Accounting Assistant Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Accounting Assistant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Accounting assistants are the backbone of most organizations. They’re the first point of contact for many companies’ customers, providing valuable information about products and services. They also play a key role in helping organizations stay compliant with regulations and ensure that they’re meeting their tax obligations.
Because accounting is such a highly regulated field, there are many rules and regulations that accountants must follow. They need to be detail oriented, organized, and able to follow instructions without making mistakes. And because they often work with sensitive information, they need to be trustworthy and discreet.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an accounting assistant or just looking for a new job in accounting, here are some tips and an example resume to help you write an outstanding accounting assistant resume that will get you noticed by recruiters.
How to Write an Accounting Assistant Resume
Here’s how to write an accounting assistant resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
The best way to make your resume stand out is to use specific examples and numbers. So rather than saying you “assisted with accounting tasks,” you could say that you “assisted with month-end accounting tasks for 15+ clients, ensuring timely and accurate completion of all work.”
The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific details about what you did and the results of your work. And it also includes a number to help quantify your contributions.
Related: What Is an Accounting Assistant? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for an accounting assistant role, your resume will likely be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. ATS programs rank resumes based on how many of the job posting’s required terms are present. If your resume doesn’t have enough of the right terms, the ATS might discard your application before a human ever sees it.
The best way to make sure your resume contains the right keywords is to carefully read the job posting and include terms that are relevant to the position. You can also use our list of commonly used accounting assistant keywords as a starting point:
- Accounting
- Accounts Payable
- Account Reconciliation
- Financial Reporting
- QuickBooks
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Analysis
- Accounts Receivable (AR)
- General Ledger
- Bank Reconciliation
- Bookkeeping
- Data Entry
- Payroll
- Microsoft Access
- Tally ERP
- Auditing
- Office Administration
- Finance
- Teamwork
- Customer Service
- Time Management
- MYOB
- Management
- IBM Cognos
- Journal Entries
- Cash Flow
- Internal Controls
- Value-Added Tax (VAT)
- Negotiation
- Bookkeeping & Accounting
Showcase Your Technical Skills
The technical skills section of your accounting assistant resume is important because it showcases your proficiency in the use of specific programs and systems that are essential to the job. 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 Accounting Assistant Make?
Remember The Basics
As you write your resume, it’s important to keep a few basic rules in mind.
Make Sure Your Resume Is Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to your resume to make it easier to read and understand quickly. Aligning everything to the left, using a standard font type and size, and keeping bullets under 2 lines will help make your resume more skimmable. You should also try to leave some white space on the page to help the recruiter easily scan through your information.
Be Concise
When writing a resume, it is important to tailor it to the specific position you are applying for. The length should be based on your experience and the amount of information you want to include. A one-page resume is typically the best option, but if you have a lot of experience, a two-page resume can be appropriate. Be selective about the information you include, and make sure that everything is relevant to the role you are applying for.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spellcheck can catch many basic spelling errors, but it is important to have someone else also proofread your resume for errors in punctuation and grammar. Additionally, be on the lookout for easily confused words, such as their, there, and they’re.
Consider a Summary
If you’re looking to update or improve your resume, consider using a resume summary statement. This is a great way to quickly introduce yourself and explain how your skills and experiences make you the perfect candidate for the job you want. When writing your summary, be sure to focus on your best skills and experiences, and be specific about what you want to do next. Keep it brief and to the point, and you’ll be sure to make a great impression.
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