Resume guide · Job Zone 4
Accountants and Auditorsresume guide.
Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. A strong Accountants and Auditors resume shows reading comprehension, active listening and complex problem solving, and names the tools you have worked with, such as Intuit QuickBooks, SAP Concur and Intuit TurboTax.
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- 1Summary uses the words postings use.CPA, senior accountant, financial reporting, reconciliations: the titles and duties this guide lists, ahead of any detail.
- 2Show what automation freed up.Close teams are automating transaction matching and reconciliations now. This bullet shows the result in close days, not just the tool.
- 3An ERP migration is a headline result.With SAP ECC support ending in 2027, many employers are moving to SAP S/4HANA. Clean opening balances and an auditor-accepted tie-out are exactly what they hire for.
- 4One judgment bullet per role.Keeping a manual review on the riskiest accounts shows Judgment and Decision Making and Critical Thinking, two of this guide's top skills.
- 5Audit work, counted in findings."Prepare detailed reports on audit findings" from the guide, rewritten as the deficiencies found and the fixes that followed.
- 6The license gets its own section.Recruiters screen for CPA first. With more states now licensing on a bachelor's degree plus two years of experience, the license is what counts, so this resume lists it and leaves out how the credit hours were earned.
Sample resume. The candidate is fictional; the layout and templates are real.
01Also called
O*NETAccountantAccounting OfficerAuditorAudit PartnerCost AccountantCPA (Certified Public Accountant)Financial AuditorFinancial Reporting AccountantGeneral AccountantInternal Auditor
02Skills employers expect
O*NETImportance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | High | Intermediate |
| Active Listening | High | Intermediate |
| Complex Problem Solving | High | Intermediate |
| Critical Thinking | High | Intermediate |
| Judgment and Decision Making | High | Intermediate |
| Writing | High | Intermediate |
| Mathematics | High | Intermediate |
| Speaking | High | Intermediate |
| Active Learning | High | Intermediate |
| Monitoring | High | Intermediate |
03Knowledge areas
O*NET- Economics and Accounting
- English Language
- Mathematics
- Law and Government
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
04Common responsibilities
O*NETOrdered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.
- Prepare, examine, or analyze accounting records, financial statements, or other financial reports to assess accuracy, completeness, and conformance to reporting and procedural standards.
- Process invoices for payment.
- Review accounts for discrepancies and reconcile differences.
- Prepare adjusting journal entries.
- Compute taxes owed and prepare tax returns, ensuring compliance with payment, reporting, or other tax requirements.
- Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- Prepare, analyze, or verify annual reports, financial statements, and other records, using accepted accounting and statistical procedures to assess financial condition and facilitate financial planning.
- Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- Review data about material assets, net worth, liabilities, capital stock, surplus, income, or expenditures.
05Software and tools
O*NET237 tools across 37 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.
Financial analysis software56
- Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
- Delphi Technology
- Microsoft FRx
- BizBench
- Palisade @Risk
- AuditWare financial reporting and auditing software
- Estate planning software
- MethodWare ProAudit Advisor
- Paisley AutoAudit
- Paisley IssueTrack
- Pentana audit work system PAWS
- PricewaterhouseCoopers TeamMate
- RSM McGladrey Advanced Practice Solutions Paperless Audit
