Professional Resume Format Examples for 2021
Choose the right resume format and make sure your resume looks professional. Check actionable resume formatting tips and resume formats examples & templates.
An accounting resume template hiring managers value. Write your accounting resume fast, with expert tips and good and bad examples.
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:
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Theola Seaton
CPA
Phone: 660-441-0673
Email: theolaseaton@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/theolaseaton
twitter.com/theolaseaton
Summary:
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 budget problem. Saved $1 M a year at Honda through detailed cost analysis.
Certifications
Experience
Senior CPA
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018
CPA
Honda
2011–2013
Accounting Experience
Various
2010–2011
Education
MBA, University of Missouri
2006–2010
Additional Activities
Conferences
Publications
Now here’s how to write an accounting resume:
Bottom line:
The wrong accounting resume format shows you don’t know FE from VE.
Here's how to format your resume:
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 2018.
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.
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.
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.
Senior CPA
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018
Senior CPA
MasterCard Incorporated
2013–2018
The measurable accomplishments in example #1 fit the job description like a reconciled account.
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:
Accounting Experience
Various
2011–2010
Focus on highlighting your job skills.
Rookie blunder:
Don’t use accounting resume skills lists from online.
To employers, that’s intellectual embezzlement.
Instead:
Job ad wants: (1) budgeting (2) cost analysis (3) account analysis
CPA
Honda
2011–2013
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.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Use the ResumeLab builder now.
I just said don’t use skills lists, didn’t I?
But for reference:
Soft Skills | Hard Skills | Hard Skills |
IT Skills | Asset Management | Payroll Taxes |
Organization | MS Office | Revenue Projections |
Time Management | Budgets | Tax Compliance |
Critical Thinking | Financial Statements | Payroll |
Business Knowledge | Account Analysis | Regulatory Filings |
Interpersonal Skills | Account Reconciliation | State Tax Law |
Leadership | General Ledger | Profit and Loss |
Mathematics | Income Tax | Invoices |
Communication | Corporate Tax | Tax Returns |
Detail Oriented | Quickbooks | 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.
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:
Education
MBA, University of Missouri
2006–2010
Education
MBA, University of Missouri
2006–2010
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.
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
Conferences
Publications
Additional Activities
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.
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:
To write a great accounting resume:
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.
Choose the right resume format and make sure your resume looks professional. Check actionable resume formatting tips and resume formats examples & templates.
A resume job description is a resume section where you list your professional experience, usually in reverse-chronological order. It means you start with your most recent position and proceed backwards. Each entry should contain 3-6 bullet points. It is recommended to include 10-15 years of work history on your resume.
Learn how to email a resume the right way and start getting more job offers. See a proven resume email sample and learn how to write one yourself.