Accountant Resume Example That Passes ATS Screening
Landing your first accounting role means proving you can handle the numbers and the deadlines. This resume example shows how a recent graduate can stand out by highlighting internship results, relevant coursework, and software proficiency without padding the page with fluff.
Full Resume Sample
Priya Venkatesh
Accountant
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented accounting graduate with hands-on experience in accounts payable, bank reconciliations, and month-end close processes gained through a full-cycle internship at a mid-size manufacturing firm. Proficient in QuickBooks, Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), and SAP. Passed all four CPA exam sections on the first attempt.
Experience
Accounting Intern
Meridian Manufacturing Group · Columbus, OH · May 2024 - Dec 2024
- Processed 200+ vendor invoices per month in SAP, maintaining a 99.5% accuracy rate across three-way matching
- Prepared monthly bank reconciliations for 4 operating accounts totaling $3.2M, identifying and resolving 12 discrepancies
- Assisted with Q3 and Q4 month-end close by preparing journal entries and accruals, reducing close timeline by 1 day
- Built an Excel tracker to monitor outstanding AP aging, helping the team cut overdue payments by 30%
Student Accounts Assistant
Ohio State University Business Office · Columbus, OH · Sep 2022 - Apr 2024
- Reconciled daily cash receipts averaging $15K against POS system records for the campus bookstore
- Responded to 40+ student billing inquiries weekly, resolving 95% without escalation
- Assisted in migrating 3 years of paper records to a digital filing system, improving retrieval time by 60%
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting — The Ohio State University, 2024 (GPA: 3.7/4.0, Dean's List (6 semesters), Beta Alpha Psi member)
Skills
Accounting Software: QuickBooks Online, SAP ERP, Sage 50, Bill.com
Technical Skills: Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH), Financial Statement Preparation, Bank Reconciliation, General Ledger Maintenance
Knowledge Areas: GAAP Principles, Accounts Payable/Receivable, Tax Preparation (Individual), Month-End Close Procedures
Certifications
CPA Exam - All Sections Passed (2024) · QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification
See how your resume scores against ATS systems
Check Your ATS Score Free →Why This Resume Works
Quantified results from an internship. Entry-level candidates often describe tasks instead of outcomes. This resume attaches numbers to nearly every bullet (200+ invoices, 99.5% accuracy, 30% reduction in overdue payments), which signals you already think like someone who tracks performance.
CPA progress signals commitment. Passing all four CPA sections before your first full-time role is a strong differentiator. Placing it in both the summary and certifications section makes sure it's not missed, even in a 6-second scan.
Relevant student employment counts. The student accounts assistant role isn't a traditional accounting internship, but it's framed around reconciliation and financial processes. This shows the candidate has been building relevant experience longer than the resume might suggest at first glance.
Software proficiency is specific, not vague. Instead of listing 'Microsoft Office,' the resume calls out pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and INDEX-MATCH. Recruiters scanning for technical fit will immediately see this candidate can do more than format a spreadsheet.
ATS Keywords for Accountant Resumes
ATS systems scanning Accountant applications look for these terms. The resume above weaves them in naturally rather than listing them outright.
Section-by-Section Writing Tips
Professional Summary
Lead with your strongest credential (CPA progress, GPA, or internship scope). Avoid generic phrases like 'hard-working team player.' Accounting hiring managers want to see that you know the tools and processes their team actually uses.
Experience Section
Even short internships deserve detailed bullets. Focus on volume (invoices processed, accounts managed), accuracy rates, and any process improvements you contributed to. If you only have one accounting role, supplement with finance-adjacent student jobs.
Skills Section
Group skills by type: software, technical accounting skills, and knowledge areas. Name specific tools and functions rather than broad categories. 'Advanced Excel' means nothing without specifying what you can actually do in it.
Education Section
For entry-level accounting, your degree section carries real weight. Include GPA if it's above 3.3, relevant honors, and accounting society memberships. These details fade in importance after 2-3 years of experience.
Common Accountant Resume Mistakes
Hiring managers reviewing Accountant resumes flag these problems repeatedly. Each one can knock your ATS score or land your application in the rejection pile.
- Listing 'Microsoft Office' as a skill instead of specifying Excel functions, Word mail merge, or Outlook scheduling capabilities
- Omitting CPA exam progress or expected licensure date when you've already started the process
- Writing vague bullets like 'assisted with month-end close' without describing what you actually prepared or reconciled
- Including a GPA from high school or unrelated academic achievements
- Forgetting to mention the accounting software you trained on during your degree program