Accountant Resume Example, Writing Tips & Questions
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An accountant’s primary duties include analyzing financial data and budget forecasts, creating balance sheets, profit and loss and taxation reports, and assisting organizations in finance management, tax strategies and effective use of resources. Accountants also work in specialized areas such as tax, cost, investment or management accounting.
Use our accountant resume examples and tips to help you craft your professional accountant resume.
Edit this accountant resume template or explore the rest of our layouts on our resume templates page.
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Copy text onlyAccountant resume example (text version)
Clare Hughes
Brackettville, TX 78832
555 555 555
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Highly analytical, result-driven accounting specialist skilled at working quickly and accurately under tight deadlines. Extensive knowledge of Excel and QuickBooks.
Work History
July 2016 – Current
Just Solutions Inc. – Austin, TX
Accountant
- Analyzed budgets, financial reports and projections for accurate reporting of financial standing.
- Reviewed Accounting structures and procedures on a regular basis to identify areas in need of improvement.
- Managed, tracked and monitored financial updates, watch lists and insurance files.
October 2011 – July 2016
Serepta Software – Mabank, TX
Junior Accountant
- Set up and improved accounting systems and processes to meet business needs and maximize effectiveness of operations,
- Investigated and resolved variances in digital and physical records to promote record integrity.
- Helped clients navigate interactions with tax authorities and legal concerns related to financial matters.
August 2007 – June 2010
National Cinemedia Inc. – Austin, TX
Business Office Intern
- Tracked and recorded expenses and reconciled accounts to maintain accurate, current and compliant financial records.
- Monitored premises, screened visitors, updated logs and issued passes to maintain security.
- Kept physical files and digitalized records for easy access.
Skills
- Invoice coding familiarity
- Advanced bookkeeping skills
- Data trending knowledge
- Calculating liabilities
- Account reconciliation processes
- Hyperion Financial Management specialist
- Account reconciliation specialist
Education
Texas A&M University – Commerce Commerce, TX
BBA Accounting
Top 4 characteristics of a best-in-class accountant resume
Professional summary
In your professional summary, you’ll craft a brief overview of your top skills and experience that sums up what you bring to the table, like the accountant resume sample feature on this page. Be descriptive in mentioning your accomplishments. For example, instead of writing “Accountant proficient in account reconciliation and financial reporting,” write “Highly-motivated accountant with seven years’ experience in reporting processes that reduced reporting process hours by 75%.”
Skills
Review the job description to pick up the top skills that match your own abilities, such as variance analysis, investment accounting or budget forecasting, and include them here. In addition to number-crunching, a resume for a professional accountant should include soft skills such as attention to detail, strategic thinking, problem-solving, time management and organizational skills.
Work history
A resume for an accountant job should highlight your work experience with relevant facts and figures that prove your credibility. For example: “Reduced budget costs by 17% over two years or “Introduced new consolidation procedures that reduced closing time for monthly and quarterly reports by 25%.”
To read more about this section, check out our How to Write the Perfect Work Experience article.
Education
In addition to your degree in accounting or finance, mention any advanced degrees or certifications, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Also include any coursework or certifications you have in Microsoft Office Applications, QuickBooks and other accounting software.
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Action verbs for your accountant resume
The accountant resume templates above have action verbs to make each statement impactful. Fill your resume with the right words using some of the listed below:
- Planned
- Oversaw
- Charted
- Built
- Counted
- Calculated
- Filed
- Formulated
- Established
- Boosted
- Capitalized
- Improved
- Increased
- Deducted
- Trained
- Secured
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Skills for your accountant resume
Whether you’re writing an experienced accountant resume or this is your first job in the industry, make sure to feature some of the skills below:
- Account reconciliation
- Thorough understanding of tax laws
- Thorough understanding of tax laws
- Variance analysis
- Asset management
- Math skills
- Knowledge of GAAP
- Proficiency in computer skills and accounting software
- Detail-oriented approach
- Strong communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Strategic thinking
- Problem-solving
- Adherence to efficiency and accuracy
- Time management
- Handling conflicts
For more skills to include in your resume, follow the accountant resume examples featured on our website.
Certifications to include in your accountant resume
For most accountant jobs, a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is the minimum requirement. The following certifications can also enhance your professional accountant resume and establish a high level of expertise in the field:
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Chartered Accountant (CCA)
- Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
- Personal Financial Specialist (PFS)
- Certificate in Project Management (CIPM)
- Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV)
- Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)
- Certified in the Valuation of Financial Instruments (CVFI)
- Certified in Entity and Intangible Valuations (CEIV)
- Certified Key Accounts Manager (CKAM)
You have two ways of including certifications and additional training in your accountant resume. The first is to list them under the education section using bullet points. The second option is to create a separate “Certifications and training” section exclusively for this information.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Accountant resume FAQ
1. What is the best resume format for an accountant resume?
The best accountant resume format will depend on your years of experience.
If you have a few years of experience, choose a combination resume format, which gives equal emphasis to your skills and previous roles. High-level professionals with more than nine years of experience can use a chronological resume format, which features a comprehensive work experience section. If you’re a first-time job seeker, utilize a functional resume format, which lets you highlight your skills, and even break them into subcategories (such as professional skills and soft skills).
For more details on choosing a professional resume format for an accountant, visit our resume formats page.
2. How should you craft your accountant resume if you’re looking to take the next step forward in your career?
Buff up your professional accountant resume by gaining and featuring the following skills:
- Broaden your skills with financial analysis workshops, bookkeeping courses and other accounting courses which will help you stay ahead in the game.
- Acquire a relevant degree in management.
- Gain certifications in areas of expertise, such as becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
- Look for more opportunities to display your management and organizational abilities in successful projects.
3. Why should you use an accountant resume sample?
Using a sample accountant resume is a great way to gain inspiration. You can see what skills are featured on different professional levels, get an idea of how to write your work experience and how the resume is formatted. Reviewing an accountant resume example before writing your resume is a great way to get rid of writer’s block.
Do’s and don’ts for your accountant resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your accountant abilities and experience.
- Use action words to make an impact on your accountant resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target accountant job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your accountant resume.
- Format your accountant resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your accountant experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best accountant ever.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience that do not pertain to accountant.
- Forget to proofread. A accountant resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for interviews for an accountant job
Read about the company.
Find out as much as you can about the company to make an informed decision if they decide to extend an offer. You can check their website and read more about their history, company culture and values. You can also use websites like Google and Glassdoor, which may have reviews submitted by current and former employees.
Do a mock-up interview.
While it’s impossible to know exactly what the interviewer will ask, there are a number of common interview questions that you can practice at home. Put together a list of questions you believe the interviewer might ask and practice possible answers with someone you trust or on your own. Some common questions include:
Prepare a list of questions to ask.
The hiring manager is likely to turn the tables at the end of the interview and ask you if you have any questions. Instead of saying that you don’t, show interest by coming prepared with a list of questions relevant to the job and the company. Remember, an interview isn’t just about the company getting to know you, it’s also about you getting to know them.
Here are some questions you ask the hiring manager:
- What are the expectations about managing workflow?
- What would you want to see me accomplish in the first six months?
- Is there anything I have said that makes you doubt I would be a great fit for this position?
Get your professional references ready.
Create a separate document for your professional references and save it as a PDF. Have it ready for the day the recruiter or hiring manager requests it — this will likely happen when they’re certain they want to hire you but want to corroborate your information first.
Pro tip: Use a similar design as your accountant resume template for a cohesive and professional job application.
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Accountant Resume Example
Kellie is the content strategist for My Perfect Resume. She has more than 20 years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She has a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.