Getting a job in public accounting can feel like a big deal, especially when you’re trying to make your resume stand out. This guide is here to help you put together a public accounting resume that really shows off what you can do. We’ll give you some clear examples and tips to help you get noticed by the best accounting firms out there. So, get ready to make a great impression!
Key Takeaways
- Make sure your public accounting resume uses words from job ads, especially in your summary and experience parts.
- Show what you’ve done by using numbers and facts, like how many projects you worked on or how much money you saved.
- Pick a simple, easy-to-read layout for your public accounting resume so it looks good and is easy for hiring managers to check out.
1. Bid Manager
So, you’re aiming for a Bid Manager role? It’s all about showing you can handle the entire bid process, from start to finish. You need to demonstrate your ability to coordinate teams, manage deadlines, and, most importantly, win those bids. Let’s look at how to make your resume shine.
Think of your resume as your own bid to get the job. You need to make a compelling case for why you’re the best person for the role. Use RoboApply to tailor your resume to each specific bid manager position you apply for. This will help you highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to each employer.
Here’s an example of how you might present your experience:
"Managed the treasury function, overseeing the daily export"
Here’s another example:
"Conducted thorough financial analyses to advise"
Here’s a final example:
"Executed month-end closing activities for several key clients,"
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Quantify your achievements. Use numbers to show the impact you’ve had in previous roles. For example, "Increased bid success rate by 15%" or "Managed bids worth over $10 million."
- Highlight your project management skills. Bid management is all about keeping things on track, so show you can handle deadlines and budgets.
- Showcase your communication skills. You’ll be working with lots of different people, so you need to be able to communicate clearly and effectively. Make sure to tailor your public accounting resumes to the specific requirements of the job description.
Here’s an example of how to present your experience:
- Orchestrated a company-wide budgetary overhaul resulting in a 15% reduction in overhead costs by implementing a new cost accounting system that emphasized lean manufacturing principles.
- Streamlined the month-end close process, cutting reporting times by 30% through the adoption of Oracle Cloud Financials, enhancing the clarity and accessibility of financial data.
- Led a cross-departmental team to identify and eliminate 20% of unprofitable product lines, reallocating resources to high-margin products that boosted profits by 25%.
- Spearheaded the integration of robust variance analysis methods, uncovering and rectifying a recurring $500k annual discrepancy tied to inventory valuation errors.
- Championed a staff development
2. Corporate Banking
Corporate banking is all about helping businesses manage their finances. It’s a relationship-focused area, so your resume needs to show you can work with clients and understand their needs. Think about highlighting experience with financial analysis, loan management, and any tools you’ve used to help businesses grow. RoboApply can help you tailor your resume to showcase these skills effectively.
Here’s an example of how you might present your experience:
Example:
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Senior Corporate Finance Accountant
March 2020 – Present
- Streamlined financial reporting processes using advanced Excel functions and VBA scripting, reducing monthly close cycle by 4 days and increasing team productivity by 20%.
- Directed a cross-departmental team to implement an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, resulting in a 15% reduction in inter-departmental discrepancies and a 10% increase in reporting accuracy.
- Executed detailed variance analysis using SAP, uncovering cost-saving opportunities which led to a 5% reduction in the company’s operating budget.
When describing your experience, focus on the impact you made. Use numbers to quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, instead of saying "Improved efficiency," say "Improved operational efficiency by 25% at Bank of America."
Think about including these skills on your resume to make it stand out:
- Financial Analysis
- Loan Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Risk Assessment
- Credit Analysis
Remember to tailor your resume to each specific job you’re applying for. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. Use banking resume examples to get inspiration.
3. Accounts Clerk
Okay, so you’re aiming for an Accounts Clerk position? It’s all about showing you can handle the day-to-day financial tasks. Think data entry, invoice processing, and keeping everything organized. Let’s look at how to make your resume shine.
An Accounts Clerk resume needs to demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail. Highlight your experience with accounting software and any relevant certifications. RoboApply can help you tailor your resume to match specific job descriptions, ensuring you showcase the most relevant skills and experience.
Here’s an example of how you might structure your experience section:
- Accounts Clerk, ABC Company, June 2022 – Present
- Processed and recorded invoices, ensuring timely payments to vendors.
- Reconciled bank statements and resolved discrepancies, maintaining accurate financial records.
- Assisted with month-end closing procedures, contributing to efficient financial reporting.
Remember to quantify your achievements whenever possible. Instead of saying "Processed invoices," say "Processed over 200 invoices per week with 99% accuracy."
