Accounting Associate Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Accounting Associate Resume examples

Ever notice how every company—from the corner bakery to Fortune 500 giants—needs someone to manage their money? That's where Accounting Associates come in, serving as the financial backbone of organizations everywhere. These detail-oriented professionals handle everything from processing invoices and reconciling accounts to preparing financial statements and supporting month-end closes. With the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting a steady 6% growth in accounting positions through 2028 (that's about 90,000 new jobs!), this career path offers remarkable stability in an otherwise unpredictable job market.

The field is evolving, too. Gone are the days of just crunching numbers in spreadsheets. Today's Accounting Associates work with sophisticated ERP systems and automated tools that streamline routine tasks, allowing them to focus on analysis and problem-solving. Many firms are now seeking candidates with experience in cloud-based accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online or Xero. As businesses continue to emphasize data-driven decision making, Accounting Associates who can translate financial information into actionable insights will find themselves particularly well-positioned for advancement into senior roles or specialized areas like forensic accounting or financial analysis.

Junior Accounting Associate Resume Example

MAYA PATEL

Boston, MA • (617) 555-2984 • mpatel93@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/mayapatel

Recent accounting graduate with 1+ year of experience in financial analysis, accounts payable, and general ledger reconciliation. Skilled in Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, and basic financial reporting. Proven ability to handle AP/AR processes while maintaining accurate records and meeting tight deadlines. Currently pursuing CPA certification.

EXPERIENCE

Accounting Associate – Beacon Financial Services, Boston, MA
January 2023 – Present

  • Process 45+ vendor invoices weekly, ensuring accurate coding and timely payment processing
  • Reconcile 3 bank accounts monthly with 99.8% accuracy while identifying and resolving discrepancies
  • Assist with month-end close procedures, including journal entries and account reconciliations
  • Created Excel templates that reduced manual data entry time by 37% for recurring transactions
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve billing issues and process customer refunds

Accounting Intern – GreenPath Accounting Firm, Cambridge, MA
May 2022 – December 2022

  • Supported accounts receivable team by processing customer payments and updating account records
  • Organized and maintained digital filing system for over 200 client accounts
  • Prepared basic financial statements and reports under supervision of senior accountant
  • Assisted with tax preparation for 15 small business clients during busy season

Student Finance Assistant (Part-time) – Boston University Bursar’s Office
September 2021 – May 2022

  • Helped process student payments and address basic account inquiries
  • Updated student financial records and assisted with data entry tasks
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive financial information

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting – Boston University, Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2022 – GPA: 3.7/4.0

  • Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Business Law
  • Member, Accounting Society; Volunteer, VITA Tax Assistance Program

CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Certified QuickBooks User (2022)
CPA Exam – Passed FAR section, currently preparing for remaining sections

SKILLS

  • Accounting Software: QuickBooks, Sage 50, Microsoft Dynamics (basic)
  • Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel – VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • Financial statement preparation and analysis
  • General ledger reconciliation
  • Accounts payable/receivable management
  • Month-end close procedures
  • Basic tax preparation
  • ERP systems (beginner level)
  • Data entry (85 WPM typing speed)

Mid-level Accounting Associate Resume Example

Amanda P. Wilson

Seattle, WA 98101 | (206) 555-8274 | apwilson@email.com | linkedin.com/in/amandawilson

Detail-oriented Accounting Associate with 5+ years of experience in A/P, A/R, and month-end closing processes. Known for reconciling complex accounts with 99.7% accuracy and implementing process improvements that reduced monthly close time by 2 days. Proficient in QuickBooks, SAP, and Excel with advanced formula knowledge. Looking to leverage my technical accounting skills and attention to detail in a Senior Accounting role.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Accounting Associate | Meridian Group, Seattle, WA | June 2020 – Present

  • Process 150+ monthly vendor invoices and manage A/P aging reports to ensure timely payments, maintaining vendor relationships and capturing early payment discounts worth $12,400 annually
  • Reconcile 4 bank accounts with combined balances exceeding $3.5M, identifying and resolving discrepancies within 24 hours
  • Created Excel macro that automated journal entry process, reducing monthly close time from 7 to 5 days
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to investigate and resolve billing discrepancies, reducing dispute resolution time by 37%
  • Train and mentor 2 accounting interns each year, developing comprehensive onboarding materials that are now used department-wide

