Entry-Level Staff Accountant Resume Examples

Starting your journey as an entry-level staff accountant can feel like crunching numbers in the dark. Writing a resume is often one of the biggest hurdles you face. It’s tricky to know what employers are looking for and how to present your skills and education effectively. The competition is fierce, and you need to stand out. Getting the format wrong or missing key sections can make your resume end up in the rejection pile. This guide is here to help you create a strong resume that showcases your strengths and gets you noticed. You'll learn how to highlight your accounting skills, education, and any relevant experiences. Let's turn those resume-writing jitters into confidence!

Choosing the right resume template is crucial. A cluttered or confusing template can make even the best qualifications look bad. You need a clean, professional design that highlights what makes you a great entry-level staff accountant.

We offer more than 700 resume examples you can use to write a standout resume! Start now and make every word count.

What to focus on when writing your entry-level staff accountant resume

An entry-level staff accountant resume should clearly convey your foundational accounting skills, a knack for detail, and your enthusiasm for the field. Highlight your education, any relevant internships, and proficiencies with accounting software. Make the most of bullet points to showcase specific achievements, like accurate financial reporting or efficiency improvements.

• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Excel
• Prepared monthly financial statements during internship
• Assisted in tax filing and compliance
• Achieved a 4.0 GPA in Accounting courses

Crafting your resume with these elements will capture the recruiter's attention effectively.

Must have information on your entry-level staff accountant resume

When crafting an entry-level staff accountant resume, it's crucial to include sections that highlight your qualifications and skills relevant to the role.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Education
• Relevant Experience
• Skills
• Certifications

Additional sections such as "Volunteer Experience" and "Technical Proficiencies" can further showcase your capabilities and stand out to potential employers. Make sure each section is clear and structured to optimize your chances with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Which resume format to choose

For an entry-level staff accountant, the best resume format is the reverse-chronological format, as it highlights your education and relevant work experience upfront. Use modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat for a clean, contemporary look. Always send your resume as a PDF to maintain its formatting across different devices. Set your margins at 1 inch to ensure enough white space, making your resume easy to read. Clearly labeled section headings not only make your resume visually appealing but are also crucial for passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Your entry-level staff accountant resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Objective or Summary
• Education
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Certifications
• Additional Information (such as Volunteer Work or Extracurricular Activities)

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, making your resume creation process simple and efficient.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your resume experience section as an entry-level staff accountant may seem like a big task, but with some clear guidelines, you can make it work to your advantage. Your resume should list your most relevant roles first, usually in reverse chronological order. Aim to go back around five to ten years, but you might only need to cover a few years if you're just starting out.

When writing about your previous job titles, be clear and straightforward. Ensure your job titles reflect your responsibilities and are easily understood. Tailoring your resume to each job you apply for can make a big difference. Focus on the skills and experience that match the job description.

Using action words is a smart move. Choose words like "managed," "led," "developed," or "improved" over more passive terms. These words show that you took initiative and made a difference.

Here is a poorly written experience example:

This example is problematic for several reasons. The job duties are vague and don't show any specific achievements or skills. There's no use of action words, and "answered phones" is irrelevant for an accounting role.

Now, let's look at a well-written entry-level staff accountant experience example:

This example is strong because it focuses on achievements using action words like "prepared," "analyzed," and "assisted." It provides specific, quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact. For instance, saying you increased efficiency by 25% or reduced costs by 10% shows clear value. This makes your experience stand out and aligns with what potential employers are looking for.

Your resume experience section is crucial in showing what you can bring to a new role. Clearly outline your past roles, focus on your achievements, and use strong action words. This will make sure your resume grabs the attention of hiring managers.

Entry-level staff accountant resume experience examples

Looking to crunch some numbers and boost your accounting acumen? In this section, we'll dive into the nitty-gritty of crafting an impressive resume, one bullet point at a time. You'll be a pro in no time—trust us, it's worth its weight in gold!

Achievement-focused

When highlighting your achievements, focus on specific accomplishments you’ve made in your roles thus far. Use quantifiable data to show the difference you made in your previous positions.

Skills-focused

Highlight the key skills that are relevant to the accounting field, such as financial analysis, proficiency in accounting software, and attention to detail.

Responsibility-focused

Illustrate your core responsibilities in previous roles to give a sense of what you managed and accomplished.

Project-focused

Describe your involvement in significant projects that showcased your accounting skills and contributions.

Result-focused

Emphasize the outcomes of your work by providing specific, quantifiable results that demonstrate your effectiveness.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to highlight your knowledge and skills pertinent to a specific industry, such as finance, manufacturing, or tech.

Problem-Solving focused

Showcase your ability to identify financial issues and develop solutions, complete with examples of your problem-solving prowess.

Innovation-focused

Highlight your innovative thinking by describing how you implemented new systems or approaches to improve the accounting functions.

Leadership-focused

Demonstrate your leadership abilities by showing instances where you directed teams or projects, even in entry-level roles.

Customer-focused

Emphasize your ability to provide exceptional financial services and support to clients or internal stakeholders.

Growth-focused

Show your contribution towards the growth of the company, whether through increases in revenue or expansion of services.

Efficiency-focused

Highlight your ability to create processes that enhance operational efficiency within the accounting department.

Technology-focused

Showcase your proficiency with accounting software and other technologies that help streamline financial processes.

Collaboration-focused

Focus on your ability to work well within teams, collaborating with others to achieve financial goals.

Training and Development focused

Highlight your role in training new hires or developing the skills of current team members.

