Accounting Assistant Resume examples & templates
Copyable Accounting Assistant Resume examples
Ever wonder who keeps the financial gears turning smoothly behind the scenes? Accounting Assistants are those unsung heroes who maintain order in the financial universe of businesses everywhere. They're the detail-oriented professionals who process transactions, reconcile accounts and catch errors before they snowball into bigger problems. In today's increasingly digital financial landscape, the role has evolved far beyond simple data entry – with nearly 78% of accounting departments now using at least two specialized software systems that assistants must navigate daily.
The field offers a fantastic entry point into the broader world of finance and accounting, with opportunities to specialize in payroll, accounts payable, receivables, or general ledger work. Many successful CPAs and financial controllers started their careers as accounting assistants, learning the practical foundations that textbooks simply can't teach. As businesses continue adapting to remote work models and cloud-based financial systems, tomorrow's accounting assistants will need a blend of traditional accounting knowledge and tech savvy – making this an exciting time to jump into this stable yet evolving career path.
Junior Accounting Assistant Resume Example
EMILY MARTINEZ
Chicago, IL | (312) 555-8761 | emartinez88@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/emilymartinez
Detail-oriented Accounting Assistant with 1+ year of experience in accounts payable/receivable and general ledger functions. Quick learner with strong Excel skills and experience with QuickBooks. Completed accounting coursework with a 3.7 GPA while working part-time in customer service. Looking to grow my accounting career at a company where I can apply my numerical accuracy and problem-solving abilities.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Accounting Assistant – Parkside Medical Group, Chicago, IL (June 2023 – Present)
- Process 75+ vendor invoices weekly, ensuring accurate coding and timely payment while maintaining 99.3% accuracy rate
- Reconcile 3 bank accounts monthly and assist with monthly close procedures
- Maintain AP aging reports and follow up on outstanding invoices, reducing past-due accounts by 17%
- Help prepare financial statements for monthly department meetings
- Created Excel template that cut AP processing time by 40 minutes per week
Accounting Intern – Bright Path Financial Services, Chicago, IL (Jan 2023 – May 2023)
- Assisted with accounts payable processing and data entry for a mid-sized financial services firm
- Organized and filed financial documents both digitally and physically
- Helped reconcile expense reports and matched receipts to corporate credit card statements
- Supported month-end close process by preparing journal entries under supervision
Customer Service Representative – Northside Retail, Chicago, IL (Sept 2021 – Dec 2022)
- Managed cash drawer with average daily transactions of $3,500 with zero discrepancies
- Processed returns and exchanges according to company policies
- Balanced registers at end of shift and prepared daily sales reports
- Helped train 4 new team members on POS system and store procedures
EDUCATION
Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
Chicago Community College, Chicago, IL – May 2023
GPA: 3.7/4.0
Relevant Coursework: Principles of Accounting I & II, Payroll Accounting, Business Law, Computerized Accounting, Business Communication
CERTIFICATIONS
QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification (In Progress, expected completion August 2024)
Microsoft Excel Specialist – Chicago Community College, 2022
SKILLS
- Accounts Payable/Receivable
- Bank Reconciliations
- General Ledger
- QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables)
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Data Entry (65 WPM)
- Financial Record-Keeping
- Basic Tax Preparation
- Attention to Detail
Mid-level Accounting Assistant Resume Example
Diane Morales
dmorales87@gmail.com | (714) 555-9382 | LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dianemorales | Costa Mesa, CA
Detail-oriented Accounting Assistant with 5+ years of experience in AP/AR, month-end closing procedures, and financial reporting. Skilled in QuickBooks, Excel, and other accounting software with a track record of reducing errors and improving process efficiency. Committed to maintaining accurate financial records while providing excellent support to accounting teams and clients.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Accounting Assistant | Pacific Business Services | Irvine, CA | June 2020 – Present
- Process 75+ vendor invoices weekly, maintaining 99.3% accuracy rate while reducing processing time by 31%
- Reconcile 4 corporate bank accounts monthly, identifying and resolving discrepancies within 24 hours
- Prepare and distribute weekly financial reports for executive team, consolidating data from 3 separate systems
- Implemented streamlined AP filing system that reduced document retrieval time from 15 minutes to under 3 minutes
- Train and mentor 2 junior accounting clerks on company procedures and best practices
