Bookkeeper Resume Examples and Templates

"Making good judgments when one has complete data, facts, and knowledge is not leadership - it's bookkeeping."

Dee Hock

Your bookkeeper's resume is a critical document while you're looking to shine in the competitive job market. The resume must demonstrate your knowledge, skills, and proficiency in accounting and financial management.

A well-crafted resume for a bookkeeper role will help you show potential employers that you are the person for the role. With the right preparation strategy, you can create a powerful resume to put you on the path to success.

Bookkeeper resume examples

Full charge bookkeeper resume example:

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Entry-level bookkeeper resume example:

Lola Jamieson

Woodbridge, NJ | 732-726-8328 | lola-jamieson@email.com

Objective:

Detail-oriented and analytical bookkeeper with a solid foundation in accounting principles and a passion for accuracy and efficiency. Seeking to leverage my skills and expertise in financial management to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization.

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting | New Jersey City University

• Graduated: May 2022
• Relevant Courses: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Taxation, Auditing, Business Finance
• Extracurricular Activities: Treasurer of Accounting Club, Member of Finance Society

Skills:

• Proficient in QuickBooks (Certified User), Microsoft Excel (Specialist), and other accounting software
• Strong understanding of financial statements, bookkeeping principles, and GAAP
• Experience with accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing, and bank reconciliations
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and time management
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

Work Experience:

Junior Bookkeeper | Financial Solutions Inc. (Woodbridge, NJ)

June 2023 - Present

• Manage accounts payable/receivable processes for 20+ clients, reducing overdue invoices by 25% through streamlined procedures
• Prepare and analyze monthly financial reports, identifying discrepancies and recommending cost-saving measures, resulting in a 15% reduction in expenses
• Conduct monthly bank reconciliations, maintaining a 99.9% accuracy rate and identifying and rectifying discrepancies promptly
• Assist in processing bi-weekly payroll for 100+ employees, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations
• Collaborate with team members to implement new accounting software, resulting in a 30% increase in efficiency

Accounting Intern | Jeffersons Accounting Firm (Jersey City, NJ)

January - May 2023

• Assisted senior accountants with data entry, invoice processing, and expense tracking, handling an average of 200 transactions daily
• Conducted research on tax laws and regulations, providing valuable insights for client tax planning strategies
• Supported the preparation of financial statements and client reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP
• Participated in audits and financial reviews, identifying discrepancies and recommending corrective actions
• Developed proficiency in QuickBooks and Excel through hands-on training and coursework

Certifications:

• QuickBooks Certified User (Obtained from Intuit QuickBooks Training Center) | 2023
• Microsoft Excel Specialist (Obtained from Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Program) | 2022

References:

Available upon request.

Formatting the resume

As you begin writing your resume, here are some most important points to keep in mind:

• When writing your bookkeeper's resume, use clear and professional language.
• Utilize bullet points and do not overload the page with too much information.
• Be concise but informative. Writing with shorter sentences will help emphasize your points and make the resume more readable.
• Incorporate industry keywords and phrases into the bookkeeper's resume so that it is picked up by automated selection software systems.

Now, let's look at each resume section in detail.

Providing contact information

The first section that must be present on your resume is the contact details.

Your bookkeeper's resume has to indicate your full name and other personal information necessary for identification. Include your current phone number, professional email, and city and state where you live.

You may choose to specify the location where you are job searching if you're willing to relocate. Add any other facts you wish to share with the recruiters and hiring managers, like a link to your LinkedIn profile.

Writing a resume summary

A great bookkeeper resume summary should illustrate your key skills and experiences in the field of accounting. It should quickly and effectively communicate the qualifications that make you ideal for the position applied.

Bookkeeper resume - sample statement #1:

Dedicated and detail-oriented bookkeeper having 5+ years of experience in accounting and finance. Proficient in NetSuite, MS Excel, and MS Word. Trained in creating comprehensive financial statements, analyzing data, and ensuring the accuracy of documentation. Proven records of working efficiently under tight deadlines to meet project goals.

Bookkeeper resume - sample statement #2:

Highly organized and meticulous bookkeeper possessing 10+ years of experience. Skilled in Quickbooks, payroll management, accounts receivable/payable, financial reporting, and general ledger transactions. Demonstrated capacity to work productively and attentively while managing multiple tasks. Extensive proficiency in producing accurate financial reports.

