What are the best sources to find resume keywords for accounting?

1 Job descriptions

The most obvious and important source of resume keywords for accounting are the job descriptions of the positions you are applying for. Read them carefully and identify the keywords that match the requirements, responsibilities, and expectations of the role. For example, if the job description asks for a certified public accountant (CPA) with experience in financial reporting, auditing, and tax compliance, those are some of the keywords you should include in your resume.

2 Industry standards

Another source of resume keywords for accounting are the industry standards and regulations that govern the accounting profession. These include the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the international financial reporting standards (IFRS), the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). You should demonstrate your knowledge and compliance with these standards and regulations by using them as keywords in your resume.

3 Accounting software

A third source of resume keywords for accounting are the accounting software and tools that you use or are familiar with. These include the common programs and platforms that accountants use to perform their tasks, such as QuickBooks, Excel, SAP, Oracle, and Xero. You should mention the specific software and tools that you have used or learned in your resume, especially if they are required or preferred by the employer.

4 Accounting skills

A fourth source of resume keywords for accounting are the accounting skills that you have developed and mastered throughout your education and career. These include the technical skills, such as bookkeeping, budgeting, forecasting, reconciliation, and analysis, as well as the soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and attention to detail. You should highlight your accounting skills in your resume by using keywords that describe them and provide examples of how you applied them in your previous or current roles.

5 Accounting achievements

A fifth source of resume keywords for accounting are the accounting achievements that you have accomplished and can quantify in your resume. These include the results, outcomes, and impacts that you have delivered or contributed to in your accounting roles, such as saving costs, increasing revenue, improving efficiency, or reducing errors. You should use keywords that showcase your accounting achievements in your resume by using numbers, percentages, or metrics to demonstrate your value and impact.

6 Accounting associations

A sixth source of resume keywords for accounting are the accounting associations that you belong to or are affiliated with. These include the professional organizations, networks, or groups that represent or support the accounting profession, such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), or the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). You should mention the accounting associations that you are a member of or have participated in in your resume, as they can show your commitment, involvement, and recognition in the accounting field.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?