The role of auditors and accountants has changed considerably in the last decade, necessitating a change in the format for an accounting resume as well.
Job growth in the U.S. and other parts of North America is expanding in the accounting arena. Because the market demands it professional accountants have segued into the areas of consulting and management services beyond their traditional role of financial manager. This means the role of advisor is growing, along with growing sophistication and greater flexibility in the accounting processes themselves. Your accounting resume must, therefore, reflect your experience in these new advisory roles.
What Your Accounting Resume Should Have
Your accounting resume must show managerial and advisory capabilities and experience as well as the ability to be flexible rather than dogmatic.
The now preferred format for an accounting resume is to focus not only on expertise and experience in the area of fiscal responsibility and journal procedures but also analytical and overall operational qualifications.
Whether you are preparing an accounting resume for an entry level job or a position as a senior level manager, your accounting resume will be strengthened by your focus on your past successes in the areas of revenue increase, debt consolidation and streamlining of accounting procedures.
If you are applying for an accounting position with a public firm, such as a government or state education system, there are some standard formats to follow with your accounting resume.
Some of this material is standard to all, or most resumes. You must, of course, include your name and contact information including phone and e-mail address. You should also include your college major and area(s) of concentration. On this accounting resume it is very important to include all accounting courses you took in college, as well as the grade you achieved for each. If your overall GPA is impressive, you should also list that s well.
You should also list your pertinent extracurricular activities. The trick is determining what is pertinent to your accounting resume. While mountain bike riding wouldn't be considered pertinent, taking the Boy Scout troop you lead on a mountain bike trek could be, since it shows leadership skills and the ability to be a team player. It also shows a spirit of community, which is important to the goodwill factor on any firm's balance sheet.
As with any other resume, your accounting resume must summarize any related work experience - even volunteer.
Where public accounting veers from the accounting resume of private accounting firm applications is that you should be indicating your preference for particular fields - i.e., departments. If, for instance, you seek an accounting position with the state of Florida, your accounting resume should be indicating whether the Department of Community Relations is your first preference, or the Department of Taxation. Your accounting resume should indicate up to three choices, in order of preference.
Your public accounting resume should also include your three preferences for geographical location, in order of preference, as well as whether you seek a full time, part time, temporary, permanent or internship position. If you seek a permanent position but would consider an internship in the interim do state that as well. Your public accounting resume should also state your desired start date (i.e., your availability date.)