The education section in your resume shows employers that you have the training and knowledge necessary to work as an accountant. Because accountants are legally required by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be certified, your education section will show employers that you have the requisite credentials. When writing a resume education section as a recent graduate, it is important to demonstrate that your education has given you applicable experiences and knowledge that would benefit the company.
What to Include in an Accountant Resume Education Section
Most states require that accountants have a bachelor's degree before becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Your education section needs to include your college education, additional classes that you took to meet the 150-hour college coursework requirement and your CPA licensing information. When writing a resume education section, including relevant internships, campus organizations you were a part of any extracurricular activities that are relevant to accounting shows employers some more of the experience and knowledge you have. Writing this information is especially helpful for new graduates who are just entering the accounting field.
Because most states require that accountants take additional courses after becoming certified, including these courses shows employers that you are abreast of changing laws and tax regulations. This ongoing education can include development courses, training and seminars. Additionally, if you attended community colleges before receiving your associate or bachelor's degree, only list the college from where you received your degree.
How to Format an Accountant Resume Education Section
Format your resume education section with the name of your degree listed first, followed by your school name and its location. Recent graduates can provide their graduation date if they wish to. If you are still in school, write the date that you expect to graduate from college.
Using bullet points, under each college name list out special projects, internships and organizations that you belonged to during school. When writing a resume education section, always indicate if you attended an honors school or graduated with honors, such as summa cum laude or magna cum laude. Only include your GPA if you are a recent graduate or if it's required by the employer in the job posting.
List the date you became a CPA with the month and the year. Include ongoing coursework, seminars and training by listing the course or class followed by the institution or business name where you received the training or took the classes.
Example of a Great Accountant Resume Education Section
The following example shows how a recent graduate can show the real-life work experiences they may have had while in school. Internships, volunteer activities and extracurricular activities are crucial when writing a resume education section. These details demonstrate that, though you have yet to begin a career as an accountant, you possess the necessary experiences and qualifications to get started.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting
University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Las Vegas, Nevada
Graduated May 2015, magna cum laude
- President of The Society of Future Business Accountants
- Completed an internship at H&R Block during tax season, April 2015
- Minor in Economics
Certified Public Accountant (CPA), August 2015
Ongoing coursework in Cost Accounting, University of Phoenix
H&R Block Income Tax Course, April 2015
When you're writing a resume education section or the other sections of your resume, LiveCareer has a variety of helpful resources that can make resume writing easier, such as resume builders, samples and tips.
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