Accounting Resume Example—Samples and 25+ Writing Tips

This accounting resume sample shows you know an asset class from your elbow.

The secret?

Most accountant resumes aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. They waste space promoting the wrong things.

Cite the right achievements the right way and you’ll glitter like Deloitte

This guide will show you:

• Accounting resume examples better than most.
• How to nail your accountant job description on a resume.
• How to write a staff accountant resume that gets the interview.
• Why choosing the right few accounting accomplishments gets the job.

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Looking for other finance resume writing guides? Have a look at these:

• Entry Level Accounting Resume
• Entry Level Financial Analyst Resume
• Accounting Manager Resume
• Accounts Payable Specialist Resume
• Accounts Receivable Specialist Resume
• US Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Supply Chain Manager Resume
• Tax Account Resume
• Bookkeeper Resume
• Loan Officer Resume
• Senior Accountant Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Data Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume
• Financial Advisor Resume
• Medical Billing Specialist Resume
• Investment Banker Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Accounting Assistant Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Samples.

Accounting Resume Sample

Now here’s how to write an accounting resume:

1. Select the Right Accounting Resume Format

Bottom line:

The wrong accounting resume format shows you don’t know FE from VE.

Here's how to format your resume:

• Choose reverse-chronological resume format. It leads with your most recent wins.
• Use the best resume fonts, 10–14pt, 1-inch margins, big headings, and white space.
• Make a one page resume unless you’ve been at it longer than PWC.
• Your resume header should have name, phone number, email address, social media links. No snail mail, no photo.
• Next, put your accounting resume objective then work experience and education.
• Add resume extras like professional associations, certifications, publications, additional activities, or even hobbies and interests (if relevant) to make your staff accountant resume turn heads.

Expert Hint: Use a resume PDF unless the job offer rules against them. Why? PDFs don’t get creative in transit and they’re machine-readable in 2022.

2. Acid Test Your Accounting Resume Objective

How do you start?

Write a high-value resume objective (or resume summary).

It should show employers you aren’t cooking the books.

Include:

1. One adjective (exacting, efficient, hard-working)

2. Job title (CPA)

3. Years of experience (2+, 6+)

4. How you’ll help (manage accounting operations)

5. Flashiest achievements (found recurring problem that saved $1.5 million annually)

These two accounting resume examples show accepted principles:

Perfect.

The measurable achievements in that first accountant resume sample will drop the manager’s jaw.

What if You’ve Got No Experience?

You still have accomplishments. Use them to fund your entry-level accounting resume objective.

Max ROI. No accounting jobs, but a professional staff accountant resume summary.

Accounting resume objectives used to talk about your goals. You’ll get more mileage in 2019 by showing how you can help.

Expert Hint: Write your CPA resume objective or resume summary last. That’ll give you a long list of assets to pick from.

3. Write a Perfect Accounting Resume Job Description

Insider tip:

Good resume job descriptions use the perfect few achievements.

Once you learn the system, you’ll prove you’re Ernst & Young material.

Here’s how:

1. Read the job ad.

2. Highlight the accounting resume skills and duties.

3. Make resume bullets that show you know them cold.

These accountant resume examples detail the best practices.

The measurable accomplishments in example #1 fit the job description like a reconciled account.

Entry-Level Accounting Resume Example—No Experience

Even with no professional experience for your resume, your staff accountant resume can get attention. Use projects, pro-bono work, and volunteering like this entry-level accounts payable resume sample:

Focus on highlighting your job skills.

Rookie blunder:

Don’t use accounting resume skills lists from online.

To employers, that’s intellectual embezzlement.

Instead:

1. Pick the right accounting skills from the job ad.
2. List them in your resume for accounting jobs.

• Prove them in your bullet points.

Job ad wants: (1) budgeting (2) cost analysis (3) account analysis

That accountant resume example is worth its weight in Berkshire Hathaway stock. The numbers and percentages help.

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List of Accounting Resume Skills

I just said don’t use skills lists, didn’t I?

But for reference:

Accounting Resume Skills to Include

Computer skills for resumes in accounting are increasingly important. Don’t have ‘em? Sign up for an online class or two.

Expert Hint: Hiring for accounting jobs is strong. Does that mean your staff accountant resume doesn’t matter? Not if you want the good jobs with high pay.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Massive bonus:

Don’t waste space with your resume education section.

Use it to show you know an acquisition from an S-corp.

These entry-level accounting resume examples show the way:

Ching!

That first accounting resume sample will hit interview paydirt.

It proves your financial passion started back in school.

Expert Hint: Is your accounting assistant resume experience underfunded? Balance it with a longer education section. Divide it into projects, groups, and positions.

5. Bootstrap Your Accounting Resume With These

Here’s a shocker:

Most accountant resumes are like the others.

Make yours blaze by adding personality.

How?

With resume extra sections that prove your passion for $ excellence.

These two accounting resume examples show the way.

Good Example? Sold.

This first accounting resume samples prove your blood runs silver.

What about certifications? Your CPA license is key. Put it by your name, in your job descriptions, and in a special section. See the accountant resume template up top for placement.

Expert Hint: For extra credit, send a cover letter with your resume for accounting jobs. Most hiring managers don’t read them, but nearly half demand them.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter builder and make your application documents pop out.

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Want to try a different look? There’s 18 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.

Haven't written your cover letter yet? See:

• Accounting Cover Letter
• Investment Banking Cover Letter
• Finance Cover Letter
• Financial Analyst Cover Letter

Key Points

To write a great accounting resume:

• Start with our accounting resume template. Your interview account will maximize.
• Match your accountant resume to the job like GAAP to income statements. Do it with accomplishments that velcro to the job description.
• Don’t waste real estate. Even education on a resume for accounting jobs must show matching achievements.
• Write an accounting cover letter. In it, prove your passion with your top two accounting wins.

Got questions on how to write a great resume for accounting jobs? Not sure how to show accounting on a resume? Leave a comment. We’re happy to reply.