consider creating a document with a master list of job description bullet points and skills, sorted into groups based on the skills you need to highlight (e.g., one section that demonstrates your accuracy, another for client interactions, another for public speaking, etc.). Then, you can pick and pull things from this document to create fully customized resumes in no time. 

For now, we think you’ll find something to help you get started on your accountant resume, no matter the exact role: 

Accountant resume 

• Do you have experience in general ledger (GL) accounting? 
• Remember, you don’t need to include all of these accounting skills in each position, but they must be covered at least once somewhere on your accountant resume. 

Senior accountant resume 

• Underscore things like extensive improvements in efficiency rates, accuracy, and year-to-year financial growth. 
• Have you collaborated with upper management to set company-wide standards or implement internal policies or financial work incentives? 
• Highlight your ability to step into leadership and mentorship roles. 

Accounts payable resume 

• Hone in on what matters by discussing payment processing and review, tracking business expenses (such as vendor invoices), and ensuring GL and GAAP compliance. 
• Highlight your attention to detail and how it has saved revenue for companies you’ve worked for in the past.

Entry-level accountant resume 

• You can leverage almost any job position to highlight particularly relevant skills in accounting. For example, a restaurant server can still balance payments, check receipts against bills, etc. 
• Read the job description carefully, noting what skills are most important to the hiring team and emphasizing your capacity to work in accounting based on their requirements. 

Staff accountant resume

• Your staff accountant resume should focus on general ledger maintenance/oversight, tax revenue billing, accounts payable/receivable, reports, and general record-keeping. 
• Don’t forget to showcase your potential for job advancement down the road by highlighting any aspects in which you provided management/supervisory work. 

Final takeaway for improving your accountant resume

The hardest part of writing your accountant resume is getting started, so congratulate yourself on starting your resume journey! You’re one step closer to creating your best-ever accounting resume. We’ve laid out all the essential tips, including optimizing your skills section, formatting, metrics, and resume customizations, so you can write an amazing resume in no time. 

We also have a host of tools to make resume writing easier. See how your resume stacks up against our AI-powered tips. Or, if it’s time to  write your resume  for the first time, you can use our  resume builder  with built-in formatting standards and corresponding recommendations to keep the process stress-free, easy, and quick—leaving you time also to craft a killer  accountant cover letter  for your dream role. 

No matter what stage you’re at, we’re here to help, and we wish you the best of success!

Accountant Resume - Writing Guide & Example for 2024

As an accountant, you’re a trusted individual that requires accuracy at all times.

You’ll be faced with many challenging tasks that you must get right, but perhaps you didn’t expect to face one so soon.

Your resume!

What does a good accountant resume look like, anyway?

With so many individuals competing for the top roles, you can’t leave any questions unanswered. 

But don’t worry, this guide has you covered!

• An example of a finished account resume that works
• How to write an accountant resume that’ll fill up your interview diary
• How to make your accountant resume stand out [with top tips & tricks]

Before we get into the details, here’s an example of a finished accountant resume, created with our very own resume builder :

Looks good, right?! Follow the steps below to create an accountant resume that get results, just like the above example.

Check out these related resume examples if you're on the lookout for a different position in the field:

• Bookkeeper Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Banking Resume
• Executive Assistant Resume
• Consultant Resume
• Administrative Assistant Resume
• Office Assistant Resume
• Career Change Resume

How to Format an Accountant Resume

Before you can impress the hiring manager with your accounting talents, you need pick the best format.

So which resume format should you choose?

The “ reverse-chronological ” format is the most used, and we understand why. The format is easy to read and allows the hiring manager to immediately see why you’ll make a great accountant. 

The following resume formats can also work:

• Functional Resume – If your accountancy skills are stronger than your on-the-job experience, this resume format is recommended. It’s also ideal if you have gaps in your employment history or have changed career path
• Combination Resume – This format is a hybrid between the “Functional” and “Reverse-Chronological” formats. As such, it values both skills AND work experience. People use a combination resume when they have a lot of experience

Once your format is ready, you need to organize your resume layout .

Use an Accountant Resume Template

As an accountant, you present data in a structured way.

Your resume is no different.

You can try creating your own resume with Word, but you will likely run into a bunch of formatting issues.

This is why we recommend accountants to use a resume template .

What to Include in an Accountant Resume

The main sections in an accountant resume are:

• Work Experience
• Contact Information

Want to go a step further? You can also add these optional sections:

• Awards & Certification

Interests & Hobbies

Read on to learn what to write for each of these sections.

You can learn even more by viewing our guide on What to Put on a Resume .

How to Correctly Display your Contact Information

Just like your client’s accounts, this section just needs to be factually-correct. 

Mistakes in this section can result in the hiring manager not being able to contact you – disaster! 

The contact information section must include:

• Title – Align this to the exact role you’re applying for, which is “Accountant”
• Phone Number – Check this for accuracy
• Email Address – Use a professional email address ([email protected]), not your childhood email ([email protected])
• (Optional) Location - Applying for a job abroad? Mention your location
• Edward Fakester - Accountant. 101-358-6095. [email protected]
• Edward Fakester - Numbers king. 101-358-6095. [email protected]

How to Write an Accountant Resume Summary or Objective

Here’s a fact for you – recruiters only spend a few seconds on each resume !

But should we really be surprised by this?  

Well, not when you consider the competitive nature of the accounting market. 

This means you have to hook the recruiter in just a few seconds.

But how can you do this?

The answer is simple: use an objective or resume summary .

Essentially, these are powerful introductions that are placed on top of your resume.

So, what is the difference between the two sections?

A resume summary is a 2-4 sentence summary of your professional experiences and achievements.

• Accountant with a history of accurately and efficiently supporting accounting activities for a diverse range of clientele. 5+ years of experience in presenting data, analyzing cost control, providing financial reports, and delivering profit and loss statements under time pressures. Achievements include saving Company X $52,000 by fixing a tax reporting error.

On the other hand, a resume objective is a 2-4 sentence snapshot of your professional goals and aspirations.

• Motivated accountancy student looking for a junior accounting job at Company X. Passionate about attention to detail and numbers. Experience balancing the books for local food stalls while at University X. Skilled in MS Office, FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Sage, and Microsoft Dynamics

So, which one is best, summary or objective?

Generally, experienced accounts should go with a summary. An objective is suited to those accounting graduates who lack the industry experience.

How to Make Your Accountant Work Experience Stand Out

An accountant’s job is all about accuracy.

As such, the recruiter needs to know that you can do a perfect job.

The easiest way to do this is to list your work experience.

Here’s the best structure:

• Position name
• Company Name
• Responsibilities & Achievements

DiscoverGrowthDigital

03/2016 - 07/2020

• Corrected account errors, which saved a total of $94,000
• Set-up a digital accountancy system for a 10% efficiency increase
• Processed 230+ Final Account Statements annually
• Complied with company procedures and federal laws

To make your work experience stand out from the crowd, you should focus on your most notable achievements. That way, your value is clear to see.

Instead of saying:

“In charge of accounts”

“Corrected account errors, which saved a total of $94,000”

Simply, the first statement is way too generic. It shows you were in charge of accounts, but it doesn’t show if you were successful or not. 

The second statement shows that you saved the company $94,000. Hard numbers that prove your skills – nothing beats that!

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Finished education and are now looking for your first accounting job?

Or maybe, you’ve learnt accounting from online courses, but have no real experience in the field?

No company wants to hire an inexperienced accountant.

But don’t threat – there are ways to show you have the skills to do a great job.

What really matters here is your accounting portfolio.

If you already have any examples of your accounting skills, feel free to upload them online and link it in your resume (we’re going to explain how in a bit).

If not, it isn’t too late.

Here are a couple of easy ways to build a portfolio (and get paid for it):

• Use a freelance platform, like UpWork, to pick up some gigs
• Offer your accounting knowledge to friends & acquaintances at a reduced price

If you’re a recent graduate, you might want to check out our guide on how to make a student resume !

Use Action Words to Make Your Accountant Resume POP!

…are just some of the words that are repeated in every single resume. 

Do you want to separate your resume from the competition?

Then use some power words to make your achievements stand out:

• Conceptualized
• Spearheaded

How to Correctly List your Education

It’s important for an accountant to have relevant qualifications.

With that said, you can keep your educational section simple.

Simply enter your qualifications in the follow format:

• Degree Type & Major
• University Name
• Years Studied
• GPA, Honours, Relevant Courses.

B.A. in Accounting & Finance

Boston State University

• Relevant Courses: Finance Accounting, Foundations of Microeconomics, Management Accounting, Advanced Taxation, Auditing, International Banking

If you have some questions unanswered, the following information may help you: 

What if I am still in education?

• Regardless of whether you’re a graduate of accountancy or still studying, you should still mention every year of education to date.

Should I include my education before degree level?

• Generally, only include your highest education. So, include your high school education if you don’t have a relevant degree for accountancy.

What wins, education or experience?

• Real accountancy experience trumps education, so work experience goes first on your resume. 

Still not sure? Check out our guide on how to list education on a resume .

Top 25 Skills for an Accountant Resume

You need to do two things when writing a skills section:

• Look at the required skills that are listed in the job description
• Prove you have the skills

It’s as simple as that!

Here are some of the most common accountant skills:

Hard Skills for Accountants:

• Financial Statements
• Asset Management
• State Tax Law
• Tax Compliance
• Corporate Tax
• Account Analysis
• Regulatory Filings
• Revenue Projections
• Account Reconciliation
• Profit and Loss
• Tax Returns
• Payroll Taxes
• General Ledger

Soft Skills for an Accountant:

• Creative Thinking
• Communication
• Time-Management
• Organization
• Generally, only list your best soft skills. You see, every applicant puts a massive list of soft skills that are hard to back-up. Anyone can say they work well in a team, but not many are well-versed in tax compliance.

Here’s a more comprehensive list of 101+ must-have skills this year .

What Else Can You Include in an Accountant Resume?

So, those are the most important sections to put on an accountant resume.

But you can do even more.

Covering the most important sections should get you shortlisted, but adding a few extra sections can get your resume to the top of the pile.

Awards & Certifications

Have you won an award in an accountancy-related field?

Have you completed a course to improve your knowledge?

Whatever it is, make sure to mention it in your resume!

Here’s an example:

Awards & Certificates

• “Financial Accounting Fundamentals” – Coursera Certificate
• “Apprentice of the Year 2016” – LUCA Awards
• “Critical Thinking Masterclass” – MadeUpUniversity

Even though accountants deal with numbers, not words, being able to speak multiple languages is a useful skill to have. As such, list your languages if you have space.

Rank the languages by proficiency:

• Intermediate

Now, you’re likely thinking, “why do I need to tell the recruiter about my book club?”

Well, your personal interests give an idea into the person you are.

Hobbies show that you’ll be a good part of the team, especially if you enjoy social activities. 

Here’s which hobbies & interests you may want to mention.

Include a Cover Letter with Your Resume

Want to separate your application from the competition?

Craft a compelling cover letter!

This personal piece of content shows the company that you want to work for them, which is in direct contrast to other applicants that send dozens of generic resumes.

Here’s how to structure a winning cover letter:

You should complete the following sections:

Personal Contact Information

Your full name, profession, email, phone number, and location

Hiring Manager’s Contact Information

Full name, position, location, and email.

Opening Paragraph

You don’t have long to catch the recruiters attention, so use concise language to mention:

• The accountancy position you’re applying for
• Your experience summary and best achievement to date

Once you’ve captured their interest, you can delve into the following specifics:

• Why you want to be an accountant for the company
• What you know about the company
• How are your accounting skills relevant for the job
• Which similar industries or positions have you worked in before

Closing Paragraph

End the letter in a friendly way, you should:

• Conclude the main points of the letter
• Thank the hiring manager for the opportunity
• Finish with a call to action that allows the conversation to continue. We recommend, “At your earliest opportunity, I’d love to discuss more about how I can help company X”

Formal Salutations

End the letter in a professional manner. Something like, “Kind regards” or “Sincerely.”

For more inspiration, read our step-by-step guide on how to write a cover letter.

Key Takeaways

You’ve just given yourself the best chance of landing that accounting role. 

But before you go, let’s total-up everything you’ve learned:

• Format your accounting resume correctly. Prioritize the reverse-chronological format, and then follow the best practices on content layout
• In your work experience section, highlight your best achievements, rather than your daily responsibilities
• Defeat the competition with a convincing cover letter

Suggested Reading:

• Use Resume Keywords to Land the Job [880+ Keywords]
• 101+ Achievements to List On Your Resume [In 2024]
• What Is Your Greatest Accomplishment? [3 Proven Answers]

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• • Reduced errors in financial reports by 20% through implementation of new processes and controls.
• • Managed the successful implementation of a new accounting system, resulting in a 30% decrease in processing time.
• • Collaborated with the tax department to identify and reduce the company's tax liability, resulting in a savings of $500,000.
• • Implemented a new budgeting process, reducing budget variances by 15%.
• • Developed financial models to support the launch of a new product line, resulting in a projected revenue increase of $2 million.
• • Collaborated with the procurement department to negotiate new supplier contracts, resulting in a cost savings of $1 million.
• • Prepared tax returns for individual and corporate clients, resulting in $500,000 in tax savings.
• • Conducted financial statement analysis and identified areas for improvement, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue for a client.
• • Assisted with audit support for a client and helped to identify $1 million in cost savings through process improvement.

32 Accountant Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

Your accounting resume must showcase your proficiency with financial software and your attention to detail. It should clearly illustrate your ability to organize and analyze financial data. Do not forget to highlight your understanding of various accounting principles and regulations. Employers are looking for your experience with tax preparation and auditing processes to stand out.

All resume examples in this guide

Accounting Intern

Entry-Level Accountant

Junior Cost Accountant

Senior Accountant

Senior Tax Accountant

Accounting Analyst

Accounting Assistant

Accounting Supervisor

Big 4 Accounting

Construction Accounting

Corporate Accounting

Cost Accounting

Director of Accounting

Financial Accounting

Forensic Accounting

Full Cycle Accounting

Functional Accounting

Fund Accountant

General Ledger Accounting

Government Accounting

Hotel Accounting

Management Accounting

Oracle Project Accounting

Project Accounting

Public Accounting

Purchase Accounting

Tax Accountant

Onboarding Accountant

Staff Accountant

Revenue Tax Accountant

Resume guide.

Making Your Accountant Resume

Resume Writing Tips

By Experience

Crafting an accountant's resume may seem overwhelming, especially when you struggle with quantifying your achievements. Learning how to write an effective accountant resume is crucial to landing your dream job. In this article, you'll discover an actual ready-to-use example, a step-by-step guide for each critical section, and how to tailor your resume to the job description for an ATS-friendly format.

How to make your accountant resume

Now that you're ready to create your accountant resume, let's dive into the essential aspects of formatting, design, and content to make it stand out.

How to format your accountant resume

Consider the following recommendations to ensure your resume is both ATS and reader-friendly:

• Columns: While ATS can read any number of columns, stick to a reverse chronological resume format for simplicity and consider a hybrid resume format when necessary.
• Margins: ATS can read any margins, but for optimal printing and readability, maintain a 1-inch margin on all sides .
• Spacing: Although ATS doesn't have issues with spacing, using 1.15 line spacing ensures optimal readability.
• Length: Keep your resume concise, aiming for one to two pages to capture the most relevant information.
• Format type: Submit your resume in a PDF format to preserve formatting across different devices.

Properly formatting your resume is key to creating a professional first impression. Explore various resume formats to determine which suits your needs best.

When formatting your resume, use a clean, easy-to-read font and avoid excessive use of colors or graphics to ensure a polished appearance.

How to design your accountant resume

In addition to formatting, the design elements of your accountant resume can help you stand out without hindering the ATS parsing of your text content. Here are some recommendations to enhance your resume's visual appeal:

When incorporating design elements, always prioritize readability and professionalism. Choose a cohesive color scheme and design that aligns with the industry you're targeting.

How to write each section of your accountant resume

Now let's dive into crafting each section of your accountant resume, using good and bad examples and a checklist to ensure you include all the necessary details in a step-by-step format.

Step #1. Add your contact information and more in the accountant resume header

An effective resume header is crucial for showcasing your contact information and making a strong first impression. Here's a checklist of essential elements for an accountant resume header:

• Your first name and last name : Use your full name or a professional nickname if preferred.
• Your title : Highlight your relevant experience, such as "Certified Public Accountant" or "Financial Analyst."
• Your phone number: Include a current, professional number where employers can easily reach you.
• Your email address : Use a professional email address, ideally with your name in it.
• Your location : Include your city, state, and country, but avoid listing your full street address for privacy reasons.
• Relevant social media handles (optional) : If applicable, provide links to professional profiles like LinkedIn or industry-specific platforms.

Remember, a well-structured resume header sets the tone for the rest of your resume and ensures that employers can easily contact you.

What’s bad about this example

• The title "Accounting Enthusiast" is too casual and lacks professionalism.
• Full street address is provided, which is unnecessary and raises privacy concerns.

What’s good about this example:

• The title "Certified Public Accountant" reflects the candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.
• A professional email address is used, which includes the candidate's name.
• Only the city, state, and country are listed for location, which is sufficient and maintains privacy.