- RSM McGladrey Auditor Assistant
- Sage MAS 500
- Sync Essentials Trade Accountant
- TimeValue software
- Accounting fraud detection software
- ACL Business Assurance Analytics
- Audit management software
- Audit planning and control environment software
- AuditWare CaseWare Examiner
- Automated auditors fraud detector software
- Bi3 Financial Statement Fraud Analysis
- BNA Corporate Tax Audit Analyzer
- Brentmark Estate Planning Quickview
- Cammack Computations Inter-Est
- Cartesis Magnitude iAnalysis
- CaseWare International IDEA
- CaseWare International IDEA SmartAnalyzer
- CaseWare Working Papers
- CashFlow Guardian
- Cebos MQ1 Audit System
- D'Arcangelo Galileo
- Datavantage
- Digital analysis tests and statistics DATAS for Excel
- Digital analysis tests and statistics DATAS for SAS
- Financial Competence
- Fixed-assets depreciation software
- IAD Audit Leverage
- InformationActive ActiveData for Excel
- Internal audit software
- Kirix ProffiPoint
- MRO Audit Tracker
- OSI TrustWise
- Pleier Audit Management System
- Recovery audit software
- Sampson Data Pattern Index software
- Solutions Technology & Software HR Premier
- Star Software Fixed Asset Depreciation
- Star Software Materiality Calculator
- Thomson Creative Solutions Engagement CS
- Thomson Creative Solutions Financial Analysis CS
- Thomson PPC e-Tools Suite
- TopCAATs
- Tropics workers' compensation software
+ 51 more
Accounting software40
- Intuit QuickBooksHotIn demand
- SAP ConcurHotIn demand
- Tax softwareIn demand
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Fund accounting software
- Accounts receivable software
- Cost accounting software
- Financial reporting software
- General ledger software
- Accounts payable software
- ATX Total Accounting Office
- Accurate NXG
- AdaptaSoft CyberPay
- ATX Total Engagement Office
- Automation Counselors municiPAL
- Best MIP Fund Accounting
- CCIS AccountAbility
- CYMA IV Accounting for Windows
- Financial statement software
- Heron CrossTie General Ledger
- New Millennium Communications Genesis Accounting
- PROPHIX Enterprise
- Roundtable Software Advantage Accounting System
- Softrax Revenue Management
- UA Business Software Professional Edition
- AcorynSystems Activity Based Costing/Management ABC/M
- Evron Computer Systems SAGE PFW (Platinum For Windows)
- FRx Software Microsoft FRx
- Lead Activity Analyzer
- Lead Business Analyzer
- Micronetics Xpert Write-up
- Multiview Accounts Receivable
- Profit Developers Electronic File Interchange
- Pro Systems Client Write-Up System for Windows
- Sage BusinessWorks
- Sage CPAAccounts Payable
- Sage CPAAccounts Receivable
- Sage CPAClient Checkbook
- Sageworks ProfitCents
- Summit Software Summit Biofuels Accounting
+ 35 more
Tax preparation software22
- Intuit TurboTaxHotIn demand
- ATX Total Tax Office
- CCH ProSystem fx TAX
- Intellitax financial solutions software
- Intuit ProSeries
- Universal Tax Systems TaxWise
- 1099 ProsSoftware
- Abacus Tax
- Advanced Micro Systems 1099-Etc
- American Riviera Magtax
- Avalara AvaTax ST
- BNA Estate and Gift Tax Suite
- BNA Income Tax Planning Solutions
- BNA Sales and Use Tax Rates and Forms
- Creative Solutions UltraTax 1040
- H&R Block Tax
- IDMS Account Ability
- Income tax return preparation software
- Intuit Lacerte
- KPB Associates TaxStream
- NewPortWave Year End Solutions
- Thomson GoSystem Tax
+ 17 more
Enterprise resource planning ERP software21
- SAP softwareHotIn demand
- Workday softwareHotIn demand
- Oracle PeopleSoftHot
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Oracle Hyperion
- SAP Business Objects
- Microsoft Dynamics GP
- NetSuite ERP
- Oracle PeopleSoft Financials
- Oracle Fusion Applications
- Sage ERP Accpac
- Sage MAS 200 ERP
- Exact Software Macola ES
- Microsoft Dynamics NAV
- Microsoft Dynamics SL
- AcornSystems Corporate Performance Management
- Cartesis ES Magnitude
- Lawson ERP
- Accountants Templates JAZZ-It!
