As a general ledger accountant, one challenge you might face on your resume is effectively showcasing the depth of your experience with complex financial reconciliations. Our guide provides targeted advice to help you articulate your expertise in simplifying multifaceted accounting processes, ensuring your resume stands out to potential employers.
- Sample industry-leading examples to learn how to write your best resume yet.
- Improve the experience, education, and achievements section of your resume with insights from resume-writing professionals.
- Curate your technical expertise and personality to stand out amongst the pool of candidates.
- Succinctly focus on your unique skill set all through your general ledger accounting resume.
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Simple guide to your general ledger accounting resume format and layout
Successful general ledger accounting resumes all have one specific characteristic - candidates have invested in a simple resume layout . One that is easy to read, makes a good first impression, and is adapted to their professional experience. There are three distinct resume formats to help you focus on your:- professional experience - use the reverse-chronological resume format;
- skills and achievements - via the functional skill-based resume format;
- both experience and skills - with a hybrid resume format .
What is more, keep in mind that your resume may be initially assessed by the ATS (Applicant Tracker System) (or the software used by companies in the hiring process). The general ledger accounting resumes that suit the ATS:
- have a header that includes either a role keyword or the job you're applying for;
- should be no longer than two pages;
- be submitted as PDF, unless specified otherwise.
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If the certificate you've obtained is especially vital for the industry or company, include it as part of your name within the resume headline.
Ensure your general ledger accounting resume stands out with these mandatory sections:
- Header - the section recruiters look to find your contact details, portfolio, and potentially, your current role
- Summary or objective - where your achievements could meet your career goals
- Experience - showcasing you have the technical (and personal) know-how for the role
- Skills - further highlighting capabilities that matter most to the general ledger accounting advert and your application
- Certifications/Education - staying up-to-date with industry trends
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Proficiency with accounting software and systems such as QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle.
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting principles, standards, and regulations like GAAP or IFRS.
- Experience with journal entries, ledger maintenance, and the month-end/year-end closing process.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in financial record-keeping and reconciliation.
- Education and certifications relevant to accounting, such as a BSc/BA in Accounting or a CPA designation.
Quick formula for writing your general ledger accounting resume experience section
Have you ever wondered why recruiters care about your general ledger accounting expertise?
For starters, your past roles show that you've obtained the relevant on-the job training and expertise that'd be useful for the role.
What is more, the resume work experience section isn't just your work history , but:
- shows what you're capable of achieving based on your past success;
- proves your skills with (oftentimes, tangible) achievements;
- highlights the unique value of what it's like to work with you.
To ensure your resume work experience section is as effective as possible, follow this formula:
- start each bullet with a powerful, action verb , followed up by your responsibilities, and your workplace success.
The more details you can include - that are relevant to the job and linked with your skill set - the more likely you are to catch recruiters' attention.
Additionally, you can also scan the job advert for key requirements or buzzwords , which you can quantify across your experience section.
Not sure what we mean by this? Take inspiration from the general ledger accounting resume experience sections below:
- Managed a high-volume ledger, handling over 5,000 transactions monthly, ensuring accuracy and compliance with the GAAP standards.
- Led a cross-departmental project to streamline the month-end closing process, reducing the timeline by 20% while maintaining 99.9% error-free records.
- Implemented a new ERP system that improved the reconciliation process and supported the accounting team to handle a 30% increase in business volume.
- Supervised a team of 10 accountants, providing mentorship and training, which increased the team's efficiency by 25%.
- Coordinated the year-end audit processes with external auditors resulting in zero adjustment entries for the first time in 5 years.
- Directed the successful migration of general ledger data to a cloud-based platform, enhancing data retrieval speed by 50%.
- Played a pivotal role in the financial reporting process by developing a new reporting template that reduced preparation time by 15 hours per month.
- Analyzed and reconciled over 2,500 general ledger accounts for quarterly reports, ensuring a discrepancy rate of less than 0.01%.
- Participated in the successful negotiation of a new bank credit facility that extended our credit line by $5 million.
- Spearheaded the implementation of a new accounts reconciliation software that decreased monthly reconciliation time by 40%.
- Developed an internal audit program that identified and corrected irregularities in expense reporting across departments, saving the company $200,000 annually.
- Managed inter-company transactions and reconciliations for subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, ensuring consistent application of corporate accounting policies.
- Processed journal entries and maintained the general ledger for a $50 million revenue firm with direct impact on the accuracy of financial statements.
