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As a Tax Accountant, your resume should show that you're more than just an individual who crunches numbers. Your expertise in complex tax law, vast knowledge about regulations and meticulous nature are important. These days, companies are becoming more and more aware of the importance of abiding by tax laws. They want accountants who are informed and up-to-date with these regulations, both federal and state. Keep in mind, your resume is the first opportunity to showcase these skills to potential employers.
Recently, there's been a shift towards valuing soft skills like communication and problem-solving in the Tax Accountant role. It's not enough to just be good with numbers, you should also be able to explain complex tax concepts to non-tax professionals. When writing your resume, it's crucial to demonstrate both technical expertise and these soft skills.
Next to your formal education, make sure you include any additional certifications like the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or the Chartered Tax Advisor (CTA). These qualifications not only confirm your competence in tax law and regulations, but also display your commitment to the accounting field.
Don't just list your roles and responsibilities, but illustrate how you've used your skills to solve real tax issues. Maybe you identified a tax-saving opportunity for your previous employer or assisted in a difficult audit. Concrete examples will make your resume stand out.
A tax accountant specializes in preparing and filing tax forms for businesses and individuals. These accountants must stay abreast of current tax regulations to help their clients comply with the law. You’ll need specialized knowledge in order to become a tax accountant -- so if you have experience in tax accounting, auditing, or tax preparation, make sure to say so on your resume.
To become a tax accountant, you’ll need additional training in tax law and preparation beyond what is standard for your industry. Once you’ve acquired these hard skills, list them prominently in your resume skills section.
All types of accountants usually produce tangible results for the companies they work for. Instead of providing vague statements about what you did at past jobs, mention past achievements using specific numbers to measure the scope of what you accomplished (e.g. “resolved over 100 tax issues” or “reduced tax penalty fees by 20%”).
As a hiring manager who has recruited for tax accountant roles at companies like EY, Deloitte, and KPMG, I have reviewed hundreds of resumes. The following tips are based on the best practices I've seen in the most effective resumes. By applying these tips, you can create a compelling resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Certifications are crucial for tax accountants. They demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field. Make sure to prominently display your certifications on your resume, such as:
If you have multiple certifications, consider creating a separate section titled "Certifications" to make them stand out. This will catch the eye of hiring managers and show that you have the necessary qualifications for the role.
When it comes to writing a resume for a Tax Accountant position, the summary section is optional but can be a valuable addition. While your resume itself is a summary of your qualifications, a well-crafted summary statement can provide additional context and highlight your most relevant skills and experience. This is especially useful if you're changing careers or have a wealth of experience that may not be immediately apparent from your work history alone.
However, it's important to note that objective statements should never be used in place of a summary. Instead, focus on crafting a concise, targeted summary that showcases your unique value proposition and aligns with the requirements of the Tax Accountant role you're seeking.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers that you have the right experience to excel in the role. It's also the section they spend the most time reading. Here are some tips to make your work experience section stand out:
When describing your work experience, use strong verbs that are specific to tax accounting. This shows hiring managers that you have the relevant skills and experience they're looking for.
Examples of strong tax accounting verbs include:
Avoid generic, overused verbs like 'managed', 'handled' or 'responsible for'. These don't provide much insight into your actual tax accounting abilities.
When writing the education section of your tax accountant resume, it's important to highlight your relevant degrees and certifications. This section should be concise and tailored to the job you're applying for. Here are some tips to help you craft a strong education section:
The skills section of your tax accountant resume is where you highlight your top abilities that are relevant to the job. It's important to get this section right, as many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes based on the presence of certain skills.
When writing your skills section, focus on showcasing your technical accounting skills, knowledge of relevant software and tools, and any certifications or specializations that make you stand out. Keep the section concise and easy to read by using bullet points or categorizing your skills.
Here are examples of popular skills from Tax Accountant job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Tax Accountant 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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