An accountant resume is judged on accuracy, compliance, and the systems you know. Hiring managers scan for the close cycles you owned, the reconciliations and reporting you handled, and whether you know their ERP. This example shows how to present your accounting scope, reference GAAP and audit support credibly, and keep the layout clean for finance teams and applicant tracking systems alike.
Sample resume
Michael Thompson
Staff Accountant · Month-End Close · GAAP
Charlotte, NC
Professional summary
Detail-oriented accountant with 5 years owning reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close for mid-sized companies. Reliable under audit and known for tightening processes that reduce recurring manual checks.
Experience
Staff Accountant
Sep 2021 – Present
Piedmont Manufacturing · Charlotte, NC
- Owned month-end close for 3 entities, cutting close time from 8 to 5 business days.
- Prepared reconciliations and journal entries in NetSuite with a clean audit record.
- Built a variance-analysis template that reduced recurring manual review by ~20%.
Junior Accountant
Sep 2019 – Aug 2021
Queen City Advisors · Charlotte, NC
- Processed AP/AR and supported quarterly and year-end audit requests.
- Maintained organized documentation that streamlined external audit reviews.
Education
- B.S. Accounting — UNC CharlotteSep 2015 – Jun 2019
Skills
Sample resume summary
Detail-oriented accountant experienced in reconciliations, month-end close, reporting, and process accuracy.
Achievement bullet examples
- Prepared reconciliations and journal entries for monthly close cycles.
- Investigated variances and supported audit requests with organized documentation.
- Improved spreadsheet workflows to reduce recurring manual checks.
Skills to highlight
ATS keywords
How to write this resume
Show scope and accuracy
Number of entities closed, days to close, accounts reconciled, clean audit outcomes — these prove reliability, the trait accounting employers value most.
Name your ERP and standards
List the systems you use (NetSuite, SAP, QuickBooks) and reference GAAP or relevant standards. Postings and ATS filters routinely screen for the exact software.
Highlight process improvements
Mention where you shortened the close, automated a reconciliation, or reduced manual checks. It signals you make the function more efficient, not just keep it running.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Describing generic duties instead of close cycles, scope, and audit outcomes.
- Omitting the ERP or accounting software the posting screens for.
- Leaving off certifications or progress (CPA, CPA-eligible) when relevant.
- Overstating numbers you cannot substantiate in an audit-minded interview.
Frequently asked questions
What should an accountant resume include?
A summary, experience showing close cycles, reconciliations, and audit support with scope, your ERP and GAAP knowledge, relevant certifications, and education.
Should I put CPA on my accountant resume?
Yes, prominently, if you hold it or are CPA-eligible — many postings screen for it. Place it in the header or a certifications section near the top.
How do I make an accounting resume stand out?
Show scope and reliability with numbers (entities closed, days to close, clean audits) and highlight process improvements that saved time, rather than listing standard bookkeeping tasks.