How to Write a Winning Accounting Resume

Your accounting resume is your opportunity to show an employer that you have the skills and experience they need. To make a strong impression, it's important to craft a resume that stands out from the rest. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how to write a winning accounting resume.

Are you an accountant looking for a new job? If so, you know that your resume is key to getting interviews. But what makes a great accounting resume? This blog post will discuss the dos and don'ts of writing a winning resume.

We'll also provide tips and examples to help you create a resume that impresses potential employers. So whether you're just starting in your accounting career or looking to make a move, read on for tips on how to write a winning resume!

When it comes to finding a job in the accounting industry, your resume is key. A well-written and polished resume can showcase your skills and experience to make you stand out from the competition. But, if you're not sure how to write your accounting resume, don't worry - we're here to help! We'll outline some tips for creating a resume to make hiring managers sit up and take notice.

You've probably heard that it's tough to get a job in accounting. While that may be true, it's not impossible. If you have the right accounting resume, you can stand out from the rest of the pack. In this post, we'll give you some tips on how to write a winning accounting resume.

Do you have what it takes to score your dream accounting job? If you're reading this blog post, you already know the answer is yes. But just in case you need a little extra help putting your resume together, we've got all the tips and advice you need to write a resume that will stand out from the competition. So keep reading to learn how to highlight your skills and qualifications in the best possible way!

Let's get started!

How To Use A Resume

A recruiter or potential employer will evaluate your CV to determine whether or not they are interested in hiring you based on the relevance of your skills, experience, qualifications, and achievements.

It is possible that a recruiter or employer will spend no more than a few minutes studying your resume; as a result, it is essential that it concisely explain your most relevant achievements. If the person reading your resume concludes that you would be a good fit for the position, then your resume will have accomplished what you wanted it to do: it will have earned you an interview.

What To Leave Off A Resume

When writing your CV, you should do it using common sense. Consider the following scenario: you've been in the same job for a number of years, yet your career has progressed. If this is the case, learning how to write a resume correctly means that you will not mention every role that you have ever held, such as the part-time job in retail that you had while you were in high school or the position of captain on the social sports team that you captained.

Instead, make strategic use of the limited space on your resume by ensuring that each line demonstrates how you are relevant to the specific position you are going for. This will help you stand out from the competition.

In a similar vein, if you obtain a graduate degree, very few people will care about the tests that you took when you were 16 years old. Therefore, you should only provide training that is pertinent to the position for which you are seeking.

Unless specified otherwise, you do not need to include copies of any certifications, qualifications, or references with your application. Instead, you should bring these items with you to the job interview.

Candidates are cautioned not to include information about their interests or hobbies on the application. Instead, you should centre your attention on the experiences and capabilities that you possess that make you qualified for the position that you are applying for. One of the exclusions is if you have minimal experience that is relevant to the position, and another is if the employer expressly requests applicants to disclose their hobbies.

In circumstances like these, make sure to be concise. Avoid bringing up anything that might be controversial, such as your political connections; instead, focus on demonstrating how your personality meshes well with that of the organisation you're applying to. Consider mentioning, for instance, a pastime that necessitates knowledge applicable to the position, such as experience in the area of organisation or communication.

You also do not need to develop a creative resume unless you work in a creative sector. If you do not work in a creative field, you can skip this step. Some applicants make an effort to differentiate themselves from their competition by developing more imaginative resumes. It is not how your CV is presented, but rather the relevance of your talents and expertise that will determine whether or not you make it onto the shortlist.

What Is The Ideal Format For A Resume?

Your resume needs to be neat, easy to read, and well organised, and it should have sufficient white space to make it easier to read. Use a straightforward typeface like Arial in 10 or 12 point size, and keep formatting to a minimal by minimising the use of italics and underlining.

The usage of bullet points is incredibly beneficial since they enable you to highlight important information in a condensed manner while also helping to keep the document organised. Instead of beginning each sentence with "I," try beginning it with an action verb such as "produced," "managed," "increased," or "improved," etc.

After you have proofread and spell checked your resume, hand it off to a friend and ask them to do the same. It is imperative that your spelling and punctuation be flawless. Because hiring organisations are overwhelmed with applications, applicants who make needless mistakes risk having their submissions rejected.

In terms of the document style, the majority of companies will upload your resume into their database. Because of this, you should make sure that your resume is in a format that is widely accepted and that its structure is as described below.