Step #2. Create an impactful accountant resume summary

A well-crafted summary is essential for showcasing your qualifications and capturing the attention of both recruiters and ATS systems. Here's a checklist of crucial elements to include in an accountant resume summary:

• Your title and years of experience: Clearly state your expertise and experience level.
• The most relevant skills in your field: Emphasize key skills that demonstrate your proficiency in accounting.
• Your top 1-2 professional achievements: Showcase your accomplishments to establish credibility and competence.

An effective summary benefits both the ATS and the recruiter by:

• Providing extra real estate for adding keywords from the job description, making your resume more ATS-friendly.
• Offering a concise snapshot of your professional profile, allowing recruiters to quickly assess your suitability for the role.

Ensure you name the section properly for the ATS, such as "Summary" or "Professional Summary."

What’s bad about this example:

• The summary is generic and doesn't emphasize the candidate's specific qualifications or expertise in accounting.
• Lacks mention of relevant skills or software proficiency, which are important for the role.
• Omits any quantifiable professional achievements that can demonstrate the candidate's value to potential employers.
• Clearly states the candidate's title, years of experience, and relevant skills.
• Highlights specific professional achievements that demonstrate the candidate's value to potential employers.

Step #3. Build an experience section for your accountant resume that outshines other candidates

A well-structured experience section with quantified achievements can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your expertise in the accounting field. Follow this checklist to create an impressive resume experience section:

• • Handled accounting tasks
• • Worked with finance team
• • Managed invoices
• • Maintained records
• Vague bullet points that don't highlight specific accomplishments or quantify achievements.
• Missing location and company description, which can make the experience seem less credible.
• • Reduced month-end closing time by 20% through implementing efficient accounting processes.
• • Collaborated with a team of 10 to maintain a $15M budget and ensure timely financial reporting.
• • Managed over 500 invoices monthly, improving accounts payable accuracy by 15%.
• • Maintained financial records in compliance with regulatory standards and company policies.

What’s good about this example

• Clear, quantified achievements that demonstrate the impact on the company.
• Complete information, including location and company description, providing context and credibility to the experience.

Step #4. Make a strong accountant resume education section

An effective education section is essential for accountant resumes, as it demonstrates your expertise and qualifications in the field.

Consider the following recommendations when crafting your education section:

• Degree Name: Clearly state the specific degree you have earned, such as Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• University, college, or other institution: Mention the name of the educational institution where you obtained your degree
• Location (optional): Include the city and state of the educational institution, if relevant
• Years attended: Provide the years of attendance or graduation date
• Coursework: If applicable, highlight relevant coursework that showcases your accounting knowledge
• MBA: If you have an MBA, properly list it on your resume to emphasize your advanced business education
• Incomplete Degree: Address incomplete degrees in a way that emphasizes the knowledge and skills you acquired
• GPA: Decide whether to include your GPA based on its relevance and impressiveness.
• • Relevant coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Taxation
• The degree name is specific and clearly stated
• The institution, location, and years attended are provided
• Relevant coursework is listed to emphasize accounting knowledge
• The GPA is included, as it is both relevant and impressive

Step #5. List your relevant accountant resume skills

A strong skill set is crucial for accountant resumes, as it showcases your expertise and ability to perform the job effectively.

Consider the following recommendations when crafting your skills section:

• ATS-friendly section name: Use a clear and recognizable title, such as "Skills" or "Core Competencies"
• Hard skills: Include relevant hard skills for accountants, such as software proficiency or financial analysis, as they are important for ATS scanning
• Soft skills: List applicable soft skills that demonstrate your interpersonal abilities and work ethic, which are essential for both ATS and recruiters
• Match skills to the job description: Tailor your skills section to the specific requirements listed in the job description to maximize your chances of being shortlisted

Step #6. Add extra sections to your resume

Incorporating extra sections in your accountant resume can help you stand out and demonstrate your cultural fit within the company. Consider adding the following relevant sections:

• Membership of professional associations : Show your commitment to the field by listing relevant organizations you belong to, such as the AICPA or IMA
• Publications : Showcase your expertise by listing published articles, books, or research papers related to accounting
• Conferences: Highlight your dedication to professional development by listing accounting conferences you've attended or presented at
• Volunteering : Share any volunteering experiences related to accounting or financial literacy, demonstrating your community involvement
• Language skills : List any additional languages you speak, which can be an asset when working with international clients or colleagues
• Awards : Mention any relevant awards or recognitions that highlight your accomplishments in the accounting field

Keep the extra sections concise and focused on your target position. Align them with the company values and emphasize how they make you a well-rounded candidate for the accountant role.

Step #7. Finalize your accountant resume

Step #8. create an accountant cover letter to show your extra effort.

A well-crafted accountant cover letter can make a significant difference in your job application by highlighting your achievements, skills, and fit for the role. It serves as a personalized introduction to the hiring manager, showcasing your genuine interest in the position.

Your accountant cover letter should include:

• Contact information that corresponds with the resume: This ensures that the hiring manager can easily reach you and keeps your application consistent.
• Greeting : Address the hiring manager by name if possible, showing that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.
• Achievements in the first paragraph : Highlight your most significant accomplishments relevant to the role, which will grab the hiring manager's attention and encourage them to read further.
• Work experience : Detail your relevant experience, emphasizing your successes and the skills you've developed that make you a strong candidate for the position.
• Skills : Discuss both hard and soft skills, demonstrating how they have contributed to your success in previous roles and how they will benefit the company if you are hired.
• Why you'd be a good fit : Explain how your values and goals align with those of the company, and emphasize your enthusiasm for the role and the organization.
• Call to action : Express your interest in discussing your qualifications further in an interview and thank the hiring manager for considering your application. This demonstrates your proactive attitude and leaves a positive impression.

Cover Letter Template:

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Today's Date]

[Recipient's Name]

[Recipient's Job Title]

[Company Name]

[Company Address]

Dear [Recipient's Name],

As an experienced accountant with a strong background in [relevant technical skills] and a BA in [relevant discipline] from [big US university], I am excited to apply for the accountant position at [Company Name]. My expertise in financial analysis, auditing, and financial reporting, combined with my excellent communication and organizational skills, make me an ideal candidate for this role.

In my previous position as an accountant at [Previous Company], I managed a portfolio of over 50 clients and helped increase overall efficiency by 15% through implementing new accounting software and streamlining processes. My work experience also includes collaborating with cross-functional teams, managing financial audits, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

My technical skills include proficiency in [list relevant accounting software and tools], which enable me to perform accurate and efficient financial analysis. Additionally, I possess strong [mention soft skills, such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and time management], allowing me to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of accounting and finance.

I am confident that my combination of education, experience, and enthusiasm for the field of accounting will make me a valuable asset to [Company Name]. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further in an interview. Thank you for considering my application.

Additional accountant resume tips and tricks

To make your accountant resume stand out, it's essential to showcase your most relevant hard and soft skills, as well as strong action verbs that convey your expertise and accomplishments. Below are lists of top hard skills, soft skills, and action verbs that are relevant for an accountant resume.

Top skills for your accountant resume:

Top hard skills for your accountant resume

• Management accounting

Top soft skills for your accountant resume

• Organizational skills

Top action verbs for your accountant resume

• Streamlined
• Implemented

Top bullet points for your accountant resume

• Streamlined financial reporting processes, reducing month-end closing time by 25% and improving overall accuracy.
• Implemented new budgeting and forecasting tools, leading to a 15% reduction in annual budget variances.
• Managed a team of 5 junior accountants, providing guidance and training to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Successfully identified and resolved $100K in accounting discrepancies, ensuring accurate financial statements.
• Oversaw a comprehensive internal audit, resulting in the identification of key risk areas and recommendations for improvement.
• Assisted in the preparation and filing of corporate tax returns, saving the company $50K in potential penalties.
• Developed and maintained cash flow projection models, helping to optimize working capital and reduce borrowing costs.
• Conducted cost-benefit analysis for potential investments, contributing to informed decision-making and strategic growth.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams on process improvement initiatives, increasing overall operational efficiency by 10%.
• Implemented new internal controls to enhance compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements, minimizing financial risks.
• Negotiated favorable payment terms with suppliers, leading to a 5% reduction in annual accounts payable expenses.
• Successfully managed the transition to a new ERP system, resulting in improved data accuracy and streamlined financial processes.
• Prepared and presented monthly financial reports to senior management, ensuring timely communication of key performance indicators.
• Coordinated the annual external audit, leading to a clean audit opinion and increased stakeholder confidence.
• Monitored and analyzed financial performance of business units, providing insights to drive revenue growth and cost reduction initiatives.

Top quantifiable achievements or work situations for your accountant resume

• Have you ever implemented new accounting software or tools to increase efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting and analysis?
• Did you ever lead a cross-functional team on a project to improve financial processes and reduce operational costs within the organization?
• Have you ever conducted an in-depth financial analysis to identify potential cost-saving measures and increase overall profitability?
• Were you responsible for managing relationships with external auditors, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and providing required documentation in a timely manner?
• Have you ever participated in the development of strategic financial plans, including budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial projections to support company growth?

Top summaries for your accountant resume

• Detail-oriented accountant with 7 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, a proven ability to streamline financial processes, and a strong background in cost analysis seeks a position as a Senior Accountant.
• Analytical accountant with 5 years of experience in the non-profit sector, a demonstrated ability to manage budgets and develop financial forecasts, and a deep understanding of grant management seeks a position as a Financial Analyst.
• Certified Public Accountant with 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, expertise in tax preparation and financial planning, and a strong background in implementing internal controls seeks a position as a Tax Manager.
• Results-driven accountant with 4 years of experience in the technology sector, a proven ability to identify cost-saving opportunities, and a strong background in financial reporting and analysis seeks a position as a Corporate Accountant.
• Proactive accountant with 6 years of experience in the retail industry, expertise in financial management and budgeting, and a solid background in implementing accounting software solutions seeks a position as a Financial Controller.

Top certifications for your accountant resume

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) - CFA Institute
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) - Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) - Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
• Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) - Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
• Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) - Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
• Enrolled Agent (EA) - Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) - Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards
• Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) - Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
• Accredited Business Accountant (ABA) - Accreditation Council for Accountancy and Taxation (ACAT)

Certifications on resumes are important because they demonstrate your expertise, commitment to professional development, and distinguish you from other candidates. When listing certifications, include the following:

• Certification name
• Name of issuer
• Year of obtainment
• Location (if applicable)
• Date of expiration (if applicable)
• Expected date of obtainment (if applicable)

It's appropriate to add certifications in a dedicated section or within your education section, depending on the resume format you choose. Include certifications that are most relevant to the position you're applying for and that highlight your skills and qualifications.

Accounting resume examples

Explore additional accounting resume samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.

Looking to build your own Accounting resume?

• Resume Examples

Frequently asked questions about accountant resumes

How long should i make my accountant resume, what is the best format for an accountant resume, which accountant skills are most important to add to your resume, how can i make my accountant resume stand out, should i include a cover letter with my accountant resume, how can i showcase my achievements on an accountant resume, how to accept a job offer, why and how to write a resignation email (with examples), how many jobs should you list on a resume, real resume examples that stand out and get people hired, how to decide whether to use the reverse chronological resume, 40+ resume tips and advice for 2024 [with expert insights] | enhancv.

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Accountant Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write an Accountant Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-level

Accountant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

• Senior-Level

Michael Hamill (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Los Angeles, CA 33333 | www.linkedin.com/example

College graduate with CPA certification and nearly two years of accounting internship experience. Fast learner able to work long and flexible hours. Equally effective working independently or on a team.

• Accounts payable and receivable
• Budget planning and forecasting
• Reporting and documentation
• Team collaboration
• Time management

Bachelor of Science (BS) – Accounting (minor in Business Administration), Los Angeles University, Los Angeles, CA | 2022 3.9 GPA | magna cum laude | Member of the university’s chapter of the Accounting Society

Professional Experience

Accounting Intern, Woolworth’s Incorporated, Los Angeles, CA | August 2021 to present

• Help prepare debit and credit documents for over 100 clients
• Facilitate weekly audits of varying accounts to ensure accuracy
• Organize and maintain records for many clients and vendors
• Collaborate with other interns on key projects
• Perform complex accounting procedures, and assist support staff

Highlights:

• Ranked No. 3 out of 15 team members for both efficiency and accuracy
• Helped team leader develop four new initiatives for better internal communications and organization

Technical Skills 

Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) | NetSuite | QuickBooks | Quicken | ZipBooks

Tammy Jones (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Sacramento, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Organized accounting professional with a record of success helping clients decrease costs, balance books, and reconcile accounts. Naturally curious and committed to gaining and applying new expertise. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

• Account reconciliation
• Client relations
• Cost reduction and elimination
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Statutory Accounting Principles (SAP) accounting system

Accounting Specialist, XYZ Accountants, Sacramento, CA | January 2012 to present

• Ensure accuracy of all transactions with clients, vendors, and employees
• Collaborative role working closely with managers and other staff members
• Identified and averted over $250,000 in lost revenue from bank errors
• Won “Accounting Expert of the Month” five times for outstanding diligence and accuracy
• Enhanced client relationships by actively addressing and resolving late payments

Bachelor of Science — Accounting (minor in Business Administration), Sacramento University, Sacramento, CA

Fluency in Spanish | Proficiency in Italian

Ann Smith (123) 789-6788 | [email protected] | Fort Worth, TX 11111 | www.linkedin.com/example

CPA dedicated to raising companies’ bottom line. Skilled at preparing financial reports, reconciling accounts, collecting money owed, and completing special projects. Adapt readily to new work challenges and industry conditions.

• Accounting software (QuickBooks, Quicken)
• Accounts receivable
• Financial report preparation
• General ledger accounting
• Process streamlining
• Project management

Senior Accountant, Brown & Associates, Fort Worth, TX | January 2015 to present

• Streamline work processes to improve productivity of a 100-person workforce
• Prepare monthly closing and profit and loss (P&L) statements for managers and board of directors
• Advise company president on financial issues and considerations
• Found and recovered about $120,000 in lost revenue through bank reconciliation
• Introduced accounting best practices that decreased company financial errors by 10% in five years

Staff Accountant, Tom Smith Accountant, College Place, TX | August 2008 to December 2014

• Coordinated benefits for a staff of more than 20
• Generated weekly payroll and bonuses, and checked for accuracy with time
• Investigated and resolved any discrepancies with bank accounts
• Collaborated with senior financial officers to print and distribute quarterly financial statements

Bachelor of Science (BS) — Accounting, University of Texas, Austin | 2014

Certification

• CPA, Association of Certified Public Accountants

Whether you’d like to work with companies, nonprofits, or individual clients, you can write a great accountant resume by showing your skill at building financial success and stability. The following tips and examples will assist you in exploring this topic and creating compelling content for each section of your accounting job resume.

1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your accountant qualifications

In a brief paragraph at the top of your resume, the Profile should name three to five key reasons why you deliver strong accounting oversight and support. By showcasing your top qualifications this way, you can assure target employers you’re a fit for the accountant role they want to fill.

For example, maybe you have a reputation for helping businesses find and remove unnecessary costs. Or perhaps you’ve worked on successful initiatives for better legal compliance. Alternatively, you may have years of experience with startup budgets, and that’s a key focus of the accounting jobs you’re now after. You can also cite reasons outside your accounting work experience – for instance, a recently finished master’s degree or advanced certification that sets you apart.

Mid-Career Profile Example

Senior-level profile example.

Certified public accountant (CPA) dedicated to raising companies’ bottom lines. Skilled at preparing financial reports, reconciling accounts, collecting money owed, and completing special projects. Adapt readily to new work challenges and industry conditions.

2. Add a compelling section featuring your accountant experience

Under each past accounting job, give quantified examples of your helping people or organizations improve their financial position. For example, you may have developed cost analyses that enabled your organization to improve its bottom line. Perhaps you designed a system to prepare your taxes faster and more accurately. Or you depleted a backlog of late payments. Examples like these show hiring managers you can generate similar fiscal solutions for their company.

For any non-accounting jobs in your recent work history , focus your description on the transferable skills you gained. Say you worked as a receptionist – you could use this job description to emphasize client relations, careful documentation, or any other skill areas you expect to use in your next accounting job.

Entry-Level Experience Example

Accounting intern, Woolworth’s Incorporated, Los Angeles, CA | August 2021 to present

• Facilitate weekly audit of varying accounts to ensure accuracy
• Perform complex accounting procedures and assist support staff

Mid-Career Experience Example

3. include accountant-related education and certifications.

View the Education and Certifications sections as another chance to show your expertise in supporting clients’ or employers’ financial health. Give at least the basic details on your highest degree in finance or accounting and any other postsecondary degrees you’ve earned. Also, share details on your CPA or other accounting-related certifications. With these credentials on your resume, you can assure hiring managers you’ll draw on a solid knowledge base when offering financial analysis and solutions.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note that optional template items appear in [brackets].

