Finance & Accounting · Mid-level

Accountant resume example

Accounting resumes are screened for two things before anything else: the systems you have worked in and the compliance frameworks you know. If "NetSuite", "SAP", "GAAP", or your CPA status are not present as literal strings, the ATS may filter you out regardless of the quality of your work.

The example below leads with systems and credentials, then proves competence with cycle metrics — close days, reconciliation volumes, audit findings, variance accuracy — which is how accounting managers actually compare candidates.

Professional summary example

Staff Accountant (CPA) with 6 years in month-end close, reconciliation, and audit support for a $180M-revenue manufacturer. Cut the close cycle from 9 to 5 business days by automating recurring journal entries in NetSuite, and closed three consecutive external audits with zero material findings.

Achievement bullet examples

  • Reduced month-end close from 9 to 5 business days by automating 40+ recurring journal entries and standardizing the reconciliation checklist in NetSuite.
  • Owned reconciliation of 60+ balance sheet accounts monthly, including multi-currency intercompany accounts across 4 entities.
  • Supported three consecutive external audits with zero material findings, preparing PBC schedules and acting as primary liaison to the audit team.
  • Identified $220K in duplicate vendor payments through a payables audit, recovering 87% within the fiscal year.

Skills to list on a accountant resume

US GAAPMonth-End & Year-End CloseAccount ReconciliationNetSuiteSAPAdvanced Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP)Accounts Payable & ReceivableFixed Assets & DepreciationAudit Support & PBC PreparationVariance Analysis

Writing tips for this role

Name every ERP and system version

ERP experience is the single most-filtered accounting keyword. Write "NetSuite", "SAP S/4HANA", or "QuickBooks Enterprise" explicitly — "ERP systems" alone matches nothing, and recruiters search by platform name.

Quantify the cycle, not the task

"Performed reconciliations" is assumed of every candidate. Close days reduced, accounts owned, entities consolidated, audit findings avoided, and dollars recovered are the numbers that distinguish you from the rest of the pile.

Put credentials and status in the header

CPA, CMA, or "CPA candidate — passed FAR, AUD" belongs next to your name and in a credentials line. Many postings hard-filter on licensure, and an in-progress status is still a keyword match worth claiming honestly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I write an accounting resume without a CPA?

Lead with systems depth and cycle ownership instead, and state exam progress if you have any. Many industry (non-public) roles do not require the license — but they do require demonstrable close and reconciliation experience.

Should I include the revenue size of my employers?

Yes. "$180M-revenue manufacturer" or "4-entity multi-currency consolidation" signals transaction complexity, which is the accounting equivalent of scope. Include it in the role line or summary.

Public accounting or industry — one resume for both?

No. Public accounting postings weight audit and client portfolio breadth; industry postings weight close ownership and ERP depth. Reorder your bullets and rewrite the summary for whichever you are targeting.

Build your accountant resume

Start from this structure in the free editor, then run the ATS check to verify it parses.

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