Getting a job in finance actually begins well before an interview, and it begins the first time a hiring manager looks at a resume. For applicants in the accounting field, creating an outstanding resume could lead to getting a callback, and poor-quality resumes lead to being screened out by an applicant tracking system. For an entry-level applicant, or for someone who is starting a new job in the accounting field or the bookkeeping field, it is essential to demonstrate the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively and to organize the information in a logical manner. These abilities are highly valued in the accounting field.
Why it is Important to Have a Good Resume
In the accounting field, most job opportunities will require accounting and auditing skills for the immediate future. This will create a high level of job competition. For an accounting job, you will most likely have a resume screened digitally before a human actually looks at it. Many companies, especially in the accounting field, are starting to use productivity software. These types of software help manage productivity and time tracking of employees, which communicate to accounting firms the level of control, precision, and responsibility that they expect from employees. These things will also be demonstrated on your resume.
An accounting assistant job description includes helping senior accountants with tasks such as data entry, account reconciliations, invoice processing, and the preparation of financial statements.
Employers look closely at resumes that show an understanding of the responsibility the job requires by showcasing the knowledge and job expectations articulated with action and accomplishment metrics.
How an Accounting Assistant Resume Should Be Organized
An effective resume is structured well and easy to skim because it is organized for maximum clarity. Here are guidelines for each section.
- Contact Information and Resume Header
Your name should be the first thing that appears, followed by a phone number, professional email, LinkedIn link (if it is a good one), and your city and state. Do not include your full street address. - Objective Statement or Resume Summary
Resumes should be framed from the very beginning with your value, and this should be no more than three sentences. For experienced candidates, a summary is best, such as “Detail-oriented accounting professional with three years of experience in accounts payable and financial reconciliation, seeking to bring analytical skills and a track record of accuracy to a growing finance team. ” Enthusiasm and other skills that translate to the role are good for objective statements. Entry-level candidates will do just as well with an objective statement. - Core Skills
A skills section is very important for the role and position of a resume, and it is very helpful for hiring managers to find and match the qualifications in the resume to the job description. The relevant competencies of an accounting assistant typically involve the following:- Management of accounts payable and account receivables.
- Support of the bank reconciliation and month-end closing
- Ability to use QuickBooks, SAP, and Microsoft Excel
- Management of vendors and processing of invoices.
- High accuracy in data entry
- Maintenance of general ledger
- Work experiences—Make It Count
This is the core of your resume, and it’s an area where most candidates either win or lose the writer. Rather than just listing duties, try to frame your experience around the results. Rather than saying, “I processed invoices,” say, “I processed over 200 vendor invoices monthly with no discrepancies for 12 months.” This is what gives your statements weight, thanks to the specificity paying managers appreciate.
With each bullet point, use the most powerful action verb to lead the point. Audit, reconcile, prepare, analyze, manage, streamline, and coordinate are better than “responsible for” or “helped with” any day. - Education and Certifications
The minimum requirement is either an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration. However, your application can stand out with certification. You can add any work you’ve done toward the CPA exam, and you can add any of the above certifications, and you can add the QuickBooks ProAdvisor certification, or you can add a bookkeeper certification from the AIPB.
Tips for Writing your Resume
Mistakes on your resume are often mistakes candidates are blind to but can lead to numerous qualified individuals missing out on opportunities. Avoid the following:
- Vague Language: Using words like “assisted with” and “worked on” are non-descriptive and action-oriented.
- Outdated formatting: dense paragraphs and odd fonts are immediate dismissals. Make it clean and easy for an ATS to read.
- Missing Keywords: Read the job description and match keywords if you truly have the experience. An ATS most likely will be used to scan your application.
- Spelling and Math Errors: an accounting job typo shows you are careless. Proofread, and have multiple people read it.
- Generic Objectives: The default objective on your resume is an example of a generic resume, and it states that you did not even try.
Customizing Your Resume for Various Accounting Assistant Positions
The roles offered within the accounting assistant profession diverge in many ways. Entry-level positions at small businesses differ greatly from junior accounting roles at large corporations or positions offered within firms in public accounting. It is important to research potential employers to understand the nuances in expectations for these positions so you can customize your resume. For example, a firm specializing in tax compliance will value different skills/experience from a firm specializing in management accounting or in the accounting of nonprofit organizations. Understand the value of showing the firm’s practice and your relevant experience instead of focusing on your individual journey.
Demonstrating your experience with digital workflows and cloud accounting systems is especially important for remote or hybrid roles. Being able to stay organized and accurate without in-person supervision is a valuable trait that many employers look for.
Common Questions
Q: Should I add a cover letter to my accounting assistant resume?
A: Absolutely. A cover letter provides an opportunity to explain what interests you in the role and the firm, elaborate on accomplishments that are pertinent to your case, and showcase written communication skills, which are necessary for a precision-oriented profession like accounting. A cover letter reaffirms your résumé’s message and demonstrates the professionalism and organizational skills the accounting field demands.
Q: How many pages should an accounting assistant resume be? A: Generally, only one page is most ideal, especially when the candidate has fewer than five years of experience. If you have strong, relevant experience through multiple jobs, two pages is acceptable. Keep in mind every line should be there for a purpose. Spent less than ten seconds, so be direct and clear.
Q: How do I make an accounting assistant resume without experience?
A: Think about relevant experience other than direct accounting experience. If you have worked in retail, administrative, customer service, or other relevant areas; organized mathematically; or have experience in software, you have relevant experience. Highlight any significant relevant volunteer work, coursework, or personal projects that demonstrate your organizing and math skills. Then, if you do get an internship or freelance bookkeeping… that is a good start and will give you relevant experience. Last-Minute Tips: Using a clean font will make your resume easier to read. Options should be times. New Roman, Calibri, or Arial and 10.5 to 12 pt. font works best. Use clean, consistent spacing and headings. Space things out to let the document breathe. Save your file as a PDF unless a Word document is requested by the employer because PDFs maintain the document as you designed it. Use a filename that is clear to avoid confusion, such as “FirstName_LastName_AccountingAssistant_Resume.pdf.”
Conclusion: Your Resume is Your First Professional Impressions
An accounting assistant resume is not simply a list of jobs you’ve worked; rather, it’s a purposeful case for why you’re a good fit for the position. Every section, every word, every achievement, and every number tells a part of the whole story. Make sure you look at every job description and tailor your resume to what the employer is asking for. In a career based on precision and trust, your resume shows your future employer that you understand the expectations of the job before you walk into the interview.