Accountant Resume: Guide & Free Templates

Want the resume that landed candidates at PwC, Deloitte, and Fortune 500 finance teams? Well, getting hired by the Big Four isn’t just about skills—it’s about how you present them. After reverse-engineering various successful resumes, we have learned that they all follow a blueprint. The good news is that we have explained all the secrets in this guide and provided free templates to help you create top-tier account resumes.

In this blog, you will get:

• Directions for choosing the correct format for your resume
• Things that should be included in a resume and how
• Navigating ATS screening

Which Format To Use for Your Resume

Now, the first thing before you start working on your resume is to decide which format you will follow for presenting your credentials. The reverse chronological style is the most commonly used format, as it is easy to use. In this format, the most recent experience and qualifications will appear first, followed by other experiences in reverse chronological order. 

However, if you are in a situation where you want to highlight your accountancy skills rather than your experience, then we suggest you select the functional resume format. Additionally, it is a useful format if you have gaps in your employment or have switched fields. 

Finally, there is also the option of using the combination resume format, which is a hybrid between the reverse chronological format and the functional one. This is a perfect style to use if you do not have gaps in your career and are in your early career. It is also ideal to use this format if you have worked consistently but not with many employers.

So, in a nutshell:

• Reverse Chronological: Lists your most recent work experience first; ideal if you have a consistent work history.
• Functional: Focuses on skills rather than work experience; good for career changers or those with gaps.
• Combination: Mixes skills and chronological work history; perfect for early-career accountants with steady employment.

The Secret Blueprint: Tell Your Story with Full Impact

Your resume is not just a summary of career highlights; it is your marketing tool. For accountants, precision matters, so every section should be created to showcase your expertise and make a great first impression on the hiring team. 

So, without any delay, let’s look at each section of an accountant’s resume and how you can draft it to leave a mark:

The basics done right: Your contact information

The first part of the resume includes your full name, professional email address (e.g., [email protected]), phone number, LinkedIn profile, and location (city/state).

Professional summary

The professional summary in your resume is your elevator pitch. It is your chance to hook the hiring manager in 2-3 sentences. Use this section to skillfully mention your title, years of experience, key skills, and what you bring to the table. 

You can use this example to get some inspiration when writing one for your resume.

Tailor this section according to the job being advertised. A tax accountant’s summary will differ from a forensic accountant’s. The templates provided here include professionally pre-written summaries tailored for accountant resumes. They are a good starting point and can be easily modified to present a compelling introduction.

The core skills

Next comes the crucial part of the resume, and that is the skills and competencies section. 

Most accountants start by learning fundamental skills during their degree programs in accounting, finance, or related fields, but certifications, training, and workshops throughout their careers are also an important source of building skills. 

You can list software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Excel advanced functions), accounting standards (GAAP/IFRS), and niche expertise (e.g., cost accounting, SEC reporting) in the skills section of your resume. 

Plus, do not forget to add any relevant soft skills like analytical thinking, communication, or project management. 

Here are some of the key skills for an Accountant’s Resume:

See this example to learn how you can list your technical and soft skills in your resume: 

• QuickBooks, SAP, Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables)
• GAAP, IFRS, SEC Reporting
• Tax Preparation & Planning
• Financial Statement Analysis
• Proactive and self-motivated
• Effective Communication & Team Collaboration

The most important thing to do when you are writing this section is to carefully read the role requirements for the job you are applying to and only list those skills here that are required. It will make it easy for any ATS to shortlist your resume and will get the attention of the hiring manager as well. 

Work experience

This is the section where you will mention your experience. Using a reverse chronological format means that you will list your most recent experience first. Begin with the job title, company, dates (month/year), and 3–5 bullet points per role. Remember, you have to focus on achievements with metrics, so do not write generic statements like “prepared financial statements”; instead, highlight the outcome of your work. 

Here is an example of how it should look when presented in reverse chronological order.

Did you notice how action words like “streamlined, collaborated, identified,” etc., are used when describing the experience? 

When you present your experience like this, it goes beyond showing what work you did but rather shows the impact you had in your work, not only making it all appear but also convincing the hiring team to give you a call!

Education and certifications

Mention your educational credentials, such as degrees (e.g., BS in Accounting), licenses (CPA, CMA), and ongoing courses. You can also mention your GPA if it is greater than 3.5 and any relevant coursework. 

Here is an example of how the education section should be formatted.

If you have recently finished your education or you are new in your career, then you can elaborate on your educational details. In addition to the basic details in the previous example, you can mention your relevant coursework and the details of your final year project. 

The example below gives a good illustration if you want to add more depth to the education section. 

What Else Can You Add to Your Resume

Now that you have covered all the essential sections, you can conclude your resume here. However, for added emphasis, you can include details such as awards and certifications to demonstrate your commitment and skills. Language skills are valuable in global companies. Hobbies can showcase personality, but it’s best to avoid controversial topics.

