Breaking into the accounting industry as a college student or recent graduate can be challenging. Your resume is often the first impression you make on potential employers, so it’s crucial to get it right. Here are key tips to help you present your qualifications effectively and boost your chances of landing a job in accounting.
Start with the Basics
Make sure your resume format is clean and professional. Stick to traditional formatting—clear headings, bullet points, and a simple, easy-to-read font. Avoid overly creative designs, as they can distract from your qualifications. Keep the length of your resume to one page.
Customize Your Resume and Cover Letter for the Specific Firm
Research the firm you’re considering to ensure it aligns with your career interests and goals. Investigate its size, specialties, company culture, and recent achievements. This helps you determine whether the firm is a good fit and allows you to make your resume and cover letter more relevant to their needs. Emphasize specific experiences, skills, or certifications that match the firm’s services. For example, if the firm specializes in forensic accounting, highlight any coursework, certifications, or internships related to that area. This level of customization can help your resume stand out from generic applications.
Be Clear About Your Graduation Date and Credit Hours
Provide clear information about your academic status. Always include your expected graduation date—this helps potential employers gauge your availability and timeline for entering the workforce. Be explicit about the number of credit hours you’ve completed or will complete by graduation. Accounting firms are particularly attentive to candidates’ readiness to sit for the CPA exam, which requires specific coursework and credits. By clearly stating this information, you show employers that you’ve met or are on track to meet these requirements and your intentions to do so.
Don’t Underestimate the Relevance of Past Work Experience
While experience in the accounting field is ideal, employers value any transferable skills that demonstrate professionalism, responsibility, and work ethic. Even the smallest amount of experience for a young person helps. If you’ve worked in customer service, retail, or as a teaching assistant, highlight relevant skills such as communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, and time management. Even if the job wasn’t in accounting, demonstrating your ability to manage deadlines, maintain a friendly demeanor with customers, or work under pressure will show potential employers that you have valuable experience.
Highlight Involvement in Teams, Clubs, and Organizations
Being an active member of campus groups, clubs, or other organizations can significantly enhance your resume, particularly when it comes to demonstrating teamwork and leadership skills. Accounting is not only about numbers—it’s also about working with clients, collaborating with colleagues, and contributing to your firm’s success. If you’ve held a leadership role in any group or organized activities as part of a club, make sure to include this. Leadership roles, even in non-professional contexts, show initiative, responsibility, and the ability to work with others. Additionally, any involvement in volunteer work or community service can signal that you’re committed to the values of service and integrity.
Proofread Carefully Before Submitting
Accuracy is critical in accounting, and employers will expect nothing less when reviewing your resume. A single typo or formatting inconsistency can make a lasting negative impression. After all, if you’re not detail-oriented in your own resume, how can you be trusted with the meticulous demands of accounting work?
Before submitting your resume, take the time to proofread it carefully. Review for grammatical errors, misspelled words, and incorrect formatting. Consider asking a trusted friend, family member, or mentor to look it over as well. This extra attention to detail shows prospective employers that you’re serious about accuracy, a skill that is non-negotiable in accounting.
Things to Avoid
- Overloading your resume with irrelevant information: Focus on highlighting transferable skills.
- Using vague or generic language: Be specific about your accomplishments.
- Failing to quantify achievements: Accounting is a numbers-driven field, so quantify your achievements whenever possible.
Looking Ahead
As a college student or recent graduate, your resume is your chance to show potential employers in the accounting industry that you have the skills, education, and work ethic they’re looking for. By being clear about your academic achievements, showcasing relevant work experience, highlighting your involvement in teams and organizations, and proofreading carefully, you’ll stand out as a strong candidate. Tailor your resume to the accounting industry and each firm you plan to contact, and you’ll be well on your way to launching a successful accounting career.
Laura Everett is a principal at ARB. As the leader of the ARB Recruiting Program, Laura champions the firm’s recruiting efforts, meeting with the next generation of rising stars in accounting from local colleges and universities and seeking out experienced professionals of the highest caliber to join ARB.
