How to Write an Accounting Intern Resume (With an Example)

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published November 18, 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Accounting professionals may complete internship programs to get the training and practical experience needed to advance their careers. If you're seeking an accounting intern position, consider preparing a professional resume. Learning how to write a compelling resume can help you impress prospective employers and receive an invitation to interview. In this article, we discuss why you might write an accounting intern resume, describe how to write one, share helpful tips, and provide a resume template and an example you can use for guidance.

Why write an accounting intern resume?

An accounting intern resume can showcase your relevant skills and credentials to a potential employer. It helps assure hiring managers that you have the necessary accounting skills, background, and potential to succeed in that role. An accounting intern's duties include compiling research, analyzing data, and creating financial reports. Consider writing an effective resume to demonstrate your ability to perform these duties efficiently and benefit an organization.

How to write an accounting intern resume

Here's a list of steps you can follow to write an effective resume as an accounting intern:

1. Choose a format

Before starting your resume, consider choosing a suitable format for your intended content. You can use different resume formats depending on your current career stage. If you don't have prior accounting experience or it's your first internship, you can use a functional resume format as it focuses on your skills and qualifications. If you have relevant experience in accounting that can support your application, consider using a reverse-chronological format. This resume format is ideal as it highlights your experience in similar roles and allows hiring managers to assess your level of expertise.

2. Create a resume header

Next, you can create your resume header. A header typically entails your full name and contact details. This can help hiring managers verify your identity and contact you if they wish to further your application. Include your phone number, e-mail address, city, and province or territory of residence. Consider using an e-mail address with a variation of your full name to demonstrate professionalism. If you have a portfolio, social media platform, or professional networking site, you can add the link here as well. Ensure any links you add are directly relevant to the accounting intern position you're seeking and can help increase your chances of application success.

3. Write your professional summary

Below your resume header, you can write a summary of your educational qualifications, skills, and credentials that set you apart from other candidates. Consider reviewing that job description to note keywords the employer used so you can include them in your professional summary. Start your sentences with action verbs and mention your best qualities and traits when introducing yourself. Many employers read candidates' professional summaries to determine whether to proceed with an application, so consider making it concise and impactful by including your most impressive and relevant achievements.

4. Outline your education history

Next, you can explain the educational credentials you earned. If you're a recent university graduate, you can add the details of the degree earned, including the name of the school or institution and your graduation year. If you're a university student working toward a degree, you can also mention the details and your expected graduation date. Consider putting relevant coursework on your resume to showcase your knowledge of accounting and finance procedures. If you earned any awards or honours in school, you can benefit from mentioning them on your resume.

5. Explain your work experience

Your work experience section allows hiring managers to gain insight into how you developed similar duties in the past. It can also showcase your notable accomplishments throughout your studies. If you completed an internship previously, consider including the details of that work here. You can also mention any part-time jobs or volunteer experience you have. Mention the organizations' names, your job title, employment duration, and locations. Using action verbs to explain your daily duties and responsibilities to describe each role can make the resume more engaging.

6. List your accounting skills

Accounting interns combine soft and technical skills to complete assignments at work. In this section, you can highlight the accounting skills you have that make you an ideal candidate for the role. Consider also mentioning common accounting and financial software you can use proficiently. Relevant skills you can add to your resume as an accounting intern include:

logical thinking
analytical skills
problem-solving
time management
asset management
adaptability
data management

7. Create an additional section

While this is optional, you can create an additional section to include supporting information on your resume. This section can list any relevant certifications or licences you have. You may also make it a hobbies and interests section to showcase your relevant interests demonstrating your career goals and aspirations in accounting. Listing professional hobbies on your resume can help hiring managers assess your personality and see how well you fit the organizational culture.

Because accounting is an essential aspect of business management, consider including any languages you speak. This can give you a competitive advantage and increase your chances of getting the job.

8. Proofread the resume

Before submitting, proofread your resume to check for punctuation, spelling, capitalization, or typographical errors. Correct any mistakes or irregularities you notice to submit a valuable document for your application. Submitting an error-free and well-organized resume can help showcase your attention to detail and the organizational skills required for a successful accounting career.

Tips for crafting an effective resume for an accounting intern

You can adopt these tips to craft a compelling resume and get your desired accounting intern position:

Be concise. While there's no specific length for a resume, consider using a one-page resume, as it's ideal for recent graduates and professionals just starting their careers. You can keep your resume concise by selecting only relevant and impactful details and including them on your resume.

Add keywords. Many companies use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to scan candidates' resumes and manage recruitment processes. Adding relevant accounting and finance keywords can enable the ATS software to rank your application higher and advance in the hiring process.

Emphasize the results you achieved in past roles. Consider highlighting your technical skills and competencies and the specific results you achieved using them. Rather than only listing your duties, mention the impact and results provided with figures and percentages when necessary.

Resume template for an accounting intern

Here's a template you can use to create your resume as an accounting intern:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable] [Phone number] | [E-mail address] | [City], [Province or territory]

Professional Summary [Two to three sentences highlighting your years of experience, relevant skills, education, or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Education
[Degree], [Major] | [Date of graduation] [Name of School]
Optional [Certification name], [Host organization] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Experience
(For the most recent role, list five experience items. For previous roles, list three.)
[Job Title] | [Employment dates] [Company Name] | [City], [Province or territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome, or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates] [Company Name] | [City], [Province or territory]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome, or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Example of a resume for an accounting intern

You can review this sample resume for an accounting intern to gain inspiration to write yours:

Emma Parker 416-555-1600 | emma.parker@email.com | Toronto, Ontario

Professional Summary
Recent accounting graduate aspiring to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience in a real-world setting. Excelled in my fourth-year accounting internship, where I learned about accounts receivable and payable functions, verifying vendor accounts, and reconciling financial statements.

Education
BSc in accounting | April 2022
University of Creston

Experience
Accounting Intern | January 2021—April 2022
MyCare Inc. | Toronto, Ontario

Assisted in preparing financial statements, payroll, and tax returns for over 40 clients
Achieved a 25% customer satisfaction rating with effective problem-solving and communication skills
Improved work processes by researching alternative methods of collecting payment receipts
Prepared journal entries to record transactions involving accruals and deferred expenses
Maintained knowledge of company policies and procedures and complied with all regulations

Restaurant Manager | July 2018—December 2020
Organic Fresh Bowls Co. | Toronto, Ontario

Approved employee hours and oversaw payroll for 10 sales associates
Processed payments and assisted with customer queries
Balanced the credit and debit sales for the team at the end of every workday

Skills