Accounting staff job description: what you'll do and what to write on your resume
Applying for accounting staff 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.
Recorded daily transactions in the accounting system accurately and on time
Prepared and posted journal entries for sales, expenses and payments
Processed supplier invoices and prepared payments for approval
Issued customer invoices and followed up on unpaid accounts
Reconciled bank statements and fixed differences in the books
Prepared monthly reports and schedules using Excel
Filed receipts, vouchers and financial records in an organized way
Helped the accountant with month-end closing and tax filing papers
No work experience yet? Use the same lines for school projects, a family business or an org's treasurer role, and say where.
A resume objective you can adapt
Accountancy graduate looking for an accounting staff job, ready to record transactions accurately, meet month-end deadlines and keep learning from the finance team.
Skills employers ask for
Basic bookkeeping and double-entry accounting
Excel, including formulas and pivot tables
Accounting software such as QuickBooks or Xero
Attention to detail with numbers
Meeting deadlines and keeping records organized
What the interview asks
Walk me through how you would record a supplier invoice. Name the steps: check the invoice, record the expense and payable, then match the payment.
What would you do if the bank balance doesn't match the books? Say you'd compare each entry, find the difference and report anything you can't explain.
How well do you know Excel? Name the formulas you really use, like VLOOKUP or SUMIF, and give one example.
How do you handle many deadlines at month-end? Describe how you list tasks, order them by due date and ask for help early.
Most posts ask for a bachelor's degree in accountancy, accounting or a related course.
Prepare your resume, a valid ID and your government numbers like SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and TIN.
Many employers also ask for an NBI clearance and a medical certificate.
Apply online or through company career pages. Fresh graduates are often welcome.
Expect a short interview and sometimes a simple Excel or bookkeeping test.
What the work is like
You sit at a desk and work with numbers and documents most of the day. Month-end is the busiest time, with tight deadlines and little room for mistakes.
Questions
Do I need experience to work as accounting staff?
Not always. Many companies hire fresh graduates and train them on their systems.
Do I need to be an accountancy graduate?
Most posts prefer it, but some accept business or finance courses. Check each post.
Can accounting staff work from home?
Some can, since the work is done on a computer. Many companies still want you in the office.
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