- Conducted detailed variance analysis for gross margin fluctuations which fed directly into strategic pricing adjustments, contributing to a 5% profit increase.
- Assisted in preparing the company for an IPO by establishing robust ledger controls and successfully satisfying SEC requirements during the pre-audit phase.
- Maintained ledger integrity for over 100 projects, detailing financial status and ensuring project managers were equipped with reliable budget vs actuals reports.
- Coordinated with the tax team to align ledger accounts with tax preparation requirements, contributing to an error reduction of 20% in tax filings.
- Instrumental in identifying a recurring error in fixed asset depreciation calculations, preserving $1.2 million in reported company assets over a fiscal year.
- Analyzed complex financial data translating findings into actionable recommendations, which were crucial in developing a cost-saving initiative that saved the company $300,000 annually.
- Played a significant role in the annual budgeting process by projecting account trends and preparing budget-to-actual variance reports that were key in departmental decision-making.
- Authored a white paper on improving internal financial controls, which was adopted company-wide and led to a 20% improvement in audit readiness.
- Optimized general ledger operations by establishing a continuous improvement cycle that reduced journal entry error rate by 35%.
- Managed foreign currency transactions and revaluation process, sustaining the accuracy of the financial statements amid volatile exchange rate movements.
- Collaborated with IT to develop customized accounting reports from the general ledger system, enhancing management's ability to make informed decisions.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Managed a general ledger with over 10,000 transactions monthly, demonstrating strong organizational acumen and attention to detail.
- Reduced reporting errors by 30% through the implementation of new reconciliation procedures in the general ledger system.
- Trained and supervised a team of 5 accounting clerks, ensuring accurate general ledger maintenance and timely financial reporting.
- Streamlined general ledger processes, which cut down close cycle times by 25%, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Implemented a new general ledger software that resulted in a 20% increase in data processing speed.
- Audited and corrected general ledger entries, leading to a 15% improvement in accuracy for financial statements.
- Reconciled general ledger accounts with a total annual value of over $50 million, reflecting a high level of trust and financial responsibility.
- Collaborated on the development of a budget through general ledger analysis, influencing financial projections and decisions for a company with $100 million in annual revenue.
Action verbs for your general ledger accounting resume
Four quick steps for candidates with no resume experience
Those with less or no relevant experience could also make a good impression on recruiters by:
- Taking the time to actually understand what matters most to the role and featuring this within key sections of their resume
- Investing resume space into defining what makes them a valuable candidate with transferrable skills and personality
- Using the resume objective to showcase their personal vision for growth within the company
- Heavily featuring their technical alignment with relevant certifications, education, and skills.
Remember that your resume is about aligning your profile to that of the ideal candidate.
The more prominently you can demonstrate how you answer job requirements, the more likely you'd be called in for an interview.
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If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
General ledger accounting skills and achievements section: must-have hard and soft skills
A key principle for your general ledger accounting resume is to prominently feature your hard skills, or the technologies you excel in, within the skills section. Aim to list several hard skills that are in line with the job's requirements.
When it comes to soft skills, like interpersonal communication abilities and talents, they're trickier to quantify.
Claiming to be a good communicator is one thing, but how can you substantiate this claim?
Consider creating a dedicated "Strengths" or "Achievements" section. Here, you can describe how specific soft skills (such as leadership, negotiation, problem-solving) have led to concrete achievements.
Your general ledger accounting resume should reflect a balanced combination of both hard and soft skills, just as job requirements often do.
Top skills for your general ledger accounting resume:
SAP
Oracle Financial Services
QuickBooks
Microsoft Excel
Financial Reporting Software
Accounts Payable/Receivable Systems
Consolidation Software
Data Analysis Tools
General Ledger Software
Tax Preparation Software
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Communication Skills
Team Collaboration
Adaptability
Organizational Skills
Critical Thinking
Integrity
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List your educational qualifications and certifications in reverse chronological order.
Certifications and education: in-demand sections for your general ledger accounting resume
Your academic background in the form of certifications on your resume and your higher degree education is important to your application.
The certifications and education sections pinpoint a variety of hard and soft skills you possess, as well as your dedication to the industry.
