Cost Accountant Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Cost Accountant resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Accountants are the financial wizards of the world—they crunch numbers, interpret regulations, and solve complex problems. And because accountants work in such a wide range of industries and environments, there’s a role out there for everyone.
Accountants can work in public accounting firms or private firms, for example, or they can work directly for companies in an internal role. They can also choose to specialize in a particular area like tax or auditing or look for a role that allows them to work across an organization’s finances.
No matter what type of accountant you want to become or where you want to work, it’s important to have a resume that highlights your skills and experience in a way that will get recruiters excited about hiring you. Here are resume tips plus an example for reference when writing your own resume as an accountant.
How to Write a Cost Accountant Resume
Here’s how to write a cost accountant resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
The best way to make your resume stand out is to use strong, specific language. Rather than saying you “managed accounts,” you could say you “managed $10M accounts for top-tier fashion retailer, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue over 18-month period.”
The second bullet point is much more interesting because it provides specific details about what you did and the results of your work. It also provides a number (15% increase in revenue), which is always a good thing!
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. These programs look for certain terms related to the job opening in order to determine whether or not your skills and experience are a match. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might discard your application.
To increase your chances of being seen by the hiring manager, make sure to include relevant keywords throughout all sections of your resume. Here are some of the most commonly used keywords for cost accountants:
- Cost Accounting
- Account Reconciliation
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- General Ledger
- Invoicing
- Financial Reporting
- Account Reconciliation & Analysis
- Financial Accounting
- Budgeting
- Accounts Payable
- Auditing
- Financial Analysis
- Accounts Receivable (AR)
- Financial Statements
- Financial Statements Preparation
- Fixed Assets
- Forecasting
- Variance Analysis
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act
- QuickBooks
- Internal Controls
- Bank Reconciliation
- Bank Account Reconciliation
- Auditing Standards
- Tax
- Cost Analysis
- Variance Analysis Reports
- Management Accounting
- Manufacturing
- Management Information Systems (MIS)
Showcase Your Technical Skills
In order to be successful in this role, it is essential that cost accountants are proficient in a variety of technical systems and procedures. Recruiters are looking for cost accountants who are skilled in programs like Microsoft Office Suite, ERP systems, and manufacturing software. Additionally, it is important that cost accountants are familiar with government regulations related to their industry, as they will often be responsible for ensuring that the organization is in compliance with these regulations.