• Degree Name — [Concentration], School Name, City, ST | [Year]
• [#.# GPA] | [academic honors or awards]
• Bachelor of Science (BS) — Accounting (minor in Business Administration), Los Angeles University, Los Angeles, CA | 2022
• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]

4. Outline your most useful accountant skills and proficiencies

Include a “Key Skills” section on your resume to show the various ways you help build and ensure financial success. For most accountants, this section should cover expense reduction, financial reporting, and complex problem-solving. You may also want to name the specific technical programs or accounting software you’ve used, like advanced Excel or QuickBooks (but if you have five or more, consider making them their own “Technical Skills” section). Below are some common accounting skills you may add to your “Key Skills” section:

How To Pick the Best Accountant Resume Template

As with most vocations, accountants should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your most impressive career details. Use a simple resume font , and avoid any template that has an overly colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: Accountant Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for accountant resumes -.

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by using a good mix of action verbs in your Experience section. Strong verbs for accountants include “secure,” “reconcile,” and “reinforce.” The following list will help you brainstorm and write about the various ways you’ve made an impact in your accounting career so far:

How do you align your accountant resume with a job posting? -

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for accountants will increase by about 6% between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is roughly the same as the average for all U.S. vocations.

You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume to each application. For example, if the job post calls for someone with a collaborative streak, you may want to emphasize that aspect of your experience in your Profile and Key Skills sections. Or say the company has many non-English speaking clients or business partners. In that case, highlight your foreign language skills both in your Profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity in your job search.

What is the best accountant resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your relevant skills and experience. It’s also simplest for you to modify based on your job goals. With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and background in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro usually should include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also include an Awards or Career Highlights section.

To increase your chances of an interview, write a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our accountant cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our bookkeeper and finance cover letter guides.

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Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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Accountant resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for accounting

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your accounting work experience, include the relevant key skills that make you a great accountant, detail your education & relevant accounting certifications, pick the right resume layout and design for an accountant resume.

Every business needs an accountant, and every accountant resume that’s worthy of a prospective employer’s attention needs to measure up on multiple counts.

Accountants know that attention to detail and careful calculation are requirements for a job well done, but it turns out that applies to resume writing as well. Your resume offers a first impression to the hiring team, so it's important to make it a good one. 

Resume guide for an accounting resume

Resume.io is here to help. Our resume builder and field-tested resume examples for over 500 professions will give you the advantage to stay ahead in your pursuit of a dream accountant job. 

This resume guide and corresponding accountant resume example will cover the following topics:

How to write an accounting resume

• How to choose the right format for an accounting resume
• How to include your contact information
• Using summaries
• Including your accounting experience
• Listing your education and certifications
• Selecting the right resume design/layout
• The job market and outlook for accountants today

Let's jump in.

Before you get started, you need to know what your accountant resume should include. Here are the necessary sections:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Your resume should reflect the unique you bring as an accountant. To start, gather as much information as possible about the company and role to which you're applying. Try to understand the company's needs and plan to showcase how you are exactly the right accountant to solve their problems. 

To do this well, stick to this formula:

• Highlight your accomplishments , not just your job duties. Anyone can list the tasks they were assigned, but showcasing your specific achievements will further prove your value.
• Tailor your resume for each application you submit by adjusting the style and tone to match that of the employer.
• Convey a professional, streamlined image with a resume template that's polished, not stuffy or overly formal.
• Include relevant keywords to make sure the reader or system can understand exactly what you've accomplished.

Optimize for the ATS

An applicant tracking system , or ATS, is a system companies use to collect and manage applications. Advanced applicant tracking systems may use algorithms to assist in screening resumes. They may look for keywords that are aligned with the job description, then pass forward those that rank highest.

For example, an accountant job posting may include the following requirements:  

• “Proficiency in various accounting software."
• "Knowledge of accounting principles and standards."
• "Financial analysis expertise."

Your resume profile summary, when integrating the keywords, could read:  

“Accounting expert with 5 years of experience in both accounting and financial analysis. Fluent in multiple accounting software systems. Deep knowledge of accounting principles and standards, including GAAP." 

Your resume should be straightforward, professional, and easy to understand — the same qualities of a great accountant. 

While there are various resume formats, the best option is the reverse chronological format. This format showcases your most recent experience first then works backwards into your past roles. 

For those who are hoping to make a career transition or otherwise have a unique background, a functional format, which focuses on skills and talents rather than employers, may be useful. In other instances, a hybrid (combination) resume format makes sense in adapting chronological and functional elements.

Spend some time exploring the resume templates in our resume builder and select the format that best suits your situation. There are plenty of versions of each format available as resume examples , as well. 

Be sure to use a clean modern or professional layout for your accountant resume, as this will reflect your professional brand.

The resume header is your opportunity to make it clear whose resume the reader is viewing and how to contact you. It's imperative to make this as easily accessible as possible while ensuring it's presented professionally.

What sort of information should you include?

• Full name & title. List your first and last name as well as the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address. Use a clean format like [email protected] — not a quirky, unprofessional email address.
• Phone number. List a number where you can be easily contacted. Make sure you have a professional voicemail greeting and your voicemail box isn't full.
• Location . You need only list your city and state . Don’t list street address or zip code, as that's both outdated and unsafe. If you're willing to relocate for work, note "Willing to Relocate" here.
• LinkedIn. If your LinkedIn profile is active and relevant, link to it here.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth: This isn't necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination .
• Personal details: Leave off any information related to your marital status, social security number, passport number , etc.

James Clark, Accountant

Philadelphia, PA

(267) 216-2188

[email protected]

James Clark

6500 Rossey Street

Philadelphia, PA 19119

United States

Accounting is typically characterized as a technical profession, but that should not stop you from infusing some personality in your accountant resume.  In particular, the summary (sometimes called a profile) of your accountant resume is the place for adding the human dimension. It also gives you a chance to challenge certain stereotypes about financial professionals being dry or uncooperative by nature. 

Think of your accountant resume summary as a story of expertise and character. In fact, this is really the only resume section where you can employ a bit of creativity, since it's relatively freeform while most other resume sections have standard formatting in bullet points. 

Make sure to use energetic language, action verbs, and positive statements. and let some character to shine through. Don't just repeat information from your resume in different words; instead, use this area to provide overarching themes about who you are, how you work, and what you've achieved. 

You can find adaptable accountant resume example summaries below:

Recent accounting graduate with one year of experience in account reconciliations, streamlining accounts, and financial planning. Highly motivated professional with an eagerness to learn and grow in the accounting industry. Comprehensive educational background and understanding of all aspects of accounting and financial planning. 

Certified Public Accountant with five years of experience in account reconciliations, streamlining accounts, and financial planning. Highly motivated professional with a proven track record of delivering accurate reports and high quality service. Possess a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of accounting and financial planning and able to train and mentor teammates in accounting best practices.

Certified Public Accountant and MBA with 10+ years of experience in account reconciliations, streamlining accounts, and financial planning. Strong leader with proven track record of driving teams to delivery accurate reports and high-quality service. Comprehensive expertise in all aspects of accounting and financial planning and able lead effective teams in attaining profit improvement. 

In accordance with a reverse chronological format, list your current or most recent job at the top of this section and work your way back from there. Don't go back more than 10-15 years; while your earlier experience is no doubt valuable, it may not be as relevant as more recent work. Plus, it can invite ageism. 

Only include information that is directly related to the kind of role you're targeting. If you have other experience you'd like to add, consider an "Other Experience" section to capture it. 

Beneath each employer and title heading, detail your contributions and achievements in succinct, specific bullet points. Omit the use of personal pronouns like "I" and "my." Start each bullet point with an action verb that reflects your impacted: managed, budgeted, analyzed, saved, assessed. 

Don't just list your job duties. Instead, demonstrate tangible outcomes. It's best if you can include specific numbers. Without that level of specificity, your resume may seem a bit bland — and who wants to further that accounting stereotype? 

For example, these bullets could be written by anyone:

• Handled accounting and financial analysis
• Analyzed budgets for the company as needed
• Filed financial reports and records

They're vague and nonspecific, right? Look what happens when you add more context:

• Managed accounting and financial analysis for 100-person organization as sole accountant on staff
• Saved $200k per year through careful budget analysis and uncovering unneeded expenses
• Improved accuracy and timeliness of financial report filing, achieving compliance for the first time

Take a look at the accountant employment history resume sample below:

Accountant at Huntington Associates, Philadelphia  July 2019 - September 2022 

• Oversaw the management of all company accounts.
• Processed staff payroll and other main aspects of financial transactions.
• Managed accounting team of 10 and ensured that all accounting records were complete and accurate.
• Explained financial matters to people outside of the finance department in a comprehensive way.
• Handled sensitive and confidential matters discreetly.
• Working closely with junior staff members while aiding them in the progression of their careers.

Staff Accountant at Dubone Partnership, New York  November 2014 - September 2018  

• Managed accounts by analyzing costs and revenues.
• Projected future trends based on analysis work.
• Managed complex expense reporting.
• Developed strategies for minimizing tax liability.
• Worked closely with auditors during all audit processes.
• Performed financial risk assessments for all future business projects.
• Organized sales and profit reports.
• Prepared, reviewed, and submitted crucial budget plans for company goals.

Accounting Records Manager at Pepsico, New York  October 2013 - October 2014 

• Supervised staff of 12 finance department members.
• Prepared budget and analyzed inventories, cost of goods, and general accounts.
• Served as a liaison between the accounting staff and the external audit staff.

The STAR method is effective for summarizing work experience highlights on your accounting resume. Simply describe: S — the situation; T — task(s); A — actions/strategy; and R — result achieved. Again, numbers and other outcome measurements are ideal.  This resume writing method is also useful to prepare for a job interview, as it helps keep your explanations logical and straightforward.

Accounting focuses on hard skills, and an accounting resume typically reflects that in about 90% of the content. However, you'll want both hard and soft skills to showcase your comprehensive expertise. Hard skills are those that are measurable, like experience with accounting software or particular financial regulations. On the other hand, soft skills are those that pertain more to how you think and work with others, like dependability, strong communication, or complex problem-solving. 

Keep in mind that your accounting resume should be concise and tailored to the specific accounting position you are seeking, so you don't need to include every single skill every time. One of the best tools for being selective about each specific resume skills section is your own master list. Create a separate document with just a bullet point list of your competencies and keep it handy for updating constantly. Then, for each new version of your accountant resume, analyze the job requirements and choose the most appropriate skills for your resume.

Resume.io offers several pre-written key skills to choose from when using the resume builder. You can also write in additional skills. 

Here's what the skills box looks like in our accountant resume template:

• Financial Reporting
• Cross-functional Collaboration

This isn't the only place to include your skills, though. In fact, you should try to weave them throughout your resume to showcase them in action with specific examples and metrics. 

For instance, your work experience could highlight things like:

• Proficiency with accounting software by including the systems you've used at your past jobs. For example, you can note that you worked with Excel for budget management.
• Accounting expertise by displaying your knowledge of principles (like GAAP), tax regulations, and cost analysis techniques.
• Attention to detail by showcasing your experience leading audits, catching errors, and saving the company money.

Look to the job posting for an idea of which skills are most impactful to include. 

Your resume's education section is where you can show the academic achievements that make you a great accountant. Because accounting is typically not a self-taught profession, hiring teams expect you to bring some education and it's important to display it here. Accountants typically have an undergraduate degree in accounting, business, or finance, and may have an advanced degree on top of that.

Assuming you have a bachelor's or master's degree, there's no need to list your high school credentials. Do, however, include certifications or trainings related to accounting. Think about:

• Accounting certifications, particularly if you've earned designation as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Other certifications include Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), and Chartered Institute Management Accountant (CIMA).
• Industry-specific certifications like Certified Bank Auditor (CBA), Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Enrolled Agent (EA).
• Professional development, including relevant training courses and memberships in accounting-related professional associations.
• Internships, especially if you're a recent graduate or new to the industry.

Accountants are among the professions prominent in companies like the Big Four. This means high salaries and high competition. To reach a good position and have a great career in such environments, certifications are important. Most top-level professionals in these corporations have CPAs. And if you do as well, make sure to highlight that in your application.

Certified Public Accountant, State of New York, New York City  2023 

Master of Business Administration and Accounting, St. Joseph's College, New York  July  2020

Bachelor of Finance, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia  May 2012 

Appropriate layout, design, and formatting are the foundation for attracting and focusing the recruiter’s attention on your accountant resume. Together, they create the first impression hiring managers will have.  

To convey character and a professional image on your accounting resume, a clean and classical look is your best choice. Accountants are often associated with discipline, dependability, and expertise, so let's visualize that in your resume template . 

Before choosing a template, reflect on what that resume format says about you as a candidate. For most formal accounting positions, you'll want to keep your template fairly simple . However for certain employers, a more creative or modern touch might be effective.

For more ideas, take a look at our field-tested resume templates , where the most tedious formatting and structure tasks are done for you. 

Accountant text-only resume example

Certified Public Accountant with five years of experience in account reconciliations, streamlining accounts, and financial planning. Highly motivated professional with a proven track record of delivering accurate reports and high-quality service. Possess a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of accounting and financial planning. A dedicated leader with the ability to lead effective teams in attaining profit improvement.

Employment history

Accountant job market and outlook

Accounting is a vitally important function that impacts businesses daily. Accountants have traditionally been viewed as keepers of financial records, caretakers of tax-related documents, and — essentially — "the numbers people."

But the core of most accounting roles is much deeper and wider in today’s increasingly dynamic and complex economy. Ask anyone running a business, working in a large corporation, or navigating government interactions how well they could manage without great accounting support. Chances are, they couldn't manage it well. 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a leading source of occupation-specific market data, combines accountants and auditors in the same information category. This work is carried out in the following forms of employment : accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services; finance and insurance; government; management of companies and enterprises; and self-employed.

The accounting job outlook, which is generally tied closely to the health of the overall economy, is on a stable growth path. The BLS projects 4% increase in jobs for accountants and auditors from 2022-2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. They anticipate an average of 126,500 accounting and auditing roles to be available per year. 

Accountants earn a higher-than-average income, much like other financial professionals. According to the BLS, the average annual salary for accountants and auditors in 2022 was $86,740. The median income was $78,000, with those in the 75th percentile earning over $100,000 and those in the 90th percentile earning over $130,000.

Looking for some resume inspiration? Check out some related resume examples from the financial industry:

• Finance-director resume example
• Senior-accountant resume example
• Bank-teller resume example
• Loan-officer resume example
• Loan-processor resume example
• Bookkeeper resume example
• Auditing-clerk resume example
• Banker resume example
• Compliance-officer resume example
• Investment-banker resume example
• Financial-analyst resume example
• Financial-advisor resume example

Key takeaways for building an accountant resume

Steady growth in the accountant job market means competition for the best jobs is likely to increase, so you need all the best tools to create an outstanding resume that gives you every advantage over other candidates. Now that you know how to write an excellent accountant resume comprising all the relevant sections, you can make your fit for the role clear to any recruiter or hiring manager. 

Using our online resume builder can make it even easier with a streamlined, organized process — and what accountantaccountant doesn't love that? 

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

13 Accountant Resume Examples for Your 2024 Job Search

Accountants are experts at managing financial data and ensuring accuracy. As an accountant, your resume is just like a financial statement. It should be organized, accurate, and provide a clear picture of your qualifications and experience. In this guide, we'll review X accountant resume examples to help you create a resume that will get you hired.

Resume Examples

Resume guidance.

• High Level Resume Tips
• Must-Have Information
• Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important
• Writing an Exceptional Resume Summary
• How to Impress with Your Work Experience
• Top Skills & Keywords
• Go Above & Beyond with a Cover Letter
• Resume FAQs
• Related Resumes

Common Responsibilities Listed on Accountant Resumes:

• Prepare financial statements and reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and statements of cash flows
• Analyze financial information to recommend or develop efficient use of resources and procedures
• Compile and analyze financial information to prepare entries to accounts, such as general ledger accounts, and document business transactions
• Establish, maintain, and coordinate the implementation of accounting and accounting control procedures
• Analyze and review budgets and expenditures for local, state, federal, and private funding sources
• Monitor and review accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness
• Prepare and review budget, revenue, expense, payroll entries, invoices, and other accounting documents
• Reconcile and maintain balance sheet accounts
• Research and resolve billing and invoice discrepancies
• Prepare and review tax returns and research tax issues for individuals and businesses

You can use the examples above as a starting point to help you brainstorm tasks, accomplishments for your work experience section.

Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a new accounting control procedure, resulting in a 25% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Analyzed and reviewed budgets and expenditures for a federal funding source, identifying cost savings opportunities and successfully negotiating a 10% reduction in expenses.
• Prepared and reviewed tax returns for a portfolio of 50 clients, resulting in a 95% accuracy rate and a 20% increase in client satisfaction.
• Managed the preparation of financial statements and reports for a publicly traded company, ensuring compliance with GAAP and SEC regulations and achieving a 100% accuracy rate.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement a new expense tracking system, resulting in a 30% reduction in processing time and a 20% increase in data accuracy.
• Provided financial analysis and recommendations to senior leadership, resulting in a successful merger with a competitor and a 10% increase in market share.
• Implemented a new accounts payable system, reducing processing time by 50% and improving vendor relationships by 25%.
• Developed and maintained a budget for a non-profit organization, resulting in a 15% increase in funding and a 10% increase in program offerings.
• Managed the reconciliation of balance sheet accounts for a portfolio of 100 clients, resulting in a 98% accuracy rate and a 20% increase in client retention.
• Customer retention strategies
• Contract negotiation
• Data analysis and trend identification
• Account portfolio management
• Presentation development and delivery
• Cross-functional team collaboration
• CRM system implementation
• Sales strategy development and execution
• Team management and leadership
• Billing system implementation
• Relationship building
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and flexibility

Entry Level Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a new internal control system, resulting in a 25% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Assisted with the preparation of tax filings and returns, ensuring compliance with all regulations and saving the company $10,000 in penalties.
• Reviewed and analyzed budget variances, identifying areas for cost savings and recommending changes that resulted in a 10% reduction in expenses.
• Reconciled and maintained balance sheet accounts, ensuring accuracy and completeness of financial data and reducing errors by 20%.
• Assisted with month-end and year-end close process, completing all tasks ahead of schedule and improving overall efficiency by 15%.
• Prepared and reviewed financial statements and reports, providing valuable insights to management and contributing to a 5% increase in revenue.
• Analyzed and reviewed accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness, identifying discrepancies and implementing solutions that improved accuracy by 30%.
• Assisted with audits, ensuring compliance with all regulations and reducing audit findings by 50%.
• Developed and maintained internal control and procedures, improving overall efficiency and reducing errors by 20%.
• Financial analysis
• Internal controls
• Tax preparation and compliance
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Balance sheet reconciliation
• Month-end and year-end close process
• Financial reporting
• Audit assistance
• Accounting software proficiency
• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Adaptability

Staff Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented new financial controls and procedures, resulting in a 25% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Analyzed and presented financial data to senior management, leading to a 10% reduction in expenses and a 5% increase in revenue.
• Managed the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting and reducing the close time by 20%.
• Managed the preparation and filing of all sales and payroll taxes, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and avoiding any penalties or fines.
• Developed and maintained relationships with vendors and suppliers, negotiating favorable payment terms and reducing accounts payable by 15%.
• Provided support for external audits, resulting in a clean audit report and no material weaknesses identified.
• Implemented a new budgeting and forecasting process, resulting in a 10% increase in accuracy and a 5% reduction in variances.
• Managed the reconciliation of all financial accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner and reducing errors by 20%.
• Developed and presented financial reports to department heads, providing insights and recommendations for improving financial performance and achieving KPIs.
• Month-end close process
• Tax preparation and filing
• Accounts reconciliation
• Financial controls and procedures
• Vendor and supplier relationship management
• External audit support
• Data presentation and communication
• Process improvement
• Accounts payable management
• Compliance and regulatory knowledge
• Time management and efficiency
• Attention to detail and accuracy

Cost Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a new cost accounting system, resulting in a 20% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Analyzed and reported on cost trends, identifying areas for cost savings and reducing overall expenses by 10%.
• Prepared and analyzed variance reports, providing insights to management that led to a 5% increase in profit margins.
• Managed the development and maintenance of standard costs, resulting in a 15% reduction in production costs and a 10% increase in profitability.
• Assisted in the preparation of the annual budget, providing accurate cost estimates that helped the company achieve a 95% budget accuracy rate.
• Monitored and analyzed labor costs and productivity, implementing process improvements that led to a 20% increase in productivity and a 5% reduction in labor costs.
• Analyzed and reported on the cost of goods sold and other expenses, identifying areas for cost savings and reducing overall expenses by 10%.
• Prepared and analyzed cost estimates for new products and services, providing accurate cost estimates that helped the company achieve a 95% budget accuracy rate.
• Monitored and analyzed actual costs against budgeted costs, providing insights to management that led to a 5% increase in profit margins.
• Cost accounting systems
• Variance analysis
• Standard costing
• Budget preparation
• Labor cost management
• Productivity analysis
• Cost of goods sold (COGS) analysis
• Cost estimation
• Actual vs. budgeted cost analysis
• Microsoft Excel
• ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking

Junior Accountant Resume Example:

• Implemented new financial reporting procedures that reduced the time required to prepare monthly financial statements by 20%.
• Developed and maintained a system for tracking and analyzing accounts receivable, resulting in a 15% reduction in outstanding balances.
• Assisted with the preparation of tax returns, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and minimizing the risk of penalties.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement a new budgeting process, resulting in a 10% reduction in expenses and improved financial forecasting accuracy.
• Managed the accounts payable process, ensuring timely and accurate payments to vendors and reducing the number of payment errors by 25%.
• Prepared and reviewed payroll, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and minimizing the risk of errors.
• Developed and implemented new internal controls, reducing the risk of fraud and errors in financial reporting by 30%.
• Analyzed financial data to identify trends and opportunities for cost savings, resulting in a 5% reduction in expenses.
• Assisted with the preparation for an external audit, ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and minimizing the risk of penalties.
• Accounts receivable management
• Payroll processing and compliance
• Internal controls implementation
• Financial data analysis
• External audit preparation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Proficiency in accounting software

Payroll Accountant Resume Example:

• Implemented a new payroll software system that reduced processing time by 50% and improved accuracy by 25%, resulting in increased employee satisfaction and reduced payroll errors.
• Collaborated with HR to develop and implement a new onboarding process for new employees, resulting in a 30% reduction in onboarding time and improved accuracy of employee data.
• Developed and implemented a new payroll audit process, resulting in a 40% reduction in payroll discrepancies and improved compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Managed the preparation and submission of all payroll tax returns, resulting in a 100% compliance rate with federal, state, and local tax laws.
• Developed and implemented a new payroll budgeting process, resulting in a 20% reduction in payroll expenses and improved accuracy in forecasting payroll costs.
• Streamlined the payroll reconciliation process, reducing the time required by 50% and improving accuracy by 30%.
• Developed and implemented a new payroll policy and procedure manual, resulting in improved consistency and accuracy in payroll processing across the organization.
• Managed the preparation and distribution of all payroll reports, resulting in improved transparency and communication with employees and management.
• Researched and resolved complex payroll discrepancies, resulting in a 95% reduction in payroll errors and improved accuracy in employee pay.
• Payroll software proficiency
• Payroll processing and auditing
• Tax compliance and reporting
• Reconciliation and discrepancy resolution
• Policy and procedure development
• Onboarding and employee data management
• Collaboration and communication
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local payroll regulations

General Ledger Accountant Resume Example:

• Implemented a new budget tracking system, resulting in a 25% reduction in budget variances and improved accuracy in financial reporting.
• Developed and implemented new accounting policies and procedures, resulting in a 15% increase in compliance with GAAP and other accounting regulations.
• Analyzed and reconciled complex general ledger accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies that resulted in a 10% reduction in errors.
• Managed the month-end close process for multiple entities, resulting in a 20% reduction in close time and improved accuracy in financial reporting.
• Developed and implemented a new chart of accounts structure, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Assisted with the successful completion of multiple internal and external audits, resulting in zero findings and improved audit scores.
• Prepared and analyzed financial reports for multiple entities, resulting in a 15% increase in accuracy and improved decision-making for senior management.
• Lead the implementation of a new accounting software system, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Developed and implemented a new account reconciliation process, resulting in a 25% reduction in errors and improved accuracy in financial reporting.
• General ledger management
• GAAP compliance
• Account reconciliation
• Internal and external auditing
• Chart of accounts development
• Multi-entity accounting
• Team collaboration

Accountant Assistant Resume Example:

• Managed accounts payable and accounts receivable, reducing payment processing time by 20% and improving accuracy by 15%.
• Prepared and filed tax returns, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and saving the company $10,000 in penalties.
• Assisted with audits, ensuring all financial records were accurate and up-to-date, resulting in a successful audit with no findings.
• Prepared and processed payroll for 100+ employees, reducing errors by 25% and improving timeliness by 20%.
• Assisted with budget preparation and analysis, identifying cost-saving opportunities that resulted in a 10% reduction in expenses.
• Monitored and reconciled inventory, reducing discrepancies by 15% and improving accuracy in financial reporting.
• Reconciled bank accounts and credit card statements, identifying and resolving discrepancies that resulted in a 95% accuracy rate.
• Prepared financial statements and reports, providing key insights to management that led to a 5% increase in revenue.
• Assisted with financial forecasting and planning, contributing to the development of a successful growth strategy that resulted in a 10% increase in profits.
• Accounts Payable Management
• Accounts Receivable Management
• Tax Preparation and Filing
• Audit Assistance
• Payroll Processing
• Budget Preparation and Analysis
• Inventory Reconciliation
• Bank Account Reconciliation
• Financial Statement Preparation
• Financial Forecasting and Planning
• Credit Card Statement Reconciliation
• Cost-saving Analysis
• Financial Reporting
• Revenue Growth Strategies
• Proficiency in Accounting Software (e.g., QuickBooks, Excel)
• Attention to Detail
• Time Management
• Strong Communication Skills
• Teamwork and Collaboration

Senior Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a new financial reporting system, resulting in a 25% reduction in reporting errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Analyzed and identified cost-saving opportunities, resulting in a 10% reduction in expenses and a $500,000 increase in annual revenue.
• Managed the preparation and submission of tax returns, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and a $50,000 reduction in tax liability.
• Lead the implementation of a new accounting software, resulting in a 20% increase in productivity and a 10% reduction in errors.
• Developed and implemented internal control policies and procedures, resulting in a 30% reduction in fraud and a 15% increase in accuracy.
• Managed the preparation and submission of financial statements, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and a 5% increase in investor confidence.
• Analyzed and identified opportunities for process improvement, resulting in a 20% reduction in the time required to close the books each month.
• Developed and implemented a new budgeting process, resulting in a 10% reduction in expenses and a 5% increase in revenue.
• Managed the preparation and submission of external audit materials, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and a 15% reduction in audit time.
• Financial reporting and analysis
• Cost-saving identification and implementation
• Accounting software implementation and management
• Internal control policies and procedures
• Financial statement preparation and submission
• Process improvement and optimization
• External audit preparation and compliance
• Team leadership and collaboration
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Advanced Excel and data manipulation skills
• Knowledge of GAAP and IFRS accounting standards

Public Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented new accounting policies and procedures, resulting in a 20% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Conducted audits of financial statements and internal controls, identifying and mitigating financial risks and saving the company $500,000 in potential losses.
• Analyzed financial data and made recommendations to management, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue and a 5% decrease in expenses.
• Prepared and reviewed tax returns for individuals and businesses, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations and saving clients an average of $10,000 in taxes.
• Assisted with mergers and acquisitions, conducting due diligence and providing financial analysis, resulting in successful acquisitions and integrations.
• Developed and maintained internal control systems, improving accuracy and reliability of financial data and reducing audit findings by 25%.
• Prepared financial statements, such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements, accurately and timely, resulting in improved financial reporting and decision-making.
• Assisted with budgeting and forecasting, providing financial analysis and recommendations to management, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue and a 5% decrease in expenses.
• Prepared reports for internal and external stakeholders, including investors and regulatory agencies, ensuring compliance and transparency and improving stakeholder relations.
• Internal controls and auditing
• Financial statement preparation
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Accounting policies and procedures
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk management
• Data analysis
• Financial modeling
• Cash flow management
• Stakeholder communication
• Software proficiency (e.g., QuickBooks, Excel, ERP systems)

Chartered Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a new financial reporting system, resulting in a 25% reduction in reporting time and a 15% increase in accuracy.
• Provided strategic financial advice to clients, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue and a 5% decrease in expenses.
• Conducted a comprehensive audit of a client's financial records, identifying and resolving discrepancies that resulted in a savings of $100,000.
• Managed a team of accountants to prepare and file tax returns for a portfolio of clients, resulting in a 95% on-time filing rate and a 10% increase in client satisfaction.
• Developed and implemented a new budgeting process for a client, resulting in a 20% reduction in expenses and a 5% increase in revenue.
• Provided financial analysis and recommendations to a client, resulting in a successful merger and a 30% increase in market share.
• Developed and implemented internal controls and accounting policies for a client, resulting in a 20% reduction in financial errors and a 10% increase in efficiency.
• Conducted a financial analysis of a client's operations, identifying areas for improvement that resulted in a 15% increase in revenue and a 5% decrease in expenses.
• Prepared financial statements and reports for regulatory bodies, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and a 10% increase in stakeholder confidence.
• Strategic financial planning and advice
• Auditing and compliance
• Financial management and control
• Regulatory reporting
• Internal controls and accounting policies
• Client relationship management
• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Cost reduction and revenue optimization
• Financial software proficiency (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Time management and organization
• Adaptability and continuous learning

Property Accountant Resume Example:

• Developed and implemented a new rent roll system, resulting in a 20% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency.
• Managed the preparation and review of monthly financial statements for a portfolio of 10 properties, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all financial data.
• Implemented new processes for CAM reconciliations, resulting in a 25% reduction in discrepancies and a 10% increase in cost savings.
• Managed the successful completion of a property tax appeal, resulting in a 15% reduction in property tax expenses for the company.
• Developed and implemented a new budgeting process, resulting in a 10% reduction in budget variances and a 5% increase in cost savings.
• Streamlined the monthly mortgage payment process, resulting in a 20% reduction in processing time and a 10% increase in efficiency.
• Developed and implemented a new system for monitoring and reconciling tenant accounts, resulting in a 30% reduction in errors and a 20% increase in efficiency.
• Managed the preparation and review of monthly accruals for a portfolio of 15 properties, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all financial data.
• Implemented new processes for insurance reconciliations, resulting in a 25% reduction in discrepancies and a 10% increase in cost savings.
• Financial analysis and reporting
• Rent roll management
• CAM reconciliations
• Property tax appeals
• Mortgage payment processing
• Tenant account monitoring and reconciliation
• Accruals management
• Insurance reconciliations
• Process improvement and implementation
• Strong communication skills
• Advanced Excel proficiency
• Knowledge of property management software (e.g., Yardi, MRI, or AppFolio)

Fund Accountant Resume Example:

• Implemented new reconciliation processes, resulting in a 30% reduction in errors and a 25% increase in efficiency.
• Developed and implemented a new investor reporting system, resulting in a 40% reduction in report preparation time and a 20% increase in accuracy.
• Collaborated with the investment team to implement new investment strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in fund performance.
• Managed the successful completion of a complex regulatory filing, resulting in a 100% compliance rate and a 15% reduction in audit findings.
• Developed and implemented new expense monitoring processes, resulting in a 20% reduction in expenses and a 10% increase in profitability.
• Collaborated with the operations team to streamline trade settlement processes, resulting in a 30% reduction in settlement time and a 20% increase in efficiency.
• Developed and implemented new NAV calculation processes, resulting in a 25% reduction in calculation time and a 15% increase in accuracy.
• Collaborated with the finance team to implement new financial reporting processes, resulting in a 20% reduction in report preparation time and a 10% increase in accuracy.
• Managed the successful completion of a fund migration project, resulting in a 100% completion rate and a 20% reduction in operational costs.
• NAV calculation
• Reconciliation processes
• Expense monitoring and reduction
• Trade settlement processes
• Fund migration and operational efficiency
• Investment strategy implementation
• Investor reporting
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Project management
• Adaptability to industry changes

High Level Resume Tips for Accountants:

When creating a resume as an Accountant, it is important to keep in mind that potential employers are looking for someone with the right skills and experience to fill the role. To make sure your resume stands out, here are some high-level tips to keep in mind: 1. Highlight Your Accounting Experience: Make sure to include any relevant accounting experience you have, such as internships, certifications, or any other relevant experience. 2. Showcase Your Technical Skills: Accountants need to be proficient in a variety of software programs, so make sure to include any technical skills you have. 3. Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills: Employers want to know that you can think critically and solve problems. Include any examples of problem-solving skills you have, such as how you solved a difficult accounting problem or how you identified a potential issue and took steps to address it. 4. Showcase Your Communication Skills: Accountants need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, so make sure to include any examples of communication skills you have, such as how you successfully communicated with a client or how you effectively presented a financial report. 5. Demonstrate Your Leadership Skills: Employers want to know that you can take initiative and lead a team. Include any examples of leadership skills you have, such as how you successfully managed a team or how you effectively delegated tasks. By following these high-level tips, Accountants can ensure that their resume stands out and that they are presenting themselves in the best light possible.

Must-Have Information for a Accountant Resume:

Here are the essential sections that should exist in an accountant 8resume:

• Contact Information
• Resume Headline
• Resume Summary or Objective
• Work Experience & Achievements
• Skills & Competencies

Additionally, if you're eager to make an impression and gain an edge over other accountant candidates, you may want to consider adding in these sections:

• Certifications/Training

Let's start with resume headlines.

Why Resume Headlines & Titles are Important for Accountants:

Accountant resume headline examples:, strong headlines.

• Experienced Accountant with a track record of improving financial processes and increasing profitability for Fortune 500 companies
• Detail-oriented CPA with expertise in tax planning and compliance for small businesses and individuals
• Strategic Financial Analyst with a background in financial modeling and forecasting for multinational corporations

Why these are strong:

• These resume headlines are impactful for Accountants as they showcase key strengths and accomplishments that are relevant to their roles. The first headline emphasizes the candidate's experience in improving financial processes and increasing profitability for large companies, which is a crucial factor that hiring managers look for in Accountants. The second headline highlights the candidate's expertise in tax planning and compliance, which is a highly sought-after skill in the industry. Finally, the third headline showcases the candidate's strategic mindset, financial modeling skills, and experience working with multinational corporations, which are all valuable assets for Accountants in today's job market.

