The US has an estimated 1.7 million bookkeepers. These financial professionals provide an essential service to businesses across various sectors. But with so many bookkeepers to compete with, you need an excellent bookkeeper resume to stand out from the crowd.
Below you will find several proven examples of bookkeeper resumes, alongside templates and instructions on how to write a solid bookkeeper resume summary.
Bookkeepers record and provide accurate financial information about a business. Two of their core duties are reconciling bank records and entering data. However, many bookkeepers are also involved in their company's general accounting.
Other bookkeeper tasks involve working in:
Additionally, many bookkeepers perform tasks related to monthly reporting, payroll, and even tax filing.
Andrew S. Foster San Francisco, CA 94108 | andrewsfoster@email.com Summary Reliable Bookkeeper with 4+ years of experience in single and double-entry accounting for small to medium-sized businesses. Proficient with QuickBooks Pro and Online, and Microsoft Excel. Excellent administrative skills with an Associate degree in accounting.
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Work Experience
General Bookkeeper, BRADY Property | June 2019 - Present
Bookkeeper, RETAIL CITY | August 2016 - June 2019
Education North Iowa Area Community College. Mason City, IA January 2013 - May 2016 Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
Skills
Why it’s good: This bookkeeper resume is good because it is clear and easy to digest. The resume summary is short and sweet but manages to pack in many relevant details. For example, it highlights the candidate's experience with QuickBooks and Excel and their associated degree in accounting.
Many job postings will identify a requirement of familiarity with specific pieces of software. So, if you are familiar with these tools, make sure to include them in your work experience, summary, or skills section to alert the hiring manager to your suitability for the role.
Otherwise, the work experience section does an excellent job of selling the candidate's bookkeeping skills. It highlights their experience with accounts payable and receivables and quantifies their achievements with some hard data, such as reducing debt by 30%.
Sally Davidson 690 Gandy Street Syracuse, NY 13202 | sdavidson@email.com Summary Detail-oriented Accounts Receivable Specialist with 5+ years experience in the medical accounts receivable department. Thorough knowledge of collection and claims procedures with excellent communication skills used in efficient resolution of customer queries. Skilled in preparing weekly and monthly reports in a timely fashion with tight deadlines.
Work Experience
Assistant Bookkeeper, New York Special Surgery Clinic | January 2020 - Present
Assistant Bookkeeper, ABC Medical billing | August 2018 - January 2020
Education City University of New York, NY Sept '16-May '18 BA in Science
Skills
Why it's good: Again, this bookkeeper resume is great because it’s easy to scan. The resume summary communicates the applicants' expertise across several desirable categories, while the work experience section is solid and includes data to quantify achievements. The skills section is good, too, highlighting software and hard skills that will catch a hiring manager's eye.
Joseph Schaffer 3790 Timber Ridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95814 | jschafer@email.com Summary Driven and experienced Bookkeeper with initiative, resourcefulness, and an ability to deliver business objectives. Experienced Administrative Bookkeeper with experience in advanced administrative tasks. Mentor to new staff members with fantastic people skills. Excellent team player.
Work Experience
Senior Bookkeeper, AMC Corporation | April 2010 - Present
Education City University of New York, NY September 2007-May 2009 Associates degree in Social Care
Skills
Why it’s good: One issue that experienced job applicants can run into is that they have a lot of things they could include. However, that can lead to an overwhelming resume that hiring managers will find hard to read. This bookkeeper's resume does a good job of keeping things concise while highlighting the candidate's obvious qualities.
One interesting dimension of this resume summary is that it works as a good pitch for a more senior supervisor or management position by emphasizing the candidate's people skills and mentoring. Additionally, the skills section lists several pieces of software that they have used over the years.
A great bookkeeper resume needs to be clear and easy to read. Hiring managers will scan your resume, so make their life easy.
You should include a:
Bookkeeper resumes have to fit in a lot of information. However, it needs to be easy to scan for an applicant tracking system (ATS) or a hiring manager. If you want to get the edge over other candidates, you need to find a way to list your work experience, education, and skills in an easy-to-digest manner.
Including all the details you need can lead to a messy and unclear resume. Thankfully, our resume templates are formatted to get your point across without overwhelming hiring managers.
