Resume Examples for Accounting Managers

An accounting manager resume or CV varies significantly based on your experience level. Explore what to include at each stage and use our Resume Builder to help you craft your own tailored document.

Entry-Level Accounting Manager Resume

Ideal for recent graduates who need guidance on creating a resume for the first time, this template is also beneficial for individuals transitioning into accounting management from different career paths.

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Why this resume works:

This resume showcases excellent font selection with a polished, professional typeface that improves readability. For guidance on using the best fonts for a resume, consider options like Calibri, Tahoma, and Times New Roman, which convey the professionalism and clarity that hiring managers seek.

Mid-Career Accounting Manager Resume

A good fit for accounting professionals with several years of experience, this template highlights recent achievements and supports advancement into more strategic or specialized roles.

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Why this resume works:

With over six years of experience, this accounting manager showcases a track record in financial reporting and system optimization while advancing through various roles. The combination format highlights both managerial skills and substantial work history, making the applicant well-suited for senior finance positions.

Experienced Accounting Manager Resume

An excellent choice for professionals with over 10 years of experience, this template caters to those pursuing senior-level accounting and financial leadership roles.

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Why this resume works:

This resume illustrates a strong career trajectory with expertise in financial reporting, budget management, and strategic cost reduction. Leadership roles as an accounting manager and financial controller, along with certifications (e.g., CPA or CMA), showcase the job seeker’s readiness for advanced positions in finance.

Accounting Manager Resume Template (Text)

Use this customizable text format of an accounting manager resume to copy, edit, and personalize directly in your document for a tailored application.

Tao Kim

Tampa, FL 33605

Professional Summary

Experienced Accounting Manager driven to optimize financial efficiency and team productivity. Known for implementing cost-saving strategies and overseeing large-scale budgets, with an emphasis on accurate financial reporting and audit compliance. Fluent in market analysis and forecasting, leveraging MBA in Accounting.

Work Experience

January 2023 – Current

Precision Financial Group – Tampa, FL

Accounting Manager

  • Led team, reducing costs by 15% annually
  • Implemented system saving $200K yearly
  • Managed budgets for 10 departments

May 2018 – December 2022

Global Finance Solutions – Tampa, FL

Senior Accountant

  • Enhanced reporting efficiency by 30%
  • Led audits, cutting errors by 40%
  • Optimized tax planning, saving $50K

April 2017 – April 2018

BlueStar Financial Corp – Jacksonville, FL

Financial Analyst

  • Forecasted revenue increasing accuracy 20%
  • Analyzed market trends boosting growth
  • Reduced report processing time by 15%

Education

May 2017
Columbia University New York, NY
Master of Business Administration Accounting

May 2015
Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ
Bachelor of Science Finance

Certifications

  • Certified Management Accountant – Institute of Management Accountants
  • Certified Public Accountant – American Institute of CPAs

Skills

  • Financial Modeling
  • Budget Management
  • Cost Reduction Strategies
  • Audit Compliance
  • Tax Planning
  • Market Analysis
  • Team Leadership
  • Budget Forecasting

How to Write an Accounting Manager Resume

When learning how to write a resume as an accounting manager, the key is effectively highlighting your financial expertise and leadership experience within a clear format that stands out. Use the guidance below to emphasize your strengths and tailor your resume for the positions you’re aiming for.

1. Contact Info

Your contact information should be clear, professional, and easy to find at the top of your resume.

Make sure to include:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Professional email address
  • City and state (ZIP code is optional)
  • LinkedIn profile or personal portfolio (if relevant)
TipPRO TIP

Avoid including personal details such as your Social Security number, age, or photographs unless requested by the employer to keep your resume professional and focused.

2. Resume Profile

A resume profile is a concise introduction (two to four sentences) that highlights your key qualifications and skills. It serves as an engaging pitch to hiring managers, aiming to spark their interest and motivate them to explore your resume further.

Typically located at the top of your resume, this section can be formatted as either a summary or an objective. Each format has distinct purposes that cater to different job-seeking strategies:

  • A resume summary emphasizes key qualifications, achievements, and skills relevant to your field. This format is especially beneficial for professionals with established work histories or those transitioning careers who want to highlight their contributions as an accounting manager.
  • A resume objective highlights your future aspirations and emphasizes what you aim to accomplish in your career. It’s particularly useful for recent graduates or anyone transitioning into a new field with limited work history.

