Staff Accountant Resume examples & templates

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Adam

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Copyable Staff Accountant Resume examples

Ever wondered what keeps a company's financial wheels turning smoothly? Behind every successful business stands a Staff Accountant - the unsung hero who transforms mountains of numbers into meaningful financial stories. These professionals do much more than just crunch numbers; they're the financial detectives who spot discrepancies, maintain compliance, and ensure everything balances to the penny. The field has evolved dramatically in recent years, with Excel formulas and paper ledgers giving way to sophisticated cloud-based accounting systems and automated reconciliation tools.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for accountants is projected to grow 7% through 2030, with over 135,000 job openings each year. This steady demand stems partly from increasingly complex financial regulations and the growing need for data-driven decision making. Staff Accountants who develop skills in data analytics and visualization (not just traditional bookkeeping) are finding themselves uniquely positioned for advancement. As businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainty, the role of Staff Accountant will likely expand beyond traditional boundaries - becoming more strategic partners rather than just number crunchers.

Junior Staff Accountant Resume Example

Alexandra “Alex” Chen

alex.chen1995@gmail.com • (415) 555-9082 • Oakland, CA 94612
linkedin.com/in/alexchen-accountant • Available for remote or hybrid positions

Recent accounting graduate with CPA exam in progress and 18 months of hands-on experience in financial reporting, account reconciliation, and A/P functions. Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments and brings meticulous attention to detail to every task. Proficient in QuickBooks, Excel, and basic ERP systems with a focus on process improvement.

EXPERIENCE

Staff Accountant – Bayview Financial Services, Oakland, CA
June 2022 – Present

  • Process biweekly payroll for 87 employees, reducing processing errors by 14% through creation of standardized verification checklist
  • Prepare and post monthly journal entries while maintaining GL accounts for three business units
  • Assist with quarterly financial statement preparation and month-end close procedures, cutting close time from 12 to 9 days
  • Reconcile bank statements and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner (typically within 24 hours)
  • Support tax preparation by gathering documentation and organizing supporting materials

Accounting Intern – Martinez & Associates, San Francisco, CA
January 2022 – May 2022

  • Managed accounts payable processing for 25+ clients, including invoice coding, entry, and payment scheduling
  • Performed account reconciliations for 12 small business clients, identifying $23K in unrecorded transactions
  • Assisted with basic tax return preparation for individual clients during tax season
  • Created Excel templates for tracking client expenses that are still used by the firm today

Finance Club Treasurer – San Francisco State University
August 2020 – December 2021

  • Managed $8,500 annual budget, tracked all expenses, and provided monthly financial reports to club leadership
  • Processed reimbursement requests and maintained proper documentation for university audit requirements
  • Implemented digital payment system that increased member dues collection by 37%

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting – San Francisco State University
Graduated: December 2021, GPA: 3.7/4.0

  • Relevant Coursework: Advanced Financial Accounting, Auditing, Taxation, Cost Accounting, Business Law
  • Awards: Dean’s List (4 semesters), Outstanding Accounting Student Award (2021)

CPA Exam – In Progress
Passed: FAR (91), AUD (86) | Scheduled: REG (Nov 2023), BEC (Jan 2024)

SKILLS

  • Software: QuickBooks, Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros), Microsoft Office Suite, Sage 50
  • Technical: Month-end closing, journal entries, bank reconciliations, financial reporting, A/P, A/R
  • Soft Skills: Time management, problem-solving, communication, attention to detail
  • Languages: English (native), Mandarin Chinese (conversational)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

  • QuickBooks Online Certification (2022)
  • Excel for Accounting Professionals – LinkedIn Learning (2022)
  • Bay Area Accounting Association – Student Member

Mid-level Staff Accountant Resume Example

MELISSA R. PETERSON

Denver, CO 80202 • (720) 555-8134 • melissa.peterson@email.com
www.linkedin.com/in/melissarpeterson

Detail-oriented Staff Accountant with 5+ years of experience in financial reporting, month-end close processes, and account reconciliations. Proven track record of streamlining accounting procedures, resulting in 27% reduction in month-end close time. Proficient in multiple accounting systems with strong analytical skills and commitment to accuracy. Seeking to leverage expertise in a challenging accounting role.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

