15+ Accounting Clerk Resume Templates & Examples (+Cover Letter Guide)

Accounting clerks are an indispensable part of the accounting profession and the job opportunities certainly reflect this. An accounting clerk’s duties and responsibilities include reviewing and maintaining accounting records, calculating interest on loans and bank accounts, and using accounting spreadsheets and databases.

High demand for these jobs necessitates the need for a professional accounting clerk resume. With hundreds of applicants for each individual job, having a way to differentiate yourself from the competition is essential for success in this particular field.

Having a thoughtfully constructed accounting clerk resume will help you stand out and will increase your chances of landing the job.

What’s the Difference Between an Accountant and an Accounting Clerk?

An accountant is a professional responsible for managing and analyzing financial records, preparing reports, and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. They typically hold a degree in accounting or a related field, possess advanced financial knowledge, and may provide strategic financial advice to organizations.

On the other hand, an accounting clerk is a support role within the finance department. Accounting clerks perform more routine tasks such as data entry, processing invoices, and maintaining financial records. They usually have a basic understanding of accounting principles but may not require advanced education or specialized training compared to accountants.

How to Write a Winning Accounting Clerk Resume

Resume Headline & Summary

A resume headline is a succinct sentence that highlights you as an overall candidate. It is often placed right after your name to give hiring managers an overview before they dive into your resume.

After that, you can include a short summary about yourself, mentioning your selected work experience and important information. The resume summary helps concisely describe yourself and highlights the things you want to showcase to potential employers.

It is recommended to tailor your resume summary according to the job to which you are applying. Here are 3 accounting clerk resume summary examples:

Career Objectives

If you prefer not to include a resume summary, you might want to consider adding a career objective instead. A career objective outlines your goals and aspirations in your profession. For recent graduates with limited work experience, a career objective is often more suitable than a resume summary. Make sure to position your accounting clerk career objective near the top of your resume.

Resume objectives help capture the hiring manager’s attention and might make your application more memorable and impressionable. What is a good resume objective for an accounting clerk? Here are some examples:

Accounting Clerk Skills for Resume

The skill section on a resume plays a critical role, showing hiring managers whether you're a good fit for the job. You can have a separate section listing your key skills or incorporate them into your work experience section

Here are some common accounting clerk skills for your resume and why they’re important:

• Data Entry - Ensures accurate and timely recording of financial transactions.
• Customer Service - Maintains positive interactions with clients and resolves billing or payment inquiries.
• Purchase Orders - Tracks and controls expenses for effective financial management.
• Reconciliations - Validates and ensures accuracy in financial records.
• Vendor Invoices - Manages vendor payments accurately to maintain good supplier relationships.
• QuickBooks - Proficiency in QuickBooks for efficient financial data management.
• Ledger/General Ledger - Organizes and categorizes financial transactions systematically.
• Financial Reports - Generates reports for informed decision-making.
• Bank Deposits - Maintains accurate cash balances through timely deposits.
• Strong Relationship Building - Fosters effective collaboration with colleagues and clients.
• Effective Decision Making - Crucial for analyzing financial data and making strategic choices.
• Organization Skills - Essential for managing multiple tasks and deadlines in a structured manner.

Work Experience

The most challenging part of building your accounting clerk resume will probably be the work experience section. Since accounting clerk jobs are usually entry-level positions, your previous experience might be limited or not related to the job. However, any and all relevant work experiences should be mentioned as it can only benefit your application.

Here are some examples of a well-written work experience section:

Education

Your highest academic qualifications gained till this point in your life go here. High school diploma holders might be able to skimp the university degree requirement for accounting clerk jobs, but this depends on the job itself. Most of the time though, a relevant degree will be required for your accounting clerk resume.

Here’s an example of how to write an education section on your resume:

If you have an unfinished degree, read this article to know how to list your education in this case!

Certification

Any accounting certifications you’ve attained will be an advantage. And while they are not a compulsory requirement for stellar accounting clerk resumes, consider taking them to upgrade your skills.

