Home Accountant Resume template
Accountant resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what accountants actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most accountants should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Detail-focused accountant with a track record of accurate financial reporting, tax compliance and process improvement. Comfortable working across statutory reporting, budgeting and client advisory, with strong Excel and accounting-software skills.
Key skills
- Financial reporting
- Tax compliance and planning
- Auditing and assurance
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Excel, Xero, MYOB
- Attention to detail
Experience: example bullet points
- Prepared financial statements for presentation to boards, management and statutory bodies, ensuring compliance with accounting standards.
- Prepared and lodged tax returns and advised clients on taxation strategy, identifying legitimate deductions and structuring opportunities.
- Examined operating costs and income and expenditure to identify variances and recommend corrective action.
- Provided assurance over the accuracy of financial reports through structured review and reconciliation processes.
- Advised on business structures, record-keeping systems and internal controls to reduce compliance risk.
Education
Bachelor of Accounting (or related), accredited by CPA Australia, CA ANZ or IPA. [Add your institution and graduation year.]
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- BAS
- GST
- ATO
- AASB
- IFRS
- Fringe benefits tax (FBT)
- Single Touch Payroll (STP)
- ASIC
- CPA Australia
- CA ANZ
- IPA
- Xero
- MYOB
- Reconciliation
- Statutory reporting
- Management accounts
- Accounts payable and receivable
- Payroll
- Internal controls
- Audit
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.