If you’re working toward a degree in accounting, the next thing on your mind should be preparing your accounting resume for a job in the field. Whether your goal is to be an accountant or to work in business management, an accounting degree can be the crucial key to helping you find success.

There are three main types of accountants; tax accountants, auditors, and industry accountants. Each of these different types of accounting careers has very different job responsibilities, and different skills that are needed to succeed. Tax accountants are just what it sounds like, accountants who do taxes. Audit accountants perform audits on companies, internally or externally, to ensure that proper financial and accounting practices are being performed, and that the financial statements of an organization are correct. Industry accountants work in public or private sectors for individual companies handling their overall finances.

WGU can help you learn all of these relevant skills, and prepare you for whatever avenue of accounting you choose to pursue. Of all the important things you’ll learn in your degree program there are a few you should absolutely be putting on your resume and cover letter to help you stand out from the competition. Discover which skills and accomplishments to give a summary of on your resume and cover letter to help you land your dream business or accounting job.

There is a distinct difference between hard skills and soft skills in the workforce. Hard skills are the specific tasks and abilities you need to be able to do to in order to perform your job functions, and perform them well. Hard skills translate to the tasks you’ll need to be able to do day in and day out. 

When it comes to accounting, most of the hard skills you need to know come from higher education, a bachelor’s or master’s degree, and organizations will often require them. For basic bookkeeper positions you can likely get by without higher education, but for accounting and business positions, the additional knowledge you get from a degree is vital to your success. 

Performing accounts payable and receivable functions. This is an industry accounting function that boils down to writing checks and managing the budgets for your vendors. It means working with department heads to understand what the vendors do, establishing budgets with departments, and working directly with the vendors to send them their checks when they submit invoices. Skills in accounts payable and receivable are extremely relevant for those in industry accounting and is a great skill to list on your resume. 

Managing vendor accounts. Accounting departments in industry accounting are often responsible for managing all the vendor accounts that need to be paid. This means loading them into whatever software system you use, making sure they’ve delivered their goods or services, and more. On your resume it’s smart to list that you have direct experience in working with vendor contracts, tax documentation, and invoices. All of these elements are used by accounting departments every day, especially in industry accounting.

Forecasting budgets. Some people in industry accounting are responsible for working on budgets with departments and executives. They will help analyze the previous year, and forecast how budgets will need to be handled the next year. They are responsible for helping distribute money to different departments, doing reimbursements when needed, and ensuring that everything is done with proper documentation and correct financial practices. You can use your resume to demonstrate that you have experience making budgets and you understand the financial practices to keep a budget on track.

Handling payroll. Everyone loves to get paid, and those in industry accounting are the ones to thank. Accountants are in charge of making sure that everyone in your organization gets paid, from helping to set budgets to signing the actual checks. They are responsible for the deadlines, working with direct deposits, bonuses, and more. Listing on your accounting resume that you have payroll experience is sure to go a long way when applying for industry accounting jobs. 

Working with bankers, insurers, and solicitors. All the different kinds of accountants work with bankers, insurers, and solicitors as part of their job. It’s the job of accountants to get information and work with these other professionals to understand how an organization’s finances are working. They communicate with these other professionals to get answers to questions, manage the organization’s accounts, protect assets, and keep an eye on the overall financial situation of their organization. Listing on your accounting resume that you have worked with these kinds of professionals demonstrates that you’re prepared to handle whatever a new employer can throw at you.

Understanding of financial reporting (GAAP). Audit accountants utilize GAAP or Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as they run their audits on companies. Internal auditors run audits on their own organization’s finances, while external auditors run audits on other organizations. Accountants need to have an understanding of financial reporting in order to read a company’s financial statements and ensure that everything is being done legally and correctly. Organizations who aren’t running their finances correctly according to these standards could be committing fraud, so it’s vital for accountants in industry and audit accounting to understand what the proper procedures are.

Tax understanding. Tax accountants need to have an understanding of how the tax code works, and how it applies to individuals and businesses. They also need to know how to stay up-to-date on changes to tax codes, and understand how these changes impact individuals and businesses. If you’re hoping to be a tax accountant, it’s smart to list the kinds of taxes you’ve done on your accounting resume so you can demonstrate your understanding of tax laws and codes to potential employers or clients.

Soft skills are the more general skills you need in any kind of job. While they’re not directly tied to accounting, they are vital for success in the accounting industry as well as every other profession. These soft skills are the basic skills everyone needs to communicate, interact, and perform well inside their job functions. Accountants are no exception; they need soft skills to be successful in their unique jobs and organizations. 

Written and verbal communication skills. Accountants need to be able to communicate well within their teams, and with the various other departments or organizations that they work with on a regular basis. This can include connecting with audit clients, tax clients, executives and managers in their organizations, vendors, and more. Accountants need to be able to articulate themselves well as they explain what they need from clients or coworkers, communicate news to vendors and clients, and work with everyone in their organization on financial matters. Listing your communication skills on your accounting resume will help demonstrate to employers that you understand how you’ll need to work with others as an accountant.

Customer service. Accountants are in the middle of customer service as they deal with clients and vendors. They need to understand how to interact with customers and clients in a polite, professional way. Good customer service will keep clients coming, and will show vendors and contractors that you are a professional organization. If you can list customer service experience and skills on your accounting resume, it’s sure to go a long way to help you land your dream accounting job.

Business knowledge. The fundamentals of business from finances to marketing, strategy and law, are all vital for your career success. You need to be able to demonstrate business prowess so you can be able to work in any industry or organization, big or small. Listing the courses you’ve taken in business and the experience you’ve had working in business can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the fundamental knowledge you need to be successful in business. Accountants need a general business knowledge to be able to work well within any organization, and be prepared with best practices for their company.

Critical thinking. Critical thinking is vital for anyone in the workforce. You need to be able to think for yourself, analyze situations, and look at all the angles before you make a decision. This is all part of critical thinking. Employers will appreciate seeing this on your resume because it will demonstrate to them that you’re aware of the vital elements of success in the workplace, and that you know how to think in a way that lets you contribute. Accountants need critical thinking as they work to solve problems every day. 

Leadership. You don’t have to be a manager to demonstrate leadership. Every organization needs employees that demonstrate leadership, and putting leadership abilities on your resume is sure to impress potential employers. Be prepared to give examples of how you’ve been a leader, and how it’s helped you be more prepared. Accountants need leadership abilities as they work with clients, move to management, and contribute in a professional way to their organization.