Junior Accounting Clerk | Rainier Financial Services, Bellevue, WA | August 2018 – May 2020

  • Managed accounts receivable for 200+ client accounts, processing payments and maintaining aging reports
  • Assisted with monthly bank reconciliations and identified $8,700 in unclaimed funds
  • Prepared and filed sales tax returns for 3 states, ensuring compliance with varying local regulations
  • Helped migrate financial data during system upgrade from QuickBooks to SAP

Accounting Intern | Northwest Manufacturing, Inc., Seattle, WA | January 2018 – April 2018

  • Assisted with data entry and filing of financial documents
  • Reconciled petty cash fund and prepared expense reports
  • Supported A/P department during busy tax season, processing over 300 invoices

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | University of Washington, Seattle | 2018 Minor in Business Information Systems | GPA: 3.7/4.0

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (2020)

Microsoft Excel Specialist (2019)

Currently pursuing CPA certification (2 of 4 exams passed)

SKILLS

  • Financial Software: QuickBooks, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Xero
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, macros, Power Query)
  • Month-end closing procedures
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Fixed asset management
  • General ledger maintenance
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Accounts payable/receivable
  • Tax compliance
  • Internal controls & audit preparation

Senior / Experienced Accounting Associate Resume Example

Victoria R. Mendoza

Tampa, FL • (813) 555-7824 • vmendoza@emailpro.net • linkedin.com/in/victoriarmendoza

Detail-oriented accounting professional with 9+ years of experience in full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, and process improvement. Skilled in managing complex reconciliations, streamlining accounting procedures, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Consistently recognized for accuracy, efficiency, and ability to identify and resolve discrepancies before they impact financial statements.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Accounting Associate | Coastal Financial Partners, Tampa, FL | January 2020 – Present

  • Oversee month-end close process for 3 business units with combined annual revenue of $47M, reducing close timeline from 12 to 8 days
  • Manage accounts payable functions for 200+ vendors, processing approximately $1.2M in monthly transactions with 99.7% accuracy rate
  • Implemented automated reconciliation procedures that decreased processing time by 31% and virtually eliminated manual errors
  • Train and mentor 4 junior accounting staff on company procedures, GAAP principles, and technical accounting software
  • Collaborate with external auditors to provide documentation and support, helping secure clean audit opinions for 3 consecutive years

Accounting Associate | Meridian Healthcare Systems, Orlando, FL | March 2017 – December 2019

  • Performed monthly account reconciliations for 75+ GL accounts, identifying and resolving $143K in misclassified expenses
  • Assisted in preparing financial statements and supporting schedules for quarterly reporting packages
  • Developed Excel templates that cut report generation time by 40% (still in use by the department today!)
  • Managed fixed asset accounting, including tracking acquisitions, transfers, and disposals for assets worth $8.5M

Junior Accounting Specialist | Westbrook Manufacturing, Inc., Orlando, FL | June 2014 – February 2017

  • Processed bi-weekly payroll for 120+ employees, ensuring accurate tax withholdings and benefit deductions
  • Reconciled bank statements and researched discrepancies, recovering approximately $27K in billing errors over 2 years
  • Maintained vendor files and processed invoice payments, negotiating early payment terms that saved the company $12K annually

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | University of South Florida | 2014
GPA: 3.7/4.0 | Dean’s List: 6 semesters

Certified Bookkeeper (CB) | American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers | 2016

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification | Intuit | 2018 (renewed 2022)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Financial Software: SAP, QuickBooks Enterprise, NetSuite, ADP Payroll
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros, Power Query)
  • Financial Reporting & Analysis
  • Month-End & Year-End Close Procedures
  • General Ledger Reconciliation
  • Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable
  • Fixed Asset Management
  • Internal Controls & Compliance
  • Database Management (basic SQL knowledge)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • Florida Accounting & Finance Expo (2022, 2023)
  • Advanced Excel for Accounting Professionals (2021)
  • Financial Ethics in the Digital Age Workshop (2019)

How to Write an Accounting Associate Resume

Introduction

Landing that Accounting Associate job means clearing the first hurdle—getting your resume noticed. In today's competitive job market, your resume isn't just a formality; it's your ticket to the interview table. I've reviewed thousands of accounting resumes over my career, and I can tell you firsthand that hiring managers often spend less than 30 seconds scanning each one. That's barely enough time to finish your morning coffee! Let's make sure yours stands out for all the right reasons.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and organized—just like your future accounting spreadsheets. A cluttered resume sends the wrong message for a role that demands precision and organization.