Here’s another example:
- Accounts Assistant, XYZ Corporation, January 2021 – May 2022
- Managed accounts payable and receivable functions, reducing overdue payments by 15%.
- Prepared and submitted accurate financial reports, supporting informed decision-making.
- Maintained organized filing systems, ensuring easy access to financial documents.
And one more:
- Junior Accounts Clerk, 123 Industries, August 2020 – December 2020
- Assisted with data entry and reconciliation tasks, improving data accuracy by 10%.
- Supported senior accountants with various administrative duties, contributing to team efficiency.
- Learned and applied basic accounting principles, enhancing understanding of financial processes.
Remember to tailor your resume to each specific job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. For example, if the job description emphasizes experience with payment processing, make sure to showcase your skills in that area. Good luck!
4. Management Accounting
Management accounting roles are all about using financial data to help companies make better decisions. It’s less about compliance and more about strategy. You’re digging into the numbers to find ways to improve efficiency, cut costs, and boost profits. Think of it as being a financial detective, piecing together clues to help the business win.
Here’s a bit more on what to expect in this field:
- Analyzing financial performance and trends.
- Preparing budgets and forecasts.
- Providing insights to management for decision-making.
Management accountants are key players in helping businesses achieve their financial goals. They provide the insights and analysis needed to make informed decisions and drive profitability.
Management accounting is a great career path if you enjoy problem-solving and want to see the direct impact of your work. You can use RoboApply to auto-apply for management accounting positions and tailor your resume to highlight your analytical skills and experience with budgeting and forecasting. It’s all about showing how you can help a company improve its bottom line. If you’re looking for a role where you can really make a difference, management accounting could be a perfect fit. You can also look at these accounting resume examples to get a better idea of what to include in your resume.
5. Accounting Supervisor
Okay, so you want to be an Accounting Supervisor? Awesome! This role is all about leading a team and making sure everything runs smoothly in the accounting department. Your resume needs to show you’re not just good with numbers, but also good with people. Let’s look at an example.
Example:
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
Summary
Highly motivated and detail-oriented Accounting Supervisor with 5+ years of experience in managing accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, and driving process improvements. Proven ability to lead and mentor teams to achieve departmental goals. Seeking a challenging role where I can leverage my skills and experience to contribute to the success of the organization. RoboApply can help you tailor this summary to match specific job descriptions.
Experience
Accounting Supervisor
[Company Name], [City, State]
[Dates of Employment]
- Supervised a team of 5 accountants, improving the overall accuracy of financial data by implementing rigorous QA procedures.
- Led the monthly and year-end closing processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Developed and implemented new accounting policies and procedures to enhance internal controls.
- Managed the annual budgeting process, identifying cost-saving opportunities that resulted in a 15% reduction in general administrative expenses.
- Trained and mentored a team of junior accountants, leading to a 25% improvement in departmental efficiency.
Senior Accountant
[Previous Company Name], [City, State]
[Dates of Employment]
- Implemented a new automated financial reporting system, reducing monthly close cycle time by 30%, from 10 days to 7 days.
- Developed a detailed financial forecasting model that improved accuracy of quarterly projections by 20%.
- Conducted a comprehensive audit of company assets, uncovering and rectifying discrepancies that saved the firm $500,000.
- Reconciled complex intercompany transactions, ensuring compliance with international financial reporting standards.
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Financial Reporting
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Internal Controls
- GAAP
- Process Improvement
- Auditing
- Microsoft Excel (Advanced)
- [Add other relevant skills]
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting
[University Name], [City, State]
Certifications
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – Optional, but highly recommended
Remember to tailor this example to your own experience and the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Use keywords from the job description to make your resume stand out.
This example shows how you can highlight your leadership skills and accounting expertise. You can use resume samples to get more ideas.
6. External Auditor
Being an external auditor is all about checking the financial records of different companies. You’re like a financial detective, making sure everything is accurate and follows the rules. It’s a job that demands attention to detail and a solid understanding of accounting principles. Let’s look at how to make your resume shine for this role.
External auditors need to be able to analyze financial documents, communicate findings, and assist financial departments. RoboApply can help you tailor your resume to highlight these skills and experiences, making you a more attractive candidate.
Here’s an example of how you might present your experience:
- Scoped and executed operational audits across diverse industry sectors, identifying key areas for performance improvement and cost savings observed by the client’s senior management.
- Actively participated in contract audits for government entities, ensuring that all financial activities were in accordance with federal regulations and standards.
