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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create an Accounting Resume
in 5 Simple Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

    Heading Slides

  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

    Work History Slides

  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

    Education Slides

  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

    Skills Slides

  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

    Summery Slides

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Accounting Resume

Accounting jobs have very specific requirements when it comes to skills and experience. Use your resume to prove your ability to do the job by writing a standout resume. Our builder will help you find the right language to communicate that you are the right person for the job by recommending prewritten text. Use it as-is or customize it to make it your own.

Here are some examples of text suggestions LiveCareer’s Resume Builder might recommend for the Work History and Skills sections of your accounting resume:

  • Assisted clients in making strategic decisions regarding investments, low-cash financing and sourcing overseas partners.
  • Increased revenue by 40 percent with successful cost-reduction strategies.
  • Maintained and processed invoices, deposits and money logs.
  • Developed and implemented effective accounting systems.
  • Calculated local, state, federal and international taxes.
  • Completed general ledger entries with 100 percent accuracy.
  • Developed and enforced audit policies.
  • Analyzed budgets and financial reports.

8 Do’s and Don’ts for Writing an Accounting Resume

  • Do choose the right resume format for your experience level. If you have years of work experience over several accounting jobs, then a chronological resume works more in your favor. This approach is best when applying for mid-level and senior accounting positions, such as vice president of accounting or even managing partner at a bank or accounting firm. Entry-level applicants should consider a functional or combination resume format.
  • Do use active verbs. When listing your professional skills and work history details, use eye-catching verbs whenever possible, and instead of simply listing your responsibilities focus on your accomplishments. For example, consider the difference between “Responsible for reconciling monthly accounts” and “Reconciled monthly accounts with 100 percent accuracy.”
  • Do include metrics. Because accounting is a numbers job, many candidates excel here. Using data and figures with your action verbs, as shown in the example above, helps add an extra layer of credibility to your qualifications. This strategy is most useful for accountants with years of work history because they have more details to pull from.
  • Don’t forget the soft skills. Since accountants often work behind closed doors, they sometimes overlook the need to add soft skills to their resumes. However, soft skills, like communication and leadership, still count even when you don’t have a public-facing job. Other soft skills to consider are, for example, conflict resolution and customer service.
  • Don’t go overboard with design. While accounting positions exist in a variety of industries, the field itself is quite traditional. For that reason, your resume design should lean toward the traditional. LiveCareer’s Resume Builder has a selection of resume templates that offer traditional and conservative designs that won’t distract from your qualifications.
  • Don’t forget to proofread. Recruiters expect a clean resume that is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Be sure to proofread your resume several times for typos, and have a friend read it for a fresh set of eyes. Double-check that your contact information is correct and verify the accuracy of any facts or figures you used.
  • Don’t leave off contract work. Many accountants believe only their experience at banks, government institutions or other similar organizations matter. Yet, many accountants work on a freelance basis before seeking more traditional employment. If you gained a significant portion or all of your experience in this way, include it to show the breadth of your experience.

Beat the ATS With These
Accounting Resume Skills

To streamline the recruiting process, accounting firms and other businesses often rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS). These software platforms use artificial intelligence to determine a candidate’s eligibility based on predetermined keywords that are specific to a position’s requirements and responsibilities.

Below, we’ve listed some examples of industry-specific hard and soft skills that LiveCareer’s Resume Builder might recommend to ensure that your resume includes all of the most relevant keywords:

  • Communication skills to speak openly and clearly with other departments.
  • Analytical skills to assess financial operations.
  • Ability to conduct regular audits of accounting procedures.
  • Ability to turn financial data into easy-to-understand reports.
  • Proficiency in Oracle PeopleSoft Financials.
  • Competency in developing and enforcing audit policies.
  • Competency in identifying and resolving accounting variances.
  • Timeliness to ensure taxes get paid and filed before deadlines.
  • Accounting knowledge to determine compliance.
  • Attention to detail to catch potential errors.
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Accounting Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level

Cost Accountant Resume ExampleCustomize This Resume

Cost Accountant

For entry-level accounting roles, a prominent professional skills section is essential, especially for those job seekers with limited work experience. Those applicants will benefit from a functional resume format, like the one above. This format shows potential employers at-a-glance that the applicant has the skills it takes to do the job.