Weak Headlines

• Experienced Accountant
• Professional Accountant

Why these are weak:

• These headlines are too generic and lack specificity. They do not provide any insight into the Accountant's experience or qualifications, and do not make the resume stand out.

Writing an Exceptional Accountant Resume Summary:

Accountant resume summary examples:, strong summaries.

• Detail-oriented Accountant with 5 years of experience in financial reporting and analysis, skilled in identifying and resolving discrepancies in financial statements. Proficient in GAAP and IFRS, with a proven track record of streamlining accounting processes and reducing month-end close time by 30%.
• Experienced Tax Accountant with 7 years of experience in tax planning and compliance for individuals and businesses. Expertise in federal, state, and local tax laws, with a strong focus on minimizing tax liabilities and maximizing deductions. Successfully managed a portfolio of 50+ clients, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue.
• Strategic Financial Analyst with 4 years of experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling. Skilled in identifying trends and providing actionable insights to senior management, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue and a 10% reduction in expenses. Proficient in Excel and SQL, with a strong ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• These resume summaries are strong for Accountants as they highlight the candidates' key skills, accomplishments, and industry-specific experience. The first summary emphasizes the candidate's attention to detail and their ability to streamline accounting processes, making them highly appealing to potential employers. The second summary showcases the candidate's expertise in tax planning and compliance, as well as their success in managing a portfolio of clients. Lastly, the third summary demonstrates the candidate's strategic thinking and their ability to provide valuable insights to senior management, making them a valuable asset to any organization.

Weak Summaries

• Experienced Accountant seeking a challenging role in a reputable organization where I can utilize my skills and knowledge to contribute to the company's financial success.
• Detail-oriented Accountant with expertise in financial analysis and reporting, seeking a position that allows me to apply my skills and experience to support business growth.
• Highly motivated Accountant with a strong background in tax preparation and compliance, seeking a role that allows me to utilize my skills to help clients achieve their financial goals.
• These resume summaries need improvement for Accountants as they are too generic and lack specific examples of the candidate's achievements or areas of expertise. The summaries do not effectively showcase the candidate's unique value or accomplishments, and do not provide any quantifiable results or details on the candidate's successes in implementing their skills and knowledge.

Resume Objective Examples for Accountants:

Strong objectives.

• Detail-oriented and highly motivated Accounting graduate seeking an entry-level position to utilize my strong analytical skills and knowledge of accounting principles to contribute to the success of a growth-oriented company.
• Recent CPA candidate with experience in financial analysis and reporting, seeking an Accounting position to apply my knowledge of GAAP and tax regulations to ensure accurate financial reporting and compliance.
• Goal-driven and organized Accounting professional with experience in accounts payable and receivable, seeking an Accounting position to leverage my skills in financial management, budgeting, and forecasting to contribute to the growth of a forward-thinking organization.
• These resume objectives are strong for up and coming Accountants because they showcase the candidates' passion, education, and relevant skills, while also highlighting their eagerness to learn and contribute to the success of the organization. The first objective emphasizes the candidate's motivation and analytical skills, which are important attributes for an Accountant. The second objective showcases the candidate's educational background and knowledge of accounting principles, demonstrating a strong foundation for success in the role. Lastly, the third objective highlights the candidate's experience in financial management and forecasting, making them a promising fit for an Accounting position where they can further develop their skills and contribute to the company's growth.

Weak Objectives

• Seeking an entry-level Accountant position where I can utilize my skills and gain experience in the field.
• Aspiring Accountant with a degree in Accounting, seeking a position to kickstart my career in the industry.
• Recent graduate with a background in Finance, looking for an Accountant role to learn more about the field and develop my skills.
• These resume objectives need improvement for up and coming Accountants because they lack specificity and don't effectively showcase the unique value or skills the candidates possess. The first objective is generic and doesn't provide any information about the candidate's background, passion, or relevant experience. The second objective mentions a degree in Accounting, but it doesn't mention any specific achievements, certifications, or industries the candidate is interested in. The third objective, although it mentions a background in Finance, doesn't elaborate on the candidate's expertise, skills, or any particular area of accounting they are passionate about, which would make their profile more appealing to potential employers.

Write a More Targeted Resume with AI

Speed up your resume creation process with the resume builder . generate tailored resume summaries in seconds., how to impress with your accountant work experience:, best practices for your work experience section:.

• Use specific accounting software and tools that you have experience with, such as QuickBooks, Excel, or SAP.
• Highlight your experience in managing financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Showcase your experience in managing accounts payable and accounts receivable, including your ability to manage vendor relationships and negotiate payment terms.
• Demonstrate your experience in managing payroll and employee benefits, including your knowledge of tax laws and regulations.
• Highlight your experience in managing audits and compliance, including your ability to prepare for and respond to audits from regulatory bodies.
• Showcase your experience in managing budgets and forecasting, including your ability to analyze financial data and make strategic recommendations.
• Mention any certifications or licenses you hold, such as CPA or CMA.
• Lastly, ensure that the language you use is clear and concise, avoiding industry jargon and acronyms that may not be familiar to HR, recruiters, and hiring managers.

Example Work Experiences for Accountants:

Strong experiences.

• Conducted financial analysis and created detailed reports for a Fortune 500 company, resulting in a 10% increase in revenue and a 5% reduction in expenses.
• Developed and implemented new accounting procedures, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency and accuracy of financial reporting.
• Led a team of 5 accountants in the preparation and submission of quarterly and annual financial statements, ensuring compliance with GAAP and SEC regulations.
• These work experiences are strong because they demonstrate the candidate's ability to deliver quantifiable results, implement process improvements, and lead a team effectively. The use of specific metrics and action-oriented language highlights the candidate's expertise in financial analysis, accounting procedures, and regulatory compliance. These experiences are highly relevant to the role of an Accountant and showcase the candidate's value as a competent and skilled professional.

Weak Experiences

Prepared financial statements and reports for clients, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.

Assisted in the preparation of tax returns and audits, reviewing documents and identifying potential issues.

Conducted research on accounting regulations and industry trends, presenting findings to senior staff.

Managed accounts payable and receivable processes, reconciling accounts and resolving discrepancies.

Prepared and analyzed financial data, identifying trends and making recommendations for improvement.

Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline financial processes and improve efficiency.

• These work experiences are weak because they lack specificity and quantifiable results. They provide generic descriptions of tasks performed without showcasing the impact of the individual's work or the benefits brought to the company. To improve these bullet points, the candidate should focus on incorporating metrics to highlight their achievements and providing clear context that demonstrates their leadership qualities and direct contributions to successful outcomes.

Top Skills & Keywords for Accountant Resumes:

Top hard & soft skills for accountants, hard skills.

• Tax Planning and Compliance
• Budgeting and Forecasting
• Cost Accounting
• Auditing and Assurance
• Financial Analysis
• Risk Management
• GAAP and IFRS Knowledge
• Accounting Software Proficiency (e.g. QuickBooks, Xero)
• Payroll Processing and Reporting

Soft Skills

• Analytical Thinking
• Time Management and Prioritization
• Communication and Interpersonal Skills
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking
• Ethics and Integrity
• Organizational Skills
• Leadership and Management Skills
• Technical Proficiency
• Customer Service Orientation

Go Above & Beyond with a Accountant Cover Letter

Accountant cover letter example: (based on resume).

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP Code] [Email Address] [Today’s Date]

[Company Name] [Address] [City, State ZIP Code]

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am writing to express my interest in the Accountant position at [Company Name]. With over [Number of Years] years of experience in accounting and finance, I am confident that my skills and expertise align with the requirements of this role.

In my current role as an Accountant at [Current Company], I have developed and implemented new accounting control procedures that resulted in a 25% reduction in errors and a 15% increase in efficiency. I have also analyzed and reviewed budgets and expenditures for a federal funding source, identifying cost savings opportunities and successfully negotiating a 10% reduction in expenses. Additionally, I have prepared and reviewed tax returns for a portfolio of 50 clients, resulting in a 95% accuracy rate and a 20% increase in client satisfaction.

Prior to my current role, I managed the preparation of financial statements and reports for a publicly traded company, ensuring compliance with GAAP and SEC regulations and achieving a 100% accuracy rate. I also collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement a new expense tracking system, resulting in a 30% reduction in processing time and a 20% increase in data accuracy. Furthermore, I provided financial analysis and recommendations to senior leadership, resulting in a successful merger with a competitor and a 10% increase in market share.

In my previous role, I implemented a new accounts payable system, reducing processing time by 50% and improving vendor relationships by 25%. I also developed and maintained a budget for a non-profit organization, resulting in a 15% increase in funding and a 10% increase in program offerings. Additionally, I managed the reconciliation of balance sheet accounts for a portfolio of 100 clients, resulting in a 98% accuracy rate and a 20% increase in client retention.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to [Company Name] and contribute to the success of your organization. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further.

[Your Name]

As an Accountant, you understand the importance of attention to detail and accuracy in your work. Similarly, pairing your resume with a well-crafted cover letter can showcase your professionalism and attention to detail, setting you apart from other applicants. A cover letter is an extension of your resume, an opportunity to highlight your relevant experience and demonstrate your passion for the role. Contrary to common belief, crafting a compelling cover letter doesn't have to be a daunting task, and the benefits far outweigh the effort required.

Here are some compelling reasons for submitting a cover letter as an Accountant:

• Personalize your application and showcase your genuine interest in the company and role
• Illustrate your unique value proposition and how your skills align with the specific job requirements, such as experience with tax preparation or financial analysis
• Communicate your understanding of the company's financial needs and how you plan to address them
• Share success stories and achievements that couldn't be accommodated in your resume, such as improving financial processes or saving the company money
• Demonstrate your writing and communication skills, which are essential for Accountants
• Highlight any relevant certifications or licenses that make you stand out from other applicants
• Address any potential red flags in your resume, such as gaps in employment or a change in career path
• Differentiate yourself from other applicants who might have opted not to submit a cover letter, showing your dedication and commitment to the role.

In summary, a well-crafted cover letter can be the difference between getting an interview or not. It allows you to showcase your unique skills and experience, demonstrate your passion for the role, and set yourself apart from other applicants. As an Accountant, attention to detail and accuracy are essential, and a cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate these qualities in your application.

Resume FAQs for Accountants:

How long should i make my accountant resume.

An Accountant's resume should ideally be one to two pages long. The length of the resume depends on the individual's experience, skills, and relevant accomplishments in the accounting field. For entry-level Accountants or those with only a few years of experience, a one-page resume is usually sufficient. It should focus on education, relevant coursework, internships, and any entry-level accounting positions held. For more experienced Accountants, a two-page resume may be necessary to showcase a more extensive work history, professional certifications, and accomplishments. It is essential to highlight relevant experience, skills, and achievements that demonstrate your expertise in accounting and make you stand out as a candidate. Regardless of the length, it is crucial to keep the resume concise, well-organized, and tailored to the specific job you are applying for. Focus on including relevant information that showcases your accounting skills, knowledge, and experience, and avoid

What is the best way to format a Accountant resume?

The best way to format an Accountant resume is to focus on clarity, organization, and showcasing relevant skills and experiences. Here are some key elements to consider when formatting an Accountant resume: 1. Choose a clean and professional layout: Use a simple font like Arial or Calibri, and keep the font size between 10 and 12 points. Use consistent formatting for headings and bullet points. Make sure there is enough white space to make the resume easy to read. 2. Start with a strong header: Include your name, contact information, and a professional email address. You may also include your LinkedIn profile URL if it's up-to-date and relevant. 3. Write a concise objective or summary statement: In a few sentences, highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and career goals. This statement should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and should demonstrate your value as an Account

Which Accountant skills are most important to highlight in a resume?

As an AI language model, I can provide the following response: When highlighting skills on a resume as an Accountant, it is important to focus on both technical and soft skills. Technical skills such as proficiency in accounting software, financial analysis, and tax preparation are essential. Additionally, highlighting soft skills such as attention to detail, communication, and problem-solving abilities can set you apart from other candidates. It is also important to showcase your ability to work independently and as part of a team, as well as your experience in managing projects and meeting deadlines. Lastly, highlighting any relevant certifications or licenses, such as a CPA or CMA, can demonstrate your commitment to the field and your expertise in the industry.

How should you write a resume if you have no experience as a Accountant?

If you have no experience as an Accountant, it is important to focus on highlighting your relevant skills, education, and any relevant work experience you may have. Here are some tips for writing a resume as an aspiring Accountant with no experience: 1. Start with a strong objective statement: Use this section to highlight your career goals and how you plan to use your skills and education to contribute to the accounting field. 2. Highlight your education: List your degree, major, and any relevant coursework or certifications you have completed. If you have a high GPA, be sure to include it. 3. Emphasize your skills: Focus on highlighting your transferable skills, such as attention to detail, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. These skills are essential for success in the accounting field. 4. Include any relevant work experience: Even if you have not worked as an Accountant before, you may have relevant experience in other fields. For example, if you have worked in customer service, you

Compare Your Accountant Resume to a Job Description:

• Identify opportunities to further tailor your resume to the Accountant job
• Improve your keyword usage to align your experience and skills with the position
• Uncover and address potential gaps in your resume that may be important to the hiring manager

Related Resumes for Accountants:

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An Accountant’s Guide to Writing the Perfect Resume (Plus an Example!)

Several years ago, I landed a human resources and recruiting job at an accounting firm. I didn’t know much about the industry at the time. Okay fine, I didn’t know anything. I really liked all the people I met during the interview process and figured learning to recruit accountants wouldn’t be too hard. If I’m being honest, I thought it would actually be kind of boring.

But I was quickly proven wrong!

I was fascinated by the work my new co-workers were involved with, the candidates I had the chance to interview, and the accounting space as a whole. I became intimately familiar with the rigors of the CPA exam, the intricacies of a well-executed audit, and the intrigue of forensic accounting (I even got to work with a former FBI agent). It was one of the best, most interesting jobs I’ve ever had.

Accounting is so much more than moving numbers around a ledger. It involves analysis, critical thinking, and precision. Some accountants also need to have solid presentation or customer service skills, while others might need to be skilled researchers, investigators, or creative thinkers. As an accountant, you can specialize in a variety of skills (audit, tax, accounts receivable, business, or forensic accounting—just to name a few) and work in virtually any industry. (Show me a company that doesn’t need some form of accounting services. I’ll wait.) So there are countless directions that you can take your career. I don’t know about you, but I find that incredibly exciting!

But in such a wide-open, varied field, it’s important to know how to present yourself as the right candidate for a specific accounting position. That’s where your resume comes in.

Here’s how to write a compelling accountant resume that’ll help you get wherever you want to go next.

Feature Your Education and Certifications

The accounting world is massive, and there are certifications and licenses for virtually every specialty within the industry. The most common license is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), but in addition to CPAs, there are Chartered Financial Analysts (CFAs), Certified Internal Auditors (CIAs), Certified Management Accountants (CMAs), and many, many more!

Continuing education is highly valued within the accounting world. Accountants are expected to stay on top of trends, best practices, and laws that govern their work. In fact, most certifying organizations require licensees to take a certain number of approved continuing education courses in order to stay current. So showcasing your training, education, and certifications (even if they’re still in progress) will likely impress recruiters.

While all CPAs are accountants, not all accountants are CPAs. So if you’re just starting out in the accounting space or if you’re still in the process of studying or testing for your license, don’t worry—you can still find a great accounting position.

If you’re an entry-level job seeker or an experienced professional looking to make a career pivot, you might want to include your education at the top of your resume—before your professional experience. Here’s what it might look like:

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Candidate | Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

• Passed FAR, AUD, & REG
• Sitting for BEC January 2020
• Completed 150 continuing education credits

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | June 2019

For experienced accountants, I recommend adding your title next to your name at the top (for example, D’Vonne Hawkins, CPA , as seen in the example below) and placing your full education section at the bottom.

Add (or Subtract!) Relevant Keywords as Needed

Recruiters can receive hundreds of applications for their job postings, so they often rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to make the initial screening process easier. The ATS will scan your resume in search of keywords that match the corresponding job description. So if you’ve applied for a position as an auditor, the ATS will probably be looking for terms like “compliance” or “regulations” among several others. If your resume hasn’t been keyword optimized, the ATS might screen your application out before a recruiter ever lays eyes on it.

Tailoring your resume to reflect the content of each job posting you apply to will help you to avoid this fate. But here’s a shortcut: If you have experience performing a specific job duty mentioned in a job posting, then it belongs on your resume. Easy enough, right?

There is a seemingly endless array of specialties within the accounting industry, so keywords that are incredibly relevant to auditing might not be important to tax (and vice versa). But these commonly used terms should help get you started:

• Accounting Systems
• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Cash Flow Analysis
• Cost Accounting
• Credit/Debt Management
• Estate Planning
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Compliance
• Financial Reporting
• Income Tax Planning
• Internal Controls
• Management Accounting
• Payroll Management
• Profit and Loss
• Reconciliation
• Remittances
• Regulations
• Revenue Forecasting
• Tax Schedules

Be Specific About Your Experience (and Showcase Those Numbers!)

