Accounting Clerk Resume Sample, Job Description & Writing Guide for 2024
Having a great accounting clerk resume is key to being offered the position you want. You probably have experience with software like Xero and QuickBooks but you need to find the best way to share that information with a potential employer. This is a competitive position so anything but the best could leave you at a disadvantage.
The good news is that an excellent resume for an accounting clerk could get you that dream job with great pay, awesome benefits, and time off when you need it. And, despite what some people think, building a resume that stands out isn’t as difficult as you might think. Having the right information and an impeccable design is enough to turn heads.
At the same time, having skills on a document is only the start of a riveting account clerk resume. You need to share your contact information, educational background, work experience, and other details so a manager understands who you are and what you can do. It can be a challenging prospect if it’s not something you’ve had a lot of experience with.
That’s why we’ve created this guide chock full of information for all your accounting clerk resumes. We’ll walk you through the two steps to build a resume, give you insight into how to craft certain important sections, and share samples to help you along throughout the process. First, let’s talk about where to start with your resume.
Accounting clerk writing guide: Where to start?
So, you need a great accounts clerk resume for a job that you’re excited to apply for. Not sure what the first steps should be? You’ll be crafting a master resume and then using that to build a job-specific resume to send in with your cover letter and job application. Both of the steps are needed if you want to create a resume that gets noticed but the process isn’t as difficult as you might expect.
Master resume for accounting clerk
All the accounting clerk resume samples you see online are designed to make a splash on a manager’s computer or tablet. This is not the same as the master resume, which should be created before you make a job-specific resume. A master resume is a document for your own benefit and is used to make customized resumes for various positions you are interested in.
If you don’t already have a master resume, we’ll explain exactly how to make one. Those who already have one are ahead of the game, but you should make sure all the information on the master resume is updated and ready for use when applying for jobs. This is something you should do from time to time even when you aren’t searching for a new position.
So what is a master resume all about? It holds information about your past work experience, education, skills, and other details related to employment. It can be a simple Word document where you compile all of this information. Use it to easily move data to a job-specific resume once you find a job you want to land. There’s no need to remember all the specifics of past positions since you have it saved.
It might seem like a lot of extra work to make a master resume but there is a reason to do it. Nobody remembers everything, especially about past jobs that you might have left years ago. The master resume holds all the details you need so you don’t have to wrack your brain trying to recall the details. If you don’t have a master resume, now is a good time to change that.
Job-specific resume for accounting clerk
The job-specific resume is closer to what you see when you look up accounting clerk resume examples. You take all the information from the master resume, reword and customize it for a position, and include it on this second resume. This is the one that you will end up sending in when you apply for a position.
Two resources will help you ensure you get this right: the job description and the company website. A bit of research gives you an idea of skills and other keywords to include in the resume. Adding relevant phrases gives you a better chance of being called in for an interview. If you want to go a step further, look at the company's social media to get an idea of the culture.
This doesn’t have to be a process that takes a ton of time. Most accounting clerk resumes are only a page long. The lengthier ones run a maximum of two pages. All you need to do is be sure you include the right information and make the document look good while using appropriate keywords.
Not sure where to start? That’s fine too. Use your research to guide you. You should have an idea of the values and culture of the company. Combine that with information about the position and work environment to get started. The job description will give you most of the information in terms of what to highlight on your final resume.
Accounting clerk resume example
Using an accounting clerk job description for the resume, this applicant created a document that is impossible to ignore. The resume objective has all sorts of useful information about the person and what they bring to the table. They follow this up with work experience, education, and skills relevant to the position. It’s then placed on a gorgeous template before being ready to go.
What to include in an accounting clerk resume? Writing tips and examples
Resumes for accounting clerks have several sections, some of which are must-haves and others which can be added as appropriate. You’ll want to be sure you include contact information, a resume objective, work experience, education, and skills. Anything beyond that is a matter of taste and should be included only when related to the position. Below is some information on how to write some of the most important parts of the accounting clerk resume.