Let’s take a look at an example of each to see how a resume summary and a resume objective differ:

Accounting manager resume summary example:

Detail-oriented accounting manager with over 6 years of experience in corporate finance and auditing environments. Proficient in financial reporting, budget management, and team leadership. Recognized for improving operational efficiency and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards while delivering accurate financial insights.

Accounting manager resume objective example:

Recent accounting graduate with a strong academic foundation eager to start a career in a dynamic financial environment. Committed to accuracy and ethical practices, ready to contribute analytical skills and attention to detail in a corporate finance or consulting firm.

3. Work Experience

The work experience on your resume is an important element of your professional profile. Employers evaluate your job history to see not just where you’ve worked, but how you’ve made an impact.

Your background in accounting illustrates how your leadership and financial management skills qualify you for the accounting manager role.

The work experience section should contain:

  • Job title
  • Employer name and location
  • Dates of employment (month/year)
  • 3–5 bullet points describing your relevant responsibilities and achievements

Tailor your content to highlight experiences and skills specific to the accounting role you’re pursuing. Start each bullet point with an action verb (like “Managed,” “Analyzed,” “Streamlined”) to create a compelling statement that showcases your contributions.

Incorporate quantifiable information or metrics whenever possible. Specific numbers, such as cost savings or percentage improvements, clearly demonstrate your value and help distinguish you from other job seekers in the job market.

In general, consider following the format of:

[action verb] + [responsibility] = [result/achievement]

For example:

Managed a team of 5 accountants to close monthly financial statements for 30+ clients, ensuring 100% compliance with GAAP standards.

Note that you can also flip the result/achievement with the responsibility:

Increased departmental efficiency by 25% by implementing automated reporting systems and streamlined reconciliation processes.

Discover more work experience examples for accounting managers further down the page.

4. Skills

The skills section provides a concise overview of the professional abilities relevant to an accounting manager. This overview allows hiring managers to quickly assess qualifications and fit for the role.

Skills can be categorized into three distinct groups:

  • Soft skills are interpersonal abilities that impact how well an accounting manager collaborates with their team. Key qualities like analytical thinking, attention to detail, communication, and leadership are essential for fostering trust and ensuring smooth operations within the finance department.
  • Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities gained through education, training, or direct experience. For an accounting manager, these include analyzing financial statements and managing budgets.
  • Technical skills refer to the specialized knowledge and abilities required to perform specific tasks in a profession. In accounting management, this includes skill with accounting software like QuickBooks, familiarity with financial reporting tools, and expertise in spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel.

In general, aim to include a diverse mix of relevant skills that align with the job requirements to showcase your professional capabilities. See below for more skills examples for an accounting manager resume.

TipPRO TIP

If you’re a newer accounting manager, place your skills section higher on the resume, right after your summary. For experienced professionals, it’s better to position this section lower and weave your skills into your work history for a more cohesive presentation.

5. Education

Understanding how to list education on your resume is important for showcasing your qualifications clearly. Begin with your most recent or relevant accounting degree, including the type of degree and the institution’s name.

If you’ve graduated recently, feel free to add details such as your graduation year, GPA (if it’s 3.5 or higher), any honors received, or relevant coursework that highlights your skills.

Accounting manager resume education section example:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting (BSA)
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Graduated: 2023 | Summa Cum Laude

TipPRO TIP

If you’re advancing from an Associate Degree in Accounting to a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, or have earned another relevant degree, list both in reverse-chronological order.

6. Certifications

Listing certifications on your resume showcases your commitment to professional development and can help mitigate limited experience. While not always a standard component of a traditional resume, this section holds significant value for most professionals in the field. Employers frequently seek specific credentials for specialized positions, such as a CPA for accounting roles.

Ensure you include only relevant certifications that improve your candidacy for the job you’re applying for. Keeping your certifications current and clearly formatted allows hiring managers to quickly recognize your qualifications.

Accounting manager certification examples:

  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | American Institute of CPAs | Expires: 12/2028
  • Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) | AICPA | Expires: 05/2027
  • Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | Institute of Management Accountants | Expires: 11/2027
  • Enrolled Agent (EA) | IRS | Expires: 09/2028

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Tailor Your Work History to Beat the ATS

Your work experience is more than a list of job titles. It’s an opportunity to show the measurable impact you’ve made on financial reporting, team leadership, and budget management. This approach also results in an ATS-friendly resume that applicant tracking systems (ATS) can easily scan.

