Self Employed Accountant Resume Examples

Writing a resume as a self employed accountant can feel like solving a complicated equation. You've spent years managing financial records and bookkeeping for your clients, but putting that into a resume to land a job? That’s a whole different challenge. Your work involves unique skills that don’t follow the typical employment timeline, making it harder to showcase your experience clearly. Employers may not always understand the value of your self-employed background. Plus, translating your business achievements into compelling resume points can be tricky. Yet, your expertise deserves to shine, and the right resume can help you do that.

Having the right resume template is crucial for presenting your background in the best light. It can highlight your skills while organizing your achievements clearly and professionally. Choosing a specialized template can make your experience stand out, ensuring potential employers recognize your value as a self employed accountant.

And guess what? We offer more than 700 resume examples to help you craft the perfect resume. Don’t miss out—start building a winning resume today!

What to focus on when writing your self employed accountant resume

Your self-employed accountant resume should convey your expertise, reliability, and versatility. Emphasize your ability to manage various responsibilities, from financial reporting to tax preparation. Highlight any successful projects, certifications, and client testimonials that showcase your skills.

Include the following to boost your resume's impact:

• Relevant accounting certifications (CPA, CMA, etc.)
• Key achievements in past projects (e.g., tax savings for clients)
• Software proficiency (QuickBooks, Excel, etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple clients.

Must have information on your self employed accountant resume

When crafting your resume as a self-employed accountant, certain key sections are essential to highlight your expertise and experience.

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Core Competencies
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications

Additional sections like "Professional Affiliations" and "Software Proficiencies" can further enhance your resume by showcasing your industry involvement and technical skills. Ensure your resume reflects the full breadth of your abilities and achievements.

Which resume format to choose

When crafting a resume as a self-employed accountant, the best format to use is a combination format. This will highlight your skills and experience while also detailing your work history. Opt for modern fonts like Rubik or Montserrat to give your resume a fresh and current look, moving away from the overused Arial and Times New Roman. Always save your resume as a PDF to ensure it retains its formatting when viewed on different devices. Keep margins standard at one inch on all sides to make your document clean and easy to read. Use clear section headings like "Professional Experience" and "Skills" to help Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) easily parse the information.

A self-employed accountant resume should have specific sections to showcase your expertise and background effectively:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Key Skills
• Professional Experience
• Education
• Certifications
• Professional Affiliations
• Technical Proficiencies

Just imagine you could streamline all of this; Resume Mentor's free resume builder handles all of these details for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

When writing the experience section of your self-employed accountant resume, order matters. Start with your most recent job and work backward. Go back 10-15 years, if your experience is relevant and shows growth. Include job titles that accurately reflect your roles. Tailor your resume for each job you apply to. Use action verbs like "streamlined", "led", or "increased" to make your achievements stand out.

Here’s a badly written example and why it falls short:

In this example, "Handled accounts" is too vague. "Did taxes for clients" doesn’t show the impact or scope. "Advised on financial matters" is too general. There are no numbers or achievements mentioned. The words used are weak and the sentences are short and uninformative. This example doesn't show value or quantify success.

Now, here’s a much better example:

This example is effective because it focuses on numbers and achievements. "Reduced client tax liabilities by 20%" shows a clear benefit. "Managed portfolios of over 50 clients" with a "30% increase in client retention" demonstrates the scope of work and impact. "Implemented efficient accounting software" quantifies the improvement in workflow by 40%, showing a clear result. Specific, number-driven achievements make this entry strong and compelling.

Self employed accountant resume experience examples

Ready to balance the books and your sense of humor? As a self-employed accountant, your resume should pack a punch (a number crunch, if you will). After all, it's more than just adding your skills – it's about showcasing how you add value. Let's dive into the experience sections that will make your resume a real page-turner.

Achievement-focused

Highlight the major accomplishments that set you apart in your accounting career. Show off your biggest wins.

