Financial Accountant Resume Examples

Creating a standout financial accountant resume can feel like trying to balance the books without a ledger. Many accountants find it tough to translate their skills and experience into a compelling resume that grabs employers' attention. Whether it's quantifying achievements, demonstrating technical proficiency, or showcasing certifications, the challenge is real. But a strong resume is your ticket to that dream job. This guide will help you craft a resume that reflects your expertise and professionalism. You'll learn how to highlight the skills that matter most in today's job market.

Using the right resume template is essential. It ensures your resume is clean, organized, and easy to read. A well-structured template showcases your strengths and keeps the focus on your qualifications. Invest time in selecting a template that aligns with your career goals and the job you're applying for.

We have more than 700 resume examples that you can use to write your resume. Explore them now and jumpstart your job search!

What to focus on when writing your financial accountant resume

A financial accountant resume should clearly demonstrate your ability to manage and analyze financial data. Highlight relevant experience, professional achievements, and industry-specific skills. Include quantifiable results to demonstrate your value, showcasing accuracy and efficiency. To boost impact, feature:

• Proficiency with accounting software like QuickBooks and Excel
• CPA certification or relevant advanced degrees
• Experience in financial reporting and budgeting
• Evidence of improving financial processes or saving costs.

Must have information on your financial accountant resume

When crafting a resume for a financial accountant, there are several key sections you must include to stand out.

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

In addition to these must-have sections, you may also want to include sections like "Professional Development," "Awards," or "Volunteer Experience" to provide a more comprehensive view of your qualifications. Tailoring your resume to include these elements will help you attract the attention of potential employers and improve your chances with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Which resume format to choose

For your financial accountant resume, a chronological format is typically the best option. This showcases your experience and career progression effectively, which is crucial in the finance industry. Use modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat to make your resume stand out, instead of the overused Arial or Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure formatting stays intact and looks professional. Keep your margins at 1 inch to avoid overcrowding and ensure readability. Clear section headings are vital for ATS systems to easily identify and rank your qualifications.

Your financial accountant resume should include:

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

To make this process easier, Resume Mentor's free resume builder takes care of all these details for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing your resume experience section as a financial accountant involves a structured approach while highlighting your achievements. Start by listing your most recent experience first, maintaining a reverse chronological order. This helps recruiters see your most relevant work first. For how far back to go, limit your experience to the past 10-15 years unless earlier experiences are highly relevant. Focus on job titles closely aligned with financial accounting to show your expertise. Tailor your resume to match the job description by using keywords and showcasing relevant skills. Use action words like "managed," "reduced," and "implemented" to emphasize your contributions.

Here's an example of how NOT to write your resume experience section:

This example is poor because it lists responsibilities without showcasing specific achievements. The bullets are vague and lack quantifiable results, making it hard for recruiters to see your impact.

Now, here's an improved example:

This example is excellent because it focuses on measurable achievements rather than just listing duties. Tailoring the resume to highlight specific results, such as cost reductions and efficiency improvements, makes a stronger impression. The action verbs and quantified outcomes demonstrate your effectiveness clearly.

Financial accountant resume experience examples

Looking for a way to make your financial accounting resume shine like a freshly polished penny? You've come to the right place! Whether you're interested in showcasing your achievements or your love for teamwork, we've got an example section tailored just for you.

Achievement-focused

Highlight significant milestones and accomplishments that have made a positive impact in your previous roles. Make sure the achievements are measurable and demonstrate your ability to exceed expectations.

Skills-focused

Emphasize key financial accounting skills you bring to the table. Mention technical proficiencies, software expertise, or specific accounting methods you excel at.

Responsibility-focused

Showcase your ability to manage tasks and responsibilities efficiently. Highlight roles where you took on substantial duties and delivered successfully.

Project-focused

Detail your involvement in specific projects, particularly those that required coordinating with multiple departments or had a significant impact on the company.

Result-focused

Concentrate on the tangible results or improvements that have come from your work. Use numbers to validate your impact wherever possible.

Industry-Specific Focus

Highlight your experience in a specific industry and how your expertise benefited the organization. This can make your resume more appealing for roles in similar sectors.

Problem-Solving focused

Emphasize your ability to identify issues and come up with effective solutions. Highlight examples where your problem-solving skills made a significant difference.

Innovation-focused

Show how you brought new ideas or processes to the table and their impact. Highlight initiatives that introduced new technologies or methodologies.

Leadership-focused

Showcase situations where you took a leadership role. Highlight how you managed teams, led projects, or mentored others to success.

Customer-focused

Highlight how you maintained excellent relationships and tailored financial solutions to meet client needs. Showcase your ability to deliver stellar customer service.

Growth-focused

Show how your efforts helped grow the business or your department. Highlight initiatives that contributed to scale or expand operations.

Efficiency-focused

Showcase how you improved efficiency in your previous roles. Highlight specific processes or systems you optimized to save time and resources.

Technology-focused

Mention your proficiency with financial technologies and how you utilized them to improve financial operations or solve problems.

Collaboration-focused

Address how you worked with other departments and teams to achieve financial goals. Highlight cross-functional projects and team efforts.

Training and Development focused

Show how you contributed to the professional development of your team or colleagues. Highlight training programs or workshops you facilitated.