- Facilitated financial statement preparation and review which increased the accuracy of financial reporting for SME clients by 35%.
External auditors need a strong understanding of GAAP standards and financial reporting. Highlighting your experience with these concepts can significantly improve your resume.
Here’s another example:
- Managed accounting operations including budgeting, financial reporting, and general ledger reconciliation.
- Enhanced the company’s internal audit procedures, resulting in a 20% decrease in fraud risks.
- Provided training on adherence to GAAP and other internal controls, reducing compliance issues by 25%.
It’s important to show how you’ve improved processes or reduced risks in your previous roles.
Here’s an example of experience at Ernst & Young:
- Executed financial statements audits, successfully identifying over 10 potential fraud risks.
- Directed an audit team to streamline auditing processes, improving operational efficiency by 15%.
- Utilized advanced financial analysis to uncover financial discrepancies and provide corrective recommendations.
Remember to tailor your resume to each specific job application. Highlight the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the position. RoboApply can assist in creating standout resumes that get noticed.
Tip: Make sure to quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, instead of saying "Improved audit processes," say "Improved audit processes by 15%."
7. CPA
Being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a big deal in the accounting world. It shows you’ve got the skills and knowledge to handle complex financial stuff. When you’re putting together your resume, you want to make sure you highlight everything that makes you a qualified CPA. RoboApply can help you tailor your resume to showcase your CPA qualifications effectively.
A CPA resume should clearly demonstrate your expertise in areas like auditing, tax, and financial reporting. It’s not just about listing your certification; it’s about showing how you’ve used your CPA skills to achieve results.
Here’s what you should focus on:
- Highlight your CPA license: Make sure it’s prominent and easy to find.
- Showcase relevant experience: Use examples to show how you’ve applied your CPA knowledge.
- Quantify your achievements: Numbers speak louder than words. Use them to demonstrate your impact.
For example, instead of saying "Improved financial reporting," say "Improved financial reporting accuracy by 15%, reducing errors and saving the company $10,000 annually."
Think about including these sections in your resume:
- Summary/Objective: A brief overview of your qualifications and career goals.
- Skills: List both technical and soft skills relevant to the job.
- Experience: Detailed descriptions of your previous roles and responsibilities.
- Education: Information about your degrees and certifications.
Remember to tailor your resume to each specific job you’re applying for. Use the job description as a guide to identify the skills and experience the employer is looking for. If the job emphasizes auditing, make sure your resume highlights your auditing experience. If it emphasizes tax, focus on your tax expertise. You can use a targeted resume to make sure you include the right skills and keywords for the position you’re applying for.
By following these tips, you can create a CPA resume that will impress potential employers and help you land your dream job. Make sure to highlight your CPA license prominently.
Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is a big step for anyone wanting a career in accounting. It shows you’re really good at what you do and can open up many job opportunities. If you’re thinking about becoming a CPA, it’s smart to get all the facts. Find out more about how to become a CPA and what it means for your future by visiting our website.
Wrapping Things Up: Your Public Accounting Resume
So, we’ve gone over a bunch of stuff about making your public accounting resume really good. It’s not just about listing what you’ve done; it’s about showing how you can help a company. Think about the examples we looked at and try to make your resume tell a story about your skills and what you’ve achieved. A good resume can open doors, so take your time with it. You want to make a strong impression, and a well-made resume is how you do that. Good luck out there!
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I put on my public accounting resume?
A public accounting resume should clearly show your skills in numbers, taxes, and helping businesses. Make sure to highlight any special licenses you have, like a CPA. Your resume should also list the different accounting programs you know how to use, like QuickBooks or SAP, and give examples of how you used them to make things better or faster. It’s important to keep it easy to read and focused on what you’ve achieved.
How can I make my public accounting resume stand out?
When you’re writing your resume, think about the specific job you want. If the job description mentions certain skills or software, make sure those are on your resume. Use strong action words to describe your past jobs, like ‘managed,’ ‘analyzed,’ or ‘improved.’ Also, try to use numbers to show how well you did, for example, ‘saved the company $10,000’ or ‘helped 20 clients.’
Should I change my resume for every public accounting job I apply for?
Yes, it’s a good idea to change your resume a little for each job you apply for. Look at the job ad and see what they are looking for. Then, make sure your resume shows how you have those skills or experiences. For instance, if a job needs someone good at auditing, make sure your resume talks a lot about your auditing experience. This makes it clear to the hiring manager that you’re a good fit.
