Accounting Consultant Resume examples & templates
Copyable Accounting Consultant Resume examples
Ever wondered what happens when financial expertise meets strategic problem-solving? That's where Accounting Consultants come in – the financial detectives who don't just crunch numbers but transform them into business solutions. We navigate the increasingly complex regulatory landscape while helping organizations optimize their financial operations. It's a field that's evolved dramatically since the 2008 financial crisis, with consultants now playing crucial roles in everything from traditional audit support to specialized ESG reporting.
According to recent industry data, accounting consulting services grew by 14.7% in 2022 – nearly triple the growth rate of traditional accounting services. This surge reflects how businesses are responding to regulatory changes (like the Corporate Transparency Act) and seeking specialized expertise rather than building in-house capabilities. The field is particularly dynamic for those with both technical accounting knowledge and soft skills – communication, project management, and adaptability. As AI and automation tools reshape routine accounting tasks, consultants are increasingly focused on judgment-intensive advisory work that machines simply can't handle. The future? It's bright for professionals who can balance technical precision with strategic insight.
Junior Accounting Consultant Resume Example
Ethan Garcia
Boston, MA | (617) 555-8721 | ethan.garcia@email.com | linkedin.com/in/ethangarcia
Professional Summary
Recent accounting graduate with 1+ year of experience in financial analysis and tax preparation. Skilled in financial reporting, account reconciliation, and data analysis using Excel and QuickBooks. Eager to leverage my analytical mindset and attention to detail to help clients optimize their financial operations and compliance strategies.
Experience
Junior Accounting Consultant – Beacon Financial Services, Boston, MA
January 2023 – Present
- Assist senior consultants with financial statement preparation and analysis for 14 small business clients, identifying $47,000 in potential tax savings
- Perform monthly account reconciliations and prepare journal entries for client accounts, reducing error rates by 17%
- Collaborate with a team of 5 consultants to develop customized accounting solutions for clients across retail and manufacturing industries
- Create and maintain Excel models to track client KPIs and financial metrics (sometimes working late to meet tight deadlines)
Accounting Intern – Murphy & Associates CPA, Boston, MA
May 2022 – December 2022
- Supported tax preparation for 35+ individual and small business clients during 2022 tax season
- Conducted research on tax code changes and prepared summary documents for senior accountants
- Assisted with accounts payable/receivable activities and bank reconciliations for 8 clients
- Helped implement new QuickBooks Online procedures that cut processing time by 22%
Finance Club Treasurer – Boston University, Boston, MA
September 2020 – May 2022
- Managed a $12,500 annual budget, tracked expenses, and prepared monthly financial reports
- Coordinated fundraising initiatives that increased club funds by 31% year-over-year
- Developed and maintained spreadsheets to monitor club spending across 6 different categories
Education
Bachelor of Science in Accounting – Boston University, Boston, MA
Graduated: May 2022 | GPA: 3.7/4.0
- Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Tax Accounting, Auditing, Business Law
- Academic Achievement Award (2021)
Certifications
- Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (2023)
- Excel Specialist Certification (2022)
- Currently studying for CPA exam (2 sections passed)
Skills
- Financial Statement Analysis
- Tax Preparation & Planning
- QuickBooks & QuickBooks Online
- Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables)
- Account Reconciliation
- Data Analysis
- General Ledger Management
- Client Communication
- Accounts Payable/Receivable
- Financial Forecasting
Additional Information
Member, Massachusetts Association of Young Accounting Professionals
Volunteer Tax Preparer, VITA Program (2022 Tax Season)
Mid-level Accounting Consultant Resume Example
Rebecca Nguyen
Portland, OR | (503) 555-8721 | r.nguyen.accounting@email.com | linkedin.com/in/rebeccanguyen
Detail-oriented Accounting Consultant with 5+ years of experience helping businesses streamline financial operations and improve reporting accuracy. Known for translating complex financial data into actionable insights for clients across manufacturing, tech, and retail sectors. Skilled in implementing cost-saving measures that have helped clients reduce operational expenses by an average of 17% while maintaining compliance with changing regulations.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Accounting Consultant | Westridge Financial Services | Portland, OR | June 2021 – Present
- Lead financial assessments for 12+ mid-market clients ($5M-$50M revenue), identifying tax optimization opportunities that resulted in average annual savings of $73,400 per client
- Spearheaded the implementation of cloud-based accounting software for 8 clients, cutting monthly close time from 12 days to 5
- Designed custom financial reporting packages for executive teams, improving decision-making speed by 31% (based on client feedback surveys)
- Trained and mentored 3 junior consultants who now independently manage their own client portfolios
- Created tailored cash flow forecasting models that helped 2 manufacturing clients secure combined $3.2M in expansion financing
Accounting Consultant | Westridge Financial Services | Portland, OR | August 2019 – May 2021
- Managed monthly reconciliations and financial reporting for a portfolio of 9 clients across diverse industries
- Conducted in-depth analysis of accounts payable processes for a retail client, identifying $42,800 in duplicate payments and implementing controls to prevent recurrence