How to write a resume objective on an accounting clerk resume
The last thing you want is a generic objective for a resume for an entry-level accounting clerk. This is one area where you can’t send in the same information for every job. It needs to be customized and relate to the specific position you desire. Choose skills and accomplishments that would be useful in this role for the best results.
One of the perks of this section is how short it is. You’ll want to write somewhere between two to four sentences while packing in as much information as possible. Since this needs to be concise, use powerful words and focus on your accomplishments. Adding in numbers is also a good way to show how you’ve had an impact in past positions.
While this section is small, it’s important. It sits at the top of the accounting clerk resume and most managers will read over it first. You want to make sure it’s engaging so the rest of your resume gets a look. Include your largest accomplishments but make sure they fit the job description to ensure the entire resume is looked over.
Skills to list on an accounting clerk resume
Another section you need is dedicated to your skills. This is where you really knuckle down and list what you do best. However, there’s a bit more to it than that. You want to be sure every entry on your list pertains to the job description. That doesn’t mean you should add skills you do not have, but focus on listed skills that you already have.
The best method to create a skills list is by jotting down a handful of hard and soft skills. See which ones fit the description for the job and use those on your resume. You’ll want to include around five to 10 skills depending on how much room you have available.
A few of the top skills for an accounting clerk resume include:
· Intuit QuickBooks
· Accounts payable and receivable
· Financial databases
· Bank account management
· Efficiency improvement
· Bookkeeping
· Data entry and analysis
· Customer service and relations
· Time management
· Team collaboration
· Microsoft Office
· Reporting and documentation
· Tax preparation
· Task prioritization
· Payroll administration
How to include work experience on an accounting clerk resume
The final section that can make your resume stand out is your work experience. However, it’s not as simple as listing all the jobs you had in the past. As with other sections, you want to include only relevant positions. If a position didn’t give you skills useful for the position, skip that one and move on.
Once you know what positions to include, each entry is fairly simple. The header goes to the top and includes where you worked, what your role was, when you worked there, and the location of the company. After you complete that section, you can make a bullet list to add tasks and responsibilities.
This is where you show off your abilities. Make note of what you did in the position, making sure to include things you’ll be doing in this new position. Jot down numbers and accomplishments when applicable. Once you have a few bullet points, you can move to the next position and start again.
Ready to create a resume that looks great now that you have all the needed information? It could be a lot easier than you think. We offer a selection of Resume Templates that you can access and apply to your resume once the writing portion is complete. Take a look, choose your favorite, and select a color you like!
Key takeaways
At this point, you know the best resume format for an accounting clerk. You have an idea of which information to include, where it should go, and how to make your sections look good to a hiring manager. We have a few more tips below but you’re almost ready to apply for that job you want. Get that application in and good luck!
Accounting clerk resume tips:
At this point, you’re almost done. There are a handful of other things to consider before you apply, though. This is mostly quick work that ensures your resume shines when it hits a manager’s desk. Follow along to complete the process, and then send in the document with the application and cover letter.
· Read your accounting clerk resume from top to bottom while searching for errors and issues. Typos, misspellings, and other problems are more common than you might think. Use a program like Grammarly to catch the things you can’t on your own.
· Go through the resume and make sure it all sounds totally professional. You want to be formal when you choose to craft a resume, even if the company you’re applying to has a more casual tone. Cut down on any jargon and avoid slang whenever possible.
· Do a second read-through of your resume but this time, do it aloud. This gives you a chance to check on the flow of the document. If you notice something sounds odd, make changes before you move forward and submit your resume with a job application.
· Look over the design of your resume for proper spacing, good organization, and an appealing design. Having a resume that looks good is nearly as important as having the right information on it. It could make you stand out from other applicants.
· Once the resume is in perfect shape and you’re ready to move forward, make sure you have a cover letter to go with everything. Be sure you attach all the proper documents and fill out the application in full before you hit that “submit” button.
Next steps?
Now that you know what should be included in a resume, it’s time to create it. Are you concerned you don’t have the written communication skills to stand out? That’s okay. You do not have to handle this all on your own. At CVMaker, we offer Resume Writing Services by experts who have written hundreds of resumes in the past. Reach out to us and we’ll make sure your resume is perfect.