Add relevant certificates to your general ledger accounting resume by:
- Add special achievements or recognitions you've received during your education or certification, only if they're really noteworthy and/or applicable to the role
- Be concise - don't list every and any certificate you've obtained through your career, but instead, select the ones that would be most impressive to the role
- Include the name of the certificate or degree, institution, graduation dates, and certificate license numbers (if possible)
- Organize your education in reverse chronological format, starting with the latest degree you have that's most applicable for the role
Think of the education and certification sections as the further credibility your general ledger accounting resume needs to pinpoint your success.
Now, if you're stuck on these resume sections, we've curated a list of the most popular technical certificates across the industry.
Have a look, below:
The top 5 certifications for your general ledger accounting resume:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - American Institute of CPAs (AICPA)
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA) - Institute of Management Accountants (IMA)
- Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) - Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA and CIMA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) - Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) - Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
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The more time and effort you've put into obtaining the relevant certificate, the closer to the top it should be listed. This is especially important for more senior roles and if the company you're applying for is more forward-facing.
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Deciding between a resume summary or objective for your general ledger accounting role
Understanding the distinction between a resume summary and an objective is crucial for your general ledger accounting resume.
A resume summary, typically three to five sentences long, offers a concise overview of your career. This is the place to showcase your most pertinent experience, key accomplishments, and skills. It's particularly well-suited for those with professional experience relevant to the job requirements.
In contrast, a resume objective focuses on how you can add value to potential employers. It addresses why they should hire you and outlines your career expectations and learning goals. Therefore, it's ideal for candidates with less experience.
In the following section of our guide, explore how resume summaries and objectives differ through some exemplary industry-specific examples.
Resume summaries for a general ledger accounting job
- With over 10 years of diligent experience in high-volume financial reporting and reconciliation, I have successfully managed ledgers for multinational firms, ensuring pristine accuracy and compliance. My proficiency in Oracle and SAP complements my expert analytical skills, epitomized by streamlining a year-end closing process that cut reporting times by 30%.
- As a seasoned CPA with 8 years in corporate accounting, I bring a track record of enhancing financial frameworks by integrating advanced software solutions. My specialty lies in GAAP compliance and managing a general ledger portfolio worth over $500 million, where I identified savings opportunities totaling $100,000 annually.
- Transitioning from a successful 7-year tenure in project management, my strong quantitative background and strategic planning skills naturally align with general ledger accounting requirements. Demonstrated excellence in financial modelling and budget management will serve as a strong foundation for delivering high-quality ledger oversight and reporting.
- Migrating from the world of retail management, where I led a team to increase departmental revenue by 40%, I am eager to transfer my robust budgeting skills and data-driven decision-making talents to excel in accounting functions such as general ledger maintenance and financial analysis. My adeptness in QuickBooks and keen attention to detail will ensure smooth fiscal operations.
- As a dynamic fresh graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Finance, I am eager to apply my top-of-class analytical prowess and deep understanding of financial accounting principles to a general ledger role. My objective is to leverage hands-on internship experience with a top accounting firm to accurately maintain financial records and support strategic fiscal decision-making.
- With a recent MBA specializing in Finance and intern experience in financial analytics, my goal is to contribute a sharp eye for detail and a robust work ethic to managing general ledgers. A solid grounding in accounting software, combined with keen insights from data interpretation internships, prepares me to sustain financial integrity and drive process improvements.
Extra general ledger accounting resume sections and elements
Creating a winning general ledger accounting resume isn't about following a rigid formula. The key is to tailor it to the job requirements while maintaining your unique personality.
Consider including these additional resume sections to enhance your profile:
- Awards - Highlight industry-specific awards as well as any personal accolades to demonstrate recognition of your expertise and achievements;
- Hobbies and interests - Share your interests outside of work. This can provide insights into your personality and indicate whether you'd be a good cultural fit for the organization;
- Projects - Detail significant projects you've been involved in, focusing on your contributions and the outcomes;
- Publications - If you've authored or co-authored academic papers or other publications, include them to establish your credibility and in-depth knowledge of the field.
These sections can give a more comprehensive view of your capabilities and character, complementing the standard resume content.
Key takeaways
We've reached the end of our general ledger accounting resume guide and hope this information has been useful. As a summary of our key points:
- Always assess the job advert for relevant requirements and integrate those buzzwords across various sections of your general ledger accounting resume by presenting tangible metrics of success;
- Quantify your hard skills in your certificates and skills section, while your soft skills in your resume achievements section;
- Ensure you've added additional relevant experience items, such as extracurricular activities and projects you've participated in or led;
- Use both your resume experience and summary to focus on what matters the most to the role: including your technical, character, and cultural fit for the company.
