Resume

Chief Accountant Resume Example & Writing Guide

Use this Chief Accountant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.

Accountants are one of the most highly sought-after professionals in the job market, and for good reason. Accountants are responsible for keeping track of all the money flowing into and out of an organization, ensuring that it’s being used in compliance with the law. They prepare financial statements, conduct audits, set up tax filings, and make sure that companies have the resources they need to succeed.

Because accountants play such an important role in keeping businesses running smoothly, they tend to have high job security and great benefits. And because they have such a wide range of responsibilities and are often involved in almost every aspect of a company’s operations, there are plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement.

If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, it’s time to write a compelling accountancy resume that will get employers calling you back ASAP. Here are some tips and an example to help you do just that.

Mary Thompson
Los Angeles, CA | (123) 456-7891 | [email protected]
Summary

Seasoned accountant with 10+ years of experience in public practice and private industry. Proven ability to manage all aspects of financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting. Excels at collaborating with executive-level staff to provide strategic insights and recommendations that support business objectives.

Education
Golden Gate University Jun '10
M.S. in Accounting
Golden Gate University Jun '06
B.S. in Accounting
Experience
Company A, Chief Accountant Jan '17 – Current
  • Led the finance team in developing and implementing a new accounting system to support the company’s growth plans.
  • Oversaw all aspects of financial reporting, including budgeting, forecasting, and monthly close processes.
  • Managed external auditors for annual audit preparation and review of quarterly results with investors.
  • Developed an effective training program for finance staff on internal controls, risk management, and general business knowledge.
  • Created a comprehensive process improvement plan that resulted in over $1 million in cost savings annually by streamlining manual tasks through automation tools such as Excel macros and VBA programming.
Company B, Chief Accountant Jan '12 – Dec '16
  • Led the annual audit process for all company subsidiaries, including coordinating with auditors and management to ensure timely completion
  • Oversaw monthly financial reporting processes, ensuring that all data was accurate and complete before distribution to upper management
  • Conducted quarterly reviews of subsidiary accounting practices, identifying areas of improvement in operations through analysis and research
  • Spearheaded a cost-cutting initiative by implementing new procedures for tracking expenditures and reducing unnecessary spending
  • Collaborated with senior leadership on strategic planning initiatives, contributing valuable insight into long-term goals
Company C, Accounts Payable Clerk Jan '09 – Dec '11
  • Reviewed invoices for accuracy and compliance with company policies and procedures.
  • Matched invoices to purchase orders and processed invoices for payment.
  • Resolved discrepancies with vendors and obtained missing information when necessary.
Certifications
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
  • Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
Skills

Industry Knowledge: GAAP, IFRS, SEC, GAAS, GAAP Audits, Sarbanes-Oxley, Audit Reviews, Taxation, Accounting
Technical Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, QuickBooks, Intuit, Peachtree, Business Objects
Soft Skills: Communication, Leadership, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Time Management, Leadership

How to Write a Chief Accountant Resume

Here’s how to write a chief 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.

But many job seekers make the mistake of using generic bullet points that don’t really tell a story or provide any context about their experience.

Instead, you should use your bullet points to tell a story about your experience. And that story should be about how you helped a company achieve its goals or overcome a challenge.

Identify and Include Relevant Keywords

When you apply for a job, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system looks for certain keywords related to the position in order to determine whether you are a good fit for the role. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, your application might not make it past the initial screening process.

To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common accountancy keywords as a starting point to help you identify the skills and experience you want to highlight on your resume.

  • Accounting
  • Financial Reporting
  • Internal Controls
  • Financial Analysis
  • Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Financial Accounting
  • Financial Statements
  • Account Reconciliation
  • U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
  • Auditing
  • Forecasting
  • Sarbanes-Oxley Act
  • General Ledger
  • Cost Accounting
  • Tax
  • Managerial Finance
  • External Audit
  • Internal Audit
  • Budgeting
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
  • Variance Analysis
  • Variance Management
  • Financial Modeling
  • Business Strategy
  • Corporate Finance
  • Consolidation
  • Tax Accounting
  • Banking
  • Value-Added Tax (VAT)
  • Income Tax

Showcase Your Technical Skills

As a chief accountant, you will need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems in order to effectively manage your work. This might include programs like QuickBooks, Excel, and Word, as well as accounting-specific software programs. Additionally, you should be familiar with other relevant systems and methodologies, such as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

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