Write your financial accountant resume summary section

When writing your resume summary section as a financial accountant, focus on clarity and efficiency. Make sure it highlights your key skills, achievements, and your value proposition in a concise format.

To describe yourself best in a resume summary, use action verbs and provide concrete examples of your experience or skills. This makes you seem proactive and results-driven. Avoid vague statements. Instead, use specific details that give employers a clear picture of what you offer.

A resume summary and a resume objective are different. A resume summary highlights your career achievements and skills, while an objective often focuses on your career goals. Meanwhile, a resume profile is similar to a summary but tends to be a bit longer and more detailed. A summary of qualifications is a bullet-point list of your top skills and achievements, offering a quick overview.

Here is a poorly written example:

This example is bad because it is too vague and lacks specific details. It doesn’t explain how you are a team player or what kind of problems you’re good at solving. There are no quantifiable achievements or metrics.

Now, consider this well-written example:

This example is good because it provides clear, specific details. It tells you how many years of experience you have, what tools you use, and your educational background. It also includes a specific achievement, making it concrete and compelling.

Listing your financial accountant skills on your resume

Adding a skills section to your financial accountant resume is essential. Skills can feature in a standalone section or complement other sections like your experience and summary. It's important to balance your strengths and soft skills and highlight your proficiency in hard skills.

Strengths and soft skills might include teamwork, attention to detail, and communication skills. Hard skills are specific, learned abilities like financial software proficiency or data analysis. Compiling your skills and strengths as resume keywords makes your resume optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). These keywords help your resume get noticed by hiring managers.

Including a well-structured skills section helps showcase your qualifications quickly. Additionally, integrating these skills into your job experiences and your professional summary provides depth and context to your resume.

The example above is effective because it displays a variety of financial accountant-specific skills. Each skill is relevant and showcases expertise areas important for this role. Including hard skills like Financial Reporting and Compliance shows precision and depth in finance. The clear, concise list ensures easy readability.

Best hard skills to feature on your financial accountant resume

A financial accountant should excel in various hard skills demonstrating technical knowledge and proficiency. These skills communicate your capability to manage financial data, prepare reports, and ensure compliance.

Best soft skills to feature on your financial accountant resume

Financial accountants also need crucial soft skills to work effectively within teams and communicate complex data clearly. These skills showcase your ability to function well within a work environment.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is a crucial aspect of your resume. It provides your future employer with the relevant academic background necessary for the position. Tailor this section for the job you are applying to, leaving out any irrelevant education.

Incorporating your GPA can be beneficial, but only if it is strong (typically above 3.0). When you have graduated with honors like cum laude, make sure to list this as well. Format the degree clearly, including the title and the institution from which you graduated.

Here is an example of a poorly written education section:

Finance Courses, Local Community College, None, 3.0, unknown, 0.0 10/2010 - 05/2012

This example is unclear, lacks professionalism, and includes an unhelpful "None" for location. The degree title isn’t specific and does not represent a full accounting or finance education.

Here's an example of a well-written education section:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, GPA: 3.8, 4.0 09/2013 - 05/2017

This example is clear, professionally formatted, and presents relevant information. It shows the specific degree, institution, location, and a strong GPA, which would impress hiring managers for a financial accountant role.

How to include financial accountant certificates on your resume

Including a certificates section in your financial accountant resume is crucial. Certificates showcase your specialized skills and knowledge. They can also be placed in the header for easy visibility.

List the name of each certificate, include the date you obtained it, and add the issuing organization. This clearly highlights your qualifications and keeps your resume organized.

A good standalone certificates section might look like this:

This example works well because it shows relevant credentials that are recognized in the industry. Both certificates are issued by reputable organizations, aiding in the credibility of your skills.

Extra sections to include in your financial accountant resume

Crafting a winning resume for a financial accountant involves more than just listing your work experience and skills. Adding sections that highlight your language skills, hobbies, volunteer work, and the books you've read can make your resume stand out.

• Language section — Show your multilingual skills to impress employers and demonstrate cultural awareness and adaptability. Listing languages you speak also indicates effective communication skills in diverse business settings.
• Hobbies and interests section — Share your hobbies to showcase a well-rounded personality and interests that align with company culture. Including hobbies related to finance, like investment clubs, adds relevance.
• Volunteer work section — Highlight volunteer work to show your commitment to social causes and your ability to manage tasks outside of professional duties. Volunteering in financial roles or community service also underscores a strong sense of ethics and responsibility.
• Books section — Mention books you've read that are related to finance or personal development to show your continuous learning and passion for the field. This section can reveal your dedication to staying current with industry trends.

Pair your financial accountant resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when applying for a job. It provides a brief introduction about you and highlights your relevant skills and experiences. This letter helps hiring managers get a sense of your personality and understand why you are a good fit for the role.

Writing a cover letter can greatly benefit you in the application process. It gives you the opportunity to elaborate on your achievements and explain how you can add value to the company. It can also set you apart from other candidates who may have similar qualifications.

For a financial accountant, your cover letter should focus on your familiarity with accounting software, your attention to detail, and any relevant experience you have in financial reporting or managing budgets. Mention any certifications, like a CPA, and specific instances where you improved financial processes in previous roles.

Start creating your standout cover letter using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's easy to use and ensures your letters look professional. Exporting your cover letter as a PDF will help protect its content and formatting, making sure it looks perfect every time.