Accounting Manager Resume Examples: 5 Best Samples & Why They Work

An accounting manager has background education and experience as an accountant but now serves a more senior role in an organization.

Accounting managers oversee the financial team, monitor workflows, mentor junior accountants, and search for cost-saving opportunities. Furthermore, there are areas of focus for accounting managers, such as fund accounting, cost accounting, and public accounting.

When crafting your accounting manager resume, you’ll want to highlight your education and work experience. If you don’t have any accounting experience, you can share your previous work history to showcase general skills that make you the ideal employee for the team.

Whatever your experience, check out these examples to learn how to structure your resume to ensure you get called in for an interview.

Accounting Manager Resume Examples

You should customize your resume for each position to which you apply. If you’re applying for an entry-level job, you might need to highlight your recent education and professional accreditations. For a senior position, draw attention to your work history and how effectively you’ve managed teams and large accounts.

There are ways to have the same general resume for any job in your search, then customize it based on keywords from the job description. Start with a reverse chronological resume that has specific information about your job duties. Go through each job description before applying and add relevant keywords to ensure your resume stands out.

The following examples will show you the basic structure for your accounting manager resume, plus information you should spotlight for each type of application.

Entry-Level Accounting Manager Resume Example

Entry-level accounting manager applicants may not have much experience in the field. They may be recent graduates, in which case you want to highlight your education and any relevant internship or professional affiliation.

If you have any work history that doesn’t directly relate to accounting, you can include it to show your experience while using the bullet points to give the hiring manager an idea of the type of employee you’d be in general, relating to teamwork and communication rather than accounting skills.

Work Experience 1: Accounting Manager at City Lien

• Mentored clients to ensure they understood tax laws and legal concerns related to liens
• Ran reports providing annual budget information to the accounting department
• Monitored cash flow by overseeing daily bank balances
• Maintained business insurance annually by scheduling valuations
• Tracked expenses and reconciled accounts to ensure complete financial compliance

Work Experience 2: Accountant at City Bank

• Worked with clients to ensure they made informed and legal financial decisions
• Completed daily reconciliation tasks to ensure account tracking compliance
• Reviewed various personal and corporate financial statements to assist the accounting manager
• Served as a liaison between the accountants using financial reporting systems and the IT managers
• Helped the bank transition from Original accounting software to Improved software

Project Experience

• Researched accounting software to help City Bank find a new provider
• Volunteered at City Library during tax season to help patrons find the correct tax forms
• Served as treasurer for the City University chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi

Skills

• Account analysis
• Communication
• General ledger skills
• Regulatory compliance
• Tax return preparation

Education

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from City University
• Associate of Applied Science in Accounting from City Community College

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because, though the applicant needs an entry-level job, they have various experiences in the field. They worked at a bank helping clients and internal teams before moving to a company that handles liens, which involve using collateral to settle a debt. These experiences give the applicant broad financial skills that can help in many other positions.

Beyond the work history, the applicant is active in a professional organization. It takes one to two years to earn a CMA, so the applicant shows that they’re dedicated to the field. They also have plenty of education in the accounting discipline, including an associate’s and Bachelor’s degree.

The applicant has extracurricular experience with finances and accounting. They were in an accounting-related fraternity in college and volunteered at the library to help people find tax forms for their needs. They also helped the bank research accounting software as an outside project instead of a job duty, showing that they’re willing to go above and beyond.

Senior Accounting Manager Resume Example

A senior accounting manager still has financial work to do in an organization, with the added responsibility of overseeing a team of accountants. Some senior account managers may work in a specific department in a large organization, while others may handle all the accounts the business handles.

With so many different possibilities for senior roles, you want to look closely at the job description before you apply to a company. Look for keywords and job duties to see what aligns with your education and experience. Ensure you highlight those points on your resume so you’ll stand out to the hiring manager.

