Bookkeeper Resume Sample & Bookkeeping Skills for Resumes

Most bookkeeper resumes bore employers to tears.

Fund yours with the right skills in the right way and you’ll stand out like a million-dollar surplus.

In this guide:

• A bookkeeper resume sample better than most.
• How to make a tight bookkeeper job description for a resume.
• How to write a bookkeeping resume that generates interest.
• Why you can’t just list bookkeeper skills on a resume (and what to do instead).

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Do you have other math and money skills? See our guides:

• Accounting Resume
• Accounting Manager Resume
• Banking Resume
• Entry Level Accounting Resume
• Accounts Payable Specialist Resume
• Bank Teller Resume
• Senior Accountant Resume
• Business Analyst Resume
• Loan Officer Resume
• Supply Chain Manager Resume
• Tax Accountant Resume
• Data Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level Business Analyst Resume
• Entry-Level Financial Analyst Resume
• Financial Advisor Resume
• Financial Analyst Resume
• Investment Banker Resume
• Accounts Receivable Resume
• Office Clerk Resume
• Property Manager Resume
• Social Work Resume
• Accounting Assistant Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our resume examples.

Bookkeeper Resume Sample

Here’s how to write a bookkeeper resume that works:

1. Use the Right Bookkeeper Resume Format

Here’s the problem: Most employers spend six seconds with each resume. They’ll judge you in an eyeblink! Your bookkeeper resume format can make or break you. Use these tips:

Bookkeeper Resume Format

• Choose the reverse-chronological resume format.
• Use a respected resume font like 10–12pt Helvetica or Calibri.
• Don’t forget the white space. Use 1-inch resume margins.
• The right resume length for bookkeeper jobs? One page.
• Write these resume sections: Header, Objective, Experience, Education, Skills, and “added” bookkeeping resume sections.

Expert Hint:Save your resume as a PDF file. PDFs convert well to all the different kinds of screens. Plus, ATS hiring software reads them properly.

2. Improve Your Bookkeeper Resume Objective or Summary

Bad luck! The hiring manager deleted your bookkeeper resume! What went wrong? You didn’t grab her right away. To fix that, write a gripping bookkeeping resume objective or resume summary.

Include:

1. Your certification if you have one.
2. The word “bookkeeper”
3. Years of experience (4+, 6+)
4. How you’ll help and whom (save time and money at Breaz Buying Service)
5. Your greatest bookkeeper achievements (...slashed AR from $350,000 to $10K in 8 months...)

Check out these bookkeeping resume examples:

Bookkeeper Resume Example: Summary

NACPB Certified Bookkeeper with 6 years of experience. Seeking to save time and money at Breaz Buying Service. At Steel Canyon Software, slashed AR from $350,000 to $10K in 8 months through automation. Used QuickBooks to optimize AP. Cut payroll processing time by 25%. Skilled in QuickBooks, AR/AP, and payroll accounting.

Exacting bookkeeper with skills in AR/AP, QuickBooks, and payroll accounting. Recognized for hard work and attention to detail. A great communicator and a dependable team player with a track record for high-level interpersonal skills.

The first of those bookkeeper resume examples has so much going for it. It’s personal, professional, and it shows money details.

But what if your bookkeeper experience is underfunded? In a resume for bookkeepers with no experience, cite experience from non-bookkeeper jobs.

Entry-Level Bookkeeper Resume Sample: Objective

NACPB Certified Bookkeeper with proven skills in AR and QuickBooks. Seeking to support efficient cash flow at Steel Canyon Software. As receptionist at Sysnodeco, led the changeover to QuickBooks, saving 15 hours of bookkeeping time per month. Worked with bookkeeper on payroll processing and negotiated payments from lat accounts that saved $50,000.

Entry-level bookkeeper with no full-time bookkeeping experience yet. Fast learner, hard worker, and team player skilled in QuickBooks and AR. Can start immediately. Looking for a good job with room for advancement.

The second of those bookkeeping resume examples is broke. No details and no numbers.

Expert Hint: Put your full-charge bookkeeper resume objective or summary up top, but write it last. You’ll have all your best financial accomplishments at your fingertips.

3. Add the Skills and a Bookkeeper Job Description to a Resume

Why do some get interviewed, while others get ignored? It’s all in how you write your bookkeeper job description for resumes. Prove you’ve got the financial skills they ask for in the online job posting. Look at these full-charge bookkeeper resume examples:

The job ad wants these bookkeeping skills: (1) accounts receivable (2) QuickBooks (3) accounts payable (4) MS Excel (5) payroll processing.

Bookkeeper Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Experience

Bookkeeper

Steel Canyon Software, Inc.

