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What makes a successful accounting resume? The sooner you can speak to your target audience the better chances you will have at getting your foot in the door. Many job searchers fail to realize that the goal of a resume is to design a marketing brochure that sells you. It is not meant to be a long, boring job description that lists out every possible job duty that you had on a daily basis.

A hiring manager is going to scan your accountant resume much like you would a marketing brochure. Make it easy for them to see your best skills and get more interviews.  

1. Be Keyword Friendly – one of the biggest mistakes that I see on accounting resumes is that they lack rich keywords. With today’s technology, your resume more often then not gets dumped into a large reservoir of job applicants, known as an applicant tracking system.  The only way your staff accountant resume will be found is by using “accounting buzz words” in your resume. Never put “Responsible for the entire monthly accounting cycle.” You have left too much out. Instead say, “Directed monthly accounting cycle to include preparation of financial statements, month-end close, journal entries, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger maintenance.”

2. Have a Specific Target – It is critically important that you take time to target your accountant resumes to each potential job opportunity. While there are basic accounting principles that are universal, employers still want to hire specialists. They can be picky over little things, especially if you are coming from an industry that they are unfamiliar with. For example, if you are coming from a manufacturing accounting background and the position you seek is in healthcare, many of your accounting skills are applicable, but you need to cut down the “manufacturing lingo” as to not scare aware the hiring manager.

3. Use Numbers Religiously – Controllers, CFO’s, and Business Owners love to see how you as an accountant have either saved money or improved the bottom line from decisions you have made. I see too many incomplete career accomplishments listed on accounting resumes. Give them the numbers. Be specific as to the result that led from your actions. Show them the numbers!

4. Give Out Detailed Software Exposure – Another critical area that accountants miss is the value of adding a “Software Skills” section on their resume for accounting. With the many different industries that accounting serves, there are even more accounting software packages out there. Some hiring managers and recruiters will begin their search by just typing in the specific software experience that is needed. So, list it all out and you just may get more calls!