Tips on crafting an outstanding bookkeeper's resume summary

• Ensure to include your most relevant credentials and experience in the role you are seeking.
• Tailor your statement to the specific job description to explain how your qualifications match their needs.
• Write in a way that is easy to read and understand by avoiding industry jargon or technical terms unless unavoidable.
• Make sure the language you use is strong.
• Keep it between 3-5 sentences so that HR specialists can quickly scan it without getting overwhelmed by too much information.
• Focus on your most important accomplishments or experiences instead of itemizing every single one of them.

Outlining work experience

The median annual salary for bookkeepers stands at $45,860. Nevertheless, the salary of a bookkeeper can fluctuate based on factors such as their educational background, geographic location, and level of expertise. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The bookkeeper's resume needs to list the employment history information effectively.

In general, you should arrange your experience in reverse chronological order. For each position, state the job title, company's name, employment dates (start and end), and a brief description of responsibilities and major outcomes.

When writing your own bookkeeper resume, focus on providing details about each position and emphasize applicable skills or certifications. Talk about your achievements in the professional field to impress employers.

Listing education details

It is imperative to present this resume section in a way that clearly describes the academic journey. Education should be listed in chronological order, beginning with the latest credentials.

Ensure to state the name of the institution, the type of degree earned, and the dates attended. You may also supply additional facts, such as GPA, relevant coursework, etc.

Such a listing will guarantee that prospective employers have an easy time scanning through your educational background.

Additionally, by including certifications, extracurricular activities, internships, and other relevant details, you can exhibit the breadth of your expertise in the field.

A general bookkeeping certification can cost up to $3,000. Certification from California State University, Fullerton is $2,195. AIPB charges members $479 and nonmembers $574. NACPB certification is $369 for members and $449 for nonmembers. (Forbes)

Highlighting skills

The bookkeeper resume skills section helps you reveal the job-related talents you possess.

List the finest and most advantageous professional hard skills that you have to show your level of expertise.

Soft skills are also important for businesses that are looking for a bookkeeper. For instance, excellent communication skills are needed to interact with various departments.

Bookkeeper resume - examples of hard skills:

• Proficiency in accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Xero;
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices;
• Data entry and data analysis skills;
• Ability to work with spreadsheets, databases, and financial reports;
• Familiarity with tax laws and tax filing;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Mastery of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Experience in reconciling accounts;
• Solid math skills.

Bookkeeper resume - examples of soft skills:

• Organization and time management;
• The capability to work independently with minimal guidance;
• Good problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities;
• The ability to prioritize tasks efficiently;
• High level of professionalism and integrity;
• Adaptability and flexibility;
• High ethical standards.

Including social media

"Bookkeeping is the language of business."

Warren Buffett

Overall, incorporating social media accounts into your bookkeeper's resume may be advantageous. However, you have to consider the pros and cons before making the decision.

Nevertheless, there could be several potential pitfalls of attaching social media links to a bookkeeper's resume.

Ultimately, whether or not to incorporate social media profiles on a resume is up to the job seeker. Bookkeepers who are active online should feel comfortable showcasing their accounts. At the same time, those who do not have much presence on the internet may want to leave social media off their resume.

Adding supplementary info

In 2022, approximately 1.7 million positions were occupied by bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks. Among the industries hiring the most such specialists are the scientific and technical sectors. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

The discussed earlier resume sections are the generic ones that must be included in your resume. However, you are free to put on your bookkeeper's resume any facts that you feel will benefit your job search.

See below what other details you may want to consider including.

Adding this information to the resume for a bookkeeper will reveal your personality from a different perspective. These details also give an insight into your other competencies that are not mentioned before. They can help make you shine compared to other job-seekers.

Using a resume builder

Are you looking for a way to compose your bookkeeper resume quickly and easily? Why not try using ready-made templates by Resume Trick? Save you valuable time and effort and focus on the most important aspects of your job search.

The online resume builder offers a variety of benefits compared to working in Word or other text editors.

• Formatted correctly to meet industry standards and guidelines, meaning all the vital information is clearly laid out.
• The bookkeeper resume templates have all the required sections, making you only need to fill in the blanks.
• Professionally designed layouts to guarantee that your resume distinguishes itself from the competition.
• The integrated AI assistant will help you come up with the best wording for certain parts of the resume when you're stuck without better ideas.

