A career as an accounting assistant is rewarding and has excellent growth opportunities. If your dream job is in the accounting field, this is a great way to get started and gain the experience you need to progress.
Ross Holmes Accounting Assistant 273-004-468 rossholmes@gmail.com Tupelo, MS linkedin.com/in/rossholmes
Professional Summary
Accounting professional with five years of experience in financial accounting. Proven ability to maintain bookkeeping records and prepare accurate financial reports using Ms. Excel and specialized accounting software like Quickbooks. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Work experience
MGK Consulting Senior Accounting Assistant July 2016-December 2019
Reconciled bank statements and correctly documented all financial data in a general ledger, ensuring compliance.
Prepared analysis reports and managed all financial records for the company, with an approximate annual net income of $20M.
Reviewed financial statements, complied with IRS regulations in preparing tax returns, and calculated and paid taxes on time.
Cezam & Associates Ltd Accounting Assistant May 2014-June 2016
Researched and found resolutions for vendor and employee issues regarding payment transactions and credit memos.
Assisted with administrative tasks like filing documents, answering customer inquiries, and processing invoices for more than 20 clients.
Verified vendor statements and reconciled accounts payable with purchase orders to ensure accurate records.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Finance Alcorn State University 2015
Start by crafting an accounting assistant resume detailing your qualifications and showcasing what sets you apart from the other candidates. This will go a long way in helping you land an interview and secure a position.
If you have the required qualifications but don't know how to add them to a resume, we're here to help. In this article, we'll cover some of the main topics you should have on your resume, which include:
How to add your professional experience in accounting.
The best skills for accounting assistants.
How to choose the right format for your resume.
An accounting assistant resume sample that works as the perfect guide.
Job Market and Salaries For Accounting Assistants
According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, the employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031.
The average salary for an accounting assistant is $119,000. The typical range is between $37,000 and $201,000, depending on the level of education, skills, and experience.
How to Make an Accounting Assistant Resume
Creating a resume is a skill that most job seekers struggle with, but this doesn't have to be the case. With a bit of guidance and a few tips, you can write a professional resume that gets you your dream job.
Consider going through the job description to find out what the recruiter is looking for. This allows you to tailor your resume accordingly, which is crucial if you want to increase your chances of landing the position. Ensure that your resume is one page long, as this is what most hiring managers recommend.
The job description will also have keywords and action verbs that you should incorporate in your resume to optimize it and ensure that it gets past the ATS systems. Check out our resume examples and get some tips to help create your resume.
Consider the layout, format, and structure of the resume.
Best Format for your Resume
There are three common formats that you can choose from. They include the following:
Reverse-chronological format: If you've worked as an accounting assistant before, this is the perfect format for you. It focuses on your experience and is easy to scan on the applicant tracking system.
Functional resume format: This format is perfect if you recently completed school or are changing careers. It focuses on the skills that make the candidate the best person for the job.
Hybrid/combination resume: This is the perfect format for you if you have the skills and experience required by the hiring manager. It combines the features of the two previous formats.
The layout of your resume should have easy-to-read fonts and a font size of 10-12pt. Some fonts you should consider include Cambria, Calibri, Times New Roman, Verdana, Georgia, and Arial.
The structure of your accounting assistant resume should have the following sections:
The header section
Professional summary/objective
Work experience
Education section
Skills section
An additional section (Languages, certifications, and interests)
The Header Section Of Your Resume
Start your resume with a header containing your contact and personal details. This information should be correct; otherwise, the hiring manager will not be able to contact you. Here are the details you should have in this section:
Your full name
Job title
Phone number
Professional email address
Location
Correct example
CORRECT
Gladys Mitchelle
Accounting Assistant
264-084-366
gladysmitchelle@gmail.com
Wood Dale, IL
linkedin.com/in/gladysmitchelle
Incorrect example
INCORRECT
Gladys Mitchelle
Accounting Assistant
264-084-366
gladysmitchelle@gmail.com
3701 Rose Street
House number 22
Wood Dale, IL
Date of birth 02/02/2000
linkedin.com/in/gladysmitchelle
📌The header should prioritize the relevant personal details. Leave out any information that the recruiter doesn't need.
Summarize Your Experience as an Accounting Assistant
Your relevant work history plays a significant role in helping you get an account assistant position. Most hiring managers like to see what you've done before giving you the opportunity, and this is your chance to show them what you've achieved.
The structure of this section should start with the name of the workplace, your job title, and the employment dates. As you list your previous experience, start with your most recent job and focus on the relevant accounting experience. Under each workplace, add three to five job responsibilities. These duties help to show the recruiter what you can do, and adding figures and facts to quantify your accomplishments allows them to see what you can achieve.
If you don't have much experience, show the recruiter how your transferable skills from other jobs will be useful in the position.
Example for an entry-level accounting assistant
Baker Tilly International
Accounting Assistant
May 2014-December 2017
Managed payroll records and account books and entered data accurately in the accounting system.
Assisted the accounting team by preparing reports and reconciling balance sheet accounts every month.
Prepared and processed payroll for more than 30 employees hired by the month or the hour.
Example for an experienced accounting assistant
HLB International
Accounting manager
January 2015-May 2020
Ensured the company's legal compliance by keeping abreast of state and federal accounting procedures.
