Accountant Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Accountant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Accountants are highly respected professionals who are tasked with maintaining accurate records of financial transactions, analyzing data to identify trends, ensuring that organizations are following the rules, and helping them make smart decisions about future plans. Accountants work in almost every industry imaginable, from construction to healthcare to film.
Because accountants are often tasked with interpreting complex regulations and advising clients on how best to comply with them, this is a job that requires strong analytical skills, meticulous attention to detail, and the ability to think critically. Accountants must also be highly organized and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Here are some tips to help you write a great accountant resume that will land you interviews with top companies.
How to Write an Accountant Resume
Here’s how to write an accountant resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will see. And they’re the best way to showcase your experience and qualifications.
So it’s crucial that you use them to your advantage. And the best way to do that is by using specific, descriptive language. For example, rather than saying you “managed accounts,” you could say you “managed $10M+ accounts for top-tier financial services firm, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting for more than 200 clients.”
The second bullet point is much more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and the results of your work. And that’s what will catch the attention of recruiters and help you stand out from other candidates.
Related: What Is an Accountant? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. This program looks for specific terms related to the job opening in order to determine whether you are a good fit for the role. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common accountant keywords as a starting point when writing your resume:
- Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Financial Analysis
- Account Reconciliation
- Financial Accounting
- Accounts Payable
- Financial Statements
- Auditing
- QuickBooks
- General Ledger
- Accounts Receivable (AR)
- Financial Statements Preparation
- Tax
- Bookkeeping
- Internal Controls
- MYOB
- Microsoft Access
- Bank Reconciliation
- Tax Accounting
- SAP Products
- SAP ERP
- Cash Flow
- Cost Accounting
- Invoicing
- Journal Entries
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Variance Analysis
- Tax Preparation
- SAP FI
- Financial Audits
Showcase Your Technical Skills
Accountants rely on specific software programs, such as QuickBooks, to manage their finances and track their transactions. They also need to be proficient in Excel in order to create financial reports and track budget data. So if you have experience with these programs, be sure to list them in your technical skills section.
Related: How Much Does an Accountant Make?
Remember The Basics
As you write your resume, it’s important to keep a few basic rules in mind.
Create Easy-to Scan Sections
There are a few things you can do to make your resume easier to read, such as left aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and using bullets instead of paragraphs to list your experiences. You should also use all-caps and bold sparingly, and keep your bullets under two lines. Additionally, you can include some white space on the page to make the document easier to scan.
Be Concise
When it comes to the length of your resume, it is important to tailor it to the specific role you are applying for and to focus on the most relevant information. For most people, a one-page resume is the ideal length. However, if you have more than 10 years of experience, you can make a two-page resume to elaborate on your experience and skills. However, be selective about the content you include, as you want to be succinct and get your point across quickly.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is essential for ensuring that it is error-free and looks its best. Spellchecking is a good place to start, but it is not enough. You should also have a friend proofread your resume for you. Pay special attention to common mistakes, such as incorrect punctuation, incorrect verb tense, and common misspellings.
Use a Summary
When writing a resume, it’s important to include a summary statement. This statement is a brief introduction that explains who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking to do next. This can be a great way to put your skills and experience in context and to show how you see your experience translating into a new role. The summary statement can also be a great way to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences. When writing this statement, be sure to focus on your soft skills, your transferable experiences, and your future goals.
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