If you aspire to build a successful career in finance, then an accounting clerk position is the best place to start. To achieve this, you will need to have a professionally written resume that helps you highlight your professional strengths and expertise. If you have been struggling to write your resume, and having a hard time with your job search then you have come to the right place. In this guide, we will show you how to construct the most effective accounts clerk resume that will grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters.
How to Write a Job Winning Accounting Clerk Resume?
An efficient resume should showcase your accounting clerk skills and portray a credible professional image for potential employers. The main components that will lay a strong foundation for your accounting clerk resume are the format and the structure of your resume. Here are some key pointers to keep in mind while drafting your accounting clerk resume.
- Use a professional format and maintain consistent formatting throughout your resume.
- Clearly provide your contact details at the topmost part of your accounting clerk resume.
- Write an impactful and concise professional summary that captures your accounting skills and career goals.
- List your work experience in bullet points and start each point with an action verb.
- Make sure to mention your key skills in a separate section which includes both your hard and soft skills.
- Detail your educational background and make sure to mention if you have any relevant certification related to accounting.
- Incorporate keywords from the job description in your resume to bypass the applicant tracking systems.
- Aim for your resume to be one-two pages long and keep it as concise and to the point.
- Tailor your resume to align with the job requirements for the specific position you are applying to.
- Proofread your accounting clerk resume thoroughly and correct any grammatical or formatting inconsistencies that are present.
Choose an Appropriate Resume Format
Choosing the correct format to perfectly represent your career is the most important step of making your accounting clerk resume. The format of your resume plays a huge part in how the essential sections of your resume are presented and prioritized. There are multiple resume formats to choose from but we will be taking a detailed look at three of the most commonly used resume formats. Let’s dive in.
Chronological Format
The chronological resume is the most widely used format in the job market. In this format, your work history is the main focal point of your accounting clerk resume. Your prior work experience is listed in a reverse chronological order starting with your current or most recent position. This format is perfectly suited for candidates who have a steady career graph and a lot of relevant experience in their professional field.
Functional Format
The functional resume format uses a non traditional approach of giving more attention to your skills and qualifications rather than your employment history. The main goal of this resume style is to highlight your suitability for the position via your skill set rather than your professional experience. The functional format works best for candidates who are in the process of changing their careers or for those who have a lot of employment gaps in their work history.
Hybrid Format
The hybrid or combination format includes the key components of the chronological and functional resume styles. This format chooses to focus on both your skills as well as your relevant work experience. This format is ideal for candidates of all levels of experience who prefer to give equal weightage to their professional skills as well as experience.
Create a Professional Header
The header section is the first main section of your resume that contains your pertinent contact information. This is a simple enough section to fill but you should ensure that all the details provided by you are correct and professional. The following information needs to be presented in the header section of your resume.
- Full name
- Job title
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn profile
Write a Dynamic Professional Summary
Writing a good professional summary acts like a good introduction to your accounting clerk resume. The purpose of this section is to provide hiring managers with a quick sneak peek of your qualifications and expertise as an accounting clerk.
Make a strong opening statement that conveys your identity as an accounting professional. The easiest way to accomplish this is by using an adjective that best describes you followed by your job title.
Mention the key skills that are relevant to the accounting clerk role. You can write about your hard and soft skills for this part of the professional summary.
It is very important to remember to emphasize your relevant work experience which can be a valuable asset for the hiring company.
Make sure to emphasize your commitment to accuracy while maintaining precise financial records and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Finally, ensure that your professional summary conveys your enthusiasm for the role and express your drive to contribute to the success of the organization.
Detail Your Employment History
In the recruitment process, the work experience section is the most crucial section of your resume. Hiring managers will favour candidates who fit the requirements for the accounting position they are looking to fill. It is very important to include your most relevant experience that can market your suitability for the accounting clerk job you are applying for.
One of the most effective ways to showcase your career progression is by listing down your prior experience in a reverse chronological order.
Begin each job section with your job title, company name, location and your exact period of employment.
Use bullet points to describe your roles and responsibilities as an accounting clerk. For a uniform and impactful tone, start every sentence with a strong action verb like maintained, facilitated, organized etc. Try to use industry-specific keywords to make your resume sound more professional.
Do not restrict your experience section to just your job duties, but also quantify your achievements wherever possible. It is important to highlight the impact you have had in your previous jobs.
Keep this section concise and aim for clarity without clouding your past experience with unnecessary details.
