Accounting manager job description: what you'll do and what to write on your resume
Applying for accounting manager at a company or accounting firm? 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.
Led a team of accountants and clerks, assigning tasks and checking their work
Reviewed journal entries, ledgers and reconciliations for accuracy before each month end
Prepared monthly financial statements and explained the results to senior management
Managed the month-end and year-end closing, keeping every deadline
Prepared and monitored budgets and reported differences between plan and actual spending
Oversaw accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll processing
Prepared and filed tax returns on time, working with auditors and tax advisers
Improved accounting procedures and internal controls to reduce errors and risk
A resume objective you can adapt
Accountant with team-handling experience looking for an accounting manager role, ready to lead month-end closing, keep the books accurate and give management clear reports.
Skills employers ask for
Accounting software and advanced Excel
Leading and coaching a team
Reading and explaining financial statements
Attention to detail under tight deadlines
Clear writing and speaking in English
What the interview asks
How do you run a month-end close? Walk through your steps in order: cut-off, reconciliations, review, then reports.
Tell us about a mistake your team found late. What did you do? Own the problem, explain the fix, and say what you changed so it won't repeat.
How do you handle a team member who keeps missing deadlines? Show you talk to them first, find the cause, then set clear next steps.
How do you explain numbers to someone who isn't in finance? Give a short example using plain words and one clear takeaway.
Most posts ask for a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related course, plus several years of accounting experience.
Many employers prefer that you have already led or supervised a small team.
Prepare your resume, a valid ID, NBI clearance and your SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN numbers.
Expect more than one interview, often with finance and a senior manager, and sometimes a short test on reports or Excel.
What the work is like
You sit at a desk most of the day, and the work is busiest in the last days of each month and at year end. The hard part is keeping your team on schedule while checking that every number is right.
Questions
Do I need experience to become an accounting manager?
Yes. Most employers want you to have worked as an accountant or senior accountant first, and to have supervised people.
What should I study to become an accounting manager?
Most posts ask for a bachelor's degree in accountancy, accounting or a related business course.
Can accounting managers work from home?
Some can, especially for foreign clients. Many roles still need you in the office for team meetings and month-end work.
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