Finally, the website with the builder has a career blog on writing an effective bookkeeper resume. This can be invaluable guidance on what should be covered and how best to present your credentials.

Using an online resume-building service is an efficient method to create a professionally-looking resume. So, why wait? Get started today and take one step closer to securing your dream job!

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Writing a bookkeeper cover letter

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Composing an engaging cover letter is essential for success in making your application being noticed.

Apart from the resume, it is the first thing potential employers will use to learn about you. Hence, it needs to be written in such a way that it stands out and makes you look like the top choice.

Here is advice on how to write an effective bookkeeper cover letter:

• Keep it short. Avoid winding sentences and focus on the key points. Try not to exceed one page in length, as HR managers may not have time to read through long letters. Use the space wisely to show your unique attributes.
• Incorporate keywords. This could aid your application get noticed by recruiters, as they will likely be searching for such terms when shortlisting contenders.
• Be specific. Make sure your bookkeeper cover letter is tailored specifically to the job you are applying for. Address the hiring manager by name and reflect on the details from the job posting to indicate your unique knowledge and enthusiasm.
• Showcase your skillset. Evidence that you understand the job's expectations: elaborate on what qualifies you for the role. Focus on accomplishments rather than responsibilities and duties.
• Exhibit your passion. Explain why you are passionate about bookkeeping and why you believe you are the ideal candidate for the job. Proclaiming your eagerness can be just as important as sharing your credentials.
• Proofread. Finally, be sure to check your letter before submitting it. Typos and grammatical errors do not make a good impression!

This example does not address why the candidate is qualified or what makes them stand out. Instead, it focuses too much on generic skills, which do not show any real interest or even familiarity with what the role actually entails.

Additionally, there is no mention of applicable experience or certifications that demonstrate that they have not done their research into what is required.

Below you will find good bookkeeper cover letter examples. Use them to guide your own writing.

The above is a good example because it specifically addresses why the applicant is qualified for this particular job. It also highlights relevant experience, and shows their passion for bookkeeping.

Sample cover letter - bookkeepers with no experience:

If you are a recent college graduate looking for your first job or wish to find an internship while at school, write about your potential to get the attention of employers.

Mention your theoretical basis and all the transferable skills you have developed throughout your academic career. Also, explain why you want to begin your professional journey at this particular company.

See the cover letter below to get a better idea:

Dear Mr. Alves,

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Bookkeeper at Dynamic Financial Solutions. As a recent graduate from Blue Sky University, I am excited about the opportunity to apply my accounting skills and further my understanding of financial systems and regulations in a practical setting.

While I may not yet have direct experience in bookkeeping, my academic background has equipped me with strong analytical abilities. I am confident in my ability to quickly grasp new concepts such as accounts receivable/payable and cash flow management processes. Additionally, my enthusiasm, dedication, and effective communication skills make me well-prepared to contribute positively to your team.

I am particularly drawn to the opportunity at Dynamic Financial Solutions because of its reputation for innovation and commitment to excellence in the financial services industry. I am eager to leverage my knowledge and skills in a professional environment where I can continue to learn and grow while making meaningful contributions to the success of your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to discuss how my background and enthusiasm can contribute to the goals of Dynamic Financial Solutions. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or to schedule an interview. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you.

Sincerely,

Krystyna Sawicka

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Proofreading your application

Rereading and spell-checking your bookkeeper's resume and cover letter is essential for making a good impression. It indicates that you take the job seriously and that you are meticulous in your work. Poor grammar and spelling can suggest that you are not detail-oriented or lack basic writing skills.

To effectively proofread your bookkeeper's resume and accompanying letter, do the following:

• Start by reading it out loud to yourself. This should assist you in identifying typos, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing.
• Ensure to double-check the contact information and job titles you included to guarantee correctness.
• Utilize online tools, such as spell checkers, to catch spelling mistakes.
• Pay attention to the agreement between subject and verb and avoid using jargon or abbreviations.

Conclusion

The bookkeeper's resume is the key component of your job search. It should be tailored to the specific job and highlight your skills, training, and experience that make you uniquely qualified for the position.

Through the mentioned measures and with the help of bookkeeper resume examples, you can create a compelling application that could give you a better chance of landing an interview!

Use the online resume builder to speed up the process while getting an outstanding result!