Write your entry-level staff accountant resume summary section

Writing an effective resume summary for an entry-level staff accountant position is crucial. This section should offer a snapshot of your skills and ambitions. Start by mentioning your recent graduation or relevant certifications. Next, highlight any accounting coursework or internships that show your expertise. Detail specific skills, like proficiency in accounting software or experience with financial reporting. Finally, express your enthusiasm for contributing to the company.

To describe yourself in the resume summary, focus on impactful language. Words like "detail-oriented," "analytical," and "dedicated" create a positive impression. Avoid generic statements that don't add value. Tailor your summary to the job by incorporating keywords from the job posting without overdoing it.

A resume summary gives an overview of your qualifications and goals. A resume objective states your career ambitions and why you want the job. A resume profile is a brief paragraph focused on your background and skills. A summary of qualifications lists key achievements and competencies.

Here’s an example of a poorly written summary section:

This example is vague and lacks impact. It doesn't specify the degree obtained or any relevant experiences. Generic phrases like "good at math" and "like working with numbers" don’t set you apart. It also fails to mention any specific skills or software knowledge that are valuable for the role.

Now, consider a more compelling summary:

This example includes specific qualifications, like a Bachelor's degree and software proficiency. It mentions relevant experiences, like internships, providing proof of practical skills. Words like "detail-oriented" and "analytical" leave a strong impression. This summary clearly conveys readiness to contribute to the prospective employer.

Remember, your resume summary is the first thing recruiters see. Make it count with precise, relevant details and a professional tone.

Listing your entry-level staff accountant skills on your resume

When writing your skills section for an entry-level staff accountant resume, you have flexibility. You can create a standalone section or integrate your skills into other areas like your experience and summary.

Your strengths and soft skills, like your ability to communicate effectively or your teamwork, highlight your interpersonal qualities. Hard skills are the technical abilities you have, such as proficiency in accounting software or understanding of financial regulations.

Incorporating your skills and strengths into your resume helps in making your resume searchable. These keywords can help your resume get noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and recruiters.

This standalone skills section is effective because it clearly lists relevant skills for an entry-level staff accountant. Listing eight essential skills ensures your resume is concise, relevant, and shows a broad range of your abilities. It also helps ATS to pick up the specific terms employers look for.

Best hard skills to feature on your entry-level staff accountant resume

Hard skills are the technical expertise crucial for performing your job duties effectively. They show potential employers that you have the knowledge and capabilities to manage accounting tasks.

Best soft skills to feature on your entry-level staff accountant resume

Soft skills are the personal attributes that enhance your ability to work well with others and complete tasks efficiently. They demonstrate your interpersonal and organizational expertise.

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of an entry-level staff accountant resume. This section tells employers about your qualifications and shows that you have the background needed for the job. Tailor this section to the specific job by including relevant education only. Irrelevant education shouldn't be included because it distracts from your qualifications.

Include your GPA if it's impressive, such as 3.5 or above. Mention honors like cum laude if you graduated with them. List the degree you held, the institution, and the dates attended clearly.

Here’s a bad example:

This example is bad because it lacks important details. No degree, institution, or GPA is listed. Dates are provided without context, making it hard for employers to judge your qualifications.

Here’s a good example:

This example is good because it includes a relevant degree, institution name, and impressive GPA. It also mentions cum laude, showing academic excellence. These details make it clear you have the qualifications for an entry-level staff accountant role.

How to include entry-level staff accountant certificates on your resume

Including a Certificates section in your entry-level staff accountant resume can significantly enhance its impact. Certificates demonstrate additional skills and expertise relevant to the job. Placing certificates in the header is another effective way to highlight important credentials at a quick glance.

List the name of the certification clearly. Include the date it was obtained to show its recency. Add the issuing organization to establish the certificate’s credibility. This method ensures your qualifications stand out to hiring managers.

This example works well because it showcases certifications that are directly relevant to accounting roles. It includes well-known and respected credentials such as the CPA and CMA, which tells employers you have advanced accounting skills. Listing a Microsoft Excel certification also highlights your technical proficiency, which is essential for any accounting position.

Extra sections to include in your entry-level staff accountant resume

As an entry-level staff accountant, crafting a strong resume is crucial to showcase your skills and experience effectively. Adding specific sections to your resume can highlight your unique qualifications and personal attributes, setting you apart from other candidates.

Language section — Include your proficiency in multiple languages to show your ability to communicate with diverse clients or team members, such as "Fluent in Spanish and proficient in French." This can be especially beneficial in multinational firms or regions with diverse populations.

Hobbies and interests section — Share activities that show relevant skills or traits, like "Enjoys playing chess, which enhances strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities." This provides a glimpse into your personality and can make your resume more memorable.

Volunteer work section — Mention volunteer experiences that demonstrate skills relevant to accounting. For example, "Volunteered as a financial coordinator for a local nonprofit, managing budgets and financial reports."

Books section — Cite books you’ve read that are related to accounting or business. You could write, "Recently read 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' which provided insights into financial management and investment strategies."

These sections can make your resume more well-rounded and show that you bring more to the table than just academic qualifications. Tailoring your resume this way can better position you for an entry-level staff accountant role.

Pair your entry-level staff accountant resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It provides a personalized introduction, highlights your qualifications, and explains why you are a good fit for the position. This letter helps the employer see your enthusiasm and better understand your skills and experiences beyond what is on your resume. It's your chance to make a strong first impression.

For an entry-level staff accountant, your cover letter should focus on your education, relevant coursework, and any internships or part-time jobs that relate to accounting. Emphasize your understanding of financial principles, familiarity with accounting software, and attention to detail. Mention any projects or assignments from your studies that showcase your problem-solving skills and analytical capabilities. Also, convey your eagerness to contribute and grow within the company.

Start your cover letter today using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's easy to use and exporting to PDF helps protect your content and formatting.