Staff Accountant Resume Examples, Skills, and Keywords

1. Make your staff accountant resume more readable with short and compelling statements

To ensure a hiring manager goes through all the sections in your resume, you need to keep it brief, within reason. The average recruiter spends only a few seconds scanning through your document. Writing very long paragraphs can be a great motivation for your potential employer to move on to the next applicant.

It’s okay to be descriptive. But opt for bullets — six at most — to explain your previous duties. Use action words to make your statements much more impactful, and avoid filler that gives little to no information. Some terms you might want to use are:

• Achieved
• Transformed
• Expedited
• Implemented
• Advocated
• Mentored

2. Back up your claims with relevant data

Job seeking is a “show me, don’t tell me” task. Stating you’re great at accounting will only do so much for you when trying to grab the recruiter’s attention. Just like you, dozens of other applicants might be making the exact same claims. Using numbers to support your statements will give you more credibility. Remember, hiring managers love tangible evidence. It makes their job a lot easier.

Forget about entries that look like this:

• Receipt recording
• Financial analysis
• Staff training

And focus on sentences that look like this:

• Mentored two junior staff accountants
• Lower variable costs by 13%
• Reduced error rate in invoice processing by 35%

3. Triple-check your grammar and spelling

You wouldn’t show up to a job interview with dirty shoes and a wrinkled shirt, would you? Then why would you even consider submitting your application without proofreading it? Remember, your prospective employer will go through your resume before they even think of meeting you. Finding typos and poor grammar will be an instant turn-off.

The solution: always triple-check your document before sending it. If you don’t trust your judgment, ask someone you trust to ensure you didn’t miss anything.

4. Highlight what you plan to achieve

Talking about your objectives is as important as showcasing your previous achievements. It will show your potential employer you’re thinking long-term and care about your role in the team. Craft a brief section at the top of your resume where you define what you want to achieve while working in the position you’re applying for.

5. Impress your potential employer with a career snapshot

If you’re not quite sure of what your objectives at a specific company are yet, don’t fret. Another brilliant way to stand out from the rest of the applicants is by writing a short paragraph introducing yourself. A professional summary gives you a better chance of hooking your potential employer with relevant information about your career. They will definitely be compelled to learn more. Don’t forget to include:

• How long you’ve been an accountant
• Any relevant courses and certifications
• Your most significant achievements as a staff accountant