Assessed and reconciled general ledger accounts with senior accountants to ensure all entries were accurate.
Assessed the company's financial performance by analyzing financial documents and income statements and developed strategies that increased revenue by 12%.
Reinforce Your Resume with Your Education
Accounting assistants can get a job with a high school diploma, which is the minimum requirement for most positions. However, if you have a bachelor's degree, you should add it here as it sets you apart from the other candidates.
Start with your most recent educational qualification and highlight the relevant courses, especially if you don't have much experience. Add the name of the degree/diploma, the name of the school, and the year of graduation.
It's always advisable to check the job description to determine the educational qualifications the recruiter is looking for and customize your resume accordingly.
Correct example
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Towson University
2016
Accounting Assistant Skills for your Resume
When you have the right skills on your resume, you increase your chances of landing your dream job as an accounting assistant. Before you add the unique abilities that will help you perform your duties, check the job description and add the skills that the recruiter is looking for.
Separate the hard and soft skills in two sections and list them down using bullet points to make it easier to spot them on your resume.
You may need to go to school or learn on the job to perfect the hard skills. On the other hand, soft skills are the interpersonal traits you possess that make it easy to interact with your colleagues. Use our resume templates which will help you structure this section appropriately.
Here is a list of skills you can consider for your accounting assistant resume.
Hard skills
Business administration
Data entry
Record keeping
Account analysis
Financial reporting
Accounts receivable
Financial statement analysis
Payroll processing
Soft skills
Excellent customer service
Creative Problem Solving
Multitasking skills
Communication
Critical thinking
Interpersonal skills
Teamwork
Analytical skills
Professional Summary
A professional/resume summary is a crucial section of your resume. It gives the hiring manager an idea of what you've achieved by introducing your resume. Describe your top accomplishments and highlight your experience and skills. Remember to keep it short but make it engaging to interest the recruiter in wanting to know more about your qualifications.
Correct example
CORRECT
Dedicated accounting assistant with five years of experience supporting all accounting projects through teamwork. Proven accuracy in recording data and processing bank reconciliations following company policies. Exceptional ability to proofread and identify errors to produce error-free accounting procedures and analysis reports reducing the resources lost annually by 20%.
💡The example above describes the candidate's experience, skills, and accomplishments that make them the best person for the position.
Incorrect example
INCORRECT
Accomplished Accounting Assistant capable of using initiative. Able to offer clerical support and assist with record keeping. Proven ability to keep accurate financial records.
💡The example above fails to show the candidate's unique abilities and experience that will allow them to perform their job diligently.
Professional Objective(How to Use It)
A professional objective summarizes your career/professional goals and introduces your resume. It’s suitable for career changers and recent graduates who don't have much accounting experience. It also allows you to express your interest in the position.
Correct example
CORRECT
Professional accounting assistant with a proven history of accuracy in accounting and financial management. Committed to modernizing financial accounting and reports by keeping up with the latest accounting principles. Seeking a challenging accounting assistant position requiring mathematical skills and accuracy.
💡The example above highlights the candidate's relevant skills and expresses their interest in the position.
Additional Sections for Your Resume
An additional section is crucial as it allows you to highlight your skills and extra qualifications. This is a great way to stand out, beat the competition, and ensure that the recruiter doesn't miss any of your qualifications. Let's look at some of the skills you can add here.
Computer Skills and Certifications
Accounting assistants need to use accounting software and computer spreadsheets to update records and generate reports. If you have the required computer skills, add them here to ensure that the hiring manager sees them.
Certifications are essential if you want your resume to stand out. It's always better to add them to this section to ensure that the recruiter sees them quickly. Some of the certifications that will help your accounting assistant resume stand out include:
Certified Management Accountant
International Accredited Business Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Languages
Your language skills always help you stand out, as most hiring managers prefer bilingual candidates. Add them here to make it easy for the recruiter to see them and use the official language reference as follows:
Goethe Zertifikat for German
DELF for French
SIELE for Spanish
Interests
The interests depend on the culture of the company you're applying to. Do some research to determine if you should add this section or not. Some recruiters are interested in knowing who you are outside of work, so adding your interests may work in your favor.
Tips for Improving Your Resume
Start your resume with a catchy resume summary/objective.
Check the job description and use the keywords and action verbs that will help your resume get past the ATS systems.
Create a resume that's one page long, as most hiring managers don't have time to go through long resumes.
Customize each resume and avoid using one resume for multiple applications.
Tailor each job title for every application you send to a recruiter.
Proofread the resume to avoid any errors that could cost you the position.
Key Takeaways
The header should have accurate contact details to allow the recruiter to reach you.
Detail your employment history in the experience section focusing on the most relevant experience.
Highlight your top accomplishments in the resume summary.
Use figures or facts to show the recruiter what you can achieve.
List your skills using bullet points and separate the hard and soft skills.
Complement Your Resume with a Cover Letter
Your application should have a cover letter and a resume. A cover letter gives the recruiter more details on your qualifications but in a way that showcases your personality. This is a chance for you to create a personal connection with the recruiter, so make it interesting to get their attention. Check out the cover letter examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries need accounting assistants?
Finance
Healthcare
Retail
Which top companies are hiring accounting assistants?
According to Glassdoor, the companies hiring accounting assistants include:
CORRECT
INCORRECT