We recommend using a PDF or Microsoft Word document that has a simple format and does not contain any pictures, images, or other kind of fancy formatting or typefaces. An applicant tracking system (ATS) could have trouble processing a creative CV because of the images and unique typefaces it might contain.

Detailed Instructions For Writing A Fantastic Resume

When you are ready to compose your resume, make sure to follow the standard format that is provided below. In addition to that, be sure that the formatting is accurate and readable at all times.

1. Contact details

Begin with the fundamentals, such as your name, phone number, email address (make sure the email address you use seems professional), and the link to your LinkedIn profile (after the new article titled "LinkedIn profile checklist" is online, link to that page).

You should use the email address and phone number that you check the most frequently. You don't want to give a potential employer a reason to be disappointed in you by not responding in a timely manner to their offer to attend an interview.

2. Summary for the profession 

Please describe your relevant experience and skills in anywhere from 50 to 150 words. This summary needs to demonstrate your value and assist you stand out from the competition in some way.

Instead of focusing on what you want from your future employment, you should emphasise what you can bring to the table instead. Your USP, also known as your unique selling proposition, belongs in this space. Make sure that this part is tailored to each individual job that you are applying for.

Include keywords from the job description in your application so that an applicant tracking system can locate a match.

3. Skills overview 

Especially if the amount of applications is very large, the reader of your resume might only have a minute to check each one. By making it quickly evident what you can provide, including a skills section can grab their attention.

Create a concise list using bullet points of the systems, abilities, and competences that are most applicable to the position for which you are seeking. Utilise keywords from the position description in this section as well.

For instance, if the job description calls for someone with "effective administrative talents and good interpersonal skills," you should cover both of those qualifications here, along with a concise explanation of how and where you acquired those qualities. Make sure that your experience is tailored specifically to the requirements of the position you are looking for.

4. Achievements

A potential employer will be interested in the instances in which you went beyond the duties of the work for which you were being paid and accomplished something remarkable.

Now that we've covered that, let's go on to the next step, which is to compile a list of the most significant accomplishments you've attained in your For instance, if you were able to surpass your sales quotas, you need to specify by what percentage and during what time frame you did so.

Bear in mind that the purpose of this summary is to pique the reader's attention by providing evidence that you are capable of successfully adding value to an organisation in the capacity of the job for which you are seeking; therefore, the proof is crucial.

5. Working knowledge 

Your employment history should be the area of your resume that contains the most information, and it should be included in reverse chronological order, beginning with the position you had most recently. Include the names of your employers as well as the jobs you held and the key duties you held.

If the title you have been given to your job is not traditional, it is absolutely appropriate to change it to something more recognisable.

It is essential to put a numerical value on your achievements, as the reader is looking for concrete evidence rather than puffery. Instead of merely describing the responsibilities you had in each capacity, focus on the value you brought in each one. This part of the article shouldn't be written in the style of a job description. Instead, it should tell the tale of your unique strengths and successes so that you stand out from other applicants.

Consider the most significant accomplishments you have attained in each of your roles and present proof that is specific and measurable for each. Utilising action verbs like "controlled" or "oversaw" is one strategy that can assist you in accomplishing this goal. These types of verbs require you to concentrate on what you accomplished and the results you obtained in each capacity, which demonstrates the importance of your experience.

When writing your curriculum vitae, try to steer clear of overused clichés that take up important space. Instead, illustrate your capabilities by including instances of previous work you've done. Always keep in mind that the proof is in the results.

It is also very recommended that you should not have any gaps in your employment history. Indicate, for instance, if you took a leave of absence for a year, served in a transitional capacity, or went on a trip lasting six months. Simply be sure to demonstrate that the event was beneficial to you by highlighting the fact that it provided you with a wealth of experience and expertise.

Simply stating the years in which you started or left a role can potentially cause red flags to go up. For instance, if you write "2019 - 2021," it can be understood as meaning that you will be employed from December 2019 to January 2021 until you specify differently.

6. Education and credentials

Maintaining brevity requires that you state the academic qualification received, the year in which it was completed, the name of the institution, and a one-sentence synopsis.

7. References 

On resumes, the information regarding references is almost never included. It is typical practise for potential employees to include the phrase "References are available upon request" in this portion of their resume. At the proper time during the hiring process, your recruiter will next make contact with your referees in order to obtain their contact information.

It is important to keep in mind that the referees, recruiters, and employers that appreciate you the most are those to whom you reported directly and who are able to speak about the ways in which you used your talents and experience to contribute value to their organisation. This reference guide can be helpful if you are confused about who to list as a referral for your application.

