You should never underestimate the value of having your resume in the proper format. A poorly-formatted resume can get your job search off to an awkward start and makes for a poor first impression with a prospective employer. The result of this mistake is that you are unlikely to make the final cut for the interview, or the position for that matter.
Just as accounting is a profession in which precise computations and analytics count, the right accountant resume format design and content should correspond with the job description at hand. Attaining the correct format that will make your resume shine may sound intimidating, but with the right resources, such as this format guide and tips, anyone can achieve the best formatting and make their resume shine.
Accountant Resume Format
Below, you will find Blaine Hartzell’s resume. Blaine is a Certified Public Accountant with over eight years of experience in the field. He is looking to move into a more managerial role in the financial industry. With his exposure to international accounting, Blaine has the potential to move into a position with a major bank. Take a look at the resume he wrote for the Accountant Analyst V position at Chase Bank.
Blaine Hartzell
Charlotte, South Carolina 11111
E: bhartzell@anymail.com P: 555-555-6734
Charlotte, South Carolina 11111
E: bhartzell@anymail.com P: 555-555-6734
Professional Summary
Analytically-minded Certified Public Accountant focusing on leveraging information technology to improve the accuracy of financial projections and save time and money in the process. An astute observer of financial trends and regulations around the world that puts knowledge into practice. Experienced in proactive communication with clients, co-workers, and management. Conversant with a wide variety of accounting software, including Microsoft, Delphi, and Oracle products.
Skills and Qualifications
* Intuit QuickBooks, Delphi Technology, and Oracle PeopleSoft Financials expertise
* Experienced in both international trade and financial industries
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills
* Knowledgeable in international accounting, including taxation regulations
Work Experience
Senior Accountant – Bayside Bank
2015-Present
* Coordinate budgeting across departments, cutting headquarters spending by 25%
* Advise portfolio management clients on strategies to enable them to meet their financial goals
* Consult with upper management regarding actionable policy activity
* Execute tax analyses of all bank investment approaches using Delphi Technology
* Monitor state and federal laws for industry impact and adjusts risk exposure
Accounting Trade Analyst – Midwest Steel Incorporated
2012-2015
* Organized vendor data input with Microsoft Access to reduce report generation time by 30 %
* Optimized accounts payable and receivables to increase institution liquid asset investment by 28%
* Analyzed and reported on profit and loss data using Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
* Reconciled balances on international transactions, providing crucial oversight
* Provided reconciliation statements to clients to aid in their tax preparation
Accounting Associate – Liberty Funds Management
2010-2012
* Prepared foreign taxation documents
* Utilized Brentmark Estate Planning Quickview to assist in estate administration
* Calculated estimates for quarterly and year-end tax projections
* Supported investor portfolio tax analysis as directed by supervisor
Education and Certifications
Master of Business Administration – 2014
University of South Carolina, Columbia
Certified Public Accountant – 2010
Bachelor of Science in Accounting – 2009
University of Colorado, Denver
Is This a Good Accountant Resume Format? Let’s Check
1. Did the applicant make his experience stand out at the top of his resume?
Absolutely. Blaine has formatted his resume to have the most important and eye-catching information at the top so the hiring manager will want to continue reading. His contact information is first, followed by his professional summary in which he tells the reader what he can do for the prospective employer as an experienced accountant. In this relatively brief paragraph of career high points, he states his expertise as a CPA, his international accounting experience, and his skill of optimizing accounting operations to achieve time and money savings. In addition, the summary points out his enthusiastic use of information technology solutions in accounting.
2. Did the candidate promote how he could add value to the company?
Yes. His professional summary adeptly begins this task, followed by his skills and qualifications section. Blaine judiciously chose a few professional skills that would better position him as a mid-career accountant with a niche ability in international finance. It is easy to see from this section he is able to work in a number of IT software systems to achieve his accounting objectives.
3. Are words from the job description used on the resume?
For sure. Since the desired position is in the banking industry and will have international accounting responsibilities, the applicant does a great job on liberally using words that reflect both his skills and experience and the requirements of the prospective employer. This is sure to make his resume score high in an applicant tracking system and increase the chances the hiring manager will see his resume.
4. Are key formatting details executed correctly?
Mr. Hartzell does a great job at paying attention to the correct accountant resume format details. He replaces the outdated objective section with a professional summary and follows it with a skills section. Overall, the writing in this document is straightforward and clear. The work experience section format uses bullet point lines that lead with action verbs. Quantifiable achievements and hard skills get mentioned throughout the experience section. The education and certification section appears at the end of the document, as it is a necessary inclusion but pales in importance to work experience.
5. Is there an email address included, and is it appropriate for a professional work environment?
Yes. Blaine included an email address suitable for professional use rather than an unprofessional one he may have had in college.
The Most Important Accountant Resume Format Takeaways
This accountant resume format example gives you an idea of what a correctly formed document should look like. When you apply for an accountant position, it is important to write compelling resume content as well as employ the currently accepted format norms.
Distill your most notable achievements, skills, and experiences into a clear, professional summary and skill section that has a good chance of making the hiring manager take notice. Follow up with your work experience in bullet format for easy reading of key points. It is a lot to keep in mind, but following up your resume production with thorough editing and revising sessions is sure to pay off with a professional and compelling resume.
