How To Write a General Accountant Resume
As a general accountant, organizations of all scopes and sizes rely on your monetary mastery to maintain accurate financial records. Your resume should reflect this ability and demonstrate you can be trusted to keep up with the latest compliance and accounting standards. We’ll provide strategies for crafting a general accountant resume that highlights your unique strengths and the most impressive aspects of your career in finance.
- Entry-level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Summarize your general accountant qualifications in a dynamic profile
Before diving into the details, give readers a snapshot of your accounting background. Let them know who you are and what you offer as a financial professional by giving them an “elevator pitch” of your career. First, list your job title and years of experience. Then, in the following sentences, highlight a few key specializations.
Think about what makes you uniquely qualified for this accounting position and how your abilities align with the job you’re applying for. If you have experience working with both small and large organizations, mention that here. Are there any areas of finance you specialize in? Do you have certified public accountant (CPA ) credentials? Give hiring managers the top reasons why you’re the right fit for the role.
Profile Example #1
An Accountant with five years of professional experience specializing in financial analysis, financial reporting, GAAP, and account reconciliation. Adept at performing comprehensive audits to resolve account discrepancies and driving process improvement initiatives.
Profile Example #2
A Senior Accountant with eight years of experience specializing in tax compliance, financial reporting, team management, and process improvement. A strong history of leading dynamic accounting teams and identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiency.
2. Create a powerful list of your general accountant experience
Account for the experience you’ve earned by highlighting your career accomplishments instead of job duties. Hiring managers likely already understand what an accounting job entails in the day-to-day – they want to know what you achieved as a result of performing your daily tasks. Using your knack for numbers, incorporate percentages, performance metrics, and monetary figures to make your achievements tangible.
Even though numbers may be your forte, interpersonal skills are still essential for your success. Show you can collaborate with other accounting staff and cross-functional team members.
Professional Experience Example #1
Accountant, Epsilon Insurance Inc., New York, NY November 2019 – Present
- Collaborate with the accounting manager to prepare and distribute financial reports, manage payroll upload from ADP to QuickBooks, and conduct payroll reconciliation valued at $1.5M for 200+ employees
- Perform financial audits on outstanding balances and coordinated with the billing department to construct payment plans and reduce aging accounts by 30%
- Coordinate transition of payroll and 401k programs and perform all accounting and payroll processes through month-end close
Professional Experience Example #2
Senior Accountant, Avalon Software Consultants, San Diego, CA October 2018 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of financials for a software consulting firm valued at $5.5M, including cash flow, billing, payroll, HR administration, month-end close, tax returns, stock administration, and 401K management
- Lead the transition from outdated accounting software and payroll platforms, which eliminated redundant processes and reduced annual labor costs by 25%
- Serve as the liaison between the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the accounting team to resolve complex finance issues and perform comprehensive audits
3. Include education and certifications relevant to general accountants
Most general accountant positions require at least a bachelor’s degree, so prove you meet this minimum in your education section. Next, list your certifications and licenses. Start with any required for the position, followed by those relevant to the job you’re applying for.
For example, a CPA credential may be necessary as a general accountant. However, even if it’s not a requirement to be considered for the role, it shows you’ve done the work to gain knowledge across the board through education, examination, and experience.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Accounting
- University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2010 – June 2014
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of New York, 2017
4. Make a list of your general accountant-related skills and proficiencies
If you submit an application electronically, there’s a good chance it will go through an applicant tracking system (ATS) before it makes it to the hiring manager. Resumes that lack a certain number of keywords may be rejected by the software algorithm automatically. To get your document through initial screening, incorporate key skills from the job description into your resume. Below are keywords you may encounter while applying for general accountant jobs:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Accounting | Accounts payable (AP) |
| Accounts receivable (AR) | Account reconciliation |
| ADP | Audits |
| Benefits administration | Financial analysis |
| Financial audits | Financial reporting |
| Finance | Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) |
| Month-end close | Payroll administration |
| Process improvement | Quantitative analysis |
| QuickBooks | Statistical analysis |
| Tax compliance | Tax reporting |
How To Pick the Best General Accountant Resume Template
Just as financial data should be organized and easy to follow, your resume must be clear and well-structured. The goal is to present yourself as an asset to potential employers and someone they’d want on their financial team. Help your chances by selecting a resume template that highlights your career achievements. The goal is to make it easy for hiring managers to capture your key qualifications. Look for simple, minimalist designs as they’re best for readability.
General Accountant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Mina Sayed
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
A Senior Accountant with eight years of experience specializing in tax compliance, financial reporting, team management, and process improvement. A strong history of leading dynamic accounting teams and identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiency.
Professional Experience
Senior Accountant, Avalon Software Consultants, San Diego, CA
October 2018 – Present
- Oversee all aspects of financials for a software consulting firm valued at $5.5M, including cash flow, billing, payroll, HR administration, month-end close, tax returns, stock administration, and 401K management
- Lead the transition from outdated accounting software and payroll platforms, which eliminated redundant processes and reduced annual labor costs by 25%
- Serve as the liaison between the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the accounting team to resolve complex finance issues and perform comprehensive audits
Accountant, Campbell Manufacturing Partners, San Diego, CA
June 2014 – October 2018
- Prepared annual operating budgets valued at $2.5M, performed financial audits, and identified key risk areas based on client industries and procurement costs
- Conducted reviews on financial disclosures and tax reporting and ensured compliance with GAAP and SEC regulations, which included filing forms 10-K and 10-Q
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Accounting
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2010 – June 2014
Key Skills
- Accounting
- Tax Compliance
- GAAP
- SEC Regulations
- Process Improvement
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), State of California, 2014
Frequently Asked Questions: General Accountant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for general accountant resumes?-
It’s easy to run short on action verbs during the resume-building process. You may feel only a handful of words can describe your professional experience. But, if you can diversify your language, you’ll keep your content fresh and improve the way your resume reads. We’ve compiled a list of action verbs you can use on your general account resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Audited |
| Calculated | Collaborated |
| Conducted | Coordinated |
| Created | Delivered |
| Developed | Ensured |
| Executed | Identified |
| Implemented | Improved |
| Led | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Provided | Supported |
How do you align your resume with a general accountant job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary for accountants was $77,250 in 2021. This field is projected to grow by 6% over the next 10 years. Although plenty of jobs are available on the open market, you’ll still need to align your resume with the job description to secure the most lucrative opportunities.
For example, if a job posting focuses on auditing experience, you may want to showcase your knowledge of Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) controls, GAAP, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations, and tax compliance. Or, if an organization needs an accountant to help them improve business operations, you would highlight examples of your ability to identify cost reduction opportunities in prior roles. By aligning your resume with the job description, you’ll maximize your chances of landing your next interview.
What is the best general accountant resume format?-
Reverse chronological resumes are the standard choice for general accountants. Your professional experience section is the main focus, followed by skills and education. This approach is great for accountants with a steady job history, as it emphasizes a clear career progression.
Alternatively, a combination resume can also work. This format is best for accountants with less work experience or those who would rather highlight their education and skill sets first.
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Help your chances of landing an interview by crafting a strong cover letter. The best way to write a compelling cover letter is to customize it for the organization you’re applying to. Learn how to do this with our accountant cover letter guide. If you want to see more related examples, check out our finance and bookkeeper cover letter guides.
