Crafting a resume for a government accounting position can be daunting as you need to demonstrate both your financial expertise and your knowledge of public sector regulations and processes. Our guide provides targeted advice to help you align your resume with government standards, ensuring your skills and experiences resonate with hiring committees in this specialized field.
- Government accounting resume samples that got people hired at top companies.
- How to perfect the look-and-feel of your resume layout.
- How to showcase your achievements and skills through various resume sections.
- How you could hint to recruiters why your resume is the ideal profile for the job.
If the government accounting resume isn't the right one for you, take a look at other related guides we have:
- Financial Reporting Analyst Resume Example
- Public Accounting Resume Example
- Accounts Payable Resume Example
- General Ledger Accounting Resume Example
- Payroll Admin Resume Example
- Finance Associate Resume Example
- Finance Business Analyst Resume Example
- Financial Controller Resume Example
- Audit Director Resume Example
- Risk Manager Resume Example
Best practices for the look and feel of your government accounting resume
Before you even start writing your government accounting resume, first you need to consider its layout and format.
What's important to keep in mind is:
- The reverse-chronological resume is the most widely used format to present your experience, starting with your latest job.
- Your government accounting resume header needs to include your correct, professional contact details. If you happen to have a professional portfolio or an updated LinkedIn profile, include a link to it.
- Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages - you don't have to include irelevant experience on your resume just to make it look longer.
- Unless specified otherwise, submit your resume in the most popular format, the PDF one, as this will ensure your government accounting resume isn't altered.
Different markets have specific resume styles – a Canadian resume, for instance, may require a different approach.
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If you happen to have some basic certificates, don't invest too much of your government accounting resume real estate in them. Instead, list them within the skills section or as part of your relevant experience. This way you'd ensure you meet all job requirements while dedicating your certificates to only the most in-demand certification across the industry.
Traditional sections, appreciated by recruiters, for your government accounting resume:
- Clear and concise header with relevant links and contact details
- Summary or objective with precise snapshot of our career highlights and why you're a suitable candidate for the government accounting role
- Experience that goes into the nuts and bolts of your professional qualifications and success
- Skills section(-s) for more in-depth talent-alignment between job keywords and your own profile
- Education and certifications sections to further show your commitment for growth in the specific niche
What recruiters want to see on your resume:
- Understanding of governmental accounting principles, such as fund accounting, and familiarity with GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) regulations.
- Experience with federal, state, and local government financial reporting and budgetary processes.
- Proficiency in government accounting software systems, such as CGI Advantage, Munis, or similar public sector financial management tools.
- Demonstrable skills in financial analysis, audit coordination, and compliance with government auditing standards.
- Knowledge of government procurement practices and grant management experience, including compliance with federal and state grant regulations.
What is the resume experience section and how to write one for your past roles
The experience section in a government accounting resume is critical for your profile and overall application. It should not only display your work history, but also highlight your achievements in previous roles.
Many candidates either simply list their duties or provide excessive details about past, irrelevant jobs. A more effective approach involves first examining the job advertisement for keywords - specifically, skills essential for the role. Then, demonstrate these key requirements throughout different parts of your resume, using accomplishments from your roles.
Format each bullet point in your experience section by starting with a strong action verb. Follow this with a description of your role and its impact on the team or organization.
Aim to include three to five bullet points for each role.
Finally, gain insights into how professionals have crafted their government accounting resume experience sections by exploring some best practice examples.
- Directed the formulation of accounting policies for a $50 million municipal budget aligning with state regulations and accounting standards.
- Oversaw a team of 8 junior accountants, improving the department's financial reporting accuracy by 30% through rigorous compliance training.
- Implemented a new financial management system that reduced report generation time by 40%, consequently enhancing decision-making processes.
- Managed accounts for federal grant programs totaling over $20 million, ensuring adherence to stringent government guidelines.
- Conducted quarterly internal audits, identifying and correcting discrepancies that saved the agency $200,000 annually.
- Spearheaded the transition to a cloud-based accounting system, improving cross-departmental data accessibility and collaboration.
- Lead fiscal audits for state government agencies, ensuring judicious use of taxpayer funds and reducing wasteful spending by 15%.
- Assisted in the recovery of $1.5 million in overspending through detailed expenditure analysis and financial oversight.
- Developed and presented financial reports to state legislators, influencing policy change in budget planning and controls.
- Supervised the financial administration of a city-wide infrastructure project with a budget exceeding $30 million.
