Highlight your accounting skills and knowledge

Employers want to see that you have the foundational accounting skills and knowledge needed for the role. Showcase this by:

• Listing relevant coursework, such as Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Auditing, and Taxation
• Including any accounting software you're proficient in, like QuickBooks, Xero, or SAP
• Mentioning your knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)

Avoid simply listing 'Accounting' as a skill without providing specifics. Instead, detail the accounting areas and tools you have experience with.

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   Quantify your achievements with numbers

When describing your achievements, use specific numbers to quantify your impact. This helps employers better understand the scope of your contributions.

• Assisted with month-end close process
• Prepared financial reports for clients

Instead, quantify your bullet points like this:

• Assisted with month-end close process for a $50M company, ensuring all deadlines were met
• Prepared 10+ financial reports per week for clients in the manufacturing industry

   Show your attention to detail

Accounting roles require extreme attention to detail. Demonstrate this skill by:

• Mentioning experience reconciling accounts and identifying discrepancies
• Highlighting instances where you caught errors in financial statements or reports
• Specifying your experience with detailed tasks like invoice processing or expense report audits

Processed 50+ invoices per day, carefully reviewing each for accuracy and following up on any discrepancies. Identified and corrected errors in vendor billing, saving the company $10K+ annually.

   Include relevant projects and internships

As an entry-level candidate, you may not have extensive work experience. That's okay - include relevant projects, internships, or volunteer work to showcase your skills.

For example:

• Interned with XYZ Accounting Firm, assisting with tax return preparation for 30+ clients
• Completed a capstone project analyzing the financial statements of a public company and providing recommendations for improvement
• Volunteered as Treasurer for ABC Student Organization, managing a budget of $5,000 and ensuring accurate financial recordkeeping

   Tailor your resume to the job description

Customize your resume for each job you apply to. Mirror the language and keywords used in the job description.

For instance, if the job description mentions:

• "Assist with quarterly and annual financial reporting"
• "Support accounts payable and receivable functions"

Include similar phrasing in your resume:

• Assisted with preparing quarterly and annual financial reports for XYZ Company
• Supported accounts payable and receivable functions, processing over 100 transactions per month

   Showcase your soft skills

In addition to technical accounting skills, employers value soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Incorporate these into your resume:

• Collaborated with a team of 5 accountants to complete month-end close process, demonstrating strong teamwork and communication skills
• Developed an Excel macro to automate financial report generation, showcasing problem-solving and technical skills
• Presented financial findings to management in clear, concise manner, highlighting communication abilities

Remember, showcase both your hard and soft skills to paint a well-rounded picture of your capabilities.