Work Experience 1: Accounting Manager at City Nonprofit

• Managed the accounting team across five nonprofit branches
• Compiled annual reports balancing expenses with government funding, grants, and donations to give stakeholders a complete picture of the finances
• Trained 12 junior accountants in the proper methods and policies for complete compliance
• Maintained the general ledger to run monthly reports to ensure financial stability
• Oversaw capital assets reconciliations to keep government departments updated

Work Experience 2: Accounting Manager at Financial Services

• Ran the accounting department, including handling monthly processes, accounts payable and receivable, and general ledger
• Oversaw a team of five accountants who handled payroll and check runs
• Handled revenue and expenditure variance analysis
• Analyzed accounting data to run financial statements
• Trained four new accounting hires every quarter

Project Experience

• Helped City Nonprofit create a new outreach campaign for financial donations, altering donors to the benefits of writing off a gift
• Developed a training program for junior accountants at Financial Services
• Volunteered at City Library during tax season to help patrons with tax questions

Skills

• Certified Public Accountant
• Financial reporting
• Internal auditing
• QuickBooks software
• Tax return preparation

Education

• Master of Science in Accounting from City University
• Bachelor of Science in Business from City University

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Accredited Business Valuator (ABV) from the American Society of Appraisers

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant has enough experience to qualify for a senior role. They worked as an accounting manager in two different organizations—one oriented for profit, and one nonprofit juggling funds from many different sectors, involving strict compliance in terms of reporting and expenses.

In addition to their extensive job history, they have side projects that keep them involved in the financial field in other ways. They volunteer to help others in the community by giving tax advice at the library. They developed a training program to ensure junior accountants reach their full potential. They’re devoted to the field and never stop learning.

Speaking of learning, this applicant is ready for a senior role because of their professional accreditations. They have three distinct licenses that take one to four years to earn. Along with their university degrees, this applicant shows they want to take on more responsibility with a leadership role.

Fund Accounting Manager Resume Example

A fund accounting manager will help multiple clients while overseeing staff, including junior accountants and possibly other departments in the organization. They may handle mutual or institutional funds, dealing with large teams and impressive amounts of money in their daily tasks.

If you want to apply for a fund accounting manager position, ensure you’re showing the specific goals you reached at previous jobs. Hard numbers and statistics will stand out to the hiring manager and make you a likely candidate for the job.

Work Experience 1: Fund Accounting Manager at City Investments

• Oversaw a team of five fund accountants, improving their accounting efficiency by 25%
• Researched new accounting software options and presented choices to stakeholders before helping implement the choice, including training all users
• Cut costs across the board by 40%, increasing revenue without bringing on additional expenses
• Compiled and presented quarterly financial reports to ensure all employees understood the organization’s standings
• Trained 12 new hires in general accountancy processes for the company

Work Experience 2: Account Services Manager at City Financial

• Managed 50 distinct accounts with $1 million in annual revenue
• Presented financial reports to stakeholders to get input regarding budgeting and planning
• Cut overspending by 35% annually
• Brought in 20 new accounts
• Trained 30 new hires in the accounting department

Project Experience

• Lead quarterly financial planning workshops at the public library and local high school
• Serve as a consultant to help organizations transition to a new accounting software

Skills

• Accounts payable
• Cost reduction
• Financial reporting
• Risk mitigation
• Technical accounting

Education

• Master of Business Administration from City University
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting from City University

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
• Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant has a strong background in fund accounting. They worked in two different organizations doing similar work and getting impressive results, which shows the new hiring manager what they’re capable of and how likely they are to meet goals.

They have bachelor’s and master’s degrees relating to accounting and business administration, which show they understand the big picture of finances and how they impact the company. They also have several professional licenses that show they continue their education in many ways.

Cost Accounting Manager Resume Example

A cost accounting manager handles the reconciliation of expenses and costs, along with running numbers relating to monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports. They may work with the senior accounting manager and a team of accountants to ensure the business operates properly and complies with all local requirements.

