Accountant Resume Examples & Templates for 2024

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

But it can be done differently. The secret? This accounting resume example shows you know an asset class from your elbow. 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 accountant resume that gets the interview.
• Why choosing the right few accounting accomplishments gets the job.

Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder with 20+ resume templates and create your resume now.

Create your resume now

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

What users say about ResumeLab:

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your resume.”
Patrick

I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work!
Dylan 

My previous resume was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
George

Create your resume now

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

• Accounting Assistant Resume
• Auditor Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Controller Resume
• CPA Resume
• Financial Advisor Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Investment Banking Resume
• Loan Officer Resume
• Medical Billing Specialist Resume
• Senior Accountant Resume
• Tax Account Resume

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

Accounting Resume Example

Now here’s how to write an accounting resume step by step:

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 2024.

2. Craft 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.

In the beginning of your accounting resume, 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:

Senior CPA with 8+ years of experience at MasterCard and Honda. Seeking to use proven budgeting skills to boost efficiency for Hilton. Saved $1.5 M a year at MasterCard by fixing a recurring budgeting problem. Saved $1 M a year at Honda through detailed cost analysis.

Energetic, exacting, senior CPA with 8 years of experience, seeking position with a forward-thinking firm. Highly skilled in budgeting and month-end-close process, plus financial statements, regulatory filings and asset management, with strong IT skills.

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 accounting resume objective.

Results-driven CPA with solid budgeting and reconciliation skills, seeking to solve problems for Daryl H. at Mastercard. Passed CPA exam with score of 99 in 2 sections and 94+ elsewhere. Worked as CPA consultant to two businesses, prepared 18 tax returns, and streamlined the accounting process for a hardware business.

Max ROI. No accounting jobs, but a professional staff accountant resume summary. Accounting resume objectives used to talk about your goals. Now, you’ll get more mileage 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

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.

Senior CPA
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018

• Provided accounting support for monthly closing process.
• Increased adoption of accounting data security best practices to save 700 hours per year, saving $700,000 annually company-wide.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to facilitate reporting. Slashed 20% from time to complete month-end reconciliation.
• Identified & fixed recurring problem, saving $1.5 million a year.

Senior CPA
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018

• Responsible for monthly closing process.
• Tasked with spreading adoption of accounting data security best practices.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to facilitate reporting.

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

Accounting Resume Example—Job Description

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 accountant resume sample:

Focus on highlighting your skills for a resume. But don't make a rookie blunder. Avoid using accountacnt 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

CPA
Honda
2011–2013

• Supported (1) budget reporting and financial reporting process.
• Performed detailed (2) cost analysis that led to saving $1 million annually.
• Used (3) account analysis to identify opportunities to cut variable costs 15%.
• Implemented rolling forecasts and budgets to better align plans with budgets. Increased budgeting efficiency 15% and cut costs 18%.

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

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

CREATE YOUR RESUME NOW

Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.

List of Accounting Resume Skills

I just said don’t use skills lists, didn’t I? But for reference:

Accounting Skills to Put on Your Resume

Soft Skills

• Organization
• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Business Knowledge
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership
• Communication
• Detail Oriented

Hard Skills

• Asset Management
• MS Office
• Budgets
• Mathematics
• Financial Statements
• Account Analysis
• Account Reconciliation
• General Ledger
• Income Tax
• Corporate Tax
• Quickbooks
• Payroll Taxes
• Revenue Projections
• Tax Compliance
• Payroll
• Regulatory Filings
• State Tax Law
• Profit and Loss
• Invoices
• Tax Returns
• Paychex

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. Include Education in Your Accounting Resume

Massive bonus: Don’t waste space with your resume education section. Use it to show you know an acquisition from an S-corp. These accounting resume examples show the way:

Education

MBA, University of Missouri
2006–2010

• Pursued a passion for accounting classes.
• Excelled in financial accounting coursework.
• Completed Senior Excellence project in budgeting.
• Passed CPA exam with score of 99 in 2 sections.

Education

MBA, University of Missouri
2006–2010

• GPA 2.9
• Excelled in life science classes.
• Received degree and passed CPA exam.

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. Add Extra Sections to Your Accountant Resume

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:

Additional Activities

• Member, AICPA, AFWA.
• CPA volunteer, Willey Swamp Learning Coop.
• Teach biweekly yoga classes as self-care.

Conferences

• 2017 AICPA Conference - Led session on limitations of GAAP.
• 2015 AccountexUSA - Spoke on panel about accounting in the cloud.

Publications

• 2017 Article on month-end-closing published in AICPA Insights.
• 2016 Article on financial statements appeared in Forbes.

Additional Activities

• Teach yoga
• Write occasional articles on accounting
• Love taking long walks

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. Learn how to write a cover letter that does the job.

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

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

CREATE YOUR COVER LETTER NOW

Want to try a different look? There's 21 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. Use the one above, or choose one from our best resume templates list or Google Docs resume templates list. 
• 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.

About ResumeLab’s Editorial Process

At ResumeLab, quality is at the crux of our values, supporting our commitment to delivering top-notch career resources. The editorial team of career experts carefully reviews every article in accordance with editorial guidelines, ensuring the high quality and reliability of our content. We actively conduct original research, shedding light on the job market's intricacies and earning recognition from numerous influential news outlets. Our dedication to delivering expert career advice attracts millions of readers to our blog each year.