Skills-focused

Emphasize your key skills that help clients solve their accounting problems. Be specific about what you can do.

Responsibility-focused

Detail the duties you took on that demonstrate your reliability and thoroughness.

Project-focused

Describe specific projects you led or contributed to, highlighting your project management skills.

Result-focused

Share results to show the impact of your work. Include quantifiable outcomes where possible.

Industry-Specific Focus

Showcase any specialized experience in particular industries, like healthcare, retail, or tech.

Problem-Solving focused

Illustrate how you’ve tackled challenges and turned them into opportunities.

Innovation-focused

Demonstrate how you introduced innovative solutions to improve processes or outcomes.

Leadership-focused

Show how you handled leadership roles, leading teams or guiding clients.

Customer-focused

Detail how you have prioritized client satisfaction and built strong relationships.

Growth-focused

Cover how you contributed to the growth and scalability of your business or your client’s business.

Efficiency-focused

Highlight ways you have made processes more efficient, saving time or money.

Technology-focused

Show your expertise with the latest accounting software and technology tools.

Collaboration-focused

Describe how you’ve worked effectively with others, be it clients or team members.

Training and Development focused

Showcase any efforts in mentoring or training others.

Write your self employed accountant resume summary section

When you are writing your resume summary as a self-employed accountant, it’s important to capture your skills, achievements, and professional experience in a few sentences. A resume summary should be a snapshot of your career, tailored to show how you are the perfect fit for the job. Using clear and concise language will help get your message across quickly.

An effective resume summary can distinguish you in a sea of applicants. It should highlight your value, your most significant accomplishments, and your relevant experience. It's best to avoid jargon and make sure your summary is easy to read.

Here's an example of what not to do:

This summary is vague and doesn’t stand out. It uses broad, general statements and fails to give specific details about accomplishments or specialties. The language is informal and doesn't communicate a clear professional value.

Now, here is an example of a well-written resume summary:

This summary is specific and impactful. It mentions key skills, certifications, and achievements, giving a clear picture of your expertise. The language is professional, and it communicates your unique value in a compelling way.

Understanding the differences between resume sections can help you choose the best format. A resume summary gives a brief overview of your career, focusing on your strengths and highlights. A resume objective explains your career goals. A resume profile is similar to a summary but is often longer and more detailed. A summary of qualifications lists your key skills and accomplishments in bullet points for quick scanning.

A well-crafted resume summary can show potential clients exactly what you bring to the table, making you the obvious choice. Remember, simplicity and clarity are key.

Listing your self employed accountant skills on your resume

When crafting your self-employed accountant resume, your skills section is crucial in showcasing your qualifications. You can choose to have a standalone skills section or incorporate skills throughout your experience and summary sections.

Your strengths often include a blend of hard and soft skills. Soft skills are attributes like communication, problem-solving, and time management that help in all kinds of jobs. Hard skills are technical abilities or knowledge specialized to your profession, such as proficiency in accounting software or tax compliance.

Skills and strengths on your resume double as keywords, helping to ensure your resume gets through applicant tracking systems and catches the eye of hiring managers.

An example of a standalone skills section:

[here was the JSON object 2]

This skills section is powerful as it lists specific, relevant skills. Each skill highlights an area of expertise critical to an accountant. It's not just a list, but a selection of capabilities that tell a story. The more specific your skills, the better a potential employer can see your fit for their needs.

Best hard skills to feature on your self employed accountant resume

Hard skills for a self-employed accountant should demonstrate your technical knowledge and ability to handle accounting tasks independently. These skills should communicate proficiency, reliability, and deep understanding in accounting.

• Financial Reporting
• Tax Preparation
• Budgeting
• Cost Analysis
• Accounts Reconciliation
• Payroll Management
• Audit Preparation
• Cash Flow Management
• Accounting Software Proficiency
• Financial Forecasting
• Ledger Balancing
• Data Analysis
• Regulatory Compliance
• Financial Auditing
• General Ledger Accounting

Best soft skills to feature on your self employed accountant resume

Soft skills for a self-employed accountant are essential for managing clients, meeting deadlines, and ensuring clear communication. These skills should convey your ability to maintain strong client relationships and navigate complex tasks smoothly.

