Staff Accountant Resume Example

The Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation remains the gold standard for staff accountants and should be prominently featured if you hold it. Even if you’re still working toward your CPA, mentioning that you’re “CPA eligible” or “CPA candidate” with expected completion date can be valuable. The certification shows potential employers your commitment to the profession and your understanding of advanced accounting principles.

Beyond the CPA, consider highlighting certifications that align with your career goals.

The Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation is particularly valuable for those interested in corporate accounting and financial analysis.

For those working with specific software systems, certifications in QuickBooks, SAP, or other widely-used accounting platforms can demonstrate practical expertise. Remember to list certifications in order of relevance to the position you’re seeking, and include both the full name and common abbreviation to ensure proper ATS recognition.

Month-end closing experience is a crucial skill for staff accountants, and it should be described in terms of both scope and efficiency. Instead of simply stating “performed month-end close,” elaborate on the complexity of the process you managed.

For instance, describe the number of accounts you reconciled, the size of the company or department you worked with, and any improvements you made to the closing process.

Focus on specific achievements related to the closing process, such as reducing closing time, implementing new procedures, or maintaining accuracy while managing multiple entities. If you’ve worked with specific closing software or developed automation tools, include these details as well.

Employers particularly value candidates who can demonstrate both technical proficiency and process improvement in this critical function.

Software proficiency should be demonstrated through both a dedicated skills section and practical examples within your work experience.

In the technical skills section, group software by category - accounting systems (like QuickBooks or SAP), analysis tools (such as Excel or Power BI), and general business software.

For widely-used programs like Excel, specify your level of expertise and mention specific functions you’re proficient in, such as VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, or macro development.

Throughout your experience section, integrate examples of how you’ve used these tools to improve processes or solve problems.

For instance, instead of just listing “SAP experience,” describe how you used SAP to streamline reporting processes or integrate data from multiple sources. This approach demonstrates not just technical knowledge, but practical application of these tools in an accounting context.

Your professional summary should immediately establish your level of experience and key areas of expertise within accounting.

Begin with your years of experience and any significant certifications, then highlight your most relevant skills and achievements. Focus on aspects of your work that align with the job you’re targeting - whether that’s financial reporting, audit preparation, or process improvement.

Avoid generic phrases and instead focus on your unique value proposition.

For instance, rather than stating you’re “detail-oriented,” mention your track record of identifying and resolving discrepancies in high-volume transactions. If you have expertise in specific industries or types of accounting (manufacturing, nonprofit, etc.), include this information as well. Keep the summary concise but impactful, typically three to four lines that capture your professional identity and key qualifications.

When writing an entry-level staff accountant resume, focus on your educational background and any relevant internships, projects, or coursework.

Your education section should be prominent, including relevant coursework, academic achievements, and any accounting-specific projects or case studies you’ve completed. If you participated in accounting-related student organizations or competitions, highlight leadership roles or significant contributions.

Even without direct accounting experience, you can demonstrate relevant skills through part-time work, volunteer experiences, or academic projects. Focus on transferable skills such as attention to detail, analytical thinking, and proficiency with Excel or accounting software. If you’ve worked with budgets, handled cash, or maintained financial records in any capacity, emphasize these experiences. Additionally, highlight any progress toward professional certifications, such as passing sections of the CPA exam or completing certification prerequisites.

Quantifying achievements on a staff accountant resume requires thinking about your work in terms of volume, efficiency, accuracy, and financial impact. Consider metrics such as the number of accounts you’ve managed, the dollar value of transactions you’ve processed, or the size of budgets you’ve worked with.

For instance, instead of saying you “managed accounts payable,” specify that you “processed an average of $2M in monthly payables while maintaining 99.9% accuracy.”

Process improvements can be quantified through time savings, error reduction, or cost savings. If you’ve implemented new procedures or automated processes, measure the impact in terms of hours saved per month or percentage improvement in efficiency. When discussing audit preparation or compliance work, mention the number of entities covered or the scope of the audits in terms of revenue or assets under review. These specific metrics help employers understand the scale and impact of your work.

Knowledge of accounting standards and regulations should be demonstrated through practical application rather than simple statements of familiarity.

Describe specific instances where you’ve applied GAAP principles or regulatory requirements in your work. For example, explain how you’ve ensured compliance with specific accounting standards during financial statement preparation or how you’ve adapted processes to meet new regulatory requirements.

When discussing regulatory knowledge, provide context through specific projects or responsibilities. For instance, describe your role in implementing new accounting standards, preparing regulatory filings, or ensuring compliance with industry-specific requirements. This approach demonstrates not just theoretical knowledge but practical understanding and application of accounting standards in real-world situations.

Financial reporting and analysis experience should be presented through specific examples of reports you’ve prepared and insights you’ve generated. Describe the types of financial statements you’ve produced, the complexity of the organizations you’ve worked with, and any improvements you’ve made to reporting processes.

For example, explain how you’ve automated monthly reporting procedures, developed new report formats to better serve stakeholders, or identified trends that led to business improvements.

Include examples of how you’ve used financial analysis to support decision-making. This might involve describing how you’ve analyzed variances, conducted trend analyses, or provided recommendations based on financial data. Remember to highlight both the technical aspects of your work and its business impact.

The modern staff accountant needs to demonstrate proficiency with both traditional accounting software and emerging technologies. Start with core accounting systems like QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle Financials, but also emphasize your ability to work with data analysis and visualization tools. Advanced Excel skills remain crucial - be specific about your capabilities with functions, pivot tables, and macros.

Additionally, highlight any experience with business intelligence tools like Power BI or Tableau, as these are increasingly important for financial reporting and analysis. If you have experience with programming languages like Python or R for automation or analysis, include these as well. Remember to frame technological skills in terms of their practical application and benefits to the organization.

Industry-specific accounting experience should be highlighted to demonstrate your versatility and specialized knowledge. Describe your understanding of industry-specific accounting requirements, reporting standards, and compliance issues.

For example, if you’ve worked in manufacturing, discuss your experience with inventory accounting, cost allocation, and production variance analysis. If you’ve worked in healthcare, highlight your knowledge of medical billing, insurance requirements, and healthcare-specific regulations.

Make sure to translate industry-specific terms and concepts in a way that demonstrates their broader applicability. This is particularly important if you’re looking to transition to a different industry. Focus on the underlying accounting principles and how they can be applied across different sectors.