Because you’ll find accounting jobs across a wide variety of industries and specialties, it’s especially important for you to be specific about your work history. Recruiters are on the lookout for candidates with applicable, transferable experience—so the more details you can provide about the types of projects or initiatives you’ve worked on, the types of companies you’ve worked with, and the outcome of your work, the better!

For example, rather than blandly stating that you audited client accounts, you might say that you partnered with midsize businesses in the construction space to audit employee benefit plans, resulting in the identification of 300+ deficiencies.

Notice how the more detailed bullet point provides the reader with information about the type of client (midsize companies in the construction space), the type of audit (employee benefits), and the results of the work (identified 300+ deficiencies). That’s much more helpful and interesting to read, isn’t it? Writing noteworthy bullet points like this is easier than you might think, too. Just use this simple formula:

• Compelling verb + description of work + outcome (if applicable)

As an accountant, you know how valuable numbers, metrics, and percentages can be—especially when you’re trying to convey important information. The same will be true for numbers on your resume. They can help to paint a fuller picture of your experience and expertise. A tax accountant who’s prepared 100+ returns sounds more credible than a tax accountant who has simply prepared returns, right?

So do your best to assign a value to as many job duties and achievements on your resume as possible. This could be the number of clients you’ve worked with, the size of a budget, or cost savings, just to name a few. You’ll find a fantastic guide for quantifying your experience here .

I’d also encourage you to ask yourself probing questions about your experience as you’re drafting your resume with queries like: What types of accounts did I work on? How much money did I save the client? What was the purpose of this work? How many errors did I discover? How much money was I able to recover? This will make it so much easier to quantify your past job duties.

Sum It All Up With a Summary

If you’re well established in the accounting field of your choice and aren’t making any major career shifts, you can probably skip the summary. But if you’re new to the accounting world or trying to break into a new specialty, a well-written summary can help to bridge the gap between your past experience and what you’re hoping to do in the future.

Here’s what it might look like:

Detailed, analytical, and deadline-oriented accounting professional with three years of experience in accounts receivable, bookkeeping, and compliance. A CPA candidate, eager to blend hands-on experience with continuing education studies in an entry-level auditor role.

Notice how the summary plays up the candidate’s desirable traits and transferable experience, addresses steps they’ve taken toward their next career move, and explicitly states their goal. The more you can spell these things out for a recruiter (and make their jobs easier) the better!

Comply With Generally Accepted Resume Writing Principles

Just as you follow the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) at work, you should follow these Generally Accepted Resume Writing Principles when looking for work. (I know, GARWP isn’t quite as catchy as GAAP, but you get the idea.) Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind as you write:

Choose the correct resume layout (and keep it concise). Tailoring your resume (and only featuring your most relevant experience) should help you to keep your resume to a single, easy-to-read page, while the right resume format will showcase your accomplishments in the best way possible. Generally, the recruiter-preferred chronological layout is best for detailing your relevant work history. But if you’re making a massive career change, you might want to check out some alternative options that allow you to feature your transferable experience more prominently.

Don’t get too fancy. It can be tempting to use a resume template with all the bells and whistles like fun fonts, punchy colors, or cool graphics—understandably, they’re so pretty! But while these creative elements certainly make a resume stand out, they’re probably not the best fit for an accounting job search. For starters, applicant tracking systems tend to have a harder time spotting keywords when you use a complicated layout, so sticking with a more straightforward design is almost always the way to go. Additionally, your design aesthetic probably won’t be very relevant to the types of roles you’re interested in. Recruiters in the accounting space will be way more interested in the content of your resume than the design.

But do make each section stand out. Recruiters spend huge swaths of time looking at a lot of different resumes, so the easier yours is to read , the more likely they are to move it to the next step. Why? Because if they can use your section headers to quickly zero in on your relevant education, technical skills, and work history, they’ll be able to more efficiently determine whether or not your experience is a match for their current opening. Check out the below example to see this in action!

Highlight your technical skills. Most accounting professionals will need to have a high level of proficiency, training, or even a certification in Microsoft Excel (think VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and formulas). Depending on your specialty, you may also need experience with additional accounting software like NetSuite, QuickBooks, or Workday (just to name a few). So be sure to take a look at the skills requirements of every job you apply for—and remember, if you have experience with a technology that’s listed, it belongs on your resume.

Proofread! Accountants are known for being precise, detail-oriented, and meticulous, so it would be extra embarrassing to submit a resume that wasn’t totally error free. So perform a self-audit or ask someone you trust to give your resume a final look before you submit a new application.

An Example That Really Adds Up

While the specific job duties included in the below resume might not apply to the type of accounting you specialize in, the formatting, layout, and language should still serve as a helpful model of what a standout accountant’s resume should include. As you read through the below example, pay close attention to the construction of the bullet points, easy-to-spot education and certifications, scannable sections, and quantified achievements.

You’ll also notice that this candidate has condensed their audit experience into a smaller section because while it’s still somewhat recent (within the last ten years), it’s not entirely relevant to what they want to do next. This is a great way to free up a little extra space and keep your resume to a single page.

Download a sample accounting resume

Accounting is an exciting, diverse industry bursting with variety and opportunity. Think of your resume as a tool to help you access those opportunities and ultimately achieve your career goals. Featuring your most relevant experience using compelling, specific bullet points, highlighting your education, and tailoring your resume to reflect the job for which you’re applying will help you to create an accounting resume that’s even greater than the sum of its parts.

Looking for accounting jobs? Search on The Muse .

Accountant Resume & Writing Guide

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on crafting a powerful accountant resume.

Whether you're an experienced professional looking to advance your career or a recent graduate entering the accounting field, a well-crafted resume is essential for showcasing your skills, qualifications, and accomplishments.

On this page, we provide expert resume examples, tips, sample resumes, and proven strategies to help you create a standout accountant resume that grabs the attention of hiring managers and lands you the job interviews you deserve.

What you can read in this article

Accountant Resume Samples

Or download these examples in PDF at the bottom of this page for free. (You can also click the button to use the resume builder for $2,95 )

Accounting Intern

Entry Level

Supportive role providing assistance with various accounting tasks and gaining practical experience in a professional accounting environment.

• Assisted with data entry tasks, including accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Conducted bank and account reconciliations to ensure accurate financial records.
• Assisted in preparing financial reports and statements.
• Participated in team meetings and training sessions to enhance knowledge and skills.
• Supported the accounting team with administrative tasks, such as filing and organizing documents.

Years in: Job: 1 year (as an intern) Field: 1 years

Accounting Assistant

Junior Level

Supporting role responsible for performing accounting tasks and providing administrative support to the accounting department.

• Managed accounts payable and accounts receivable processes.
• Assisted in the preparation of financial statements and reports.
• Conducted bank reconciliations and resolved any discrepancies.
• Assisted with payroll processing and employee expense reimbursements.
• Provided general administrative support to the accounting team.

Years in: Job: 2 year Field: 3 years

Experienced

Experienced accountant with a strong track record in financial operations, analysis, and compliance. Skilled in preparing financial statements, conducting reconciliations, and providing valuable insights. Collaborative team player with a keen eye for detail and a focus on delivering accurate results to support business decision-making.

• Prepared accurate journal entries, performed account reconciliations, and ensured data integrity.
• Assisted in financial statement preparation, maintaining compliance with accounting standards.
• Conducted detailed financial analysis, including variance analysis and trend identification.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

Years in: Job: 4 year Field: 6 years

Staff Accountant

Medior Level

Responsible for various accounting duties, including financial analysis, reconciliations, and supporting month-end close processes.

• Prepared journal entries and performed account reconciliations.
• Conducted variance analysis and provided insights on financial performance.
• Assisted with budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather financial data and support decision-making.

Senior Accountant

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Responsible for overseeing accounting processes, managing financial operations, and providing guidance to junior accounting staff.

• Managed month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepared complex financial statements and reports.
• Conducted financial analysis and provided insights for decision-making.
• Assisted in budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Reviewed and approved journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Provided mentorship and guidance to junior accounting team members.

Years in: Job: 6 year Field: 10 years

Accounting Manager

Senior Level

Leadership role overseeing the accounting department, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and providing strategic guidance.

• Managed all accounting operations, including financial reporting and budgeting.
• Developed and implemented accounting policies and procedures.
• Oversaw month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Conducted financial analysis and provided recommendations to improve financial performance.
• Collaborated with executive management on strategic financial decisions.
• Led and supervised a team of accountants and finance professionals.

Years in: Job: 8 year Field: 15 years

Forensic Accountant

Specialized role involving the investigation and analysis of financial data for legal purposes, such as fraud investigations, litigation support, and dispute resolution.

• Conducted forensic audits to detect and investigate financial irregularities and fraudulent activities. (8 years in this job)
• Analyzed financial documents, including bank statements, invoices, and contracts, to uncover evidence of financial misconduct.
• Prepared detailed reports and documentation of findings to support legal proceedings.
• Provided expert testimony and collaborated with legal teams during litigation or arbitration processes.
• Assisted in the development of fraud prevention and detection measures for organizations.

Years in: Job: 8 year Field: 10 years

Financial Controller

Leadership role responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial management, including financial reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis.

• Managed the financial reporting process, ensuring accurate and timely preparation of financial statements. (6 years in this job)
• Developed and monitored key financial metrics and KPIs to assess the company's financial performance.
• Led the budgeting and forecasting processes, collaborating with department heads to align financial goals.
• Implemented internal controls and procedures to ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
• Provided financial insights and recommendations to the executive team to support strategic decision-making.

Years in: Job: 6 year Field: 12 years

Tax Accountant

Intermediate

Specialized role focused on tax compliance, planning, and advisory services for individuals and businesses.

• Prepared and filed tax returns for individuals, partnerships, corporations, and trusts, ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations. (3 years in this job)
• Conducted tax research to stay updated on changes in tax legislation and identify tax-saving opportunities.
• Assisted clients in tax planning strategies to minimize tax liabilities and maximize deductions.
• Represented clients during tax audits and communicated with tax authorities to resolve any issues.
• Provided guidance and advice on tax-related matters, including estate planning and international taxation.

Years in: Job: 3 year Field: 5 years

Audit Manager

Leadership role overseeing the audit process and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations.

• ffective and efficient audits. (7 years in this job)
• Developed audit plans and procedures to assess the effectiveness of internal controls and identify areas of risk.
• Conducted complex financial audits, including reviewing financial statements and supporting documentation.
• Provided recommendations to improve internal controls and operational efficiency based on audit findings.
• Interacted with clients' management and executives to communicate audit results and provide insights for improvement.

Years in: Job: 7 year Field: 15 years

The Accountant Resume Guide

Key highlights for accountants.

As an accountant, it's crucial to emphasize certain aspects of your experience and skills to effectively showcase your suitability for prospective employers and recruiters. Here are the key highlights to include in your resume:

• Scope of Accounting Role : Highlight the scope of your accounting role, demonstrating your understanding of the organizational and management structure of businesses. If you've worked in a small business, emphasize your ability to handle complete financial jurisdiction, reporting directly to the business owner. Conversely, if you have experience in a Fortune 500 company, showcase your ability to work within a larger financial team responsible for specific divisions' financial record keeping.
• Technological Proficiency : Today's accountants need to be technologically adept, capable of utilizing various software tools and accounting packages. Include specific examples of software proficiency, such as MS Excel, Sage, SAP, QuickBooks, AccPac, and FreshBooks. Additionally, highlight your familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Oracle, inventory management applications such as InventPro, warehousing and distribution tools like OrderHive, and even sales applications like Salesforce.
• Taxation Expertise (For Certified Public Accountants) : If you are a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), emphasize your proficiency in tax calculations, reporting, and federal tax return submissions. Discuss your experience in handling these functions either within the company or in collaboration with CPA firms, where you provided financial services to clients, including corporations, governments, and individuals.
• Risk Management and Financial Analysis : Illustrate your ability to contribute to risk management efforts by analyzing current costs, revenues, and financial commitments to predict future obligations and protect cash flow reserves. Highlight your experience in approving budgets and expenses, showcasing your capability to handle varying scales of financial responsibilities, ranging from thousands to hundreds of millions per month, based on the size and turnover of the organizations you've worked with.

By highlighting these key aspects of your experience and skills, you can effectively demonstrate your value as an accountant and increase your chances of securing desired opportunities in the competitive job market.

Resume Structure and Format

Choosing the right resume format:.

The first step in creating an effective accountant resume is choosing the appropriate resume format. There are three common formats to consider: chronological, functional, and combination.

• Chronological Format : This format emphasizes your work history and lists your experiences in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent position. It is ideal for candidates with a solid work history and consistent career progression.
• Functional Format : The functional format focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work history. It is suitable for individuals who are transitioning careers, have gaps in employment, or have diverse skill sets.
• Combination Format : As the name suggests, the combination format combines elements of both chronological and functional formats. It allows you to highlight both your work experience and relevant skills, making it suitable for accountants with a well-rounded background.

When choosing the right format, consider your unique circumstances, career goals, and the requirements of the job you are applying for.

The Career Summary

Hiring managers have large numbers of hundreds of resumes to screen and limited time to read them all in detail. Keep your career summary concise and to the point. Put the most relevant information first to capture their attention while they’re quickly scanning your resume.

Start your career summary with your years of experience in the industry and the main duties you performed. When deciding what duties to add, use the job description as your guide. For instance, if the job you are applying to highlights experience in intercompany reconciliations or investment analysis use those same words and phrases. The more your resume resonates with the job description of keywords, the better fit you will seem.

Next, add a line that showcases any outstanding qualities that will add value to the company. A hiring manager would be interested to know if you have “strong mathematical skills, meticulous financial recording capabilities, and excellent troubleshooting abilities.” It’s important to note that these qualities should be proven with examples in the professional experience section to re-enforce your message. Finally, end your objective with your educational degrees/diplomas and any certified courses or professional memberships you may have that are pertinent to the job.

Accountant Summary Example 1 “ Experienced Certified Public Accountant with 7+ years of experience in financial reporting, reconciliations and P&L statements. Holds an MBA plus a Business Valuations Certificate. Proven track record in financial system overhaul resulting in improvements of up to 30% in terms of processing speed and accuracy. “

Accountant Summary Example 2 “ Dependable and meticulous accounting with experience in corporate and intercompany accounting functions. Strong competencies in strategic revenue planning and budgetary targets for all company facilities and affiliates. Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting Sciences and a GRP (Global Risk Professional) qualification. “

Work Experience

The work experience section is a crucial component of your accountant resume. It provides evidence of your skills, knowledge, and achievements in previous roles. When listing your work experience, include the following details for each position:

• Job title : Clearly state your job title, highlighting your level of responsibility and expertise.
• Company name : Provide the name of the company or organization you worked for.
• Dates of employment : Include the start and end dates of your employment.
• Location : Specify the location of the company.
• Job responsibilities : Detail your key responsibilities and duties in bullet point format. Focus on your accomplishments and quantify them with specific examples, such as cost savings, revenue growth, or process improvements. Use action verbs to make your statements more impactful.

Senior Accountant, XYZ Company  | City, State (January 2018 – Present) 

• Managed financial operations for a portfolio of clients, overseeing month-end close processes, financial statement preparation, and general ledger reconciliations.
• Implemented cost-saving measures resulting in a 20% reduction in annual expenses.
• Developed and implemented standardized accounting procedures, resulting in improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Led a team of three junior accountants, providing guidance and training on financial reporting and analysis.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline budgeting and forecasting processes, resulting in more accurate projections.

Job Descriptions & Responsibilities

An employer would expect to see the following proven foundational duties and skill sets within an applicant’s resume, depending on educational level and career stage.

An Accountant I at an entry-career stage (3-5 years experience) may:

• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, general ledger, balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, fixed assets, and P&L reporting
• Calculate variances between actual results and budget forecasts.
• Reconciliations of main bank account and international subsidiary accounts
• Prepare documents for annual tax returns
• Work with external auditors during the audit review and compile all the necessary documentation required during the investigation
• Responsible for accounts payable and accounts receivable statements

An Accountant II at the mid-career stage (5-8 years experience) may

• Prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and trend analyzes during month end
• Manage revenue, accounts payable, accounts receivable and expense accrual accounts
• Liaise with operations, production, and marketing department to validate the correctness of financial information and review financial data reports
• Assist with migration of the balance sheet from Oracle to SAP
• Responsible for cash disbursement
• Engage with the internal audit team to complete documentation for SOX and Basel II

An Accountant III at an experienced/advanced stage (8-15 years experience) may:

• Oversee all financial reporting and accounting functions.
• Manage a team of 4 accounting clerks during the reconciliation of bank accounts, analysis of periodic financials, and preparation of budgets.
• Compile financial statements and submit to Financial Director
• Reconcile T&E, Amex, Petty Cash, and Prepaid accounts
• Verify all payments against invoices and accounts receivable reports
• Update budgetary schedules and expense reports every 30 days
• Responsible for the payroll function of 1500 employees

Education and Certifications:

In this section, include your educational background and any relevant certifications you have obtained. Include the following information:

• Degree : Specify the degree(s) you have earned, such as Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
• Institution : Mention the name of the university or educational institution where you completed your studies.
• Graduation Date : Include the month and year of your graduation.