The specifics of a bookkeeper resume summary will depend on the job posting. Hiring managers will generally include the experience and skills they are looking for in the job post. You should study the job posting closely and target keywords and terms the employer has included.
More generally, a good resume summary is like an elevator pitch. You need to explain who you are, what you'd bring to a business, and list a few of your skills and achievements. Additionally, if you include achievements, try to back them up with some concrete data for extra impact.
Hiring managers will either quickly scan your resume or run it through Applicant Tracking Software (ATS). As a result, you need to make it easy to read, clear, and target keywords for the job posting.
Precise, detail-oriented corporate bookkeeper with 10+ years of experience at large firms. Expert in account payable and receivables, financial planning, and management. Proven experience and track record in vendor negotiations. Meticulous and enterprising, increased profits by 15% in my current role eliminating financial discrepancies and tightening financial recording.
Why it’s good: This corporate bookkeeper resume summary example works because it crams a lot of information into a few sentences. It highlights A/P and A/R experience and also highlights a flair for vendor management and negotiations. Additionally, it demonstrates the candidate's value by showing how they’ve driven profits for their current employer.
Highly organized property bookkeeper with 8+ years of experience. Managed a large portfolio of clients, taking care of bookkeeping, tax filing, payroll, and account management. Supervised a team of four to ensure client tax compliance. Seeking a role as a senior property bookkeeper where I can help the company grow and mentor junior staff in property tax regulations.
Why it works: This property bookkeeper resume summary is a strong way to apply for a more senior position. It touches upon the applicant's ability to manage a portfolio of clients and perform various accounting tasks. Additionally, it suggests an ability to supervise others. Finally, this resume summary positions the candidate as having a solid knowledge of tax, which is a valuable commodity for a property bookkeeper.
Certified bookkeeper with 4+ years experience in financial reporting, auditing, financial reconciliation, and processing cash recipes. Strong financial planning skills experience that have helped reduce company costs by 10% while managing a reduced budget. Expert in administering payroll services to ensure timely payout for over 750 employees. Great communicator with a desire and ability to take on further responsibilities.
Why it works: This certified bookkeeper's resume starts by highlighting certification before explaining their vast experience and skills. It presents an example of where they have been able to work with a reduced budget and even tangibly reduce company costs.
Additionally, this resume summary highlights the candidate's experience in running payroll for over 750 employees. By contextualizing these experiences, hiring managers can feel confident that an applicant is ready to move on to the next level.
Related: Our guide on how to write a resume summary.
A good bookkeeper resume should be easy for a hiring manager to read. Learning to list your skills properly is essential. ATS and hiring managers will scan your resume to look out for specific experiences and duties. So make it easy for them to find them by listing them clearly and concisely.
The best way to format your experience is:
The responsibilities section is an opportunity to stand out. Many candidates just list their basic duties; however, you can stuff this section with workplace achievements to improve your chances of getting an interview.
Another way that you can improve this section is to use hard numbers to back up your achievements. For example, "helped install new invoice tracking, which led to a 15% increase in revenue."
Bookkeeper, J&L Business Solutions | January 2017 - Present
Senior Bookkeeper, ABC eCommerce | May 2015 - Feb 2022
Automated A/P function to take advantage of vendor early payment discounts, saving the business 5% on some servers
Assistant Bookkeeper, Wilmington Lexus | June 2018 - June 2021
Applying for an entry-level bookkeeper position can be tricky. Without past experience to fall back on, you’ll need to find other ways to emphasize why you are suitable for the job. The key here is to study the job description and draw heavily from either your education history or related work experience.
The best way to write an entry-level bookkeeper resume is to include:
There are two main routes that people take to become a bookkeeper. Perhaps the most common path is to work in a salaried position. Alternatively, you can start your own freelance booking service.
Both of these journeys require several steps.
You don’t necessarily need a college education to become a bookkeeper; however, many firms have this requirement. A high-school education will provide you with the basic numeracy, writing, and communication skills to provide the foundation for a bookkeeper job.
