Accounting Manager Resume Examples

Crafting a winning accounting manager resume can often feel like balancing the books under a deadline—stressful and tricky. Many accounting managers find it challenging to highlight their skills and experience on paper effectively. Common issues include not knowing which achievements to spotlight, how to format their resume, and making their responsibilities sound compelling rather than mundane. This guide will show you how to write an accounting manager resume that stands out in today's competitive job market. With concise examples and actionable tips, you'll meet all your career goals.

Choosing the right resume template is crucial to showcasing your expertise effectively. A well-structured template helps you organize your information clearly, making it easier for hiring managers to see why you're the right fit for the job. Don't underestimate the power of a great template; it acts like the perfect ledger for balancing your career’s accomplishments.

Unlock your potential with over 700 tailored resume examples designed to help you shine.

What to focus on when writing your accounting manager resume

An accounting manager resume should convey your expertise in financial management, your ability to lead and motivate a team, and your strong analytical skills. It should also highlight your experience with financial reporting, budgeting, and compliance with accounting standards. Achievements such as cost savings, successful audits, or improved financial processes can set you apart.

To boost your resume's impact, include:

• Led a team of [X] accountants to achieve [specific financial goal]
• Reduced operational costs by [%] through [specific action]
• Streamlined financial reporting process, reducing errors by [%]
• Managed budgets totaling [$ amount], ensuring compliance and accuracy

Must have information on your accounting manager resume

When crafting your accounting manager resume, ensure it includes key sections that effectively showcase your skills and experience.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Skills
• Education

Adding extra sections like "Certifications" and "Professional Affiliations" can further demonstrate your qualifications and dedication to the field. These additional sections help you stand out and provide a more comprehensive view of your background.

Which resume format to choose

For an accounting manager resume, the best format is the reverse-chronological format, which highlights your most recent and relevant experience first. Modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat are recommended as fresh alternatives to Arial and Times New Roman, making your resume look up-to-date and clean. Always save your resume as a PDF to maintain the format across different devices and systems. Use standard one-inch margins for a balanced look, and ensure section headings are clear and optimized for ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) by using standard titles.

An accounting manager resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Work Experience
• Education
• Skills
• Certifications
• Achievements
• Additional Information (optional)

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, making it easy for you to create a polished, professional resume effortlessly.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your resume experience section as an accounting manager requires focusing on the key points employers want to see. Your resume should always be in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. It’s wise to include experience up to 10-15 years back, focusing on roles that are relevant to accounting or finance. Job titles should clearly reflect your accounting expertise.

Tailor your resume for each job application. Use action words like "managed," "led," "implemented," and "reduced" to describe your duties and achievements. Numbers make a huge impact; they show the scope and success of your work. Including specific achievements such as cost savings, revenue increases, or efficiency improvements will make your resume stand out.

Here are two examples of an experience section. The first one is poorly written, while the second one shows an excellent example.

This example is bad because it lacks specifics. The bullets are vague and do not provide any clear achievements. Words like “handled,” “worked on,” and “dealt with” do not describe the scope or success of your work.

This example is excellent. It uses clear and impactful language. Each bullet point includes numbers and shows quantifiable achievements. Words like “increased,” “reduced,” and “managed” clearly define your role and accomplishments. This makes it evident what you brought to the company and how you can add value to future employers.

Accounting manager resume experience examples

Welcome to your next career chapter! Prepare to dive into different facets of the accounting realm as we showcase your incredible journey. Don't worry, we promise to make it add up!

Achievement-focused

Show off your biggest wins in accounting management. Highlight figures and accolades to demonstrate your impact.

Skills-focused

Highlight your key competencies and how they make you an outstanding accounting manager. Make sure you connect your skills to your achievements.

Responsibility-focused

Emphasize the duties and responsibilities you've handled. Give a clear picture of your day-to-day activities.

Project-focused

Show your experience managing specific projects from start to finish. Detail any special projects you led.

Result-focused

Concentrate on the outcomes of your actions. Use quantifiable metrics to show your successes.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experiences to showcase industry-specific expertise. Highlight the unique aspects relevant to the accounting sector.

Problem-Solving focused

Demonstrate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Highlight instances where you have overcome challenges.

Innovation-focused

Showcase your creativity and innovation in the field. Detail new methodologies or technologies you've introduced.

Leadership-focused

Illustrate your capabilities in leading and managing teams. Highlight how you cultivate growth and motivation in your team.

Customer-focused

Emphasize your dedication to customer service and satisfaction. Showcase how you maintain strong relationships.

Growth-focused

Highlight your contributions that fostered growth within the organization. Use measurable indicators to show growth.

Efficiency-focused

Show how you've improved processes and increased organizational efficiency. Highlight time-saving and cost-reduction techniques.

Technology-focused

Detail your experience with technology in the accounting field. Highlight any software proficiencies and tech-driven innovations.

Collaboration-focused

Show how you work effectively with different teams and departments. Highlight collaborative projects and team efforts.

Training and Development focused

Illustrate your experience in training team members and developing talent. Detail mentoring and coaching experiences.

Write your accounting manager resume summary section

Crafting the summary section of your accounting manager resume can significantly impact your job hunt. It gives potential employers a snapshot of your skills and achievements. You should keep it brief but packed with key points that showcase your expertise.