- Sage Platinum for Windows PFW
+ 16 more
Compliance software13
- Tax compliance property tax management softwareIn demand
- Intrax ProcedureNet
- Paisley Cardmap
- Paisley Focus Control Assurance
- Paisley RiskNavigator
- Sage EDP Payroll Tax
- Accounting compliance software
- ACCUCert
- Bi3 Audit Intelligence
- Corporate Responsibility System Technologies Limited Compliance Positioning System
- Lumigent Entegra
- Sage HandiSoft HandiLedger
- TrendTracker Compliance Solution
+ 8 more
Data base user interface and query software12
- Microsoft AccessHotIn demand
- Structured query language SQLHotIn demand
- Microsoft SQL ServerHotIn demand
- Oracle DatabaseHotIn demand
- Yardi softwareHotIn demand
- Database software
- FileMaker Pro
- Data entry software
- Practice management software PMS
- Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
- Yardi Systems Yardi Enterprise
- Best Software CPAPayroll
+ 7 more
Analytical or scientific software6
- SASHotIn demand
- IBM SPSS StatisticsHotIn demand
- Guidance Software EnCase EnterpriseIn demand
- ACL Audit Exchange
- Arbutus Analyzer
- WizSoft WizRule
+ 1 more
Document management software6
- Microsoft SharePointHotIn demand
- Adobe AcrobatHotIn demand
- Document management system software
- Iron Mountain Accutrac records management software
- OmniRIM Records Management Suite
- Sage CPADocument Manager
+ 1 more
Business intelligence and data analysis software5
- TableauHotIn demand
- Alteryx softwareHotIn demand
- IBM Cognos Impromptu
- Qlik Tech QlikView
- Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
Medical software5
- Epic SystemsHotIn demand
- MEDITECH softwareHot
- Medical procedure coding software
- Healthcare common procedure coding system HCPCS
- Medical condition coding software
Billing and invoicing software4
- Billing software
- Choice Technologies PowerBill +
- Client billing software
- Invoice software
Human resources software4
- ADP Workforce NowIn demand
- Human resource management software HRMS
- Sage HRMS
- CPSI EHR System
Development environment software3
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBAHotIn demand
- Microsoft Visual BasicHot
- eXtensible Business Reporting Language XBRL
Electronic mail software3
- Microsoft OutlookHotIn demand
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Exchange
Office suite software3
- Microsoft Office softwareHotIn demand
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Microsoft Works
Word processing software3
- Microsoft WordHotIn demand
- Google DocsHot
- Microsoft OneNote
Customer relationship management CRM software2
- Salesforce softwareHotIn demand
- Blackbaud The Raiser's EdgeIn demand
Data base management system software2
- Teradata DatabaseHot
- Apache Solr
Data base reporting software2
- SAP Crystal Reports
- ADP Super Report Writer
Data mining software2
- Data extraction software
- WizSoft WizWhy
Object or component oriented development software2
- RHotIn demand
- SwiftHot
Operating system software2
- Microsoft WindowsHotIn demand
- UNIXHotIn demand
Presentation software2
- Microsoft PowerPointHotIn demand
- Google Slides
Project management software2
- Microsoft ProjectHotIn demand
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHot
Spreadsheet software2
- Microsoft ExcelHotIn demand
- Google SheetsHot
Time accounting software2
- Payroll softwareIn demand
- WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
Desktop communications software1
- Eko
Desktop publishing software1
Enterprise application integration software1
- SAP BusinessObjects Data Integrator
Enterprise system management software1
- IBM Power Systems software
Information retrieval or search software1
- LexisNexis
Inventory management software1
- Asset management software
Process mapping and design software1
- Microsoft VisioHotIn demand
Risk management data and analysis software1
- Thomson Reuters Risk Management
Transaction security and virus protection software1
- NortonLifeLock cybersecurity software
Transaction server software1
- Tumbleweed SecureTransport
Video creation and editing software1
- TechSmith CamtasiaIn demand
06Education and preparation
O*NETTypical education
Bachelor's Degree
69% of surveyed workers. Others report Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree (7%) and Post-Baccalaureate Certificate (7%).
Preparation level
Job Zone 4 · Considerable preparation
Usually a four-year degree and several years of related experience.
07Putting it on your resume
ResumeXRays guidanceBEE · How to show it
Lead with what you built. For a Job Zone 4 role, hiring managers and parsers both look for outcomes before credentials. Put two or three results at the top of each job entry, with the scale or effect stated plainly.
Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "Intuit QuickBooks, SAP Concur, Intuit TurboTax, SAP software" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.
Show active listening and complex problem solving, not just reading comprehension. Active listening and complex problem solving rank close to reading comprehension for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.
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