General Accountant Resume Examples

Creating a compelling general accountant resume can feel like balancing the books with missing entries. Many general accountants find it challenging to highlight their skills and experience while capturing the attention of hiring managers. Focusing on what makes you unique and valuable is essential, but knowing where to start is often the hardest part. Plus, parsing through outdated or irrelevant resume advice can complicate your job search. This guide aims to simplify the process and provide clear, actionable steps to craft a resume that stands out. Avoid the common pitfalls and position yourself as the top candidate for any accounting role.

Don't underestimate the power of the right resume template. A well-suited template can help you organize your experience, showcase your skills effectively, and ensure your resume passes through applicant tracking systems smoothly. The right format makes it easier for employers to see your qualifications at a glance, increasing your chances of landing an interview.

We offer more than 700 resume examples that you can use to craft a resume that gets noticed.

What to focus on when writing your general accountant resume

Your general accountant resume should convey competence, reliability, and attention to detail. You need to demonstrate your ability to manage financial records, analyze data, and support business decisions efficiently. Showcasing your technical skills and relevant experience can set you apart from the competition. Highlight your achievements to give recruiters a clear picture of how you can add value.

Boost the Impact of Your Resume:

• Led the implementation of a new accounting software, reducing data entry errors by 30%.
• Successfully managed monthly and annual financial closings for multiple clients.
• Conducted thorough audits that uncovered and corrected discrepancies worth over $50,000.
• Ensured compliance with GAAP standards, improving financial accuracy.

This concise format presents your qualifications in a clear, action-oriented manner that speaks directly to a recruiter's needs.

Must have information on your general accountant resume

When crafting a resume for a general accountant, it's crucial to include key sections that highlight your skills, experience, and qualifications effectively.

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

Including additional sections like Certifications, Technical Proficiencies, and Professional Affiliations can also strengthen your resume and set you apart from other candidates. These sections allow you to showcase your specialized expertise and commitment to staying current in your field.

Which resume format to choose

For a general accountant resume, a reverse chronological format is ideal since it highlights your most recent experience first, making it easier for recruiters to see your professional growth. Opt for modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat over traditional ones like Arial or Times New Roman to give your resume a fresh, updated look. Always save and submit your resume as a PDF to ensure the formatting remains consistent across different devices. Keep margins balanced at around one inch on all sides to avoid looking cluttered or too sparse. Clear section headings, such as "Experience" and "Education," are vital to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which scan for specific keywords.

Your general accountant resume should include the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Summary or Objective
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Skills
• Achievements or Awards
• Professional Associations

Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of this, ensuring your resume looks polished and professional with minimal effort on your part.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your general accountant resume requires careful attention to detail and a structured approach. The experience section should provide a clear and concise summary of your work history. High-quality resume experience sections typically follow reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backwards. When deciding how far back to go, consider the relevance of the positions; typically, the last 10-15 years are sufficient. Focus on the titles relevant to the accounting field and roles that show your progression and skill development.

Tailoring your resume to the job you're applying for is essential. Use action words that highlight your achievements and contributions rather than simply listing your responsibilities. Words like "managed," "reduced," "increased," and "implemented" are clear and impactful.

Here is an example of a poorly written experience section:

This resume experience is weak and lacks specific details. The bullets are vague and focused on basic responsibilities rather than achievements. It does not show your impact or any measurable results from your efforts.

Now, see the enhanced example:

This example stands out because it emphasizes accomplishments with specific numbers and metrics, showing a clear impact on the company. Leading a team, streamlining processes, and recovering funds illustrate your capability and effectiveness in the accounting role. Using powerful action words and clear figures make your achievements more tangible to the potential employer.

General accountant resume experience examples

Ready to count your blessings and your achievements? This section will help you balance your career ledger and ensure your resume stands out as the top statement of qualifications. Let's crunch those numbers and make each experience section truly valuable!

Achievement-focused

Highlight specific accomplishments that made a measurable impact on the organization.

Skills-focused

Showcase specific skills that are critical to accounting and how they were applied effectively.

Responsibility-focused

Detail significant responsibilities held in your accounting roles.

Project-focused

Describe specific projects where you had a leading role and what you accomplished.

Result-focused

Concentrate on the results of your accounting work and its impact on the company.

Industry-Specific Focus

Show your expertise in a particular industry and how you applied your accounting skills there.

Problem-Solving focused

Elaborate on specific instances where you identified problems and effectively solved them.

Innovation-focused

Detail innovative processes or systems you have developed or improved.

Leadership-focused

Highlight leadership roles and how you guided your team or department.

Customer-focused

Describe how you effectively managed client relationships and improved customer satisfaction.

Growth-focused

Detail how your work contributed to the financial growth of the company.

Efficiency-focused

Show how you improved processes and made operations more efficient.

Technology-focused

Detail how you used technology to enhance accounting practices and processes.

Collaboration-focused

Describe how you worked with different departments or teams to achieve common goals.

Training and Development focused

Showcase your ability to train and develop the skills of other team members.

Write your general accountant resume summary section

Writing your resume summary section for a general accountant position is crucial. This section highlights your top skills, experience, and what makes you a standout candidate. Start with strong, concise statements. Use this part to make a compelling case to potential employers. Think of it as your elevator pitch. Focus on your accomplishments and key skills relevant to the job.