Choose words that reflect your experience and how you stand out. You want to describe yourself in a way that resonates with hiring managers. Focus on your strengths, years of experience, and any noteworthy accomplishments.

The terms "summary," "objective," "profile," and "summary of qualifications" all serve different purposes. A resume summary highlights your professional experience and career achievements. A resume objective states your career goals. A resume profile combines elements of a summary and an objective. A summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list of your most relevant skills and achievements.

The first example is vague and lacks detail. It doesn't specify the duration of experience, the industries worked in, or any specific accomplishments. Words like "lots" and "many" are too broad, and "very hardworking and reliable" is subjective without offering examples to back up these claims.

The second example clearly outlines the candidate's experience, expertise, and specific achievements. It mentions over 10 years of experience, key skills in financial reporting and budget management, and a quantifiable accomplishment that adds significant value. This level of detail makes it compelling and informative.

Listing your accounting manager skills on your resume

When writing your skills section on an accounting manager resume, you can either have a dedicated skills section or incorporate your skills into other sections like your experience and summary. Highlighting your strengths and soft skills is important as it showcases your ability to effectively manage your team and communicate well. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets you can quantify, such as financial analysis or budget management.

By intertwining your skills and strengths into your resume, you can use them as keywords that stand out to employers, increasing your chances of getting noticed. These keywords are what savvy hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) look for.

The example is concise and focused, making it easy for hiring managers to quickly see your relevant skills. Each skill is pertinent to the role of an accounting manager, which adds value to your candidacy.

Best hard skills to feature on your accounting manager resume

Hard skills are vital for an accounting manager as they show you have the necessary technical expertise to handle the financial activities of a company. They should communicate your ability to perform specific tasks and responsibilities effectively.

Best soft skills to feature on your accounting manager resume

Soft skills are essential as they highlight your interpersonal abilities, leadership, and problem-solving skills. They should communicate your capability to manage teams, make strategic decisions, and contribute positively to the workplace culture.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of any resume, especially for an accounting manager. It shows the relevant qualifications and learning experiences you have. Tailoring this section to the job you're applying for ensures that only relevant education is highlighted, helping your resume stand out. Irrelevant education should be left out.

If your GPA was high, include it to show your strong academic performance. Note your GPA, like "GPA: 3.8/4.0," for a polished touch. If you graduated with honors, such as "cum laude," list that next to your degree. Always clearly state your degree and the institution — e.g., "Bachelor of Science in Accounting, XYZ University." Providing these details makes it easy for employers to see your educational credentials and assess your qualifications. Below is an example of a poorly written education section followed by a well-crafted one for an accounting manager.

The first example is bad because it lists an irrelevant degree for an accounting manager position. It also includes location but fails to highlight a relevant GPA or honors, and the timeline does not align with a career in accounting.

The second example is good because it lists relevant degrees for an accounting manager. The GPA is highlighted, showing strong performance in accounting studies. The MBA with honors "cum laude" adds to the candidate's qualifications and relevance for managerial roles. This concise and focused section makes it easy for hiring managers to see your qualifications.

How to include accounting manager certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your accounting manager resume is crucial. Certifications validate your expertise and distinguish you from other applicants. List the name of each certificate clearly. Include the date you earned it. Add the issuing organization to provide context and credibility. Sometimes, it's effective to feature your top certifications in the header for quick visibility. For instance:

"Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – AICPA"

A standalone certificates section could look like this:

This example is effective because it highlights certifications relevant to an accounting manager role, thus reinforcing your qualifications. Listing the CPA, CMA, and CIA certifications shows a broad skill set in accounting, management, and auditing. Including the issuing organizations adds credibility and context, which is crucial for hiring managers.

Extra sections to include in your accounting manager resume

As an accounting manager, you need a resume that highlights your skills, experience, and unique attributes to stand out to potential employers. Including various sections such as languages, hobbies and interests, volunteer work, and books can demonstrate your individuality and breadth of character. These sections can make your resume more engaging and comprehensive.

• Language section — Include other languages you speak fluently to show your versatility. Highlighting multiple languages can show your ability to handle international transactions or clients.

• Hobbies and interests section — Share personal interests like hiking or painting to provide a sense of your personal balance. Including hobbies can make you more relatable and showcase soft skills like teamwork or creativity.

• Volunteer work section — Detail any volunteer activities you have participated in to display your commitment to community service. This can also reflect positively on your leadership and organizational abilities.

• Books section — List relevant books you’ve read to show your dedication to ongoing professional development. Mentioning industry-related books can show you keep up-to-date with current accounting practices and trends.

By including these sections, you can enrich your resume beyond the standard work history and education entries. This will help you present a well-rounded profile to potential employers.

Pair your accounting manager resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experiences. It explains why you are a perfect fit for the job and highlights achievements that may not be evident from your resume alone.

This document helps you stand out by giving employers a better sense of your personality and enthusiasm. It's a chance to tell your story and make a personal connection with the hiring manager. For an accounting manager, a cover letter should focus on your leadership skills, experience managing financial records, and proficiency with accounting software. Highlight specific achievements, such as successful audits or cost-saving initiatives, to show you bring real value.

Get started on creating a compelling cover letter with Resume Mentor’s cover letter builder. Its easy-to-use interface will have you ready in minutes, and exporting to PDF ensures your content and formatting stay intact. Give it a try today, and make your cover letter stand out!