FAQs
How do you describe accounting clerk duties on a resume?
Accounting clerk duties are important to include if you have experience. However, the way you describe these things can make an impact on how much of an impression you make. It’s recommended that you include numbers and achievements whenever possible as that’s a sign of a great potential employee.
While most of the duties will fall under the work experience section, you can also add them to your resume objective. This is a section where you talk about achievements so some duties will fit well here. Otherwise, talk yourself up as much as possible while sharing what you’ve done in the past.
What should an accounting clerk resume look like?
The main thing to worry about with an accounting clerk resume is that it is a professional document. This means that you need to consider the font, colors, and other choices you make carefully and be sure the resume looks formal when you send it in. Once you have a great structure going, this is the last thing you’ll want to work on.
Make sure the font you choose is simple to read. You want to be sure it’s large enough to be a quick read but not too large. Consider how much space you put between the sections and whether that works well. This should be similar for all areas of the resume. Having an appealing resume will ensure it is read through.
How do you write an accounting clerk resume objective?
An accounting clerk resume objective is a short block of text at the top of the resume. It’s used to show your most substantial achievements, as well as information about your work experience and skills. You can also weave in details about relevant degrees or certifications.
As you can see from the resume objective examples for an accounting clerk, you should make this section very short. The maximum length is typically considered to be four sentences. It can be shorter but don’t go longer. The purpose of this section is to succinctly explain what you can do and why you’re a great candidate for the position. You can also add information about goals if you have enough room.
What are the core skills of an accounting clerk?
An experienced or entry-level accounting clerk resume sample will have a focus on skills. You can even create an account clerk skills resume if you want to highlight your abilities over experience or education. However, regardless of format, you want to be sure you list relevant skills that pertain to the position you want to gain.
A few of the best skills for an accounting clerk include organizational, time management, and communication skills. You also need to be adept at data management, computer use, mathematics, and accounting. Use the job description to choose the best skills for the role.
What should be on an accounting clerk resume?
Regardless of whether you need a chronological or functional resume sample for an accounting clerk, certain bits of information should be included. There are additional sections you can add depending on your experience and the job duties. Some of the mandatory parts to add include:
· Contact information
· A resume objective
· Work experience
· Educational background
· Skills
Everything else you add is completely voluntary. There are a variety of sections you can add, such as:
· References
· Languages
· Internships and volunteer opportunities
· Courses and certifications
· Interests and hobbies
· Technical proficiencies
· Achievements and accomplishments
What keywords should an accounting clerk have on a resume?
The right keywords are going to vary based on the position you want to be hired for. Every job is different, even if you’re looking at only accounting clerk positions. This is one of the reasons we recommend choosing keywords from the job description. You can see what an employer prioritizes and use terms related to those things.
This is one of the reasons it’s best to customize every resume you send out with a job application. You can be sure you use terms that matter to a specific hiring manager. The alternative is a generic resume that may or may not show you’re a good fit for a specific position. This makes it much less likely you move forward.
What writing style should be used on an accounting clerk resume?
While you’re crafting an accounting clerk resume, make sure to be as professional as possible in your writing style. This is something that will be noticed. Being overly casual makes it seem as if you don’t care too much about whether you get the job or not. Try to word things as you would in a professional environment.
Some companies are less formal, which might make you think being casual is acceptable. That might be true once you’re in a position and know the work environment and employees. At the point of creating a resume, being more formal is recommended regardless of the vibe you get from the business.
How long is the average accounting clerk resume?
A quick look at a sample resume for an accounting clerk with no experience will give you an idea of how long your document should be. Most samples are one page or less and many people’s resumes for jobs will be the same length. However, this isn’t always the case. Having a two-page resume can also be appropriate depending on the situation.
For instance, if you’ve been in the industry for over a decade, you may have enough information to share that two pages make sense. Those with less experience can often get by with a resume that spans only one page. Going shorter is recommended when possible since the resume has less for a hiring manager to read and take in.