- Authored comprehensive budget proposals that secured an additional 10% in funding for public services.
- Collaborated with external auditors to streamline the annual audit process, reducing time spent on audit preparation by 25%.
- Administered daily accounting tasks for local government contracts, ensuring accurate tracking of $10 million in revenues and expenditures.
- Created detailed financial forecasts that were instrumental in allocating funds for emergency services during times of crisis.
- Assisted in preparing annual financial statements that led to an unqualified (clean) audit opinion.
- Played a key role in the analysis of financial transactions across multiple federal agencies to ensure compliance with GAAP.
- Produced financial models that forecasted the fiscal impact of policy changes, influencing budget allocations for defense spending.
- Initiated cost-saving measures that resulted in a 20% budgetary reduction for non-critical expenditures without impacting agency performance.
- Managed financial transactions and budget analysis for state funded healthcare programs, directly influencing budget increases that improved patient services.
- Trained and mentored 5 accounting interns, fostering a culture of excellence in public sector financial management.
- Collaborated in high-profile financial investigations, identifying and resolving funding discrepancies exceeding $2 million.
- Developed and implemented stringent financial controls for school board budgets, resulting in an exemplary audit record for 5 consecutive years.
- Played a pivotal role in the decision-making process for allocations of a $100 million capital project fund.
- Coordinated and led monthly budget meetings with senior management, providing transparency and accountability in public school finance.
- Orchestrated the development of departmental budgets for environmental programs, keeping spending within a $25 million fiscal boundary.
- Implemented a cost-benefit analysis framework that optimized resource allocation by 22% for statewide conservation initiatives.
- Facilitated financial training workshops for department heads, enhancing their understanding of the budgetary process and fiscal responsibility.
- Assisted in managing and reconciling interagency transactions amounting to over $15 million per year, ensuring financial integrity.
- Contributed to the successful rollout of an expense tracking initiative to maintain a transparent audit trail for public scrutiny.
- Prepared financial statements and expenditure reports that were leveraged to secure additional funding for community development projects.
Quantifying impact on your resume
- Detail the total budget managed, showcasing the scale of the financial responsibilities held.
- List specific cost-saving measures implemented and quantify the savings produced.
- Include the number of financial reports prepared and the frequency to demonstrate proficiency in financial documentation and compliance.
- Mention any financial management systems upgraded or implemented, highlighting the project's scope and efficiency gain.
- Quantify the size of the team supervised if in a managerial role to illustrate leadership and team management abilities.
- Provide specifics on the number and types of audits conducted to establish experience in maintaining financial integrity and standards.
- Include figures related to performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) met or exceeded.
- State the number of training sessions or workshops conducted to display commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
Action verbs for your government accounting resume
Making the most of your little to none professional experience
If you're hesitant to apply for your dream job due to limited professional experience, remember that recruiters also value the unique contributions you can offer.
Next time you doubt applying, consider this step-by-step approach for your resume's experience section:
- Rather than the standard reverse chronological order, opt for a functional-based format. This shifts the focus from your work history to your achievements and strengths;
- Include relevant internships, volunteer work, or other non-standard experiences in your government accounting resume's experience section;
- Utilize your education, qualifications, and certifications to bridge gaps in your government accounting resume experience;
- Emphasize your interpersonal skills and transferable skills from various industries. Often, recruiters seek a personality match, giving you an advantage over other candidates.
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Bold the names of educational institutions and certifying bodies for emphasis.
Government accounting resume skills section: writing about your hard skills and soft skills
Recruiters always care about the skill set you'd bring about to the government accounting role. That's why it's a good idea to curate yours wisely, integrating both hard (or technical) and soft skills. Hard skills are the technology and software you're apt at using - these show your suitability for the technical aspect of the role. They are easy to track via your experience, certifications, and various resume sections. Your soft skills are those personality traits you've gained over time that show how you'd perform in the specific team, etc. Soft skills are more difficult to qualify but are definitely worth it - as they make you stand out and show your adaptability to new environments. How do you build the skills section of your resume? Best practices point that you could:
- Include up to five or six skills in the section as keywords to align with the advert.
- Create a specific technical skills section to highlight your hard skills aptitude.
- Align the culture of the company you're applying to with your soft skills to determine which ones should be more prominent in your skills section.
- Make sure you answer majority of the job requirements that are in the advert within your skills section.
