The Guide to Finding Work in the Accounting Field with a Resume
Finding work in accounting can seem difficult at first, especially if the applicant is inexperienced. Most employers want their workers to at least have an associate’s degree, but a bachelor’s degree is even better. This will open doors that would otherwise be closed to a job hunter without experience working in accounting.
While in school, an array of specialized accounting topics will be taught. If one appeals to you more than another, take the initiative and make that topic your main focus. It could be tax preparation, benefits management, auditing, or accounts payable/receivable. The important thing is that it interests you and you are willing to learn more about it. Ask your professors or others in your department about internships available in that specialized field. There’s little to no money in it, but the benefits reaped in experience could be invaluable later on.
After graduation, and hopefully an internship, the most important factor is the accounting resume. While resumes are generally considered to be the only source for determining whether or not the applicant will be interviewed, those who read them usually make that decision in less than a minute. Keep that in mind when debating whether or not to list your high school student council vice-presidency. Some people hire a resume writer; this is fine, although you could save time and money by doing it yourself. A simpler format usually works best for an accountant resume:
Name
Address
Telephone
Email
Objective: Explain your enthusiasm about the current position, but also list future career ambitions. It is best not to generalize each resume, but reflect the nature of the exact position you are applying for. This section can also be used to summarize skills, qualifications, or education, but should not be any longer than 5 or 6 sentences.
For additional resources to help with crafting your accounting resume, visit accountingresume.ca.
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