Accounting Assistant | Westlake Financial Group | Santa Ana, CA | March 2018 – May 2020
- Managed accounts receivable for 120+ client accounts with average monthly billings of $1.2M
- Processed bi-weekly payroll for 45 employees, ensuring timely and accurate payments
- Assisted with month-end and year-end closing procedures, reducing closing time by 2 days
- Created Excel macros that automated routine reporting tasks, saving approximately 7 hours weekly
Accounts Payable Clerk | Robinson Manufacturing | Costa Mesa, CA | July 2017 – February 2018
- Processed and coded invoices for payment, ensuring compliance with company policies
- Maintained vendor files and resolved account discrepancies through direct communication
- Assisted with weekly check runs averaging $87,000 in disbursements
EDUCATION
Associate of Science in Accounting
Orange Coast College – Costa Mesa, CA
Graduated: May 2017 – GPA: 3.7/4.0
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification
Completed: January 2019 (renewed annually)
Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification
Completed: August 2020
SKILLS
- Accounts Payable/Receivable
- Bank Reconciliations
- QuickBooks (Desktop & Online)
- Microsoft Excel (advanced formulas, pivot tables, macros)
- Financial Reporting
- Month-End Close Procedures
- General Ledger Maintenance
- ADP Payroll Processing
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Data Entry (85 WPM with 98% accuracy)
- Vendor Management
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Active member of the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) since 2019
Volunteer tax preparer for low-income families through VITA program (2020-2022)
Senior / Experienced Accounting Assistant Resume Example
Margaret “Maggie” Winters
Denver, CO • (720) 555-8291 • m.winters.acct@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/maggiewinters
Detail-oriented Accounting Assistant with over 8 years of experience supporting financial operations across multiple industries. Known for exceptional accuracy in accounts payable/receivable processing, financial data entry, and month-end close procedures. Strong problem-solver who streamlined payment reconciliation processes that reduced processing time by 37%. Proficient with QuickBooks, SAP, and Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Accounting Assistant | Pinnacle Manufacturing Group | Denver, CO | March 2019 – Present
- Process biweekly payroll for 140+ employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state tax regulations
- Manage full AP cycle including invoice processing, payment scheduling, and vendor statement reconciliation with 99.6% accuracy rate
- Implemented digital filing system that cut document retrieval time from 15 minutes to under 2 minutes
- Prepare journal entries and assist with month-end closing process, reducing closing time from 7 to 4 business days
- Train and mentor 2 junior accounting staff members on company procedures and best practices
Accounting Assistant | Rocky Mountain Healthcare Services | Boulder, CO | June 2016 – February 2019
- Processed and coded 200+ weekly invoices while maintaining vendor relationships and resolving discrepancies
- Reconciled 4 corporate credit cards with monthly transactions exceeding $45,000
- Assisted with accounts receivable including patient billing, payment posting, and collections
- Created Excel spreadsheet templates that cut monthly expense reporting time by 42%
- Maintained fixed asset records and calculated depreciation for equipment valued at $1.2M
Junior Accounting Clerk | Westfield Retail Management | Denver, CO | August 2014 – May 2016
- Processed daily cash receipts from 8 retail locations, ensuring accurate recording and deposit
- Maintained and reconciled petty cash funds ($1,500 monthly)
- Filed and organized financial documents according to established protocols
- Assisted with data entry for quarterly tax filings and annual audits
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
Front Range Community College, Westminster, CO
Graduated 2014 – GPA: 3.8/4.0
Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor – Obtained 2017, Renewed 2023
Microsoft Excel Specialist Certification – Obtained 2018
SKILLS
- Accounts Payable/Receivable
- General Ledger Reconciliation
- Month-End Close Procedures
- Payroll Processing
- Financial Reporting
- QuickBooks Enterprise & Online
- SAP Accounting Modules
- Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel)
- Data Entry (85+ WPM with 98% accuracy)
- Banking & Cash Management
- Document Control Systems
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Treasurer, Denver Animal Rescue League (2018-Present)
Fluent in Spanish – conversational proficiency
How to Write an Accounting Assistant Resume
Introduction
Landing that Accounting Assistant job starts with a resume that showcases your attention to detail and financial acumen. Just like balancing books, creating an effective resume requires precision and organization. I've reviewed thousands of accounting resumes over my career, and there's a clear difference between those that get interviews and those that don't. Let's break down exactly what you need to stand out in a stack of applications.