If you have earned any certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), or Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), list them along with the issuing authority and the year of certification.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting XYZ University Graduated: May 2017

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) State Board of Accountancy Certification Date: July 2018

Examples for more than five years’ experience:

2016 – Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Association for Investment Management & Research (AIMR), Tampa, FL

2015 – Masters in Business Administration, Boston University, Boston, MA

If you have less than five years’ experience, you may also add your majors, minors, GPA scores and accolades, and honors awards:

2019 – Current Certified Chartered Accountant, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Online 2016 – 2018 Associate’s Degree in Applied Accounting Science, University of Detroit, MA GPA: 3.8 Majors: Financial Management, Accounting Minors: Information Science, Accounting, Economics Accolades: Deans Honors List

2013 – Certificate in Accounting Fundamentals, Merrick Business School, Baltimore, MD

Skills Section

Accountants require a diverse set of skills to excel in their roles. In the skills section of your resume, highlight the technical and soft skills that are relevant to the accounting profession. Some essential skills to include are:

• Financial analysis and reporting
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Auditing and compliance
• Tax preparation and planning
• Proficiency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Excel)
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Time management and organizational skills

Use bullet points to list your skills, making it easy for recruiters to scan and identify your key strengths.

Soft Skill Examples

Qualifications & Certifications associated with Accountants

Action Verbs for your Accountant Resume

Tailoring Your Resume

Analyzing job descriptions:.

To make your resume stand out, carefully analyze job descriptions and identify the key skills and qualifications employers are seeking. Tailor your resume to match these requirements, highlighting the skills and experiences that align with the job posting.

Customizing for Each Application:

While it may be tempting to use a generic resume for multiple job applications, customizing your resume for each position is essential. Adjust your professional summary, skills section, and work experience to align with the specific job requirements, using keywords and phrases from the job description. This customization shows employers that you have taken the time to understand their needs and increases your chances of getting noticed.

Formatting and Design

Readability and organization.

A well-structured and organized resume is essential for readability. Use clear headings, bullet points, and subheadings to create sections that are easy to navigate. Maintain consistent formatting throughout your resume to ensure a professional and polished appearance.

Font and Font Size

Choose a clean and professional font that is easy to read, such as Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Keep the font size between 10 and 12 points for the body text, ensuring readability while conserving space.

Length and Page Margins

Ideally, keep your accountant resume to one or two pages in length. Be concise and focus on the most relevant information. Use appropriate margins (typically 1 inch) to maintain a balanced layout and maximize the use of space.

Proofreading and Finalizing

Grammar and spelling.

Before submitting your resume, thoroughly proofread it for grammar and spelling errors. Use spell-check tools, but also carefully review your content to ensure accuracy. Grammatical mistakes can create a negative impression, so take the time to edit and refine your resume.

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• Career Blog

Accountant Resume: Top Example and Tips for 2024

When it comes to job hunting, having a strong resume is crucial, and this is especially true for those in the accounting field. An accountant’s resume serves as the first impression for potential employers and can make or break their chances of landing an interview.

To help guide job seekers in creating a standout accountant resume, this article will provide top examples and tips for crafting a winning document. But first, let’s start with an overview of what an accountant’s resume should entail.

Overview of Accountant Resume

An accountant resume should highlight an individual’s skills and experience in the accounting industry. This includes their education, certifications, technical skills, and work history. Additionally, it is important to showcase any specific accomplishments or achievements in past accounting roles.

Creating a great accountant resume is vital for job seekers as it can be the deciding factor in whether or not they are granted an interview for their dream job. It serves as a marketing tool to highlight an individual’s strengths, accomplishments, and qualifications in a clear and concise way.

Understanding Accountant Resume

Creating a winning accountant resume is not an easy feat, but luckily there are a few key characteristics that can help you stand out from the rest. In this section, we will cover the important components that make up an impressive accountant resume.

A. Characteristics of a Winning Accountant Resume

A successful accountant resume should be well-organized, efficient, and concise. It should be easy to read and understand, and it should highlight your strongest skills and qualifications. It is essential to ensure that your resume is tailored to the job you are applying for.

B. Key Components of a Great Accountant Resume

• Contact Information : This is the first thing that any recruiter will consider, so it is essential to make sure that your contact information is not only accurate but also easy to locate.
• Objective Statement : This should be a brief and clear statement that communicates your career goals and what you hope to achieve in your next position.
• Education : Include your education background, including the institution name, major, degree, and graduation date.
• Certification and Licenses : If you hold any finance or accounting-related certifications or licenses, make sure to include them and highlight the issuing body and date earned.
• Work Experience : Listing your previous experience is crucial as this section will give an idea of your abilities and strengths. It is important to list your work experience in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent job.
• Skills : Highlight any relevant skills you have developed, such as technical skills, computer skills, or any specific accounting program knowledge.

C. Tips for Accounting Resume Formatting

When formatting your accounting resume, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, it is essential to keep the design clean and professional. Avoid flashy or overly creative designs that may distract from your experience and qualifications. Additionally, make sure that your resume is easy to read and scannable. Use bullet points and clear, concise language to make your key achievements and skills stand out.

By following the tips outlined in this section, you can create a winning accountant resume that highlights your most relevant work experience, qualifications, and skills, and which is tailored to the job you are applying for.

Essential Elements of an Accountant Resume

As an accountant, your resume should showcase your technical accounting skills, soft skills, and other add-ons that can make you stand out from other candidates.

A. Technical Accounting Skills for an Accountant Resume

Your technical accounting skills are the backbone of your resume. They demonstrate your proficiency in performing various accounting-related tasks.

Some of the technical accounting skills to include in your resume are:

• Proficiency in accounting software such as QuickBooks, Xero, and Sage.
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Experience with financial analysis, budget preparation, and forecasting.
• Ability to perform account reconciliations and manage accounting records.
• Experience in tax preparation and compliance.

Be sure to highlight any industry-specific skills you have related to accounting. This can include knowledge of specific accounting standards, experience working with particular industries, or proficiency in a specialized accounting software.

B. Soft Skills for your Accountant Resume

Your technical accounting skills will help you get the job, but your soft skills will help you keep it. Soft skills can demonstrate your ability to work in a team, communicate effectively, and adapt to change.

Some of the soft skills that are essential for accountants include:

• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

Demonstrate these skills by highlighting project management experience, teamwork, and leadership skills.

C. Other Add-ons that can become highlights of your Resume

While your technical skills and soft skills are the foundation of your accounting resume, you can also add some other elements to make your resume stand out.

Here are some of the add-ons that can help you create a compelling resume:

• Professional certifications such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) can highlight your expertise in the field.
• Relevant volunteer work can showcase your motivation skills and demonstrate your interest in accounting.
• Special awards or recognition can showcase your accomplishments in accounting.
• Any other additional training or courses, such as an MBA in Accounting or a specialization in a particular accounting field, can demonstrate your commitment to developing your skills and expertise in this area.

Crafting an effective accountant resume involves highlighting your technical accounting skills, soft skills, and any additional elements that can make you stand out. A well-written and tailored resume can help you showcase your qualifications and abilities, leading to more job opportunities and career growth.

Writing an Impactful Accountant Resume Objective

When it comes to crafting an accountant resume that stands out, writing an impactful resume objective is a must. A resume objective is a brief statement that summarizes your career goals and highlights your qualifications for the position you are applying for. It can be a powerful tool to help you land your dream job and make a positive impression on potential employers.

A. Understanding the Importance of a Resume Objective

The resume objective is the first thing a hiring manager sees when they review your resume. It’s your chance to hook them in and show them why you’re the best candidate for the job. A well-crafted resume objective can demonstrate that you have a clear understanding of what the job entails, and that you have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in the role.

B. Crafting a Compelling Accountant Resume Objective

If you want to create an accountant resume objective that gets noticed, there are a few key steps you should follow.

1. Clarify Your Goals and Objectives

Before you start writing your resume objective, take some time to think about your career goals and the type of position you’re looking for. Be specific about the kind of role you want, and the skills and experience you can bring to the table. This will help you craft a more targeted and effective resume objective.

2. Highlight Key Skills and Relevant Experience

Your resume objective should highlight your most relevant skills and experience. Think about any certifications or qualifications you have that would be valuable to a potential employer. Also, consider any previous work experience that is directly relevant to the position you’re applying for.

3. Incorporating Achievements and Quantifying Accomplishments

To make your accountant resume objective even more impactful, consider including specific achievements and quantifiable accomplishments. For example, if you’ve implemented a new accounting system that resulted in cost savings for your previous employer, this would be a great thing to mention.

4. Keep it Brief and Focused on the Employer

Finally, remember that your resume objective needs to be brief and focused. Keep it to one or two sentences, and make sure it speaks directly to the needs of the employer. Avoid generic language and focus on specific skills and experiences that make you the best fit for the job.

By following these tips, you can craft an accountant resume objective that makes a real impact and gets you noticed by potential employers.

Writing a Winning Accountant Resume Summary

A. introduction to accountant resume summary.

An Accountant Resume Summary is a brief statement at the beginning of your resume that highlights your most relevant accounting experience, skills and credentials.

B. How to draft Accountant Resume Summary

When drafting your Accountant Resume Summary, keep the following tips in mind:

1. Short and Concise

Your Accountant Resume Summary should be short and concise, ideally no more than 3-4 lines. It should capture the recruiter’s attention by highlighting your key credentials and accomplishments.

2. Highlight your Accounting Credentials

List your accounting credentials such as certifications and relevant degrees. This shows that you have the necessary qualifications and demonstrates your commitment to the accounting field.

3. List in-demand accounting skills

List the in-demand accounting skills you possess such as financial analysis, budgeting, and tax preparation. This will show employers that you have the necessary skills to excel in the accounting industry.

4. Highlight Professional Experience

Highlight your professional experience as an accountant, including your most recent positions and notable accomplishments. This helps the recruiter understand your experience, expertise and skills.

5. Align your Resume Summary with the Job Description

Aligning your resume summary with the job description is crucial. Analyze the job posting and tailor your summary to match the job requirements. Use the same industry keywords and phrases used in the job posting to show that you’re a qualified candidate.

Following these tips to draft your Accountant Resume Summary will help you stand out to potential employers and make a strong first impression. Make sure to proofread your summary for spelling and grammatical errors and ensure that it aligns with the rest of your resume.

Work Experience Section in Accountant Resume

As an accountant, your work experience is one of the most critical sections of your resume. Employers want to see how you have applied your skills and knowledge in real-world situations, and your work experience section is where you can showcase that.

A. Importance of Work Experience in Accountant Resume

Your work experience section should highlight your accounting expertise and showcase your achievements. Employers want to see how you have contributed to the success of previous organizations and projects. Additionally, your work experience shows your ability to apply your accounting knowledge to real-world scenarios, making you a valuable asset to any organization.

B. Organizing your Experience section

There are three main resume formats to choose from when organizing your work experience section: chronological, functional, and a combination of both.

• Chronological Resume Format

Chronological order is the most common format for work experience sections. It lists your past jobs in reverse chronological order, starting from the most recent. This format allows the employer to see your career progression, including past job titles and work duration.

• Functional Resume Format

A functional resume format highlights your skills and responsibilities rather than your chronological work history. This format is useful for those who have gaps in employment or who are transitioning careers.

• Combination Resume Format

The combination format is a mix of chronological and functional formats. It emphasizes your skills and accomplishments while still providing a chronological list of your work history.

C. Points to Showcase in Work Experience Section

• Relevant Job Titles and Employment Dates

Ensure that you list your job titles and employment dates in reverse chronological order. This provides a clear and concise overview of your past work history, allowing the employer to have an understanding of your experience.

• Overview of Job Responsibilities and Skills

Describe your previous job responsibilities, highlighting any skills you used or developed. Use bullet points to make this section clear and easy to read.

• Accomplishments and Results Achieved in Past Workplaces

Highlight your accomplishments and the results you achieved in your past workplaces. Be specific and quantifiable, which can validate the relevance and quality of your work experience.

The work experience section of an accountant resume is a crucial part of securing a job position. Your work experience can showcase your knowledge, expertise, and abilities. Organize your section with relevant job titles and employment dates, give an overview of job responsibilities and important skills, and show your measurable accomplishments and results.

Education, Certification and Skills for Accountant Resume

As an accountant, education, certification and skills are crucial elements in building an effective resume. Prospective employers look for candidates that possess a solid educational background, relevant certifications and licenses, as well as crucial skills that align with the job requirements. A well-crafted resume that showcases these competencies can significantly boost your chance of landing that dream job.

A. Academic Qualification for Accountant Resume

In the accounting profession, obtaining an accounting bachelor’s degree is often the starting point to a promising career path. This degree program provides students with foundational knowledge on financial accounting and reporting, auditing, taxation, and other areas of accounting. An accounting degree can open up opportunities for entry-level positions in accounting and finance, such as staff accountant, accounting clerk, bookkeeper or auditing associate.

However, for more advanced positions, a master’s degree in accounting or finance is generally required or preferred. A master’s degree provides specialized, in-depth knowledge in advanced accounting topic areas such as auditing, taxation, financial analysis and reporting, and accounting information systems. A master’s degree in accounting or finance can qualify you for more senior level positions such as tax manager, financial analyst or a chief financial officer.

B. Certifications and Licenses for Accountant Resume

Certifications and licenses are critical indicators of a candidate’s level of expertise and commitment in accounting. Two certifications that carry significant weight in the accounting industry are the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designations.

A CPA designation is best suited for individuals working in audit, taxation and consultative services, while a CMA designation is designed for management accounting professionals.

Acquiring either of these certifications can improve your chances of being noticed by recruiters and hiring managers. In fact, studies have shown that possessing a CPA license can lead to an average 10-15% increase in salary compared to non-licensed accountants.

Apart from the CPA and CMA certifications, there are other industry-specific certifications such as the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and the Accredited Business Valuation (ABV) credential that could add weight to your resume.

C. Skills for Accountant Resume

The accounting profession requires a unique set of technical and soft skills. Technical accounting skills such as financial management, taxation, bookkeeping, and auditing are essential. Further, the use of accounting software such as QuickBooks, Xero, and MYOB is a requirement for most accounting roles.

Non-technical skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and time management are also vital. As an accountant, you will be required to analyze issues and develop solutions, communicate findings to stakeholders, and collaborate with team members. Possessing these skills can set you apart from the competition.

A successful accountant resume should focus on showcasing your academic qualifications, certifications, and skills.

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Experienced Accountant Resume Examples: Proven To Get You Hired In 2024

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Experienced Accountant Resume Template

Download in google doc, word or pdf for free. designed to pass resume screening software in 2022., experienced accountant resume sample.

An experienced accountant, sometimes called a senior accountant, is a professional who has worked successfully in the field for many years (at least 5). Your tasks may be the same as more junior accountants but you may be tasked with the most important and central accounting functions. This position requires accuracy, interpersonal skills, and a strong accounting skill set. Here is a successful resume sample.

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Recruiter Insight: Why this resume works in 2022

Tips to help you write your experienced accountant resume in 2024,    list your expertise on various functions in the introduction section..

Start your resume strong by including the accounting functions you are particularly skilled at, and include a key achievement that shows the outcome of your skills. Starting your resume off strong will help your resume look more impressive overall.

   Use metrics to quantify your accounting success.

Metrics jump out among the text in a resume and are an easy way to impress recruiters. A great accountant will work to maintain the financial health of the company, increase efficiencies, and reduce costs. If you have done any of the 3, include metrics to prove them.

As a hiring manager who has recruited accountants at top companies like PwC, Deloitte, and KPMG, I've seen hundreds of resumes. The best ones always stand out by highlighting the right skills and experiences. Here are some tips to help your accountant resume rise to the top of the pile:

   Showcase your accounting certifications

Employers highly value accounting certifications like CPA, CMA, or CIA. Make sure to prominently feature them on your resume. For example:

• CPA certified since 2018, scoring in the top 10% of exam takers
• Passed all 4 parts of the CMA exam on the first attempt

If you are still pursuing a certification, mention your progress and expected completion date:

Currently preparing for the CIA exam, having passed 2 out of 3 parts. Expect to be fully certified by Q3 2023.

   Highlight your expertise in accounting software

Proficiency in accounting software is a must-have for experienced accountants. Mention the specific tools you are skilled in:

• Advanced user of QuickBooks, having used it daily for 5+ years to manage GL, AP, and AR for a $20M company
• Experienced in using Oracle NetSuite to handle financial reporting and analysis for a Fortune 500 firm

Avoid simply listing the software names without context:

• QuickBooks, Oracle NetSuite, SAP

   Quantify your achievements with numbers

Use metrics to showcase the impact of your work. This helps employers understand the scale and significance of your contributions:

• Implemented a new accounts payable process that reduced processing time by 30% and saved the company $50,000 annually
• Managed the successful year-end close for a $500M business unit, ensuring all deadlines were met

Avoid vague statements that don't convey the impact of your work:

• Responsible for accounts payable process
• Handled year-end close for a business unit

   Demonstrate your leadership and mentorship abilities

As an experienced accountant, you may have led projects or teams, or mentored junior staff. Highlight these experiences to show your leadership potential:

• Led a team of 5 accountants to implement a new financial reporting system, delivering the project on time and under budget
• Mentored and trained 2 junior accountants, helping them advance their skills and take on more responsibilities

Don't just say you have leadership skills without providing evidence:

Strong leadership and mentorship abilities.

