
CV vs Resume: Key Differences & Professional Examples
CV vs Resume: what’s the difference between those two? Find out whether you should write a resume or a CV based on where you live.
One of your super powers is doing what others can’t—income tax returns. Show recruiters you can crunch numbers with the best of them with an entry-level accounting resume.
You’re about to step out and start work as an accountant. Whether this means an internship, working as an assistant accountant, or finally getting to work as a fully fledged CPA—
You’re not alone in your ambitions.
And to succeed, you’ll need to stand out from the crowd. For that, you’ll need an entry-level accounting resume that’s audit-proof and air-tight.
In this guide:
Save hours of work and get a job-winning resume like this. Try our resume builder for free. Start by choosing a resume template.
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
Need a bookkeeper resume or another kind of financial resume? What about different entry-level resumes? See our guides:
Clara Vaughan
Accountant
Personal Info
Phone: 207-764-5337
E-mail: clara.c.vaughan@reslab.com
linkedin.com/in/claracvaughan
Summary
Detail-oriented accountant with 3+ years’ experience performing accounting duties, recently completed supervised general accounting experience in fulfillment of CPA requirements. Seeking opportunity to apply financial reporting skills in supporting Company ABC’s continued growth. At DocuTrace, caught 25+ critical invoice errors and prepared 67 W-2 and 1099 tax forms.
Experience
Junior Accountant
DocuTrace, Los Angeles, CA
February 2020–June 2021
Assistant Accountant
Metrac Training Services, Los Angeles, CA
April 2018–January 2020
Education
BS in Accounting
University of La Verne, CA
2018–2020
Certification
Professional Membership
Key Skills
Now here’s how to write an entry-level accountant resume they’ll love:
In accounting, format and layout aren’t just important—
They’re often absolutely critical.
Make sure your resume format is clear, clean, and exactly what they expect to see. Here’s how:
When it comes to choosing between PDF and *.docx for your resume, the answer might seem obvious.
But—
Always double check that *.docx isn’t required after all.
There’s no accounting for taste and some ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems) can’t handle resumes in PDF. So, apart from using an ATS resume template, check that you're submitting your resume in the right format.
The best way to start an entry-level accountant resume?
With a resume profile that sets you apart from the rest.
Have some accounting experience under your belt? Then start with a resume career summary and talk up your accounting accomplishments.
Use:
These entry-level accountant resume examples show how:
Same candidate, different outcome.
The first example is focused on what you can do for the company by showing what you’ve done for previous employers.
It’s concrete, quantified, and all about what you can do for them.
Writing a resume for an accounting internship with no experience? Or maybe you’re skipping the internship and writing a resume for an accountant with no experience?
Start with a resume career objective instead and talk up achievements from non-accounting jobs and your studies.
No experience doesn’t mean nothing to offer.
Pull relevant experience out of non-accounting jobs and show what you bring to the table.
Struggling to write your resume profile?
Write it last—It’s much easier that way and you’ll do a better job of it.
The biggest takeaway:
Actual accomplishments always beat lists of duties and skills.
Past performance is an excellent predictor for future success and employers know this. So turn your resume work history into a showcase of achievements.
How to write resume job descriptions for entry-level accountants:
These entry-level accountant resume examples show how:
Junior Accountant
DocuTrace, Los Angeles, CA
May 2020–June 2021
Junior Accountant
DocuTrace, Los Angeles, CA
2020–2021
The first one wins and there are no second prizes.
Quantify everything you can—
The benefits you brought to your employer first and foremost. Both examples show a good use of resume power words—Which is something you can do even if you don’t have any accounting experience.
Just shift the focus to non-accounting jobs.
Other than job descriptions—
You’ll need a resume skills section. The trick? Don’t just spam every impressive-sounding accounting skill you can think of onto the page—
Be selective. Let the job ad show you the key skills for your resume.
The lists below are overkill and just here to get the ball rolling:
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, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
Of the many roads to becoming an accountant—
The vast majority still go through college. Even with an education much like every other accountant’s—
There’s a lot you can do to stand out.
First, list your degrees (with majors), school names, and years attended.
Then, add a couple of bullet points that speak to key accounting skills.
This entry-level accountant resume example shows how:
BS in Accounting
University of La Verne, CA
2018–2020
Short on accounting experience?
Include bullet points on projects, classes, and accomplishments that demonstrate accounting skills and general soft skills.
There’s so much more to being a great accountant than being good with beans—
The usual resume sections that everyone uses won’t always be enough. So—
Add one or two extra sections:
These two entry-level accountant resume examples show black vs red:
Certification
Professional Membership
Certification
Hobbies
Something wrong with hobbies and interests?
Absolutely not—
Not as long as they’re clearly relevant to the job at hand. That’s the most important rule for the whole of your resume.
Nearly there!
You just need to write a cover letter to go with your entry-level accounting resume. They’ll let you know if you shouldn’t include one, otherwise:
Always assume it’s required.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
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.
For an entry-level accounting resume that gets interviews:
Got lingering questions on how to get your entry-level accountant resume just right? Drop us a line down below. We’d love to read your comments, feedback, and advice.
CV vs Resume: what’s the difference between those two? Find out whether you should write a resume or a CV based on where you live.
Critical thinking skills are key to your success. They help draw connections between ideas and facts and let you think more rationally. Scroll down to learn all about them.
Conceptual skills are essential for workplace success. After all, they help understand intricate scenarios and come up with creative solutions. Scroll down to learn all about them.