• Communication
• Time Management
• Problem-Solving
• Attention to Detail
• Self-Motivation
• Client Management
• Organizational Skills
• Adaptability
• Critical Thinking
• Decision-Making
• Team Collaboration
• Multitasking
• Negotiation Skills
• Stress Management
• Professionalism

How to include your education on your resume

An education section is an important part of your resume, and it should be tailored to the job you are applying for. Any irrelevant education should not be included. This ensures that the reader sees only the qualifications that matter. When listing your degree, be clear and concise. Including a high GPA can impress potential employers, especially if it’s above 3.5. If you graduated cum laude, make sure to mention it as this shows academic excellence.

Here’s a poorly written example for a self-employed accountant:

This example is problematic because a degree in History is irrelevant for an accounting position. Mentioning a 2.9 GPA does not strengthen the application, and it might even harm it.

Here’s a well-crafted example for a self-employed accountant:

This example is excellent because it presents an Accounting degree, includes a high GPA of 3.8, and mentions cum laude. This makes the candidate stand out and shows qualifications relevant to the job. Include only pertinent education to keep your resume strong and focused.

How to include self employed accountant certificates on your resume

Including a Certificates section is crucial for your self-employed accountant resume. List the name of each certificate, making sure it aligns with the requirements of the jobs you're targeting. Include the date you received each certificate to show your ongoing commitment to professional development. Add the issuing organization to give your credentials more credibility.

For a clean look, you can also include certificates in the header of your resume. For example:

Here is a well-structured example of a Certificates section: [here was the JSON object 2]

This example is effective because it clearly lists relevant certificates for an accountant. Each certificate is relevant and recognized in the industry, establishing your credentials. The dates and issuing organizations are included, adding credibility and detail. Such a section not only validates your skills but can also make your resume stand out to potential clients or employers. Nodes effectively keep your Certifications section organized and easy to read. Each certificate's relevance to accounting enhances your professional profile.

Extra sections to include in your self employed accountant resume

When you're preparing a resume for your self-employed accounting career, it’s essential to showcase a range of skills and experiences. Beyond your technical accounting abilities, additional resume sections can significantly boost your profile, making you more appealing to potential clients or employers.

• Language section — Include languages to demonstrate your ability to communicate with a diverse clientele. Highlighting fluency in multiple languages can give you an edge over others who only speak one language.

• Hobbies and interests section — Add this section to show you are a well-rounded individual with various interests. This can help create a personal connection and make you more relatable to potential clients.

• Volunteer work section — Share your volunteer work to illustrate your commitment to the community and your willingness to go the extra mile. Volunteering also showcases your ability to manage your time and skills effectively outside of paid work.

• Books section — List relevant books to emphasize continuous learning and passion for your field. Mentioning industry-related books can show your dedication to staying current with accounting trends and practices.

Using these sections correctly can set you apart in the competitive field of self-employed accounting. They provide a fuller picture of who you are, beyond your professional qualifications. This can help you connect better with clients, demonstrating qualities like versatility, continuous learning, and community involvement.

Pair your self employed accountant resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document you send along with your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the hiring manager and highlights your skills and experiences. This letter can help the applicant by setting them apart from other candidates and providing a personal touch.

For a self-employed accountant, a cover letter should focus on your ability to manage multiple clients, your expertise in various accounting software, and your experience with tax preparation. You should also highlight any unique skills or specialties, such as experience with financial planning or business consulting.

To make your cover letter quickly and easily, use Resume Mentor's cover letter builder. The tool ensures your document looks professional and exports as a PDF, protecting your content and formatting. Get started now, and create a standout cover letter today!