2013–2019

• Drove accounts receivable from $350,000+ to under $10,000 with a system of electronic payments and more payment terms.
• Used QuickBooks to track revenues of $3.5 million annually. Audited 1,500+ business customer accounts annually.
• Optimized accounts payable, lowering costs 20% by automating on-time payments and setting up an online supplier portal.
• Created MS Excel pivot tables that saved 20 accounting hours per quarter. Cut report-generation time by 25% over previous years.
• Slashed payroll processing time 25% by centralizing records, digitizing data, and working with IT to integrate HR and payroll.

• Processed payments, created payment plans, and applied fees to past due accounts.
• Created collections plans based on organizational targets.
• Audited customer accounts in a high-volume B2B software firm.
• Responsible for handling vendor relations and inventory to support cost-efficient supply chain.

The first of those bookkeeper resume samples has every skill they want. The numbers add power. 

Next up is a job description for an entry-level resume: The job ad wants these bookkeeper skills: (1) payroll processing (2) QuickBooks (3) collaboration (4) negotiation (5) month-end close.

Entry-Level Bookkeeper Resume Job Description [Sample]

Receptionist

Sysnodeco

2010–2013

• Assisted with payroll processing. Switched payroll system to QuickBooks, saving 15 bookkeeper hours per month.
• Tracked longest past-due accounts. Collaborated with bookkeeper and customers to negotiate payments that recouped $50,000 yearly.
• Performed bank reconciliations and month-end close entries.
• Cut supply costs by 15% through negotiating better vendor deals.

Receptionist

Sysnodeco

2010–2013

• Supervised the office and administrative employees to maintain adherence to procedures and deadlines.
• Greeted 50+ customers in person and handled 50+ phone calls per day.
• Resolved customer problems when possible. Escalated issues to the proper superiors when needed.

Both of those bookkeeping resume examples are the same person. But only one focused on bookkeeping achievements from a non-bookkeeping job.

Also, make sure to select the right skills for a resume. Mix hard and soft skills for maximum effect. The skills in the list below make good bookkeeper resume keywords.

Bookkeeper Resume Skills

Hard Skills

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Balance Sheets
• Billing
• General Ledger
• MS Office
• Payroll Accounting
• QuickBooks
• Tax Calculations
• Xerox
• Computer Skills

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration
• Communication Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Organization
• Honesty
• Critical Thinking
• Dependability
• Self Motivation
• Time Management

Expert Tip: Can’t prove you have the skills they need with your work history? Consider online training classes from Accounting Coach or Penn Foster. They look great on entry-level bookkeeping resumes.

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.

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4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

You want the job. And you deserve the job. But... Did you know the education section of your resume can help? This bookkeeper resume example works so well:

Bookkeeper Resume Example: Education

Education

AA Accounting, UMA

2008–2010

• Maintained 4.0 in core accounting coursework.
• Conducted school project in QuickBooks.

High School Diploma, South Portland High School, 2008

Why does that work? It’s the bullet points. They show key bookkeeping skills.

Expert Hint: If you don’t have any bookkeeping accomplishments from school, don’t fret. Add some “other” sections to your resume. See below.

5. Put Added Sections in Your Bookkeeper Resume

All you need is experience and education, right? Hold up. A bookkeeping resume also needs “added” sections. They can help you stand out like a windfall.

Choose one or two of these:

• Certifications (like QuickBooks)
• Memberships (like AIPB or NBA)
• Conferences (especially if you spoke at them)
• Freelance work
• Personal projects
• Volunteer work
• Publications
• Awards
• Honors
• Clubs
• Fitness

Do it like this:

Bookkeeper Resume Sample—Extra Sections

Certifications

• Certified Bookkeeper, NACPB
• QuickBooks Certification, Intuit

Additional Activities

• Member, NBA.
• Set up AP/AR system for local hair salon.
• Article on MS Excel for bookkeepers published in Befree Blog.

Additional Activities

• Archery
• Freelance bookkeeping work

The first of those bookkeeper resume examples could do Jeff Bezos’ taxes. The second could be anyone.

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter and attach it to your resume. They’ll read your resume for bookkeeper jobs more carefully. Show you understand this bookkeeper job, and why you’ll do it well.

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

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Key Points

For a bookkeeper resume that shines:

• Use the bookkeeper resume template up top. It fills the blanks to get you hired.
• Put bookkeeper accomplishments in your resume objective, job experience, education, and “added” sections.
• Include bookkeeper keywords and skills from the job ad, and prove them in your resume bullets.
• Write a bookkeeper cover letter. Use it to zero in on why you’re perfect for the role.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for bookkeeper jobs? Not sure how to show bookkeeper on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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