You've closed more months than you can count, probably trained a new hire or two, and can spot an accrual issue from a mile away. Time to show you're ready for senior accountant—or that industry switch you've been considering.
Crafting a Standout Accountant Summary
Your summary is the first thing recruiters see. Here are examples that actually work for junior accountants:
“CPA with 2.5 years in public accounting across audit and tax. Senior on 5 audit engagements for clients up to $50M revenue. Transitioning to industry with strong technical and client management skills.”
“Junior Accountant with 2 years of GL experience in retail sector. Managed accounts payable for 20 locations. Assisted in month-end close reduction from 10 to 5 days. Proficient in Oracle and Excel.”
“Staff Accountant at mid-sized tech firm with 1.5 years experience. Responsible for revenue recognition (ASC 606) and commissions calculation. Passed 2/4 CPA exams and actively pursuing license.”
“Audit Associate with 2 years Big 4 experience. Specialized in financial services clients. Led testing for cash, investments, and debt areas. Highly organized and effective under tight deadlines.”
“Tax Accountant with 2 busy seasons completed. Prepared corporate and partnership returns for real estate clients. Researched complex tax implications for property dispositions. Strong attention to detail.”
Pro Tips for Your Summary
- Lead with CPA and specific experience
- Mention client size or industry exposure
- Show progression
Essential Skills for Junior Accountants
Technical Skills
Soft Skills
- Show industry-specific expertise
- Include any supervisory responsibilities
Accountant Work Experience That Gets Noticed
Here are example bullet points that show real impact:
- •Lead senior on audit engagements for 5 manufacturing clients with revenues exceeding $50M
- •Supervise 2 staff accountants during busy season including workpaper review
- •Prepare complex tax returns for S-corps and partnerships with multi-state operations
- •Analyze monthly P&L variances and present findings to Controller
- •Manage fixed asset lifecycle from acquisition to disposition for 500+ assets
- •Assist in implementation of new expense reporting software (Concur)
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Relevant certifications for junior accountants:
- Consider adding MBA pursuit
- CPA is assumed—highlight additional certs
Common Mistakes Accountants Make
❌ Mistake
Only listing tasks, not impact
✓ Fix
Show what you improved: time saved, errors caught, process optimized.
Quick Wins
- Quantify client portfolio size
- Mention any early promotions
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I move from public to industry?
Typically after 2-3 years. Industry offers better work-life balance; public offers faster skill development.
The Bottom Line
Your junior accountant resume should show what you've accomplished, not just what you've done. Focus on impact, use numbers, and keep it clean and ATS-friendly. When you're ready, use our free resume builder to create a polished, professional resume in minutes.
Average Salary: $60,000 - $80,000 | Job Outlook: Growing 4% through 2030
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