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finance
Accountant
Resume Example
4.8 / 5
Why This Template Works
This example works well for ATS because it uses clear accounting keywords such as month-end close, account reconciliations, financial reporting, and internal controls while keeping each bullet tied to realistic work. The structure makes the candidate easy to scan for both recruiters and accounting managers.
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How to Write This Resume
Expert guidelines and best practices for each section of your resume.
01
Contact
Contact
First Name Last Name City, State, Zip Code Phone Number | Email Address LinkedIn Profile URL
General Guidelines
Your contact information is the first section recruiters see. Keep it concise and professional. Ensure your email address is appropriate (e.g., [email protected]). Include your LinkedIn profile for a comprehensive view of your professional journey.
Avoid This
Do not include your full physical address (street number/name) for privacy reasons. Avoid including personal details like marital status, age, photo, or social security number unless specifically required in your country. Do NOT use unprofessional email addresses. Do NOT include GitHub links for artists - use ArtStation, Behance, or portfolio sites instead.
Real Examples
See clear examples of how to format contact details effectively.
Don't
John Doe 1234 Random St, Apt 56 New York, NY 10001 [email protected] github.com/aliciacode Single, 28 years old
Do
Alicia Chen San Francisco, CA (555) 123-4567 | [email protected] linkedin.com/in/aliciachen
Quick Tips
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname format)
- Ensure your voicemail is set up and professional
- Double-check your phone number and email for typos
- Make your LinkedIn URL custom (linkedin.com/in/yourname)
02
Summary
Summary
Accountant
Detail-oriented accountant with 5+ years of experience in month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting, and internal controls. Skilled in advanced Excel, QuickBooks, SAP, SQL, and Tableau. Known for accurate schedules, clear documentation, and practical support for finance and operations teams.
General Guidelines
Use the summary to connect your accounting experience to the target role. Mention close work, reconciliations, reporting, systems, and one or two strengths that are supported by your experience bullets.
Avoid This
Avoid generic objectives like 'Looking for a challenging role to grow my skills.' Recruiters want to know what value you bring to them, not what you want from them. Don't use first-person pronouns (I, me, my). Keep it concise and impactful.
Real Examples
Compare a weak objective with a strong professional summary.
Don't
Objective: A CPA seeking an opportunity to expand financial reporting capabilities in a dynamic environment. With over 5 years of experience, I am eager to contribute my skills and knowledge to the next step in my career.
Do
CPA with 5+ years of experience in advanced financial modeling and data analytics. Led the development of comprehensive financial models for multinational corporations, resulting in optimized financial strategies and cost savings.
Real Examples
Highlighting specific achievements vs. generic statements.
Don't
Objective: A seasoned CPA with 5 years of experience in various accounting roles. I am capable of handling complex financial transactions and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
Do
CPA with 5+ years of experience streamlining financial processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Developed custom Python scripts for financial modeling, contributing to a 20% reduction in annual tax payments.
Real Examples
Incorporating industry-specific language vs. generic descriptions.
Don't
Objective: Seeking a position as an Accountant where I can utilize my skills and experience to add value to the organization.
Do
Accountant with 5+ years of experience in month-end close, account reconciliations, variance analysis, and financial reporting. Built Excel-based close trackers and Tableau reports that helped finance leaders review spend changes and resolve discrepancies before deadlines.
Real Examples
Using strong action verbs vs. passive voice.
Don't
Objective: I have a solid background in accounting and finance with a focus on reporting and budgeting.
Do
Expert in financial modeling, data analytics, and Python scripting for enhanced financial reporting. Developed custom models to optimize client strategies and streamline internal processes.
Real Examples
Including relevant skills vs. listing generic ones.
Don't
Objective: To leverage my extensive experience in accounting to provide valuable insights and solutions for a growing organization.
Do
CPA with proficiency in advanced Excel, Python scripting, SQL database management, and financial modeling tools like Tableau. Implemented automated processes reducing errors by 30%.
Quick Tips
- Quantify achievements where possible (e.g., 'Increased revenue by 20%')
- Keep it under 5 lines for readability
- Use strong action verbs to start sentences
- Tailor the summary to match the job description
03
Skills
Skills
Accounting
- Month-end close, general ledger, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable
Tools
- QuickBooks, SAP, Workday, Excel (advanced), Tableau, SQL
Analysis
- Variance analysis, financial reporting, audit support, tax schedules
General Guidelines
Group your skills logically (e.g., Languages, Frameworks, Tools). Focus on hard skills relevant to the job. List skills in order of proficiency or relevance. Soft skills are better demonstrated through bullet points in your experience section rather than a bare list.
Avoid This
Do not list skills you are not comfortable using in an interview. Avoid using progress bars or percentages to rate your skills (e.g., 'Java: 80%') as they are subjective and often misinterpreted. Don't include outdated technologies unless specifically required.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for skills
Don't
- Java: 75%
- PHP: 60% (last used in 2018)
Do
- Python: Proficient
- SQL: Expertise in advanced queries
Don't
- QuickBooks: Basic knowledge, not comfortable with complex financial reports
Do
- Tableau: Experienced in creating dashboards and data visualizations
Quick Tips
- Highlight only the languages you are proficient in or have used recently.