Example Accounting Clerk Certifications:

• CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant)
• CB (Certified Bookkeeper)
• QuickBooks Certification
• Microsoft Excel Certification
• National Bookkeepers Association (NBA) Certification
• LinkedIn or Coursera Learning Courses

How to Tailor Your Resume to Pass the ATS

Tailoring your accounting clerk resume to the requirements for the job you are applying can help you stand out from other candidates. This means you find specific terms used in the job listing and include that same vocabulary in your resume. This is doubly important when you have little experience as it closely connects your resume to their preferred qualifications.

Those keywords are usually mentioned in the job listing, sometimes more than once, so applicants should take note which ones to include on their resumes for a high-rated ATS.
Make sure to read the job description carefully and do some research on the company to get an idea of their values and what they look for in applicants.

For example, in the job description, you might see: “Seeking a detail-oriented Accounting Clerk with proficiency in accounts payable/receivable, financial record keeping, and data entry.” Some of the main keywords we can take out from this piece of information is accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial record keeping, data entry. Including these keywords into your resume, its content will look something like this:

Let's look at another example. Here is a job posting for an accounting clerk position:

Here’s some examples of good and bad resume tailoring for the above position:

Accounting Clerk Resume Examples

Accounting Clerk Resume Example #1

Accounting Clerk Resume Example #2

Accounting Clerk Resume Example #3

Accounting Clerk Resume Example #4

Accounting Clerk Resume Example #5

Accounting Clerk Cover Letter

Cover letters are an incredible way to introduce yourself to employers and highlight your motivations better. An application letter for accounting clerk jobs should be no longer than a page and should include:

1. Contact information (Name, email address, phone number)
2. Introduction (Address the hiring manager with their full name)
3. Your Intentions for applying (Describe your desire to work at the company)
4. Qualifications (Your best accomplishments, skills and achievements)
5. Closing (A thank you with your full name)

Accounting Clerk Cover Letter Example

Common FAQs About Accounting Clerks

1) What skills do You need to be an accounting clerk?

Proficiency in financial data entry, invoice processing, and general ledger maintenance is crucial for accurate record keeping. Familiarity with accounting software, such as QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel, is valuable for efficient data management and reporting. Additionally, effective communication and attention to detail are also prized soft skills.

2) What level is an accounting clerk?

An accounting clerk is an entry-level position. While some accounting clerks may have a degree in accounting or a related field, it is not always a strict requirement, and practical experience and relevant skills are often emphasized. The level of responsibility and complexity of tasks assigned to an accounting clerk can vary depending on the size and structure of the company.

3) What are the requirements for an accounting clerk?

Accounting clerk requirements typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, though some employers may prefer candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field. Strong numerical and data entry skills are essential, as well as familiarity with accounting software, such as QuickBooks, and Microsoft Excel. Attention to detail, good communication skills are also crucial to accounting clerk positions. 

4) Is an accounting clerk a good job?

An accounting clerk position serves as an entry-level opportunity for individuals with accounting knowledge or recent graduates, providing a pathway for skill development and potential career advancement within the field. An accounting clerk role often ensures a good work-life balance with regular hours. Salaries are dependent on company size and a person’s breadth of experience.  

5) What do accounting clerks do?

Accounting clerks perform essential tasks related to financial record-keeping within organizations. Their duties encompass data entry into accounting systems, processing invoices, and maintaining accurate accounts payable and receivable records. Additionally, they contribute to the integrity of financial data by reconciling accounts and identifying discrepancies. Accounting clerks also play a role in preparing financial reports, summarizing financial activities, and aiding in audits. 

Conclusion

Crafting a winning accounting clerk resume can help you secure your ideal job in the accounting field. Follow the proper resume formats discussed, and go over the writing tips for your resume and the subsequent accounting clerk templates. With a clear, conceive and creative approach, your resume will stand out and get you that next interview.

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