Accountants are using our resume examples and career advice to land jobs at top firms nationwide.
Forget CEOs — accountants are the backbone of modern business. They keep track of finances to ensure that the organization runs smoothly and effectively. Their findings and recommendations also help managers make decisions about which markets to enter and what contracts to pursue.
Let’s review the steps to creating an effective resume for an accountant that will appeal to renowned firms like Ernst & Young.
Tip: Be specific about your experiences and use strong verbs. The following is a weak example, "Searching for an accounting job at a reputable firm," whereas this is stronger, "Accountant with 10 years of experience analyzing and submitting financial reports for companies Friedman LLP and Crowe LLP. Exceptional ability to ensure report accuracy and provide managers with financial trends to direct business strategy. Seeking to progress my career and continue to help companies reach their potential."
See our list of over 350 action verbs to find more.
Accountants must improve and add to their skill-set in order to keep apace with changing technology. Emphasize some of the skills you’ve developed to help your resume stand out.
Accountants generally require a bachelor’s degree and 2+ years of experience, though some companies even prefer master’s degrees. You also need to be versed in the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), which are the standards set forth by the US government. Some accountants undergo training to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) since it licenses them to make more high-level business and tax decisions. Accountants without CPA certification are relegated to more routine financial accounting work.
Requirements for accounting licensure vary by state but generally involve the following:
You can find more details about certifications at Best Accounting Certifications for 2020.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for accountants is growing at 6% per year, which is considered average. In 2018 there were 1,424,000 jobs available.
Average Salary
Accountants make $70,500 per year on average. However, salaries could be as high as $122,140 depending on the number of certifications you have acquired.
Top Paying Salaries by State