NEXGEN SOLUTIONS, INC., Denver, CO
Staff Accountant | March 2021 – Present

  • Manage full-cycle accounting operations and month-end close process for company with $12.4M annual revenue
  • Prepare and review journal entries, reconcile 18+ GL accounts, and create financial statements
  • Implemented new reconciliation templates that cut monthly close process from 9 days to 6.5 days
  • Collaborate with external auditors during annual audits, providing documentation that resulted in zero material findings for 2 consecutive years
  • Train and mentor 2 junior accountants on AP/AR processes and general accounting principles

MOUNTAIN VIEW FINANCIAL SERVICES, Boulder, CO
Junior Accountant | June 2019 – February 2021

  • Processed accounts payable transactions averaging 175+ invoices weekly with 99.7% accuracy
  • Reconciled vendor statements and resolved discrepancies, recovering $8,743 in billing errors
  • Assisted with month-end close activities including preparing journal entries and account reconciliations
  • Helped implement QuickBooks Online, including data migration and setting up new processes

COLORADO CREDIT UNION, Denver, CO
Accounting Intern | January 2019 – May 2019

  • Assisted with daily cash reconciliations and bank statement reviews
  • Supported AP department with invoice processing and vendor communications
  • Created Excel templates for expense tracking that were adopted company-wide

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | May 2019
University of Colorado Denver – GPA: 3.7/4.0
Member, Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Honor Society

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor (2021)
Excel Expert Certification – Microsoft Office Specialist (2020)

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Accounting Software: QuickBooks (Desktop & Online), Sage 50, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros)
  • Financial reporting & analysis
  • Month-end close procedures
  • Fixed asset management
  • General ledger reconciliation
  • Accounts payable/receivable
  • Internal controls & compliance
  • Financial data analysis

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Active member of Colorado Society of CPAs
Volunteer tax preparer for VITA program (2020-2022)

Senior / Experienced Staff Accountant Resume Example

VICTORIA R. MENDOZA

San Diego, CA | (619) 555-8742 | v.mendoza@emailpro.net | linkedin.com/in/victoriamendoza

Detail-oriented Staff Accountant with 9+ years of progressive experience in financial reporting, general ledger management, and regulatory compliance. Known for streamlining accounting processes that reduced month-end close by 38% at Parkway Industries. Excel power user with advanced formula knowledge and macro development skills. Seeking to leverage expertise in a senior accounting role.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Staff Accountant | Parkway Industries Inc. | San Diego, CA | June 2019 – Present

  • Lead month-end close process for manufacturing division with $37M annual revenue, reducing close timeline from 8 days to 5 days through process optimization
  • Prepare and analyze financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports for executive review
  • Manage fixed asset accounting for 3 facilities, tracking $12.4M in equipment and coordinating depreciation schedules
  • Developed Excel automation tools that cut budget variance analysis time by 27%, freeing up approximately 6 hours weekly
  • Train and mentor 2 junior accountants on accounting procedures, internal controls, and system operations
  • Coordinate with external auditors during annual audit, reducing audit findings by 64% compared to previous years

Staff Accountant | BlueRiver Financial Services | San Diego, CA | August 2016 – May 2019

  • Managed accounts payable function processing 450+ monthly vendor invoices across 3 departments
  • Performed bank reconciliations for 7 accounts with combined balances of $4.2M, resolving discrepancies within 24 hours
  • Assisted with implementation of new accounting software (Sage Intacct), creating documentation for AR/AP processes
  • Reviewed expense reports and reimbursements for compliance with company policy, identifying $23k in cost savings
  • Helped prepare quarterly tax filings and payments, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations

Junior Accountant | Westlake Medical Group | Los Angeles, CA | July 2014 – July 2016

  • Processed bi-weekly payroll for 75+ employees, ensuring accurate benefits deductions and tax withholdings
  • Reconciled daily patient payments across 4 clinics, managing $95k+ in weekly transactions
  • Assisted with monthly financial closings and preparation of management reports
  • Created standardized billing templates that reduced payment processing errors by 31%

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | California State University, Long Beach | 2014

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | California Board of Accountancy | License #CPA-089721 | 2017

Advanced Excel Certification | Microsoft Office Specialist | 2018

Sage Intacct Certified User | 2019

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • ERP Systems: Sage Intacct, Oracle NetSuite, QuickBooks Enterprise
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, Power Query, macros, dashboards)
  • Financial analysis & forecasting
  • Month-end & year-end close procedures
  • Fixed asset management & depreciation
  • Internal controls & SOX compliance
  • Tax preparation & planning
  • Data visualization (Power BI, Tableau)
  • General ledger management

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
Volunteer Tax Preparer, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, 2016-2020
Fluent in Spanish (conversational)

How to Write a Staff Accountant Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect Staff Accountant job starts with a resume that speaks the language of finance professionals. I've reviewed thousands of accounting resumes over my career, and the difference between those that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to subtle details; Your resume isn't just a list of jobs—it's your professional story told through numbers, achievements, and technical expertise. Let's break down exactly how to craft a Staff Accountant resume that makes hiring managers and recruiters take notice.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and organized—just like a well-maintained ledger. Finance professionals expect precision!