Work Experience 1: Cost Accounting Manager at City Health Center

• Presented quarterly cost forecasts to employees, management, and stakeholders
• Performed physical inventory reconciliations to align with month-end general ledger closings
• Trained new hires on transcribing written records into the accounting software platform
• Maintained cash flow by monitoring multiple bank accounts and cash requirements
• Managed a team of ten junior accountants

Work Experience 2: Cost Accounting Manager at City Financial

• Oversaw daily operations of financial reports, budget balancing, and cash flow
• Reduced operating costs by 27% annually, increasing the company’s value by $1.25 million
• Stayed updated on tax guidelines to ensure total compliance
• Tracked expenses and reconciled accounts to show constantly updated numbers
• Served on the hiring committee to interview and onboard ten new accountants

Skills

• Account reconciliation
• Certified Public Accountant
• Financial reporting
• Staff development
• Technical accounting

Education

• Master of Business Administration from City University
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting from City University

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
• Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant has a strong educational background, with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, along with two professional certifications. They have a clear focus on the field and stay updated on the regulations by continuing their education.

The applicant’s job experience shows them as willing to jump in and help in different ways, such as helping to hire and train new employees, adjust to new accounting software, and oversee documents during the tax season. They have leadership experience balanced with hands-on work in the field, making them an invaluable potential employee.

Public Accounting Manager Resume Example

Public accounting managers may work on audit fieldwork, prepare financial statements, and handle corporate tax returns. They may analyze the company’s processes to ensure maximum efficiency. These managers oversee accounting transactions and ensure they comply with the organization’s budget.

Work Experience 1: Public Accounting Manager at City Accounting Firm

• Managed financial records for 40 clients each month while overseeing a team of three junior accountants
• Served on a committee of managers from all departments to stay updated on business operations, increasing company-wide efficiency by 65%
• Trained major clients on general financial knowledge to ensure they made good choices independently
• Developed an internal audit process that helped the company eliminate unnecessary programs and expenses by 30%
• Produced monthly financial reports for management and stakeholders

Work Experience 2: Public Accounting Manager at Tax Consultancy

• Mentored 50 clients on tax law and helped them maintain accurate records throughout the year
• Filed taxes for 30 individuals and 30 corporations annually, using financial reports created from monthly check-ins
• Improved client retention rate by 40% company-wide
• Input data from paper documents into the new accounting system adopted by the company with no training
• Reduced tax document turnaround time by 20%, giving clients information in a more timely manner

Skills

• Account analysis
• Certified Public Accountant
• Financial reporting
• General ledger skills
• Task prioritization

Education

• Master of Science in Accounting from City University
• Bachelor of Science in Accounting from City University

Licenses & Accreditations

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
• Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)

Why This Resume Works

This resume works because the applicant has experience as a public accountant, including two degrees and a professional license. They have a work history at a tax consultancy firm, which shows they know the law and can ensure the organization is compliant.

Their bullet points include specific data about goals they met, showing how this applicant can help a new company become more efficient while cutting costs. They have skills relating to various accounting work, plus team leadership and training.

Common Skills & Action Verbs To Include on an Accounting Manager Resume

You might think using standard language on your resume is fine, but there are specific resume verbs you’ll want to use to stand out to the hiring manager. Some applicant tracking systems will even reject resumes that don’t use specific terms. You always want to mirror the language from the job description.

Using action verbs for the job duties on your work history will help engage the hiring manager with your resume. They’ll understand your passion for the field and remember your resume above those that used passive language.

Go back through your resume and add in terms from the job listing, along with some of the words listed below.

