How to Write an Accountant’s Resume – Step-by-Step Guide (with Examples)

nicolejessicacoggan
May 15
3 min read

If you’re an accountant or aspiring to be one, your resume needs to clearly show employers you’ve got the technical know-how, eye for detail, and ability to keep everything balanced—on the books and across teams. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to write an accountant’s resume that ticks every box. Whether you’re just starting out or going for a senior role, this structure works.

Step 1: Start with a Professional Tagline

This short line sits at the top of your resume and sums up who you are in a nutshell. Keep it clean, industry-relevant, and direct. Here are some examples for accountants:

CPA Accountant | Financial Reporting & Compliance Specialist
Experienced Accountant | Budgeting, Payroll & Taxation
Assistant Accountant | Supporting Month-End, BAS & Reconciliations
Financial Accountant | Clear Reporting & Solid Controls
Management Accountant | Cost Tracking & Business Insight
Senior Accountant | Audit-Ready, Deadline-Focused
Graduate Accountant | Xero & MYOB Experience | Quick Learner
Accounts Payable Specialist | Invoice Management & Accuracy
Accountant | Keeping the Books Clean and the Deadlines Met
Accountant | Helping Businesses Understand Their Numbers

Step 2: Write a Professional Profile

Your professional profile should highlight your accounting experience, the types of systems or processes you’ve worked with, and your strengths. Tailor it to the role or company if you can.

Example:

Detail-oriented and deadline-driven Accountant with over five years’ experience in financial reporting, reconciliation, and end-of-month processing. Known for maintaining clean and accurate ledgers, preparing compliant BAS submissions, and supporting payroll and budgeting processes across multiple entities. I’ve worked across fast-paced finance teams in both commercial and not-for-profit settings, and I enjoy bringing structure and clarity to financial operations. Whether I’m closing the books, preparing for audit, or managing accounts payable, I focus on delivering accurate results on time—every time.

Core strengths:• Reconciliations (bank, general ledger, intercompany)• Month-end and year-end processing• BAS, PAYG and superannuation compliance• Xero, MYOB, SAP, QuickBooks, Excel (pivot tables, lookups)• Payroll support and accounts payable/receivable• Maintaining accurate records and financial controls

Step 3: Career Summary

List your work experience from most recent to oldest. Use this format:

Feb 2021 – Present ABC Group Financial Accountant

Jul 2018 – Jan 2021 XYZ Services Assistant Accountant

Mar 2016 – Jun 2018 TaxSmart Partners Bookkeeper

Step 4: Work History (Achievements-Based)

For each job, write 5–7 bullet points. Each one should start with a subheading and describe what you did and what the outcome was. Keep it factual and relevant.

Feb 2021 – Present ABC Group Financial Accountant

➤ Month-End Processing: Completed full month-end cycle including accruals, prepayments, and journal entries for three business units.

➤ BAS & Compliance: Prepared and submitted monthly BAS, PAYG and super reports in line with ATO requirements.

➤ Audit Readiness: Maintained audit-ready documentation and supported external auditors with data and reconciliations.

➤ Process Improvements: Streamlined the fixed asset register, reducing reconciliation time by 30%.

➤ Stakeholder Support: Liaised with department managers to support budgeting and forecasting cycles.

➤ System Maintenance: Managed Xero setup, user access and chart of accounts accuracy.

Step 5: Qualifications & Volunteer Work

List formal education and certifications, followed by any relevant volunteer experience.

Qualifications

2020 Bachelor of Accounting – University of Sydney

2022 Certified Practising Accountant (CPA Australia) – Ongoing

Volunteer Work

2023 – Present Treasurer – Local Community Sports Club

2019 – 2020 Tax Help Volunteer – ATO Community Program

Step 6: Career Highlights

Pull out 5–8 standout achievements across your career. These can come from any job, project, or volunteer role.

• Reduced end-of-month reporting time by 25% by automating recurring entries in Xero.

• Supported transition from MYOB to SAP, ensuring accurate data migration and user training.

• Identified $12K in duplicate supplier payments and implemented new invoice approval checks.

• Maintained a 100% on-time BAS lodgement record for three consecutive years.• Helped streamline payroll for 150+ staff, reducing errors and increasing team trust.

• Provided financial reports for quarterly board meetings, used to guide funding decisions.