   Tailor your resume to the job description

Customize your resume for each job you apply to. Mirror the language and keywords from the job posting to show you are a strong fit. For instance, if the job emphasizes experience with SEC reporting, highlight your relevant skills:

Prepared 10-Q and 10-K reports for a public company, ensuring compliance with SEC regulations.

Avoid using a generic resume that doesn't speak to the specific job requirements. Employers can tell when you haven't tailored your application.

   Include relevant volunteer experience

Volunteer work can be a great way to showcase your accounting skills, especially if you gained experience in areas like tax preparation or bookkeeping. For example:

• Volunteered as a tax preparer for a local non-profit, helping 20+ low-income families file their annual tax returns
• Served as the bookkeeper for a community organization, managing a budget of $50,000 and ensuring timely payment of all expenses

Just make sure the volunteer experience is relevant to accounting and shows off your professional skills. Unrelated volunteer work, while commendable, may not add much value to your resume.

Writing Your Experienced Accountant Resume: Section By Section

  summary.

Your resume summary is a bite-sized overview of your professional experience, skills, and career goals. While a summary is optional, it can be a powerful way to provide context for your career journey, especially if you're an experienced accountant looking to transition into a new role or industry. Avoid using an objective statement, as it focuses on what you want rather than what you can offer an employer.

When crafting your summary, focus on your most relevant qualifications and achievements. Highlight your expertise in financial reporting, tax preparation, or auditing, and showcase any specialized knowledge or certifications. Remember, your summary should complement the rest of your resume, not repeat it verbatim.

To learn how to write an effective resume summary for your Experienced Accountant resume, or figure out if you need one, please read Experienced Accountant Resume Summary Examples , or Experienced Accountant Resume Objective Examples .

1. Tailor your summary to the specific accounting role

One size does not fit all when it comes to resume summaries. To make a strong impact, tailor your summary to the specific accounting role you're targeting. Research the company and job description to identify the key skills and experience they're looking for.

For example, if you're applying for a senior tax accountant position, your summary might look like this:

CPA with 8+ years of experience in corporate tax accounting. Skilled in preparing complex tax returns, managing compliance, and implementing tax strategies to minimize liability. Proven track record of identifying tax savings opportunities, resulting in over $1M in savings for previous employers. Seeking to leverage expertise to drive tax efficiency at XYZ Company.

In contrast, a generic summary that fails to target the specific role might read:

Experienced accountant with a strong work ethic and attention to detail. Proficient in various accounting software and skilled in financial reporting. Seeking a challenging new opportunity to grow my career.

2. Highlight your most relevant accounting skills and certifications

Use your summary to spotlight your most relevant technical skills, certifications, and areas of expertise. This helps employers quickly understand your qualifications and what you bring to the table.

Some key skills and certifications to consider highlighting for experienced accountants include:

• CPA, CMA, or other relevant certifications
• GAAP, IFRS, and SEC reporting standards
• Experience with ERP systems like SAP or Oracle
• Expertise in specific areas like auditing, tax, or financial planning and analysis

Here's an example of how you might incorporate these into your summary:

CPA and CMA with 10+ years of experience in financial reporting and analysis. Deep knowledge of GAAP and IFRS standards. Skilled in managing ERP systems and driving process improvements to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Proven ability to partner with cross-functional teams to support strategic decision-making.

  Experience

The work experience section is the core of your resume as an experienced accountant. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your accounting skills to make an impact throughout your career.

In this section, we'll break down the key steps to follow to write an effective work experience section step-by-step, with plenty of examples of what to do (and what to avoid).

1. Use strong, targeted action verbs

When describing your accounting experience, choose powerful action verbs that highlight your skills and accomplishments:

• Analyzed financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities, resulting in a 15% reduction in expenses
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline accounting processes, improving efficiency by 20%
• Implemented a new accounting software system, reducing month-end close time by 3 days

Avoid generic, overused verbs that don't convey impact:

• Responsible for preparing financial reports
• Helped with accounts payable and receivable
• Worked on various accounting projects

2. Highlight your accounting achievements with metrics

Quantify your achievements whenever possible to give hiring managers a clear picture of your impact. Use hard numbers, percentages, and dollar amounts.

Compare these two bullet points:

• Managed accounts payable and receivable
• Managed accounts payable and receivable, processing over 500 invoices per month and ensuring 98% of vendor payments were made on time

The second example provides specific, measurable details that demonstrate the scope and success of your work.

3. Tailor your experience to the job description

Review the job posting carefully and make sure your work experience section showcases the specific skills, experience, and keywords the employer is looking for. Here's an example:

Job Description: CPA required. 5+ years of experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and analyzing financial data. Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with QuickBooks preferred.

Tailored Work Experience Example:

• CPA with 7+ years of experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis
• Prepared monthly and quarterly financial reports for executive leadership and investors
• Developed and managed $5M+ annual budgets across multiple departments
• Analyzed financial data using advanced Excel functions to identify trends and opportunities to improve profitability
• Implemented and trained team on QuickBooks, improving accuracy of financial data and reducing manual work

4. Showcase your career growth and promotions

Highlight your career progression and promotions within a company or throughout your career. This demonstrates your ability to take on increasing responsibility and your value to past employers.

Here's an example of showcasing a promotion:

Senior Accountant, XYZ Company, 2018-Present Staff Accountant, XYZ Company, 2015-2018

In your bullet points, emphasize how you earned the promotion and the increased scope of your role:

• Promoted to Senior Accountant after demonstrating strong financial analysis and leadership skills
• Managed a team of 3 staff accountants, overseeing all aspects of day-to-day accounting operations
• Served as a key member of the financial planning team, providing insights to guide strategic decision-making

  Education

The education section of your experienced accountant resume should be concise yet informative. It's an opportunity to showcase your relevant academic background and certifications that qualify you for the role. Follow these tips to make the most of this section.

1. List your highest degree first

Start with your most recent and relevant degree. For experienced accountants, this is typically a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, XYZ University, City, State

If you have a master's degree or higher, list that as well. However, if you have significant work experience, you can keep your education section brief and focus more on your professional accomplishments.

2. Include relevant certifications

As an experienced accountant, you may have earned certifications that demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field. Include them in your education section to make your resume stand out.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State Board of Accountancy, Year
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Institute of Management Accountants, Year

Only list certifications that are relevant to the specific job you're applying for and are from recognized organizations in your industry.

3. Showcase continuing education

As a senior accountant, employers value your commitment to staying current in your field. If you've completed significant continuing education courses or professional development programs, consider including them.

• Advanced Financial Reporting, American Institute of CPAs, Year
• Forensic Accounting Certificate Program, ABC University, Year

However, be selective and only include courses that are substantial and directly related to your career as an accountant. Avoid listing minor workshops or online courses that don't add significant value.

4. Keep it brief for senior roles

If you're a senior-level accountant with extensive work experience, your education section should be concise. Employers will be more interested in your professional accomplishments and skills.

B.S. Accounting, ABC University

Optionally, you can remove the graduation year to prevent potential age discrimination. Focus on showcasing your most relevant and impressive credentials.

In contrast, avoid listing outdated or irrelevant information like this:

• Associate Degree in General Studies, XYZ Community College, 1985-1987
• High School Diploma, City High School, Graduated 1985

  Skills

Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your resume as an experienced accountant. It's where you showcase your technical proficiencies, industry knowledge, and specialized expertise. Hiring managers and recruiters often scan this section first to quickly assess if you have the right skills for the job.

Here are some key tips to help you write a strong skills section that will get you noticed:

1. Tailor your skills to the job description

Many companies today use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to automatically scan and filter resumes based on the skills they're looking for. To ensure your resume makes it past these filters, carefully review the job description and make sure to include relevant skills the employer is seeking.

For example, if a job description mentions they need someone with experience in Tax Accounting and Auditing , your skills section might look like:

Accounting Skills Corporate Tax Accounting Tax Preparation & Planning Financial Audits Regulatory Compliance Risk Assurance

Avoid simply listing generic skills like this:

Accounting Finance Math Spreadsheets

2. Categorize your accounting skills

As an experienced accountant, you likely have a wide range of skills spanning different areas. To make your skills section easy to read and highlight your expertise, group your skills into categories. Some common categories for accounting might include:

• Accounting Processes : Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, Month-End Close, Financial Reporting
• Accounting Software : QuickBooks, Oracle, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics GP
• Tax & Audit : Tax Accounting, Tax Returns, Financial Audits, SOX Compliance
• Analysis : Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Budgeting, Variance Analysis

By grouping your skills, you make it easy for hiring managers to quickly see the depth of your knowledge in different accounting functions.

3. Specify your proficiency level

In addition to listing your skills, it's helpful to specify your level of proficiency for each one. This gives employers a clearer picture of your capabilities. You can use simple labels like:

Here's an example of how you might format this:

Technical Skills QuickBooks (Expert) Oracle (Advanced) SAP (Proficient) Tableau (Beginner)

Avoid simply listing a skill with no indication of your level:

QuickBooks Oracle SAP

Skills For Experienced Accountant Resumes

Here are examples of popular skills from Experienced Accountant job descriptions that you can include on your resume.

• Accounts Receivable (AR)
• Bank Reconciliation
• Financial Reporting
• Account Reconciliation
• Accounts Payable & Receivable

Skills Word Cloud For Experienced Accountant Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Experienced Accountant job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.

How to use these skills?

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Resume Guide: Detailed Insights From Recruiters

• Accountant Resume Guide & Examples for 2022

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Use our free resume checker to get expert feedback on your resume. You will:

•  Get a resume score compared to other Experienced Accountant resumes in your industry.

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•  Find the Experienced Accountant skills your resume is missing.

•  Get rid of hidden red flags the hiring managers and resume screeners look for.

It's instant, free and trusted by 1+ million job seekers globally. Get a better resume, guaranteed .

Experienced Accountant Resumes

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10+ Accountant Resume Samples That’ll Make Your Application Count

• Martin Poduska , 
• Updated September 8, 2023 7 min read

If you're an accountant who wants to land a job, there are several simple rules to follow when it comes to writing a resume. In this article, you'll find the perfect accountant resume samples that will serve as an inspiration for you, so you can learn from the best.

Remember, on average, your resume has only 6 seconds to leave a lasting impression. A well-written and visually pleasing resume ensures your professional qualities get the attention they deserve. 

And in the end, it may be the resume that gets you the dream accountant job. 

Table of Contents

Click on a section to skip

• What is expected of an accountant's resume: the basics

1. Student Accountant Resume Sample

2. accounting specialist resume example, 3. entry-level accountant resume sample, 4. senior accounting manager resume example, 5. senior accountant resume example, 6. mid-level accountant resume example, 7. tax accountant resume sample, 8. financial accountant resume example, 9. accounting manager resume sample, 10. senior accountant resume example, 11. db schenker accountant resume example, 12. accounting auditor resume sample, 13. financial auditor resume example, what is expected of an accountant's resume: the basics.

As an accountant, what you want to do first and foremost, is to stand out while communicating dependability and attention to detail. For this reason, flashy resume templates are a big no-go in the world of accounting resumes. 

Each of the accountant resume samples below uses a minimalistic template that implies these qualities. 

The language has to follow the same principle as the design. It needs to be precise, straight to the point, and contain all the important keywords.

How you structure the information in your CV is equally important. 

For this reason, in designing these accountant resume samples we’ve paid most attention to their structure and formatting. Each of the individual sections is divided into bullet points, which facilitates easy reading. You want to do the same. 

But enough words! Learn what you can from these 10 accountant resume samples !

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Scan your resume for issues and find out your resume score. Learn how to improve it.

This resume sample exemplifies what an accounting student resume should look like. 

At this point in your career, you probably don’t have much experience to show. For this reason, the education and skills sections dominate this resume. Each of these two sections is quite extensive in this accountant resume sample and describes in detail what skills did the candidate acquire and how.

Finally, when you cannot depend on previous experience, related extracurricular activities can help support your candidacy too.

Student Accountant Resume Sample

This resume was written by our experienced resume writers specifically for this profession.

When you’re applying for an accounting specialist position, you need a very strong resume. Once you’ve acquired two or more years of professional experience , the only remaining challenge is to articulate it well on a resume.

Notice how this resume opens with a professional summary . By doing this, it allows hiring managers to immediately find what they want to see.

In this resume sample, we’ve put the education section right after the profile. Although it’s not a big mistake, you might want to consider putting it below your work history section. After all, two years into your career education becomes less relevant.

Accounting Specialist Resume Example

This graduate accountant resume sample is razor-sharp in its focus. Naturally, education comes first — straight out of college , your degree is still your strongest asset. 

Since this particular candidate did multiple internships during his studies, the rest of the resume simply lists the experience he acquired during that time. And does it in an easy-to-read and structured manner.

Entry-level Accountant Resume Sample

As a seasoned professional, you could easily write a resume more packed with relevant information than this one. Despite that, we wanted to show that sometimes it’s equally useful to let your resume breathe a little. 

This resume doesn’t overwhelm hiring managers with walls of text but makes great use of white space and straight-to-the-point bullet points. Something to keep in mind while writing your own resume. You don’t always need to include every piece of information to make a lasting impression.

Senior Accounting Manager Resume Example

This accountant resume sample packs a lot of information on a single page. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t possibly make your resume shorter, this sample proves you wrong. 

Note the use of past tense in the first two bullet point sections as compared to the last section’s simple list of responsibilities. The lesson is clear — what you did is always more impressive than what you were supposed to do.

Senior Accountant Resume Example

This accountant resume sample is designed to do a lot with little . In spite of the candidate’s limited experience, the resume succeeds in making it look more robust than it actually is. 

One of the reasons behind this is a smart choice of a resume template — it makes the space reserved for text more conflated. Another reason is its use of strong visual elements, such as charts and sliders. It’s a great example of how the content of your resume has to go in hand with its form.

Mid-Level Accountant Resume Example

When applying for a job as a CPA tax analyst, you need a very strong resume. The resume below has an air of steadfast responsibility about it. 

The template design is very formal and doesn’t seek to impress in anything but its minimalism. Similarly, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything irrelevant on this resume. Instead, this accountant resume sample packs an impressive number of keywords to ensure that it gets through any ATS.

Tax Accountant Resume Sample

A pretty standard mid-level accountant resume sample. The opening career summary outlines the candidate’s strongest qualities while remaining concise.

If you want to improve on it, structure your summary using bullet points to make it easier to read. Second, notice the use of past tense in each of the subsections. Such use of language has a much greater impact on the reader than a simple list of responsibilities . 

Finally, even if keywords are missing in the main body of the resume, the strengths section makes up for it.

Financial Accountant Resume Example

In many ways, the resume below is a great example of how not to do it . Although it belongs to a candidate who held multiple managerial positions, it hardly ever presents any quantifiable accomplishments. Numbers are impactful and you should never pass on an opportunity to present your experiences by using them.

Otherwise, this resume sample is clear and well-structured. The use of a two-column template design allows it to pack a lot of information on a single page.

Accounting Manager Resume Sample

An accountant resume like the one below impresses with the candidate’s sheer wealth of experience and skills. Remember, it’s all about those first 6 seconds.

This accountant resume example catches the recruiters’ attention by making it visually apparent that this candidate’s experience is extensive . The takeaway is clear — once you’ve become a seasoned professional, even a wall of text on your resume doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing.

This resume stands out from the crowd. It was provided by one of the Kickresume clients who, also thanks to this resume, managed to land a job at DB Schenker as an accountant. 

It's easy to see why. Even though Emma used one of the most basic (and free!) templates, when it comes to applying for an accountant job, this isn't a problem. Simplicity is the vibe that you want to go for. Moreover , this resume has the perfect length. It's no longer the rule that a resume should be only a page long. One to two pages are ideal.

DB Schenker Accountant Resume Example

This resume sample was contributed by a real person who got hired with Kickresume’s help.

This resume template allows the CV to have a clear structure and while it has a little color, it creates a highly professional and sleek impression.

What we can learn from this accountant resume sample is that sticking to rules will get you far. This resume has all the predictable parts that it needs , including the accountant resume profile. 

Work experience is placed first (as it should be), which is then followed by the education and skills sections. The resume of this type is welcomed by hiring managers as it is familiar and well-structured  — and therefore easy to read.

Accounting Auditor Resume Sample

This template is a little too colorful for an average accountant's resume. However, the overall impression remains professional and highly structured. 

Moreover, this accountant resume sample is the perfect example of how extra sections on your resume can enhance the quality of the whole CV. If you have a volunteering experience or a special certificate, make sure that you always include it.

Financial Auditor Resume Example

Finally, if you feel like you still need more advice, check out our ultimate resume guide . Or even better, get your own resume analyzed and see what you can improve!

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Martin Poduska is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. He leads Kickresume’s team of writers and is the main person responsible for upholding the standards of expertise and quality on the blog. In addition to having written nearly 100 in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles, as chief editor he has also edited and revised every single article on this blog. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. Martin holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam.

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