Highlight your construction accounting experience

Employers want to see that you have experience specific to construction accounting. Be sure to include:

• Experience with construction-specific accounting software like Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate or Viewpoint
• Knowledge of construction contracts, change orders, and progress billings
• Familiarity with job costing, project budgeting, and forecasting

Avoid generic statements that could apply to any accounting job, such as:

• Experienced in accounts payable and receivable
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel

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   Quantify your impact with specific metrics

Use numbers to show the impact you've had in your previous roles. This helps employers understand the scope of your responsibilities and achievements. For example:

• Managed accounting for $50M+ in annual construction projects
• Reduced accounts receivable aging by 20% through implementing new collection processes
• Identified and corrected $100K in billing errors, improving profitability

Avoid vague statements that don't give a sense of your impact, like:

• Responsible for accounts payable
• Assisted with month-end close

   Show your progression and leadership

Employers want to see how you've grown in your career and taken on increasing responsibility. Highlight any leadership roles or projects you've led. For instance:

• Promoted to Senior Accountant within 2 years based on strong performance
• Led implementation of new accounting system for $200M construction firm
• Mentored and trained 2 junior accountants

Don't just list your job duties without context. Show how you've progressed, like this:

Construction Accountant, ABC Company
Responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger.

   Include your construction industry credentials

In addition to your accounting degree and CPA, highlight any construction-specific certifications or training you have, such as:

• Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)
• Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) courses completed
• Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate certified

Don't waste space listing irrelevant or outdated information, like:

• Proficient in outdated software like Lotus 1-2-3
• Member of college accounting club

   Tailor your resume to the job description

Customize your resume for each job you apply to by using keywords from the job posting. For example, if the job description says:

"The ideal candidate will have experience with construction project forecasting and cost control."

Make sure to include specific examples of your experience in those areas:

• Created monthly project forecasts for $20M+ construction portfolio
• Implemented cost control measures that reduced project expenses by 10%

Avoid using a generic, one-size-fits-all resume that doesn't speak to the specific job requirements.

   Highlight your communication and collaboration skills

Construction accounting involves working closely with project managers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders. Show that you have strong communication and teamwork abilities with examples like:

• Collaborated with project managers to develop and monitor project budgets
• Presented monthly financial reports to executive leadership team
• Partnered with subcontractors to resolve billing discrepancies

Don't focus solely on technical accounting skills. Soft skills are also crucial for success in this role.