Reviewing resumes for staff accountant jobs requires knowing what hiring managers look for. In this article, you will find examples of effective resumes and learn strategies to highlight skills and experience. Understand how to structure your work history, education, and certifications to make a strong impression. Follow our advice to improve your chances of getting the job.
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Here's what we see in the best staff accountant resumes:
Show Impact By Using Numbers: Good resumes use metrics. Common numbers in staff accounting include
Include Skills From The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are
Highlight Relevant Certifications: Highlight certifications like
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As a hiring manager, you want to see the most relevant information first. For staff accountants, especially those new to the profession or recent graduates, education is a key component. You should place your education section near the top of your resume. This highlights your academic background in accounting or a related field, which is essential for staff accounting roles.
If you have been working for some time and have gathered significant accounting experience, list your experience first. Your work history will show your practical knowledge and skills in accounting. For staff accountants with advanced degrees like a master's in accounting or CPA certification, putting education first can show a strong commitment to the field and specialized expertise.
When writing your resume for an accountant role, highlight any accounting internships or relevant part-time jobs. List these experiences first to show your hands-on skills in accounting tasks.
Include any specific software skills you have, such as proficiency in QuickBooks or Excel. Showing your familiarity with these tools can make you stand out to employers.
For a staff accountant, you aim to keep your resume to one page if you have less than ten years of relevant work. This helps you show clear, relevant information without overwhelming the reader. When you have more than ten years of experience or you hold a senior-level position, a two-page resume is acceptable. This allows room to detail significant achievements and roles in accounting that showcase your skills.
Focus on recent accounting jobs and relevant accomplishments. If space is tight, remove less relevant details like old education or activities that do not apply to accounting. Remember, a shorter resume signals that you can identify and highlight the most crucial parts of your career.
If you have certifications like CPA or CMA, place them prominently near the top of your resume. These credentials can give you an edge over other candidates.
Also, mention any relevant training workshops or online courses you have completed. Highlighting continuous learning can show employers your dedication to the profession.
As a hiring manager, you need to know how resume screeners work. These screeners, including Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), can be the first hurdle in your job search. Here's how to make sure your resume for a staff accounting position gets noticed.
First, use keywords from the job description. If the job asks for 'ledger reconciliation,' make sure you mention your experience with this in your resume. Second, keep the format simple. Avoid tables and graphics since ATS may not read them well.
When you're applying for a job as a staff accountant, you need to show you're a good fit for the role. This means your resume should speak directly to the job's needs. You want to make sure every point on your resume shows you have the skills and experience they are looking for. Think about what an accountant does every day and how your past work lines up with those tasks.
As a staff accountant, you need a strong set of skills to stand out. Here are key abilities you should include on your resume:
You do not need to be an expert in all areas. Choose the skills you are good at and that match the job you want. Include these skills in a dedicated section on your resume. This helps with automated tracking systems that look for specific keywords. It is also a good idea to show these skills in action in your job descriptions. For example, you could say you 'improved financial reporting speed by 20% using advanced Excel functions.'
When you apply for a staff accountant position, it is important to show your impact in clear, numerical terms. Employers value candidates who can demonstrate their ability to contribute to the business's financial health and efficiency. Here's how you can do that:
Think about times you have saved money or time for your company. Use
Remember to think through your past roles for instances where your work had a measurable effect. If you're unsure of exact numbers, make a good estimate based on the information you have. It is better to show an estimated impact than none at all.
When you apply for a staff accounting role, think about the size of the company. You might aim for firms like Deloitte or PwC, which are large, or smaller local firms. Each has different needs.
For big companies, show you can handle complex systems and large amounts of data. Use phrases like 'managed extensive financial databases' or 'analyzed significant transaction volumes.' This shows you can work on a big scale.
For smaller firms, they might value a closer relationship with clients and a broader skill set. Use phrases like 'delivered personalized accounting services' or 'oversaw all financial aspects of the business.' This shows you are adaptable and ready to take on varied tasks.