Accountant Resume Examples and Tips

Accountant Resume Examples: Key Sections to Include

Whether you’re a senior or entry-level accountant, the key sections in an accountant resume are largely the same. These sections should succinctly list your top qualifications, starting with the information that will quickly grab the hiring manager’s eye.

You can see a preview of these sections in the accountant resume template above, but you can grab even more inspiration from our resume templates.

Header

The header of your resume is the first thing recruiters see, so it needs to clearly introduce you and provide your contact details. This way, they know exactly how to contact you if they’re interested.

A resume header typically contains:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Email address
• LinkedIn URL

Some professionals also include their job title and location, although it’s rare to provide your full address. However, these extra details aren’t strictly necessary, so if you’re really strapped for space, you can exclude them.

Here’s an accountant resume sample header with all optional details:

Jason Offerman
Public Accountant
555-0875
danofferman@gmail.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danofferman/
Seattle, Washington

Resume objective or summary

A well-written resume summary quickly conveys your qualifications, motivations, and experience in 2 to 3 sentences. Recruiters only spend a few seconds scanning each resume, so it’s essential to summarize why you’re the ideal candidate for the role. 

In this section, provide your years of experience and top qualifications, and then state what services you can offer their organization. 

You shouldn’t focus too heavily on what you want from the partnership. Use this space to tell recruiters what value you can provide to the company and how you intend to use this opportunity to grow.

Work experience

Your accounting experience is the most crucial element in your resume, so it’s essential to list it properly.

Start by listing the company, your job title in that role, and your starting and ending dates. Underneath that, add 3 to 4 achievements you accomplished there.

This is where you can make yourself stand out. Don’t list your responsibilities in a plain, dry manner, such as: “In charge of financial reporting.” 

Instead, use action language and quantifiable achievements, like:

“Implemented process improvements that reduced monthly financial reporting cycle time by 20%.

This is an excellent way to show the recruiter your measurable value, but it isn’t always easy to come up with achievements. Need help brainstorming? Read our blog post on how to use ChatGPT to write a resume.

Education

Whether you’re writing a tax accountant or fund accountant resume, it’s essential to provide all your relevant qualifications.

Keep in mind that it’s essential, but that doesn’t mean it should be lengthy or complicated. Listing your education is simple:

• Name of degree
• Name of institution
• Location of the program
• Graduation date

You can also include your GPA, as long as it’s worth mentioning (usually, this is above 3.5).

For extra tips and advice, read our full guide on writing education on resumes.

Hard skills

Now it’s time to list your top accounting skills. This section isn’t for listing every skill you have, it’s all about showing your most relevant skills. You can discover this by reviewing the job description of the role you’re applying for and checking which skills are required.

Here are a few senior accountant resume examples of hard skills:

• Data analysis
• Technical proficiency
• Statistical analysis
• Tax compliance
• Advanced Excel skills
• Audit and assurance

We recommend listing 4 to 5 technical skills, followed by 2 to 3 soft skills. 

Let’s talk about those next.

Soft skills

The key skills for an accountant resume are largely technical, but soft skills are important, too. For example, interpersonal skills like communication are critical to communicating technical concepts to the rest of the staff.

Here are a few common soft skills for accountants:

• Communication
• Time management
• Organization
• Problem-solving
• Attention to detail

Optional sections

If you have free space left on your resume, consider adding one of these optional sections:

• Volunteer work
• Languages
• Hobbies and interests
• Projects

That last point is a great way to highlight your specific skills and qualifications. For example, you might have worked on a personal financial project in your spare time or completed an academic project with a friend in college.

Hobbies and interests can also highlight your expertise, such as having a passion for the newest technology.

Tips for Writing an Accountant Resume

Now that you have the foundations of a great accountant resume, let’s make it exceptional with a few solid tips, like using the right format or optimizing it for an applicant tracking system.

Interested in even more resume tips? Browse our resume articles for advice, strategies, and guides.

Use a reverse chronological format

The most common resume format is reverse chronological, and we highly recommend you use it. This structure lays out your most recent work experience and education first, then works backward from there. That way, hiring managers see your most recent achievements first, which are most likely your most impressive.

The other two most common structures are the hybrid resume and the functional resume. These are useful to some professionals, but not the majority. To read more about these formats, check out our article on resume structures.

Ensure it’s ATS-friendly

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software that helps HR teams manage candidates, and most companies use it. These systems scan resumes for specific formatting and keywords to make it easier to find good hires.

Ensure your resume is ATS-friendly so it isn’t tossed aside by this software. This includes inserting certain keywords, having a clear layout, and ensuring it doesn’t have any images or graphics, as they’re difficult for an ATS to process.

Double-check for errors

Ensure to double-check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors, and also fluency. Try reading it out loud to see if everything flows smoothly and sounds professional.

Run your resume through spell-check software as a first step, but then get a human opinion from friends, family, or colleagues.

This tip is important for every professional but critical for accountants. You need to show off your keen attention to detail, and any errors on your resume might make a recruiter second-guess your skills.

Include an accounting portfolio

This tip is useful for accountants who don’t have an extensive work history, such as people who are fresh out of school or applying for an internship.

Build an accounting portfolio with examples of your expertise, such as analyses, audits, forecasts, and budgets. This portfolio can be online, such as a blog, or a physical binder of documents.

Showcase Your Skills With a Standout Accountant Resume

The right accountant resume is just what you need to secure your dream job. Use this knowledge to list your experience and show recruiters that you have exactly what they’re looking for.

Remember to quantify your work achievements, use a chronological format, and make it ATS-friendly. And don’t forget to use your excellent attention to detail to check for errors.

Ready to get started? Jump into CVwizard’s Resume Builder to create a professional resume in minutes.