Accounting is one of the core functionalities in every business organization. As such, whether you seek an entry-level or a higher rank position, your resume will be the first chance through which you can convince employers that you are the ideal candidate for their job requirements. A good accountant resume would mention your technical skills, experience, and the ability to help organizations maintain accuracy in financial matters.

Check out the free resume templates for accountant resumes.

Templates 1

Template 2

Template 3

Template 4

Choosing the Right Layout

First, the format needs to be decided on. Generally, employers who hire finance and accounting employees prefer that the resume be formatted with a clear and clean layout. A reverse chronological format should also be utilized in this setting as it is the format that lists the most recent and relevant experience.

Use clear headings to each section, and keep the design simple. Use clear fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and keep the font size consistent. White space is equally important so that your resume becomes an easy read.

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Professional Summary

Your professional summary is that short statement on the top of your resume describing your qualifications, key skills, and main career objectives. It should be attractive enough to immediately catch the hiring manager's eye; this section must also be position-specific to the accounting job you are applying for.

Example

"Detail-oriented accounting professional with 5+ years of working experience in managing financial records, tax fillings, and audits. Budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis are well versed. Proficient in using QuickBooks and SAP accounting software. I am looking to utilize my financial acumen as well as my analytical mind to create efficiency and precision at XYZ Corporation."

Keep it under three lines while strengthening your core competencies according to the job posting.

With an accountant, you'll want to have both technical skills, such as knowledge of various accounting software packages, and soft skills, which include strong communication and time management.

Including a section listing your key skills will make it easy for hiring managers to glance for qualifications that match up with the position.

Key Skills for an Accountant Resume:

Tax preparation and compliance
General ledger reconciliation
Skill in accounting software packages such as QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle
Knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)
Auditing
Data analysis and financial modeling
Attention to details
Time management and organizational skills

Work Experience

One of the most essential parts of your resume is your work experience. Use bullet points, providing first, and more importantly, lists of responsibilities fulfilled but more so, of accomplishment for each job position. Always quantify your achievements if possible because numbers do talk and show value created.

Here's how you can structure your work experience

Senior Accountant – ABC Corporation

Location - March 2019-Present

Serviced financial statement accounts with a budget size of 10M, followed GAAP, reduced errors by 15%.
Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual reports that have contributed to helping senior leadership ensure accurate decision-making.
Performed internal audits, and corrective actions were taken, which enhanced productivity by 20%
Reconciled complex general ledger accounts that streamlined the month-end close process by 3 days.
Trained and guided junior accounting staff who enhanced the overall performance of the team.

Emphasize Your Education and Certifications

Most accounting jobs require a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance. Remember to include the degree, the institution attended, and graduation date. Place pertinent certifications, which easily qualify you for certain positions, in their own section.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

XYZ University – Date of Graduation: 2016

Certifications:

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Certified Management Accountant (CMA)

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)

Having CPA or CMA certification will increase your credibility and enhance your chances of getting more senior positions. If you are in the process, be sure to let them know that you are "CPA Candidate" or "Pursuing CMA Certification."

Highlight Tech Skills

For an accountant, the business application of accounting software and other tools is highly important. The specific software and tools you have used in previous positions should appear in this list. This can be part of your skills or separately listed under "Technical Skills."

Examples

QuickBooks
SAP
Oracle Financials
Microsoft Excel Advanced functions: PivotTables, VLOOKUP, Macros
Hyperion Financial Management
FreshBooks

This way, you show that you are technologically knowledgeable and that you can master the tools needed to do your accounting work well.

Aligning with Job Requirements

Every job post is unique, therefore, your resume too must vary depending on the specific job that you are applying for. Be sure to go through the job post, highlight keywords and qualifications emphasized, and work them on your resume. This will actually make your resume relevant for not only applicant tracking systems but also make it pass through the said systems which most often scan for specific words before a human eye does.

For instance, if your job description mentions experience with financial forecasting, you can be sure that your professional summary and also your work experience mention it.

Double Check Your Resume

Attention to detail is extremely essential for accountants. An accounting resume can easily destroy your reputation with just a simple typo or formatting error. Make sure to proofread the spelling, grammatical errors, and formatting inconsistencies of your resume in detail before you send it out. You can either use online tools such as Grammarly or request a trusted colleague to give their input on the resume, so it is perfect free from errors.

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Final Words

A great accountant's resume calls for some strategizing. This can be achieved by bringing professional achievements to the forefront, relevant skill highlights, and tailoring your resume to each job-a document that really represents your qualifications and value to employers.

Remember, your resume is proof of your attention to detail, organization and professionalism-all critical qualities of an accountant. These steps will help you make a resume that is good-looking as well as shows your ability to add meaning to any organization.