  • Length: Stick to 1 page for less than 5 years of experience; 2 pages maximum otherwise
  • Format: Reverse chronological order works best for most Staff Accountant positions
  • Fonts: Use professional, readable fonts like Calibri, Arial, or Georgia (10-12pt)
  • Margins: 0.75" to 1" on all sides—don't crowd the page trying to fit everything
  • File type: Always save as PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically requested otherwise)
Pro Tip: Name your file strategically—"John_Smith_Staff_Accountant_Resume.pdf" helps recruiters find your document quickly when they're searching through dozens of applications.

Profile/Summary Section

Your summary should be brief (3-4 lines) but pack a punch. Think of it as your professional elevator pitch. For a Staff Accountant position, highlight your technical accounting skills, relevant software proficiency, and a key achievement that demonstrates your value.

Example: "Detail-oriented Staff Accountant with 4+ years of experience in month-end close processes and financial reporting. Proficient in QuickBooks, SAP, and advanced Excel functions. Reduced monthly close time by 23% at TechFinance Corp through process improvements and automated reconciliation 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)
  • Include 4-6 bullet points per role, with the most impressive achievements first
  • Begin bullets with strong action verbs: Reconciled, Analyzed, Prepared, Implemented
  • Quantify results where possible ($ amounts, percentages, time saved)
  • Showcase your technical skills in context rather than just listing them

Skip the obvious stuff like "attended meetings" or "followed GAAP"—that's expected. Instead, focus on how you improved processes, caught errors, or added value beyond the basic job description.

Education and Certifications

For Staff Accountant roles, your education matters. List your degree(s), university, graduation year, and GPA if it's above 3.5. If you're a recent grad, this section can come before experience.

Certifications can be game-changers! Prominently feature your CPA (or CPA progress), EA, or other accounting certifications. Include relevant continuing education or specialized training in accounting software or systems.

Keywords and ATS Tips

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before human eyes ever see them. To make it through:

  • Incorporate key accounting terms from the job posting (exact matches matter!)
  • Include specific software mentioned in the job description (QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, etc.)
  • Mention skills like "accounts payable," "accounts receivable," "journal entries," "month-end close"
  • Don't try to trick the system with hidden text or keyword stuffing—it backfires

Industry-specific Terms

Show you know your stuff by naturally incorporating accounting terminology:

  • General ledger reconciliation
  • Fixed asset management
  • Accruals and deferrals
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Variance analysis
  • Audit support

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I've seen plenty of accounting resumes tank because of these errors:

  • Typos or calculation errors (deadly in accounting!)
  • Vague descriptions without specific accomplishments
  • Focusing too much on routine tasks instead of achievements
  • Using the same resume for every accounting position
  • Leaving off relevant software proficiencies

Before/After Example

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

After: "Managed $2.3M monthly A/P cycle for 87 vendors while maintaining 99.7% accuracy rate and capturing all early payment discounts, saving the company $14,250 annually."

See the difference? The second version shows not just what you did, but how well you did it. That's what gets you interviews!

Soft skills for your Staff Accountant resume

  • Cross-functional team collaboration – I’ve built strong working relationships with colleagues in AP/AR, tax, and non-finance departments
  • Clear financial communication with non-accounting stakeholders (explaining complex concepts without jargon)
  • Deadline management, particularly during month-end close cycles and tax season crunches
  • Process improvement identification – spotting inefficiencies in existing workflows that others overlook
  • Detail orientation without losing sight of big-picture financial implications
  • Mentoring junior staff and interns on reconciliation techniques and reporting standards

Hard skills for your Staff Accountant resume

  • Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros, financial modeling)
  • QuickBooks Enterprise administration and troubleshooting
  • NetSuite ERP system configuration and reporting
  • Fixed asset management and depreciation calculations
  • Month-end close process execution (journal entries, reconciliations, reporting)
  • Payroll processing and tax compliance (ADP Workforce)
  • Sage 50 Accounting software
  • Federal and state tax preparation (corporate and payroll)
  • SQL query writing for financial data extraction