Here is how to add them:

Awards and certifications

Perhaps you have won an award related to your field, or you have done some courses to improve your accountancy skills? You can showcase them in your resume after the educational section and show the hiring manager that your skills and passion go beyond the basics. 

This is how it should look: 

• Employee of the Year, ABC Financial Services, 2023 — Recognized for exceptional performance in tax compliance and client satisfaction
• Best Audit Project Award, XYZ Corp, 2022 — Led audit team to identify cost-saving measures worth $150K
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) — Licensed since 2021
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) — Earned in 2022
• Advanced Excel Certification, Microsoft, 2023

Languages

You may not have thought about adding any language skills to your resume; after all, you only work with numbers, right? Language skills might not be useful for your calculations, but they are indeed very sought after if you work in a company with global operations.

To correctly list your language proficiency, you can use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Be sure that you classify your fluency level to avoid any confusion. 

Here is how this information can be presented: 

• English: Native proficiency
• Spanish: CEFR B2 (Upper-Intermediate) / ALR Level 4
• French: CEFR A1 (Beginner) / ALR Level 1

Hobbies and interests

There are two opinions on whether to include hobbies and interests in your resume. On one hand, a resume should be kept strictly professional and should only include details that are relevant to work. However, adding a brief hobby or interest section gives insights into your personality.

It lets the hiring team see beyond qualifications and numbers and learn more about you as a person. In the end,  hiring is not only about selecting a candidate with the ideal qualifications and experience. It is important to know if you would be a fit for the company’s culture and be the team member they would like to work with. 

To see how to professionally showcase your interests, view this example: 

• Volunteering as a financial literacy coach, helping local communities improve money management skills
• Playing chess to develop strategic thinking and attention to detail
• Running marathons to build discipline and endurance for challenging projects
• Reading industry publications to stay informed on accounting standards and financial trends

Understanding the key sections of a resume is the first step. However, putting them together can be time-consuming. The templates featured here make it super easy for you to highlight your strengths and organize your information professionally. 

Accountant Resume Templates that Balance Style and Substance

This comprehensive collection of editable resume templates covers a wide range of accounting and finance roles to support professionals at various stages of their careers. 

For example, strategic senior accountants, financial reporting analysts, and accounting clerks can find resumes crafted to highlight their unique skills and experiences. The senior accounts receivable resume emphasizes expertise in payment management and credit control. 

Meanwhile, senior financial reporting resumes are designed to showcase proficiency in producing accurate, timely financial reports.

If you are in charge of managing client accounts, then you can take a look at the account manager’s resume, which presents experience in relationship building and account oversight effectively. 

All these templates are available in popular and widely accessible formats: Google Slides, Adobe Illustrator (AI), and Microsoft PowerPoint, and you can effortlessly edit them with the platform you are most comfortable with. 

All templates include examples and pre-written sections that provide excellent guidance in tailoring your resume to showcase your best and create a polished and professional document. You can also explore resume examples for accountants by Jooble for more targeted inspiration and ideas.

Explore these templates and stand out in this competitive job market with full confidence. 

The Last Thing: Optimize Your Accountant Resume for ATS

So you may already know about ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) used in hiring procedures these days. But what is it actually, and how can it impact your chances of success?

ATS refers to software that scans resumes for keywords, formatting, and relevant information based on the job description. So, no matter how great your qualifications are or how well written your profile summary is, the odds are that your resume will not reach the hiring team if you do not include the words in the job description.

Here are some tips for you to help you pass this first hurdle in the hiring process:

• Include the specific skills, certifications, and industry terms mentioned in the job description.
• Stick to simple formatting and avoid complex tables, graphics, or unusual fonts. 
• Submit your resume in ATS-friendly formats like .docx or PDF unless otherwise specified.
• Create a dedicated section listing your core competencies and technical skills to help ATS instantly spot the required skills.
• Use only standard job titles and descriptions and simple language.
• ATS can miss information in headers or footers. So keep all information in the main body.

The accountant resume templates presented here are thoughtfully created to navigate ATS screening. Don’t forget to check them out and create a flawless, ATS-friendly resume that will stand out to recruiters and hiring managers. 

Bringing it all Together

A well-structured resume can open many doors for you in your career. However, neatly compiling all information and making sure to include only the right details can become overwhelming. By choosing the right format and skillfully presenting your education, experience, and skills, you can present yourself as the most suitable candidate for the role. Remember to tailor your resume for each role that you apply to and optimize it for ATS screening following the tips just discussed earlier. 

With these tips, examples, and templates, you are now ready to craft a polished and professional document. Now,  put all this knowledge into action and draft your winning accountant resume right now. Good luck with everything!