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Accountant Resume Samples
Use these accountant resume examples as a guideline, or visit our extensive library of customizable resume templates.
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Accountant Resume Examples Resume Example (Text Version)
[Your Name]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number LinkedIn]
Resume Summary
[Insert your summary here. This should be a brief statement highlighting your core qualifications and career goals.]
Summary of Qualifications
- [Insert qualification #1]
- [Insert qualification #2]
- [Insert qualification #3]
- [Insert qualification #4]
[Type of] Skills
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 1]
[Type of] Skills
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
- [Add relevant accomplishment or responsibility related to Skill 2]
Education
[Degree Earned]
[High School Name, Location]
[Graduation Date or Estimated Graduation Date]
- [OPTIONAL: Add relevant coursework or academic achievements]
- [OPTIONAL: Add any honors or awards received]
Work History
[Job Title #1 | Club or Employer Name #1]
[Location, Year]
[Job Title #2 | Club or Employer Name #2]
[Location, Year]
How to Write an Accountant Resume
Your accountant’s resume format is as important as how you write your resume. This sample resume demonstrates the best resume layout hacks to follow: 1-inch margins, bullet points and clear resume headings for each of the following sections.
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Professional header and contact info:
Include your name, contact information and a professional email address.
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Compelling summary statement:
A brief resume summary or objective highlighting two or three accounting-relevant skills, experience or accomplishments.
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Highlight your skills:
Create a dedicated section to showcase hard and soft skills specific to accounting work, like financial auditing and analysis.
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Emphasize your work history:
List your work experience in reverse chronological order, including job titles, company names, dates of employment, and key responsibilities and achievements for each role in a bullet list.
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Supporting education section:
Detail your educational background, mentioning any relevant degrees, diplomas or certificates obtained.
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Additional sections:
You can add resume sections for licenses, certifications, industry memberships or unions, awards, volunteer experience or spoken languages.
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How to Write an Accountant Resume Summary
The resume summary is your first professional pitch. It serves as a concise introduction to your resume and can significantly impact the hiring manager’s decision. Follow these guidelines to craft a compelling accountant resume summary:
Keep it concise and impactful:
The resume summary should be a brief paragraph of three to four sentences. Focus on highlighting the most relevant qualifications and accomplishments that align with the accountant role you’re targeting.
Showcase your expertise:
Emphasize the experience and skills that make you a strong candidate for the accountant position. Mention your years of accounting experience, proficiency in capital analysis, budget projections, quarterly reviews and any other relevant skills that set you apart.
Tailor it to the job description:
Customize your resume summary to match the requirements of the accountant role you’re applying for. Use keywords and phrases from the job description to demonstrate that you possess the desired qualifications and understand the position’s needs.
Strong and weak Accountant Resume Examples summary
“Detail-oriented and results-driven accountant with over seven years of experience in financial reporting, tax preparation, and audit management. Proven track record in streamlining accounting processes to improve efficiency and accuracy. Adept at using advanced accounting software and ERP systems to analyze complex financial data and provide actionable insights. Strong communicator skilled in collaborating with cross-functional teams to support strategic financial planning and decision-making.”
This resume summary is effective because it succinctly conveys the candidate’s qualifications and professional ethos by mentioning specific skills and expertise employers seek in an accounting candidate.
“Experienced accountant with several years of experience in financial tasks. Skilled in using accounting software and managing financial records. Good at preparing reports and doing taxes. I am looking for a position to further develop my skills and contribute to a company.”
This example lacks the specificity, detail and emphasis on achievements necessary to make a strong impression on hiring managers.
PRO TIP:
The resume summary works best if you have over three years of experience. Try the resume objective if you’re a first-time job seeker, freelancer or career changer. This alternative introduction pitches your transferable skills and downplays your lack of relevant experience.
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How to Add Your Accountant Work History
The work history section of your accountant resume provides an opportunity to highlight your relevant professional experiences and accomplishments. Follow these guidelines to showcase your work history effectively:
Start with your most recent role:
List your work history with your current or most recent position as an accountant. Include the company’s name, job title and employment dates.
Focus on achievements:
Instead of listing job responsibilities, emphasize your accomplishments and contributions in each role. Highlight any improvements you made to organizational processes, successful initiatives you led, or positive outcomes you achieved. Use quantifiable metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work.
Tailor it to the role:
Highlight experiences directly relevant to the position you’re applying for. Emphasize problem-solving, dataflow oversight, process management, and other accounting skills that showcase your suitability for the role.
Strong and weak Accountant Resume Examples work history
Accountant | Precision Financial Solutions, Inc. Phoenix, AZ | June 2018 – Present
- Managed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement preparation and reporting, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP standards.
- Conducted detailed variance analysis to identify trends and provide actionable insights to senior management, resulting in a 10% reduction in operational costs.
- Streamlined the month-end closing process, reducing the closing time by 20% through process improvements and automation.