There are several ways that prospective bookkeepers can acquire the training required for the job. Some good avenues are:
You don’t need to have a college education to become a bookkeeper. That said, many employers prefer candidates with a college education.
If you go down the college route, an Associate degree in either bookkeeping or accounting will train you for most positions.
Unlike accountants, bookkeepers don’t need a license or certifications. However, becoming a Certified Bookkeeper (CB) through the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers or the AIPB will make your resume look far stronger. Additionally, some job listings ask for an undergraduate accounting certificate
To effectively highlight your experience as a Bookkeeper, focus on your proficiency in managing financial records, executing accurate bookkeeping, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. Detail your role in maintaining accounts, processing payroll, and preparing financial statements. Mention specific systems and software you are proficient in, such as QuickBooks or Microsoft Excel, and include measurable impacts of your work, such as improvements in financial reporting accuracy or efficiency gains in financial processes.
Key skills to feature on a Bookkeeper’s resume include attention to detail, proficiency in accounting software, expertise in financial reconciliation, and knowledge of accounting principles. Highlight your ability to manage multiple accounts, your precision in financial record-keeping, and your adeptness at preparing detailed financial reports. Also, emphasize your skills in time management and your ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive financial information.
Demonstrate your ability to improve financial processes by detailing specific improvements you've implemented that enhanced efficiency or accuracy. These could include automating certain bookkeeping tasks, streamlining data entry processes, or introducing new accounting software features to the team. Provide concrete examples of how these improvements reduced errors, saved time, or enhanced financial reporting.
Yes, including metrics on your Bookkeeper resume can be highly effective. For example, you could mention the percentage reduction in financial discrepancies, the amount of time saved through process improvements, or the increase in compliance with tax filings. Metrics that demonstrate your direct contribution to financial accuracy and efficiency are particularly valuable.
Showcase your experience with accounting software by discussing your proficiency with specific platforms, such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage. Detail how you've used these tools to manage financial transactions, generate reports, and ensure accuracy in accounts. Highlight any training you've completed on these software platforms or any role you've played in migrating financial systems to new software.
Highlight achievements such as recognition for outstanding accuracy in financial management, successful management of financial audits, or contributions to significant cost-saving initiatives. You could also mention any roles you've taken in training other staff on financial procedures or accounting software, reflecting your leadership and depth of knowledge.
If you lack experience in a specific area of bookkeeping, focus on your foundational skills in financial management and your eagerness to learn and adapt. Highlight any relevant courses or certifications you've pursued that are related to the area, and mention any related skills or experiences that demonstrate your capability to manage financial records effectively.
Attention to detail is crucial for a Bookkeeper role, as accuracy in recording financial transactions directly impacts the integrity of financial reporting. Emphasize your meticulousness and the methods you use to ensure error-free work, such as double-checking entries, reconciling accounts regularly, and maintaining organized financial records.
Demonstrate your ability to handle confidential information by mentioning your adherence to privacy policies and ethical standards in managing sensitive financial data. Discuss any protocols you follow to secure financial information and any compliments or trust you've received from employers for your discretion and integrity.
Including relevant certifications can enhance your Bookkeeper resume by demonstrating your commitment to professional development and expertise in your field. Certifications such as Certified Bookkeeper (CB) from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers or certification in accounting software like QuickBooks Certified User can be particularly beneficial, showcasing your skills and knowledge to potential employers.
If you've always had a "numbers brain" and you're interested in the ins and outs of financial literacy, a career as a bookkeeper might just be your perfect path. Whether you're looking for your first bookkeeping job or you're interested in moving up the ladder in your bookkeeping career, a professionally designed resume from VisualCV Pro can help you on your way.
How to Describe Bookkeeper Duties and Responsibilities on a Resume
How can I highlight my experience as a Bookkeeper on my resume?
What are the key skills to feature on a Bookkeeper's resume?
How do I demonstrate my ability to improve financial processes on my resume?
Should I include metrics on my Bookkeeper resume? If so, what kind?
How can I showcase my experience with accounting software on my resume?
What kind of achievements should I highlight as a Bookkeeper?
How do I address a lack of experience in a specific area of bookkeeping on my resume?
How do I demonstrate my ability to handle confidential information on my resume?
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