How to Improve Your Accountant Resume Right Away

You are aware of the significance of accuracy given your profession as an accountant. Therefore, it is expected of you that you are an analytical specialist capable of conducting credible research and finding solutions to difficult legal and financial issues.

Think of your resume not only as a place to highlight your experience, but also as a chance to demonstrate your attention to detail and high degree of care for whatever material you provide. If you do this, you will stand out from the competition. To maximise the effectiveness of your resume, you should pay particular attention to the following four aspects:

• A listing of the abilities of accountants
• Putting together a format for your accountant's resume
• Assessing the magnitude of your prior impact
• Personalising your resume for each specific position

1. Make a list of the appropriate accounting abilities 

It is not unusual for human resource professionals to receive more than one hundred resumes in response to the posting of a job description for an accounting position. Regrettably, due to the vast volume of candidates, firms are unable to carefully assess each and every accountant who applies for a job with them.

Because posting positions on the internet has become the most common method, applicant tracking system (ATS) software helps weed out applicants by utilising algorithms that match terms from the firm to keywords in your CV. This helps reduce the number of people that apply for jobs.

There is a possibility that a recruiter will not even look at your resume if it is submitted for a job that you are highly qualified for. In order to avoid this, you need to be familiar with the proper way to incorporate the relevant abilities (keywords) for the position.

Which talents should be emphasised? The role of the accountant will dictate the necessary skills to a certain extent. Take a look at the following snippet from a sample job description for an accountant and see if you can identify any of the necessary skills:

Someone is looking for a qualified accountant that can handle every level of the accounting process, from balancing the ledgers to researching the law and analysing the data to guarantee that operations are both efficient and successful.

Candidates that are skilled in a wide variety of areas would thrive in this position! Must be able to demonstrate initiative and the capability to work independently, in addition to having great skills in public speaking and the ability to cooperate with others.

On the basis of this little sample, we will be able to compile a list of necessary talents that are specific to the position. It is important to keep in mind that you should not paraphrase the job description word for word or mislead about the amount of expertise you possess.

Instead, you should think about the talents that are most relevant to the job of accountant and use the job description as a springboard to get you thinking.

• Accounting applications: Quickbooks, ERP, Concur, Taxjar
• GAAP
• Accounting for taxes
• Expense reporting
• Observance of the laws of the state
• Payables and receivables in accounts
• Coordination and conversation are essential.
• The examination of data and presentation of research

2. Select the ideal resume format 

It is not enough to simply provide your relevant work experience and education on your accountant resume; the format you use matters just as much. The structure of your resume plays a vital role in determining whether or not it is visually appealing, how simple it is to read, and how easily it can be recognised by an applicant tracking system.

Because of these factors, the chronological structure is not the one that is recommended for resumes. Instead, the reverse chronological format, in which your most recent job experience is mentioned first, is the one that is recommended.

You should also pay attention to the following few other crucial components of the format of your resume:

• Length of the resume: always make sure that your resume takes up one entire page.
• Use bullet points to break up enormous blocks of text that describe your professional experience, such as by using the traditional round format.
• Avoiding Icons and Images The applicant tracking system (ATS) does not appear to value icons and images, and neither will recruiters.
• Include the name of the job that you are looking for in your listing: Personalize your cover letter and CV for every position for which you apply to demonstrate respect and genuine interest in the position. This is particularly helpful for a company that might be looking for many roles at the same time.
• Only utilise one when it is really required (please hold tight because we are about to go over this topic in further detail).

If you keep these formatting suggestions in mind, you can rest assured that your resume will be easily readable by recruiters and compatible with applicant tracking systems.

Knowing how to write a resume's objective and summary

Okay, let's get back to the primary purpose and overview. You could be confused about the distinction between the two, as well as whether or not you should mention either on your accountant resume. Have no fear; you're not the only one! The applicant's purpose and summary are two of the elements that are typically misunderstood by employers.

Both a resume objective and a summary statement are brief paragraphs, ranging from two to three sentences, that are used at the front of a resume to communicate the applicant's interest in a specific position or provide a concise overview of their professional history. Both of these options need customization and should be avoided if you do not intend to write a new one for each job application you submit.

The manner in which each of these two kinds of paragraphs expresses interest in the job is what differentiates them. An objective explains the value that you will bring to an organisation as well as the reasons why you want the position. The use of objectives is most appropriate for accountants who are in the early stages of their careers or who are in the process of making a career transition (from a staff accountant to an accounts payable specialist).