  • Stick to 1-2 pages (one page is perfect for entry-level positions)
  • Use a professional, readable font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt)
  • Include clear section headings to guide the reader's eye
  • Maintain consistent formatting with your bullet points and spacing
  • Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format (this preserves your formatting)

Profile/Summary Section

Your summary should be brief—3-4 lines max—and pack a punch. Think of it as your "balance sheet" of professional value. For an Accounting Associate position, highlight your relevant skills, experience level, and what makes you uniquely qualified.

Pro Tip: Tailor your summary for each job application. Mention the specific company name and reference key requirements from the job description. This small effort shows you're not mass-applying but genuinely interested in their position.

Professional Experience

This is where you prove your accounting chops. List your roles in reverse chronological order, with your most recent position first. For each role:

  • Include company name, your title, and dates of employment
  • Focus on achievements rather than just duties (I processed 87 accounts payable transactions daily vs. I was responsible for accounts payable)
  • Quantify your impact where possible (Reduced month-end close time by 2.5 days)
  • Use action verbs like reconciled, looked at, processed, prepared, and improved
  • Highlight experience with relevant software (QuickBooks, SAP, Excel, etc.)

Education and Certifications

For Accounting Associate roles, your educational background matters. Include:

  • Your degree(s) with graduation dates and GPA if above 3.5
  • Relevant coursework if you're a recent graduate
  • Certifications like QuickBooks ProAdvisor or Excel Specialist
  • Continuing education or professional development

If you're currently pursuing your CPA or other accounting credentials, definitely mention this—it shows ambition and commitment to the field.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before human eyes ever see them. Beat the bots by:

  • Including keywords from the job posting (account reconciliation, journal entries, AP/AR, etc.)
  • Avoiding tables, headers/footers, and complex formatting that ATS systems struggle with
  • Spelling out acronyms at least once (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP))
  • Using standard section headings the ATS will recognize

Industry-specific Terms

Showcase your accounting knowledge by naturally incorporating these terms:

  • Month-end/year-end close procedures
  • General ledger maintenance
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Fixed asset management
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Variance analysis
  • Tax compliance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I've seen countless accounting resumes fall into these traps:

  • Using generic descriptions that could apply to any profession
  • Including irrelevant personal information
  • Focusing solely on responsibilities rather than accomplishments
  • Typos or errors (especially deadly in an accounting role!)
  • Going overboard with accounting jargon to the point of confusion

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for accounts payable and receivable duties."

After: "Managed full-cycle AP/AR functions for 43 vendor accounts, processing an average of $178K in monthly transactions while maintaining 99.7% accuracy rate and reducing payment cycle time by 4 days."

See the difference? The "after" version shows exactly what you did, the scope of your responsibility, and your positive impact—giving potential employers a clear picture of the value you'll bring to their team.

Soft skills for your Accounting Associate resume

  • Cross-functional communication – equally comfortable discussing financial concepts with executives or non-finance colleagues
  • Deadline management under pressure, particularly during month-end close when juggling multiple competing priorities
  • Collaborative problem-solving, especially when reconciling discrepancies between departments
  • Attention to detail without losing sight of broader financial implications
  • Adaptability to evolving financial software and reporting requirements (survived 3 system migrations!)
  • Tactful persistence when following up on missing documentation or information

Hard skills for your Accounting Associate resume

  • Oracle NetSuite ERP proficiency with custom report creation
  • Advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros, financial modeling)
  • Accounts payable/receivable management in high-volume environments
  • QuickBooks Desktop and Online certification (completed 2019)
  • Month-end closing processes and reconciliation techniques
  • SQL query writing for financial database management
  • Familiarity with GAAP standards and compliance requirements
  • Experience with ADP Payroll and tax filing procedures
  • Proficient in Xero and FreshBooks accounting platforms