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Accountant job description: what you'll do and what to write on your resume

Applying for accountant at an accounting firm or company finance team? Copy the duties below into your resume, then read what the interview asks.

Duties to write on your resume

Start each line with what you did. Keep the ones you've really done.

• Recorded daily transactions in the general ledger using accounting software and Excel
• Prepared monthly bank reconciliations and fixed differences with the bank statement
• Processed accounts payable and receivable, including invoices, vouchers and collections
• Prepared monthly financial statements, including the balance sheet and income statement
• Computed and filed tax returns and other required government reports on time
• Reviewed expense reports and receipts for accuracy and proper approval
• Prepared schedules and supporting documents for the yearly audit
• Helped prepare budgets and explained differences between planned and actual figures

A resume objective you can adapt

Accountancy graduate looking for an accountant role, ready to keep accurate books, meet month-end deadlines and grow in a finance team.

Skills employers ask for

• Bookkeeping and general ledger entries
• Excel and accounting software
• Knowledge of Philippine tax and financial reporting rules
• Attention to detail with numbers
• Meeting month-end deadlines under pressure

What the interview asks

1. Walk me through how you close the books at month-end. Name your steps in order: record entries, reconcile accounts, review, then prepare the reports.
2. What would you do if the bank reconciliation doesn't match? Say you'd check for missing or duplicate entries first, then ask for the bank records.
3. Which accounting software and Excel functions do you use? Name the tools you've really used, and mention VLOOKUP or pivot tables if you know them.
4. How do you handle many deadlines at the same time? Give a real example of how you listed tasks and finished the urgent ones first.

The questions every interview asks, with sample answers

How to get hired

1. Most posts ask for a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy or a related degree.
2. To work as a certified public accountant (CPA), you need a PRC licence: pass the Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination, which asks for a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
3. Prepare a resume, a valid ID, NBI clearance and your SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN numbers.
4. Apply on company career pages and job sites, then expect an interview and sometimes a short Excel or accounting test.

Licence or certificate

• A certified public accountant (CPA) needs a PRC licence: pass the Certified Public Accountants Licensure Examination, which asks for a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Source

What the work is like

You sit at a desk and work with spreadsheets and accounting software most of the day. Month-end and tax deadlines are the hardest part, and you may work late then.

Use the accountant resume template

Questions

Do I need experience to work as an accountant?

Not always. Many firms hire fresh graduates and train them, but you need the right degree.

Do I need to be a CPA to work as an accountant?

Not for every post. Some jobs ask for a CPA licence, while others accept a degree in accountancy.

What should I study to become an accountant?

Most employers look for a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy. Related courses in finance or business can also work for some posts.

Similar jobs

• Bookkeeper
• Accounting staff
• Accounting clerk
• Auditor
• Financial analyst

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