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Mid-Career

Senior Accountant Resume SampleCustomize This Resume

Senior Staff Accountant

Midway through an accounting career, many professionals choose to highlight their work experience by using a combination resume format, which emphasizes skills and experience in equal measure. In the combination resume above, the senior staff accountant chose this format to show off his industry-specific skills and his relevant work experience.

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Executive-Level

Executive Managing Partner Resume ExampleCustomize This Resume

Managing Partner

As accountants move to the top of the organizational ladder, they gain invaluable experience. Most accounting professionals at this level choose to display their work experience in a chronological resume format. This format allows an applicant to showcase an impressive career trajectory.

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More accounting resume samples

Find resume examples for your desired accounting career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

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    Statistics and Facts About Accounting Jobs

    Best-Paying States for Accountants

    District of Columbia$96,880
    New York$95,430
    New Jersey$91,400
    Virginia$84,740
    California$83,540
    0k60k100k

    Source: U.S. News

    Best-Paying Cities for Accountants

    San Rafael, California$106,050
    New York, New York$101,520
    San Jose, California$97,910
    Fairbanks, Alaska$94,680
    Washington, District of Columbia$93,900
    0k60k120k

    Source: U.S. News

    Best-Paying Industries for Accountants

    Natural gas distribution companies$90,980
    Pipeline transportation of crude oil$91,170
    Securities and commodity contracts$94,570
    The federal executive branch$98,300
    Pipeline transportation companies$98,400
    0k50k100k

    Source: U.S. News

    Pay Comparison to Other Jobs

    When it comes to financial positions in an organization, accountants come third in line as far as where they fall on the pay scale. See below for details on average salary earned:

    • 2 Layers 1

      Financial manager

      $146,830

    • 1 1

      Accountant

      $75,280

    • 2 Layers 1 1

      Financial advisor

      $123,100

    • 2 Layers 2 1

      Booking and accounting and audit clerk

      $38,990

    • 2 Layers 3 1

      Financial analyst

      $95,320

    Companies for Internship

    Here are some common accounting positions you may come across in your job search:

    • Accounting clerk
    • Internal auditor
    • Accounting manager
    • Tax manager
    • Director of finance
    • Budget analyst

    Source: Indeed

    Average Pay for Different Accounting Positions

    • $16.18

      per hour

      $16.18 per hour (many are not full-time or salaried)

    • $22.80

      per hour

      Accounting clerk:

      up to $22.80 per hour (many are not full-time or salaried)

    • $81,240

      per year

      Accounting manager:

      $81,240 per year

    • $87,308

      per year

      Internal auditor:

      $87,308 per year

    • $53,545

      per year

      Accountant:

      $53,545 per year

    • $51,249

      per year

      Staff accountant:

      $51,249 per year

    Source: Indeed

    Expected Education Levels for Different Accounting Positions

    • 2

      Billing specialist

      High school diploma or the equivalent

    • 3

      Internal auditor

      Bachelor’s degree

    • 1

      Accounting clerk

      Associate’s degree

    • 3

      Accountant

      Bachelor’s degree

    • 3

      Accounting manager

      Bachelor’s degree

    • 3

      Staff accountant

      Bachelor’s degree

    Source: Indeed

    Commonly Required Skills for Different Accounting Positions

    • Accounting clerk: Critical thinking, organization
    • Accountant: Time management, analytical
    • Accounting manager: Time management, leadership
    • Staff accountant: Multitasking, math
    • Internal auditor: Organization, analytical

    Source: Indeed

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