- Use specific tools and frameworks that align with your experience, avoiding generic statements.
- Emphasize soft skills through relevant examples in your work experience section rather than listing them here.
- Avoid vague or overly broad categories; instead, provide clear, actionable skills.
04
Experience
Experience
Job Title | Company Name | Location Month Year - Month Year
- Reconciled [account type] across [scope], resolving [issue] before [deadline]
- Prepared [report or schedule] for [audience], improving [accuracy, visibility, or review process]
- Documented [control or process], reducing [error, delay, or risk]
General Guidelines
Focus on accounting outcomes, not task lists. Strong bullets show the account area, volume or scope, tools used, deadline, and business result. Keep claims realistic and easy to defend in an interview.
Avoid This
Avoid passive language like 'Responsible for...' or 'Tasked with...'. Don't list every single daily task; focus on significant contributions and measurable outcomes. Avoid jargon that recruiters outside your field won't understand.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don’ts for experiences
Don't
- Researched tax regulations
- Assisted in preparing financial statements
Do
- Conducted comprehensive research on FATCA compliance, saving the company $10K in penalties.
- Led the preparation of quarterly financial reports, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
Quick Tips
- Always quantify your achievements. For example, mention how much money you saved or increased revenue.
- Use strong action verbs that demonstrate leadership and initiative. Words like 'developed', 'implemented', 'led' are more impactful than passive terms like 'assisted'.
- Focus on outcomes rather than just activities. Explain the results of your actions and their impact on the company.
- Show a clear progression in responsibilities over time to indicate growth and development.
05
Education
Education
Degree Name | University Name | Location Month Year – Month Year
- Relevant Coursework: [Course 1], [Course 2]
- Honors/Awards: [Award Name]
- GPA: X.X (if above 3.5)
General Guidelines
List your highest degree first. If you have significant work experience, keep the education section brief. Include your GPA only if it is above 3.5 or if you are a recent graduate. Highlight relevant coursework, academic projects, honors, or leadership roles.
Avoid This
Do not include high school details if you have a college degree. Avoid listing every single course you took; select only the most relevant ones. Don't include graduation dates from decades ago if age discrimination is a concern in your field.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and dons for educations
Don't
I studied Accounting at State University, graduating in June 2015. I took courses like Financial Reporting, Corporate Taxation, and Auditing.
Do
Bachelor of Science in Accounting | State University, San Francisco September 2013 – May 2017
- Relevant Coursework: Financial Reporting, Corporate Taxation, Advanced Excel
- GPA: 3.8
Quick Tips
- Always list your highest degree first.
- Highlight relevant coursework that pertains to accounting and finance.
- Use bullet points for a cleaner look and easier reading.
- Include honors or awards if applicable, but only if they are significant.
06
Projects
Projects
Project Name | Tools/Technologies Used
- Briefly describe what you created and its purpose
- Highlight specific challenges you solved
- Link to portfolio or demo if available
General Guidelines
Projects are excellent for demonstrating practical skills, especially if you lack work experience or are changing careers. Include a link to your portfolio or demo if possible. Focus on projects that show problem-solving skills and relevant tools for the target role.
Avoid This
Don't include trivial tutorials unless you significantly expanded on them. Avoid projects that are outdated, incomplete, or irrelevant to the role you're applying for. Don’t just list technologies—explain what you created and why it matters.
Real Examples
Practical example showing do's and don'ts for projects
Don't
Developed a basic financial forecasting model using Excel without providing any specific problem context or outcomes. The template is generic with no customizations or optimizations.
Do
Created a sophisticated financial modeling tool in Python to forecast revenue and expenses for a small business, including sensitivity analysis and visualizations. Highlighted how this tool helped the client make informed decisions.
Real Examples
Another practical example showing do's and don'ts
Don't
Listed multiple Excel formulas without context or explanation of their application in a real-world scenario. The project lacks depth and detail, making it unimpressive.
Do
Implemented an automated tax calculation system using Python scripts to process thousands of transactions efficiently. Provided a step-by-step guide on how the system works and its impact on reducing manual errors.
Quick Tips
- Always provide context for why you created the project and what problem it solved.
- Include measurable outcomes or benefits derived from your projects to showcase their value.
- Focus on tools and technologies that are relevant to the accounting field, such as Python, Excel, SQL, and financial modeling software.
- Highlight any challenges you faced during the project and how you overcame them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this role and how to best present it on your resume.
Emphasize month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting, tax support, audit readiness, accounting software, and examples of improving accuracy or controls.
Use realistic evidence such as the number of accounts reconciled, close deadlines met, reports prepared, errors reduced, or audit schedules supported.
Yes. Include CPA, CMA, bookkeeping, tax, or software certifications when they are current and relevant to the role.
Mirror the job description naturally with terms like general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, month-end close, variance analysis, and financial reporting.
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