Accountant Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Accountant Resume Examples and Templates (Downloadable)

• Entry level
• Midlevel
• Senior level

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

PDF

DOCX

Google Docs

Your accountant resume should demonstrate your financial competency, attention to detail, diligence, and knowledge of accounting best practices. Hiring managers need to know you can handle the demands of complex financial reporting within their organization. We’ll help you craft a resume that shows you can manage financial data effectively and provide valuable insight for informed business decision-making.

Key takeaways:

• Highlight specializations: Do you specialize in taxes, auditing, or forensic accounting? Mention that immediately in your profile. This will capture the attention of hiring managers, especially if it’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.
• Quantify financial impact: As an expert with numbers, you know they can tell a lot about someone’s performance. When describing past experience, use numbers, metrics, and dollar amounts to illustrate things like cost savings or improvements in processes.
• Optimize for ATS: Identify accounting keywords from the job description and work them into your resume organically. Aligning your resume with the employer’s needs will help it perform better within Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

How To Write an Accountant Resume Example

Using a resume template can help you write an effective accountant resume. Your resume should include these sections:

• Contact information
• Profile
• Key skills
• Professional experience
• Education and certifications

1. Share your contact information

Include a header with your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile. Ensure your contact information is current so potential employers can contact you for an interview.

2. Summarize your accountant qualifications in a dynamic profile

In about two to three sentences, summarize your professional background, and experience as an accountant. Use this section to make a strong, eye-catching introduction. Highlight your unique value proposition and integrate keywords from the job description to show you’re a good match for the role.

For instance, if the employer emphasizes a particular skill set, such as cost analysis or financial forecasting, provide a brief example of how you’ve excelled in that area. Or, maybe you’re applying for an accountant position in a specific industry, and you have relevant experience. Mention sector-specific regulations or accounting systems you’re familiar with.

3. Add your accountant experience with compelling examples

Whether you’re a junior accountant or a senior-level leader, your work history section should outline your professional growth and achievements. It’s the audit trail of your career, providing clear evidence of your financial stewardship. Start with your latest position and work backward, using bullet points, action verbs, and numbers to communicate the measurable impact you had.

In today’s digital world, you rely on technology to help manage, analyze, and report financial data. So, remember to highlight your proficiency with relevant digital tools as you describe your accomplishments. Focus on accounting software and systems specifically mentioned in the job description.

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

Data, metrics, and monetary figures help to quantify your experience and should be used to measure your past success. Companies are looking for accountants who will drive results and revenue. Illustrate your worth by including examples of specific accomplishments and outcomes achieved throughout your career.

Here’s an example:

Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume for each application

Just like you would adjust journal entries for different accounting standards, tailoring your resume ensures it’s relevant to every role you apply for. This is the best way to demonstrate that you understand the potential employer’s needs. Connect the skills, experiences, and qualifications required with those you already have, and adjust your resume accordingly.

For example, imagine you’re applying for a tax accountant position. You would emphasize any experience with tax preparation software, knowledge of recent law changes, and success identifying tax savings. If they’re looking for someone familiar with data visualization tools like Tableau, mention any proficiency with that software and how you utilized it to achieve results.

What if you don’t have experience?

If you lack experience in the accounting field, focus on more than your skills alone. Your resume should highlight academic projects, bookkeeping roles, and financial responsibilities you managed in other fields or jobs. Also include skills gained from any volunteer work, such as serving as treasurer for a nonprofit organization or managing finances for community events.

Have you passed any parts of the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam? That would be seen as a major plus on your resume. Even online courses in specific accounting skills can differentiate you. Proficiency in software like Excel is a baseline, and anything additional in QuickBooks or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems would be seen as a great benefit.

4. Include accounting-related education and certifications

List any relevant education and certifications you’ve received to show you’re qualified to practice as an accountant. Be sure to include the title of the degree or certificate earned, the institution’s name, and the completion date.

You can also list continuing education courses or professional development programs you’ve completed. If you work in an industry such as health care or government, specific certifications in those sectors can significantly boost your credibility and appeal.

5. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to accounting

Your resume should include accounting skills that demonstrate your strengths in the profession. Instead of including every skill you can think of, align with those found in the job description to show you’re an ideal candidate for the position. Hiring managers can quickly assess your professional “assets” and immediately determine if you meet the job requirements. The lists below provide examples of common hard and soft skills you may wish to include on your resume.

Resume writer’s tip: Use strong action verbs

Action verbs add impact to your experience section, but it’s easy to run short during the resume-building process. These words help you avoid redundancy and overusing words like “accomplished” or “assisted.” When writing your accountant resume, use concise language, avoid the passive voice, and vary your language by using action verbs like these:

How To Pick the Best Accountant Resume Template

Accountants know how important financial statement templates are to present a clear, concise report for stakeholders. A resume template offers similar benefits for your job application. It provides an organized framework, helps you save time, and reduces the risk of errors, drawing the focus to your content. For accountants, a modern resume template is a smart choice with clear sections, bullet points, classic colors, and easy-to-read fonts.

Accountant Text-Only Resume Examples and Templates

Frequently Asked Questions: Accountant Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with an accountant job description?

According to O*NET OnLine, job seekers applying for accountant and auditor positions can expect a moderately competitive market. With job growth expected to remain about average over the next 10 years, you’ll need a resume that can help you stand out from a talented work pool. Using keywords throughout your application is a great way to do this.

This isn’t a copy-and-paste situation, but rather a keen awareness of what employers need. Study the job description and identify specific skills, qualifications, and software proficiencies. For example, if the job requires “experience with NetSuite,” avoid using a general statement such as “familiar with ERP systems.” Instead, specify how you’ve used NetSuite and what you accomplished as a result.

What is the best accountant resume format?

Accountants will benefit most from a reverse chronological resume format. It’s like presenting your year-over-year performance, demonstrating growth, stability, and an increase in responsibilities. While the skills list isn’t a prominent feature of this style, the idea is to show your accounting skills in action with a robust work history section. Hiring managers are most interested in your past experience because this informs how you could benefit their future.

Check Out Related Examples

Business Analyst Resume Examples and Templates

By: Andrew Stoner

Finance Resume Examples and Templates

By: Andrew Stoner

Financial Analyst Resume Examples and Templates

By: Andrew Stoner

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.