- Oversaw the preparation and filing of federal, state, and local tax returns, ensuring timely and accurate submissions and compliance with tax regulations.
This example works because it presents the candidate as a highly skilled and experienced accountant able to drive growth and innovation. Including quantifiable accomplishments strengthens these claims.
Accountant | Precision Financial Solutions, Inc. Phoenix, AZ | June 2018 – Present
- Managed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statement reporting.
- Conducted variance analysis to identify trends and provide insights to senior management.
- Oversaw the preparation of federal, state, and local tax returns.
This work experience sample needs to be more specific and include measurable achievements that showcase the candidate’s value to the employer.
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How to Write an Accountant Education Section
Careers in finance and accounting typically require a four-year degree in a business-related field. Follow these guidelines to present your educational qualifications effectively:
1Start with your highest level of education:
Begin the education section with your most advanced degree. Include the degree type, primary or focus area, institution name and dates of attendance or graduation.
Degree resume example:
Bachelor of Arts in Accounting, University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ | September 2013 – May 2017
2Highlight specialized certifications and training:
Emphasize any certifications or specialized training that enhance your qualifications as an accountant.
Certification resume example:
Certified Public Accountant | American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
August 2017
3Showcase relevant coursework and research projects:
Mention any coursework or research projects that demonstrate your expertise in accounting, financial literacy or relevant areas of study. This can provide insights into your knowledge and skills in the field.
Relevant coursework resume example:
Federal Income Taxation | University of Arizona
4Include notable institutions or educational affiliations:
If you have attended prestigious educational institutions or are affiliated with reputable accounting associations, highlight them to strengthen your resume’s credibility and showcase your commitment to excellence.
Membership association resume example:
Member, American Accounting Association
5Mention professional development activities:
Highlight workshops, conferences or training programs you have attended that are relevant to accounting. Include the program name, organization and dates to demonstrate your commitment to staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in the field.
Professional development resume example:
Workshop on Fair Value Measurement: Valuation Approaches
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants | November 2021
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15 Skills For Your Accountant Resume
We covered how to incorporate soft, hard and technical skills throughout your resume. Your skills section is the last place to add accounting skills you’d like employers to know about. Here’s a starting list of accounting-friendly skills to feature on your resume:
Soft skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving
- Time management
Hard skills
- Financial reporting
- Tax preparation and compliance
- Accounting software proficiency
- Auditing
- Budgeting and forecasting
Technical skills
- Advanced Excel skills
- GAAP/IFRS knowledge
- ERP system proficiency
- Tax software proficiency
- Data analysis tools
PRO TIP:
Including a well-rounded mix of accountant resume skills, you can effectively showcase your capabilities and suitability for the role. Remember to tailor your skills section to align with the requirements of the specific position you are applying for.
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20 Accountant Action Verbs
With the ease of online job boards and professional social media sites like LinkedIn, hiring managers can see dozens to hundreds of applications for a single opening. Unique action verbs and power words can help your resume stand out against the monotony of repetitive resumes.
- Analyzed
- Audited
- Balanced
- Calculated
- Classified
- Compiled
- Computed
- Consolidated
- Detected
- Evaluated
- Forecasted
- Investigated
- Managed
- Monitored
- Prepared
- Reconciled
- Reported
- Reviewed
- Summarized
- Verified
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Additional Resume Sections
Consider adding the following sections to your accountant resume based on your specific circumstances and to enhance your qualifications:
Use a Cover Letter to Express Yourself
A resume is a concise overview of your skills and experience — a cover letter expands on this foundation. Add a cover letter to share one or two examples of how you excelled in similar roles or how your skills match a company’s needs. Use this sample as a guide, or visit our helpful resources to boost your application.
Accountant Resume FAQ
What is the best format for an accounting resume?
Your resume format depends on your years of experience and professional goals. Here are the three main formats:
- Chronological resume: This type of resume works best for candidates with over ten years of experience because it focuses on the work history section and highlights their career progression.
- Functional resume: This format benefits job seekers with less than two years of experience. It emphasizes their skills and places their work experience further down the page.
- Hybrid/combination resume: This format emphasizes the skills and work experience sections, making it ideal for candidates with less than five but more than two years of experience.
Should I tailor my resume to each job application?
We strongly recommend tailoring your resume to each job application. Read the job description, identify key skills and requirements, and customize your resume accordingly. Highlight experiences and achievements that directly relate to the position’s specific needs.
Should I include references on an accountant resume?
Including references on your resume is optional. Create a separate document with references and provide it when specifically requested.
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Accountant Resume Examples
Last edited by: Gabriela Barcenas, CPRW, Content Writer II - November 12, 2024
Gabriela Barcenas
CPRW, Content Writer IIGabriela is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career adviser. With 10 years of digital media experience and five years of resume writing expertise, her publication history includes fashion, education, travel, social justice, equitable design and career advice.