Common Skills for Accounting Manager Resumes

• Account analysis
• Accounts payable
• Account reconciliation
• Certified Public Accountant
• Collaboration
• Concurrent project management
• Cost reduction
• Financial reporting
• General ledger skills
• Internal auditing
• QuickBooks software
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk mitigation
• Staff development
• Task prioritization
• Tax return preparation
• Team leadership
• Technical accounting
• Time management
• Written and verbal communication

Common Action Verbs for Accounting Manager Resumes

• Analyze
• Assess
• Audit
• Balance
• Calculate
• Coach
• Combine
• Create
• Develop
• Forecast
• Improve
• Mentor
• Motivate
• Report

Tips for Writing a Better Accounting Manager Resume

Reading the examples above gives you an idea of what to include on your accounting manager resume and how it should look. If you need some more resume tips, follow the ideas below to ensure you have a neat, attention-grabbing resume ready to help you score some job interviews.

1. Be Concise

It’s understandable that you want to showcase all your experience and skills, but the resume isn’t the place for that. Your resume should be concise, typically one or two pages. Anything longer isn’t worth the hiring manager’s time, so they’ll throw it out before giving you a chance.

Using a reverse chronological format will help you keep your resume concise. You’ll start listing your most recent work history and work your way back to the beginning of your career. Leave out jobs that are irrelevant. You can stop when you reach the ten-year point, but you don’t have to include that much if it doesn’t apply to the job listing.

In addition to keeping your resume short and sweet, you need to be concise with the information you include with each job description. You don’t want to list every task you completed in your last job, just those that are most relevant and make you stand out from the crowd.

2. Add Specific Metrics

Instead of listing the duties you completed at each job, add metrics that ensure the hiring manager can envision what you accomplished. Elevate the phrase “Worked as accounting team manager” to “Managed a team of 12 accountants.” The details help the hiring manager understand the scope of your capabilities.

As an accountant, you know that using precise numbers can make a big difference in the information. If you secured a million-dollar client, list the specifics. If you run reports for an account that has millions coming in and out every month, mention it so the hiring manager sees that you can handle large projects.

If you don’t know specific metrics or don’t think they’re impressive, don’t include them. Just as you can skew general skills to show what an effective accountant you are, you can talk through some of these details when you get an interview. It’s better to leave out statistics than to include something that doesn’t paint you in the best light.

3. Use Keywords and Action Verbs

Along with including specific numbers and metrics to truly show what you accomplished, using keywords and action verbs helps you use fewer words while making a more powerful impact. The previous section lists dozens of terms you can use as jumping-off points.

Since you’re using the new job descriptions as ideas for keywords to add to your resume, go back to your old job description, too, if you still have it. You might have forgotten about some of the duties you completed because they became everyday tasks for you. Looking over the description will remind you of important data to include on your resume, including keywords.

4. Proofread

This tip isn’t specific to accounting manager resumes but rather to all types, plus any professional communication you send. Always proofread your work. With autocorrect running rampant on word processors and email clients, you may intend to type one thing, but autocorrect assumes you meant something else.

Once you complete your resume, print it off and review a paper copy. Some mistakes may be easier to notice on paper compared to the screen.

Also, ask a close friend or loved one to review your resume. You’ve been putting a lot of work into the document and might be too close to it to notice some errors. Someone you trust will look it over and point out any typos before you send the resume to open positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve seen example accounting manager resumes and learned tips to ensure yours stands out. If you need more information, check out the answers to these frequently asked questions.

Similar Resume Types to Reference

If you want a job as an accounting manager, you might consider looking at these similar positions to see if the work appeals to you. You can tweak your current resume to apply for other jobs to increase your chances of finding the right position.

• Project Manager Resume: Project managers ensure projects run smoothly by overseeing different teams and timelines.
• Program Manager Resume: Program managers can oversee employees, balance the budget, or interact with stakeholders.
• Financial Analyst Resume: Financial analysts can work with individual and corporate investments and portfolios, giving advice on what action to take to increase profits.

Wrapping Up

There’s no need to feel stuck at your current job—brush off your accounting manager resume and update it using the examples and tips in this article.

The examples include resumes from different places in the accounting manager career path, like entry-level and senior. You can also check out relevant resume examples to play up your strengths.

If you’re hunting for a new accounting manager job and this article helped you, let us know in the comments. Feel free to share this page with a friend who’s searching for accounting work.