Here are some approaches to describing yourself in a resume summary. Use action verbs and quantifiable achievements. Stay specific about your skills and experience. Avoid vague statements like "hard-working" or "self-motivated." Instead, highlight specific accounting skills or experience with financial software. Mention any certifications you hold, like CPA or CMA.

A summary differs from a resume objective, profile, or qualifications summary. A summary gives an overview of your professional background. A resume objective states your career goals. A profile gives a snapshot of who you are professionally. A summary of qualifications lists your key achievements or skills. All these sections serve different purposes and each has a place on a resume.

To illustrate, here's a poorly written example:

This summary is bad because it lacks specifics and quantified achievements. "Lots of experience" and "good with numbers" are too vague. Employers want to see specifics and evidence of your skills.

Now, a better example:

This example works well because it includes specific details and achievements. It shows exact years of experience, specific software proficiencies, and quantifiable results. Such a summary grabs an employer’s attention and sets you apart from others.

Listing your general accountant skills on your resume

To write your skills section on a resume as a general accountant, you can create a standalone section or incorporate skills into other parts like your experience and summary. Highlight both strengths and soft skills. Strengths often represent your best professional traits, such as attention to detail and reliability. Soft skills are personal attributes that help you interact effectively with others. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities such as proficiency in accounting software or knowledge of tax law.

Combining skills and strengths effectively places relevant keywords throughout your resume, improving your chances of being noticed by hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Including these keywords in your experience and summary sections aligns your profile with job descriptions, making it more appealing.

Example of a standalone skills section:

This skills section is effective because it lists relevant skills for a general accountant in a clear and organized manner. With eight skills provided, it gives a comprehensive view of your capabilities without overwhelming the reader. Including specific skills like "Financial Reporting" and "Accounting Software" makes it clear what you can offer.

Best hard skills to feature on your general accountant resume

Hard skills are specific abilities and knowledge needed to perform tasks in accounting. These skills should show your expertise and ability to handle complex financial tasks.

Best soft skills to feature on your general accountant resume

Soft skills are personal qualities that help you work well with others and manage your workload efficiently. These skills should depict your reliability, interpersonal abilities, and capacity to handle job pressures.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is a vital part of your general accountant resume. It helps employers see your qualifications and how they align with the job you're seeking. Tailoring this section to the job is crucial - only include relevant education. Unrelated degrees or courses can distract from your qualifications.

To include your GPA, add it if it's 3.5 or higher. Specify "cum laude" or other honors right after your degree. List each degree with the institution, location, and dates. Here's an example of how not to do it:

This example is bad because a history degree isn't relevant for an accounting job. The GPA is low and the date range shows old information.

Here's a better example:

This example is good because the degree is relevant, the GPA is high, and it highlights an honor that showcases your excellence. This makes your resume strong and appealing to potential employers.

How to include general accountant certificates on your resume

Including a certifications section on your general accountant resume is crucial. List the name of each certificate prominently. Include the date when it was awarded or is valid. Add the issuing organization for each certification. This section can stand alone or be included in the header for visibility.

For example, in the header, you might write: "Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - AICPA, awarded January 2020."

A good example of a standalone certificates section could look like this:

This example is effective because it clearly lists relevant certifications such as CPA and CMA, which are highly valued for accountants. Each certificate includes the issuing organization, adding credibility. The layout is clean and easy to read, making it simple for hiring managers to see your qualifications at a glance.

Extra sections to include in your general accountant resume

Building a compelling resume as a general accountant involves more than just listing your past jobs and educational achievements. You can also incorporate various sections that highlight your full spectrum of skills, interests, and experiences. These additional sections can add depth to your profile and demonstrate your multifaceted personality to potential employers.

• Language section — Highlight your language proficiency to show your ability to work in diverse environments. Include languages you speak fluently and specify your level of expertise, which is particularly beneficial in global business settings.
• Hobbies and interests section — Share your personal interests to give employers insight into your character and potential cultural fit. Mention hobbies that show skills relevant to accounting, like problem-solving or attention to detail.
• Volunteer work section — Demonstrate your commitment to giving back to the community and your skills in teamwork and leadership. Include volunteer roles where you had responsibilities related to financial management or organization.
• Books section — Indicate your continuous learning and passion for the field by listing industry-related books you’ve read. By sharing relevant titles, you show that you are dedicated to staying updated on best practices and trends in accounting.

Integrating these sections thoughtfully into your resume can enhance your profile beyond just your professional experience and academic background. It offers a more comprehensive view of who you are, which can help you stand out in a competitive job market.

Pair your general accountant resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. It introduces you to the employer and highlights your most relevant skills and experiences. This letter allows you to show your personality, explain why you are a good fit for the job, and express your enthusiasm for the position.

A cover letter can help you by giving you the chance to expand on your resume and make a compelling case for why you should be hired. It's an opportunity to demonstrate your communication skills and make a positive first impression.

For a general accountant, your cover letter should focus on your proficiency with accounting software, your attention to detail, and your experience managing financial records and preparing reports. Mention specific examples of how you've improved processes or saved money in previous roles. Highlight your education, such as your Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, and any certifications like a CPA.

Take a few minutes to create your cover letter using Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. It's easy to use and allows you to export your letter as a PDF, ensuring your content and formatting remain protected and professional.