In a summary statement, your previous job experiences are highlighted, and you demonstrate your qualifications and talents by drawing on those experiences. Due to the fact that they rely on numerous previous job experiences, they are only advised for senior accountants who have many years of experience working in the sector.

Let's go through some examples together so that you can get a better idea of how everything works:

Poor resume objective: Several years of experience working in the sector, searching for a full-time position in the accounting field with perks.

• There are a couple problems with this. To begin, it does not provide any specifics, and it is not informative. The applicant does not include any information regarding the precise job title, abilities that are suitable, or the company to which they are applying. Second, this applicant is solely concerned with the benefits that they will receive from the employment. Make an effort to think of reasons why the organisation will benefit from having you on staff.

Better resume objective: Junior accountant with over four years of experience working for one of the Big Four accounting companies and a strong attention to detail. I am looking for a position as a staff accountant for a company of a smaller scale, such as Fender Company, where my expertise in optimising pricing through software adoption and systems streamlining would have a good impact on sales.

• The candidate is crucial to the company, as well as beneficial to the organisation, as the purpose of this resume argues. They accomplish this by emphasising the appropriate abilities and the number of years of experience they have. In addition, this purpose might benefit from being tailored to the specifics of the task.

Poor summary statement: Gained experience working as an accountant for three different companies. All three organisations benefit from the well-organized and comprehensive work that I provide, which has a beneficial effect on the businesses.

• This sentence lacks clarity and is difficult to understand. In addition to that, the sentence is badly constructed. Would you feel comfortable entrusting this individual with the financial accounts of your company?

Better summary statement: Certified public accountant with over 22 years of experience working specifically with clients in the small and medium business sectors. Knowledge and experience with a variety of accounting software packages, such as Xero, Quickbooks, Xoho, and SAP, which are all relevant to the size of the company.

Devoted to the provision of services that meet the requirements of GAAP while enhancing both operational and financial performance Extensive experience leading and cooperating across cross-functional teams and departments while simultaneously raising ROI by more than 5% YTD.

• This encapsulated statement outlines particular metrics, specialised abilities, and a job title. This is a fantastic illustration of a powerful remark that would leave a positive impression on a hiring committee.

3. Determine the extent of the beneficial impact you have as an accountant

Concentrating on the statistics is the best way to demonstrate to a corporation that you have the skills necessary to be an exceptional accountant. Your ability to quantify your influence on your resume for the position of accountant provides clear evidence that you are a benefit to the firm.

To your good fortune, as an accountant, there are a variety of methods available to quantify your influence, such as:

• Operations carried out within the company: Have you collaborated with leaders from the organisation to develop ideas for monetary incentives that will boost employee retention? Have you implemented the use of software that has a record of producing fewer errors?
• Do you lead a team, act as a mentor to others on the team, or work with them? Do you have responsibilities in more than one department?
• When working with vendors, do you evaluate the invoicing provided by vendors or read over their statements? Do you oversee the accounts payable for third-party businesses?
• Clients: In the event that you work with individual customers, how many customers do you currently advise? How long have you been able to keep these customers?
• Revenue: Approximately how much revenue does the company that you currently work for earn each year? How many different types of assets do you manage? How much money have you been able to avoid spending on possible fines?
• Have you been successful in lowering the number of mistakes made while you were employed at one of your previous jobs? Do you make use of particular kinds of software to cut down on errors?

In light of the preceding, have a look at the following illustrations to see how metrics might serve as fuel for your bullet points:

• The client was saved over $2,000 in penalty costs as a result of the proactive identification and communication of potential problem areas relating to the client's reporting issue.
• Assisted management in the implementation of an employee equity pay scheme, which resulted in an 11% increase in staff retention.
• Served as team leader for a group of two young accountants, holding weekly one-on-one meetings to provide mentoring and criticism.
• performed a QuickBooks vendor statement reconciliation, analysing and resolving any discrepancies that arose within the next 48 hours.

How Frequently Should My CV Be Updated?

It is essential to keep your curriculum vitae (CV) up to date at all times, even if you aren't currently looking for a new job. So, for instance, if you've picked up a new talent or finished a significant project in your current work, you should be sure to update your CV to reflect that fact. It is also recommended that you bring your LinkedIn profile up to date at the same time.

If you maintain your CV up to date, there is no chance that you will forget important details when the time comes for you to look for a new job because there will be no gaps in your employment history.

Updating your CV on a consistent basis will also help you become more aware of any knowledge or experience gaps in your professional background that you need to fill in order to advance your career.