Resume Structure and Format
Your resume's organization matters just as much as its content. Think of it as your personal financial statement - it needs to be clean, ordered, and easy to audit.
- Stick to 1 page for entry-level positions, 2 pages max for experienced roles
- Use a clean, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Garamond work well)
- Include clear section headings with consistent formatting
- Maintain margins between 0.5-1 inch
- Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a .doc)
When formatting your resume, remember that accounting departments value organization and neatness. A disorganized resume sends a subtle message that you might handle financial documents the same way.
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary works like an executive overview of your professional "balance sheet." Keep it brief (3-4 lines) and focus on your most relevant skills and experience. For an Accounting Assistant role, highlight your accuracy with numbers, software proficiency, and any specialized knowledge.
Example: "Detail-oriented Accounting Assistant with 4+ years' experience in A/P, A/R, and month-end reconciliations. Proficient in QuickBooks and Excel with strong data entry accuracy (99.7%). Reduced processing time for vendor invoices by 31% through improved workflow procedures."
Professional Experience
This is where you prove your accounting chops. For each position:
- Start with company name, location, your title, and dates (month/year)
- Focus on achievements rather than just duties (what did you improve?)
- Quantify results where possible ($, %, time saved)
- Highlight process improvements or efficiency gains
- Mention specific accounting software you've mastered
Rather than "Processed accounts payable," try "Managed A/P averaging 187 weekly invoices totaling $135K, ensuring 99.5% accuracy and reducing payment delays by 42%."
Education and Certifications
Accounting is a credential-driven field. List your education in reverse chronological order, including:
- Degree, major, institution, graduation year (or expected)
- Relevant coursework (if you're early in your career)
- GPA if above 3.5
- Certifications (QuickBooks, Excel, bookkeeping credentials)
- Professional development courses
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems that scan for specific terms. For Accounting Assistant roles, include:
- Accounts payable/receivable
- General ledger
- Month-end close
- Bank reconciliations
- Journal entries
- Financial reporting
- Software names (QuickBooks, SAP, NetSuite, Excel)
Industry-specific Terms
Show you speak the language by naturally incorporating accounting terminology:
- Accruals and deferrals
- Trial balance
- Fixed asset management
- Depreciation schedules
- 1099 processing
- Internal controls
- Audit preparation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
I see these errors repeatedly on accounting resumes:
- Vague descriptions without metrics
- Focusing on routine tasks instead of achievements
- Typos or formatting inconsistencies (deadly in accounting!)
- Missing key software proficiencies
- Overlooking soft skills like communication and problem-solving
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for accounts payable and invoice processing."
After: "Processed 75+ weekly vendor invoices totaling $89,000, implementing a digital filing system
that cut search time from 12 minutes to 3 minutes per document and eliminated payment duplications."
Remember, your resume is essentially your first work sample. Every number should add up, every detail should be verified, and the whole document should demonstrate the accuracy and attention to detail that accounting departments need. Good luck with your application!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Accounting Assistant resume
- Detail-oriented with ability to spot discrepancies in financial records while managing multiple priorities
- Clear communication with non-finance colleagues about accounting procedures and requirements
- Collaborative problem-solver who works well with AP/AR teams during month-end crunch
- Adaptable to changing tax regulations and accounting software updates
- Tactful when requesting documentation from busy department managers
- Stress management during high-pressure periods (tax season, audits, quarterly reporting)
Hard skills for your Accounting Assistant resume
- QuickBooks Pro/Enterprise (7+ years daily usage)
- Advanced Excel formulas, pivot tables, and VLOOKUP functions
- Accounts payable/receivable reconciliation
- Sage 50 Accounting software
- Microsoft Dynamics GP experience (3 years)
- ADP Payroll processing and tax filing
- Fixed asset tracking and depreciation calculations
- Month-end closing procedures
- 1099 preparation and vendor management