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Writing a resume for a Senior Accountant or Accounting Executive role is an exercise in demonstrating expertise and leadership within the finance realm. It's essential to remember that these roles are often the backbone of the finance department, so your resume should reflect the depth and breadth of your experience. In recent times, companies increasingly value accountants who can leverage technological tools for efficiency and accuracy; your knowledge of accounting software should be a shining star on your resume.
Furthermore, with the rise of remote work and globalization, Senior Accountants are expected to be comfortable managing virtual teams and handling International Financial Reporting Standards. Ensure to incorporate your experience or training in these areas too.
Due to the increasing reliance on technology within accounting, ensure that you dedicate space to your proficiency in diverse accounting software and tools. Mention your experience in QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle Financials, or any proprietary software you used.
Senior roles require you to lead teams and communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Highlight any instances of leading a project, automating a process, or explaining complex data to others in your work experience section.
Senior accountants don’t always supervise other employees, but they are typically experienced professionals who have worked in accounting for a number of years. As a senior accountant, you’ll do some typical accounting tasks, but you’ll also do higher-level analyses of your company’s financial standing. Your resume should show your aptitude for data analysis and your ability to make complex business decisions that lead to positive outcomes.
In your years of accounting, you’ve probably gained experience with software such as QuickBook, Oracle, RSM Auditor Assistant, and others. You’re likely also familiar with concepts such as generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), auditing, and financial analysis. Use a separate skills section to list technical and other hard skills you’ve acquired over the course of your career.
Strong action verbs are an effective way to introduce achievements from your former jobs. Verbs like “conducted”, “automated”, and “implemented” all demonstrate proactivity, and they paint a clear picture of the role you played in each accomplishment.
We spoke to hiring managers at top companies like Deloitte, PwC, and EY to understand what they look for in senior accountant resumes. They emphasized the importance of showcasing your technical accounting skills, leadership abilities, and industry expertise. The following tips will help you create a compelling resume that stands out to employers and demonstrates your qualifications for a senior-level accounting role.
Employers want to see that you have a strong foundation in accounting principles and can handle complex financial tasks. Showcase your technical skills by including examples of:
When it comes to senior accountant resumes, a well-crafted summary can be a powerful tool to grab the attention of hiring managers and recruiters. While a summary is optional, it can be particularly useful if you're a career changer or an experienced executive looking to provide additional context or highlight key qualifications that may not be immediately apparent from your work history alone.
However, it's important to avoid using an objective statement, as these are outdated and often come across as self-serving. Instead, focus on crafting a concise, targeted summary that showcases your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements, while incorporating keywords relevant to the senior accountant role you're seeking.
Your work experience section is the heart of your resume as a senior accountant or accounting executive. It's where you showcase your relevant skills, accomplishments, and career progression to potential employers. In this section, we'll break down the key steps to writing a compelling work experience section that will help you stand out from other candidates.
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs to convey your leadership, initiative, and impact. Avoid generic phrases like "responsible for" or "participated in."
Compare the following examples:
Instead, use action verbs that demonstrate your contributions:
Your education section is a critical part of your resume as a senior accountant or accounting executive. It shows employers that you have the necessary foundation and qualifications for the role. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when writing your education section:
Your skills section is a crucial part of your resume as a senior accountant or accounting executive. It's where you showcase your technical accounting skills, industry knowledge, and expertise in financial management. Hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) will scan this section to determine if you have the right qualifications for the job.
Here are some tips to help you write a compelling skills section that will catch the attention of employers and help you land your next accounting role.
Here are examples of popular skills from Senior Accountant / Accounting Executive job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Senior Accountant / Accounting Executive job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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