Highlight Key Skills
Showcasing your top accounting clerk skills is important to highlight your relevant qualifications and leave a lasting impression on prospective employers. It is important to include both your hard and soft skills to provide a holistic professional image to recruiters. Here are some of the top key skills that need to be included in your accounting clerk resume.
- Expertise in accounting software
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite
- Data entry skills
- Financial statements
- Accounts payable
- Accounts receivable
- Generating financial reports
- Generating expense reports
- Monthly bank reconciliations
- Tax paperwork
- Audit support
- General ledger accounts
- Strong analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Time management
Mention Your Educational Qualifications
The educational requirement for accounting clerks is a high school diploma and this position doesn't necessarily require a college degree. While a higher degree may not be mandatory, recruiters will be on the lookout for candidates who have a strong understanding of the basic accounting principles and can handle daily accounting tasks. So, if you have received relevant education like an associate's degree in accounting then it is advisable to mention the same in this section.
While detailing your academic qualifications begin with mentioning the degree that you earned, the name of the institution and your graduation date.
Add Relevant Certifications
Certifications look great on a resume and help build credibility with your future employers. To advance in the field of accounting, it is essential to obtain the relevant certifications to show your commitment to excel in accounting. Some of the main certifications that are apt for accounting clerks are as follows.
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
- Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
- Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
Customize Your Resume Before Each Job Application
Customizing your accounting clerk resume before applying to any job is a crucial step to ensure that your job search has successful outcomes. It is necessary to tailor your resume so that it aligns with the requirements of the specific position that you are applying for.
The first step to tailoring your resume will require you to review the job description carefully and identify the key skills, qualifications and responsibilities for the accounting clerk position.
It is important to customize the key sections of your resume to align with the main requirements of the job description. Put an added emphasis on the skills and experience that the hiring company is seeking.
Modify and prioritize your skills section based on the specific keywords used by the employer in the job posting. Make sure to highlight the more relevant skills more prominently.
Using the identified keywords, customize your work experience section to include the most relevant tasks you have accomplished which seamlessly align with the employer's job requirements.
It is also important to research the company and make sure your resume resonates with the company's values and ethos.
Proofread and Edit
The final step of making an outstanding clerk resume is to proofread and edit it multiple times. You need to carefully scan your resume to remove any grammatical and formatting errors. Once you are satisfied with the final version of your resume, you can start applying for accounting clerk positions of your liking.
Dos and Don'ts
Dos
- Do choose a professional and suitable format for your resume.
- Do include your professional contact information.
- Do write an impactful professional summary.
- Do detail your employment history in a reverse chronological order.
- Do use bullet points to describe your past roles.
- Do highlight your relevant accounting skills.
- Do mention your educational background.
- Do mention any relevant certifications you have in the accounting field.
- Do tailor your resume before every job application.
Don'ts
- Don't use a complicated format with excessive features.
- Don't include unnecessary details.
- Don't use generic language in your accounting clerk resume.
- Don't ignore keywords from the job description.
- Don't make your accounting resume too long.
- Don't skip proofreading your resume.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should an accounting clerk put on a resume?
A professional accounting clerk resume should include the candidate's key accounting skills and qualifications. It should highlight all the relevant professional experience the candidate has gained during their accounting career. It is important to remember that the clerk resume needs to be tailored to align with the job description and match the employer's key requirements. The essential sections that need to be included in an accounting clerk resume are as follows.
- Header
- Professional summary
- Work experience
- Skills
- Education
- Certifications
What are the top skills of an accounting clerk?
The skills section of a clerk resume should include the candidate's technical skills as wella s their soft skills. The skills should be prioritized in order of relevance and employer's requirements. The top skills for an accounting clerk are as follows.
- Expertise in accounting software
- Proficiency in Microsoft office suite
- Data entry skills
- Financial statements
- Accounts payable
- Accounts receivable
- Generating financial reports
- Generating expense reports
- Monthly bank reconciliations
- Tax paperwork
- Audit support
- General ledger accounts
- Strong analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving skills
What are the main duties of an accounting clerk?
An accounting clerk is an essential member of the accounting department of an organization. These key professionals play a vital role in supporting the financial operations of a company. Here is a brief look at the main duties of an accounting clerk.
- Financial record-keeping
- Data entry
- Accounts payable
- Accounts receivable
- Expense reporting
- Tax and audit preparation
- Generating financial reports
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Bank reconciliations
What is the suitable length for an accounting clerk resume?
An accounting clerk resume should not be more than one-two pages long. If the candidate has a lot of accounting experience then it is acceptable for the resume to be two pages long.