To create an effective work history, tailor it to the specific accounting manager role you’re targeting by incorporating relevant keywords and phrases. Begin by carefully analyzing the job description. Identify frequently mentioned skills, software tools, or compliance standards, and aim to reflect those elements in your experience descriptions where appropriate.

These examples are pulled from our most-used entries in the resume builder—based on what hiring managers respond to most.

  • Streamlined monthly financial reporting processes, reducing preparation time by 20 hours per month.
  • Supervised a team of 5 accountants, improving productivity and achieving a 15% reduction in errors.
  • Implemented new accounting software that improved data accuracy and reporting efficiency by 30%.
  • Mentored junior staff on best practices in budgeting and forecasting, fostering professional development within the team.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional departments to ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal controls.

Example of Skills for Accounting Managers

Including the right skills for your resume shows employers and ATS that you have the abilities needed for success in accounting management. Resumes are often scanned quickly, so it’s essential to keep your skills section focused, relevant, and aligned with the job description.

The skills listed below reflect what is currently valued in the accounting field. These capabilities frequently appear in successful accounting manager resumes and resonate with hiring managers looking for top talent.

5 Soft Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Stakeholder management
  • Team leadership skills
  • Effective communication
  • Strategic planning ability
  • Attention to detail

5 Hard Skills for Your Resume or CV

  • Financial reporting (QuickBooks, SAP)
  • Budget management
  • Tax preparation (IRS regulations)
  • Audit compliance
  • Cash flow analysis (Excel, Tableau)

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to the job description. Use specific terms from the posting to connect with both ATS and hiring managers.
  • Highlight quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact. Include metrics such as budget management (e.g., reduced expenses by 15%) or team leadership (e.g., led a team of 10 accountants) to distinguish yourself.
  • Select the right format based on your experience level. New professionals might prefer a functional layout, while seasoned managers often use reverse-chronological formats.

More Resume & CV Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Last Update:

What resume format should I use for my accounting manager resume?

There are three main resume formats to consider when applying for an accounting manager position. Your choice should reflect your level of experience and the aspects you wish to highlight:

  • Chronological: The most popular format, a chronological resume emphasizes your work experience by detailing responsibilities and achievements in reverse order. This approach is ideal for applicants with a relevant job history that reinforces their qualifications and demonstrates a consistent career path in accounting management.
  • Functional: Also known as a skills-based resume, this format emphasizes a summary of qualifications and an expanded skills section to showcase your accounting abilities. By minimizing the focus on work history, it becomes helpful for applicants with limited experience or those transitioning into accounting roles.
  • Combination: A combination resume integrates chronological and functional formats, offering equal emphasis on skills and work experience. This structure benefits accounting managers by allowing them to present their financial expertise alongside their career advancements, making it ideal for those aiming for higher positions or specialized roles.
Should I include a cover letter with my resume?

Yes, you should include a cover letter with your accounting manager application. A well-crafted cover letter offers an opportunity to elaborate on your resume by emphasizing specific skills and experiences that are important for the role. It allows you to convey your enthusiasm for the position and demonstrate how you align with the company’s values, setting you apart from other job seekers.

If you’re feeling uncertain about writing a cover letter, don’t worry. There are numerous resources available to guide you through the process, including step-by-step guides on how to write a cover letter, examples tailored for accounting roles, and various formats to choose from that suit your experience level.

For those looking for efficiency in their application process, tools like a cover letter generator can assist in creating a polished document quickly by offering templates and suggestions tailored to accounting positions.

What keywords should I include to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS)?

To get past ATS, focus on keywords from the job ad. Use terms like “financial reporting,” “budget management,” and “audit compliance” that are relevant to the accounting manager role. This helps your resume stand out and makes it clear you meet the specific requirements.

Don’t forget to highlight certifications such as CPA or CMA, along with technical skills like skill in QuickBooks or Excel. Including these details shows you have the qualifications needed for the position and can improve your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.

Should I include volunteer bookkeeping or freelance accounting projects?

Yes, especially if you’re new to the field. Listing volunteer bookkeeping or freelance projects demonstrates your practical skills and understanding of accounting principles, making you more appealing to employers when formal experience is limited.

Elizabeth Muenzen profile image
Elizabeth Muenzen Career Advice Writer

Elizabeth Muenzen is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches who empowers job seekers to take control of their career paths using Monster’s comprehensive job search and resume tools.

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