- Collaborated with client CFOs to develop budget frameworks that improved forecast accuracy by 24%
- Restructured chart of accounts for 3 clients to align with industry best practices, enhancing financial visibility
Staff Accountant | Meridian Manufacturing | Seattle, WA | May 2018 – July 2019
- Processed bi-weekly payroll for 120+ employees while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations
- Assisted with month-end close process, reducing completion time from 7 to 4 days through improved workflows
- Reconciled bank statements and GL accounts, resolving discrepancies within 24 hours
- Created Excel macros that automated repetitive reporting tasks, saving 9+ hours weekly
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Accounting | University of Washington | Seattle, WA | 2018
Minor in Business Analytics | GPA: 3.7
CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Licensed in Oregon | 2020
QuickBooks ProAdvisor | Advanced Certification | 2021
Xero Certified Advisor | 2022
SKILLS
- Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Tax Planning & Compliance
- ERP Systems (NetSuite, SAP)
- Process Improvement
- Cash Flow Management
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Audit Preparation
- Data Analytics (Power BI, Tableau)
- Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros)
- Client Relationship Management
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Volunteer Treasurer, Portland Small Business Association (2020-Present)
Fluent in Vietnamese
Co-organized “Finance for Non-Finance Professionals” workshop series (2022)
Senior / Experienced Accounting Consultant Resume Example
Marcus R. Wellington
(617) 555-8429 • m.wellington@email.com • Boston, MA 02110
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marcuswellington
Versatile Accounting Consultant with 8+ years of experience optimizing financial operations and providing strategic guidance to diverse clients. Proven track record helping businesses streamline accounting processes, implement controls, and address complex financial challenges. Specialize in financial system
implementations and compliance reviews. Known for translating technical accounting concepts into practical business solutions that clients can actually use.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Senior Accounting Consultant | Beacon Financial Advisory Partners | Boston, MA | Jan 2020 – Present
- Lead consultant for 12+ client engagements annually, primarily serving mid-market companies ($25M-$150M revenue) across healthcare, manufacturing, and tech sectors
- Spearheaded a 5-month ERP implementation for a medical device manufacturer that reduced month-end closing time by 37% and improved reporting accuracy
- Developed custom financial models and dashboards that helped a SaaS client secure $4.2M in Series B funding
- Managed a team of 3-5 junior consultants, providing mentorship and professional development while maintaining 91% client satisfaction scores
- Restructured accounting department for a healthcare provider facing regulatory challenges, resulting in clean audit opinions for 3 consecutive years
Accounting Consultant | Deloitte Consulting | Boston, MA | Aug 2017 – Dec 2019
- Conducted comprehensive accounting assessments for 15+ clients, identifying control deficiencies and recommending practical solutions
- Assisted in the post-merger integration of accounting systems for a $75M acquisition, completing the project 2 weeks ahead of schedule
- Created standardized accounting policies and procedures manuals that improved compliance and reduced audit preparation time by 25%
- Collaborated with IT teams to automate revenue recognition processes for a retail client, saving approximately 22 staff hours per month
Staff Accountant | PriceWaterhouseCoopers | New York, NY | June 2015 – July 2017
- Performed monthly reconciliations, journal entries, and account analyses for clients across multiple industries
- Supported audit teams during busy season, preparing documentation and resolving queries
- Helped develop an internal training program on the new lease accounting standard (ASC 842) that was rolled out firm-wide
- Got promoted from Junior to Staff Accountant after just 14 months due to exceptional performance reviews
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Master of Science in Accounting | Boston University | Boston, MA | 2015
Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 2013
Certifications:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Massachusetts, 2016
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA), 2018
- Oracle NetSuite ERP Consultant Certification, 2021
- Sage Intacct Implementation Specialist, 2022
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- ERP Systems: Oracle NetSuite, Sage Intacct, QuickBooks Enterprise, Microsoft Dynamics
- Financial Modeling: Advanced Excel (lookup functions, pivot tables, macros), Power BI
- Technical Accounting: Revenue Recognition (ASC 606), Lease Accounting (ASC 842), SOX Compliance
- Reporting Tools: Tableau, Crystal Reports, SQL basics
- Project Management: Asana, Monday.com, Microsoft Project
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Active member of Massachusetts Society of CPAs and Financial Executives International (FEI)
Volunteer tax preparer for low-income families through VITA program (2018-present)
Fluent in Spanish; conversational in Portuguese
How to Write an Accounting Consultant Resume
Introduction
Landing that perfect Accounting Consultant role starts with a resume that speaks the language of financial expertise. I've reviewed thousands of accounting resumes over my career and let me tell you—the difference between getting an interview and getting overlooked often comes down to how well you showcase your financial acumen, consulting capabilities and technical skills. Your resume needs to tell a compelling story about how you've helped businesses optimize their financial operations (while backing it up with real numbers).
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and structured—just like a well-organized financial statement. Most hiring managers at accounting firms spend about 7.4 seconds scanning a resume initially, so clarity is crucial.
- Length: 1-2 pages max (1 page for juniors, 2 pages if you have 7+ years of experience)
- Font: Stick with readable classics like Calibri, Arial, or Garaday (10-12pt)
- Margins: 0.5-1 inch all around
- File format: PDF (maintains formatting across devices)
- Sections: Contact info, summary, experience, skills, education, certifications
Pro tip: Name your file strategically! "Jane_Smith_Accounting_Consultant_Resume.pdf" helps recruiters find your document quickly in their downloads folder. Trust me on this one—I've had hiring managers tell me they appreciated this small touch.
Profile/Summary Section
Your summary should be 3-4 lines that pack a punch. Think of it as your "elevator pitch" that combines your accounting expertise with your consulting approach. Mention your years of experience, specializations (tax advisory, financial analysis, etc.) and one standout achievement.
Example: "CPA with 6+ years specializing in financial process optimization for manufacturing clients. Reduced month-end close time by 43% for a $78M company by implementing streamlined reconciliation procedures. Expertise in ERP integrations and financial controls development."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll win or lose the interview. For each role, include:
- Company name, location, your title and dates (month/year)
- Brief context about the company or your department if needed
- 4-6 bullet points highlighting specific contributions and results
- Quantifiable achievements whenever possible (time saved, error rates reduced, compliance improvements)
Start bullets with strong action verbs like "Analyzed," "Implemented," "Streamlined," or "Advised." And remember—numbers tell the story! "Identified $342K in tax savings" beats "Found tax savings" any day of the week.
Education and Certifications
For Accounting Consultants, credentials matter big time. List your:
- Degree(s), university, graduation year
- GPA if above 3.5 and you're early career
- Certifications front and center (CPA, CMA, CIA, CISA)
- Relevant continuing education or specialized training
If you're CPA-eligible but haven't passed all parts yet, you can note "CPA Candidate - 2/4 sections passed" to show you're actively pursuing it.
Keywords and ATS Tips
Most accounting firms use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before human eyes see them. Include these terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Technical skills: QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle Financials, Microsoft Dynamics, Power BI
- Methodologies: GAAP, IFRS, SOX compliance, internal controls
- Functions: Financial analysis, reconciliation, audit, tax planning, forecasting
- Soft skills: Client advisory, process improvement, team leadership
Industry-specific Terms
Sprinkle these accounting consultant terms throughout your resume (where relevant and honest):
- Month-end/year-end close procedures
- Financial statement preparation
- Variance analysis
- Cash flow optimization
- Internal control assessment
- Process documentation
- Regulatory compliance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Being vague about your contributions ("assisted with audits" vs. "Led 5-person team conducting 12 internal audits")
- Focusing only on responsibilities instead of achievements
- Ignoring consulting skills (client management, presentations, recommendations)
- Using accounting jargon without showing how it benefited clients
- Forgetting to proofread (nothing kills credibility faster for an accountant than math errors or typos!)
Before/After Example
Before: "Responsible for month-end close and financial reporting."
After: "Redesigned month-end close process, reducing cycle from 12 to 5 days while improving accuracy by implementing automated reconciliation tools for a $43M retail client."
See the difference? The second version shows both what you did AND the impact it had. That's what gets interviews!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Accounting Consultant resume
- Cross-functional communication skills with ability to translate complex financial data for non-accounting stakeholders
- Client relationship management – building trust while delivering sometimes unwelcome financial insights
- Collaborative problem-solving, particularly in working with IT teams during system implementations
- Project leadership for teams of 3-5 during financial audits and system migrations
- Adaptability when facing regulatory changes and shifting client priorities
- Conflict resolution skills for managing competing stakeholder interests during budget cycles
Hard skills for your Accounting Consultant resume
- Advanced Excel modeling (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, macros)
- ERP system implementation (SAP, Oracle NetSuite)
- Financial statement analysis & consolidation
- Cost accounting & variance analysis
- QuickBooks Pro certification
- Month-end close process optimization
- Regulatory compliance (SOX 404, IFRS, GAAP)
- Tax planning strategies for SMBs
- Power BI & Tableau financial dashboards