A government accounting's resume requires a specific skill set that balances both industry-specific hard skills with personal, soft skills. Discover the perfect mix for the government accounting role from our list:
Top skills for your government accounting resume:
Government Accounting Standards
Fund Accounting Software
Financial Reporting Tools
Budgeting Software
Data Analysis Tools
ERP Systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP)
Tax Compliance Software
Grant Management Systems
Audit Software
Excel for Financial Analysis
Attention to Detail
Analytical Thinking
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Team Collaboration
Adaptability
Integrity
Critical Thinking
Organizational Skills
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Showcase any ongoing or recent educational efforts to stay updated in your field.
How to include your education and certifications on your resume
We're taking you back to your college days with this part of our guide, but including your relevant higher education is quite important for your resume.
Your degree shows recruiters your dedication to the industry, your recent and relevant know-how, and some form of experience in the field.
Your government accounting resume education should:
- Include your applicable degrees, college (-s) you've graduated from, as well as start and end dates of your higher education;
- Skip your high school diploma. If you still haven't graduated with your degree, list that your higher education isongoing;
- Feature any postgraduate diplomas in your resume header or summary - this is the perfect space to spotlight your relevant MBA degree;
- Showcase any relevant coursework, if you happen to have less professional experience and think this would support your case in being the best candidate for the role.
As far as your job-specific certificates are concerned - choose up to several of the most recent ones that match the job profile, and include them in a dedicated section.
We've saved you some time by selecting the most prominent industry certificates below.
The top 5 certifications for your government accounting resume:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
- Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) – Association of Government Accountants (AGA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) – The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) – Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE)
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) – Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
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If you failed to obtain one of the certificates, as listed in the requirements, but decide to include it on your resume, make sure to include a note somewhere that you have the "relevant training, but are planning to re-take the exams". Support this statement with the actual date you're planning to be re-examined. Always be honest on your resume.
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The ideal government accounting candidate resume summary or objective
You may have heard that your resume top one-third plays an important part in your application.
It basically needs to show strong alignment with the job advert, your unique skill set, and your expertise.
Both the resume summary and resume objective could be used to ensure you've shown why you're the best candidate for the role.
Use the:
- Resume objective to pinpoint your current successes, that are applicable to the field, and your vision for your career. Remember to state how you see yourself growing within this new career opportunity.
- Resume summary as an instrument to pinpoint what is most applicable and noteworthy form your professional profile. Keep your summary to be no more than five sentences long.
At the end of the day, the resume summary or objective is your golden opportunity to shine a light on your personality as a professional and the unique value of what it's like to work with you.
Get inspired with these government accounting resume examples:
Resume summaries for a government accounting job
- Seasoned government accounting professional with over 12 years of experience managing large-scale public funds. Possesses Advanced Excel skills and mastery in GAAP, with a track record of reducing overhead costs by 15% through strategic budget analysis and cost-control methodologies.
- Dedicated financial expert transitioning into government accounting, bringing 8 years of corporate finance acumen. Skilled in SAP and Oracle, with substantial experience in financial reporting and compliance, eager to apply expertise to enhance fiscal responsibility and accountability in public finances.
- With a deep appreciation for public service, a successful private-sector accountant with 10 years of experience seeks to pivot into government accounting. Excelled in financial forecasting and reduced fiscal discrepancies by 20% year-over-year by implementing robust internal audit systems.
- Accomplished audit manager with a decade of experience in the state government sector, showcasing proficiency in federal accounting standards and an exceptional ability to lead complex audits. Recognized for improving the state department’s audit response time by 30% through innovative process optimization.
- Enthusiastic graduate with a B.S. in Accounting, aiming to launch a career in government accounting. Keen to apply academic knowledge of financial regulations and auditing practices to contribute to robust governmental fiscal management and oversight.
- Highly motivated individual with excellent analytical skills and a background in public administration, setting sights on government accounting. Aspires to utilize strong attention to detail and understanding of public policy to support the financial integrity and transparency of government operations.
Other relevant sections for your government accounting resume
Apart from the standard government accounting resume sections listed in this guide, you have the opportunity to get creative with building your profile. Select additional resume sections that you deem align with the role, department, or company culture. Good choices for your government accounting resume include:
- Language skills - always ensure that you have qualified each language you speak according to relevant frameworks;
- Hobbies - you could share more about your favorite books, how you spend your time, etc. ;
- Volunteering - to highlight the causes you care about;
- Awards - for your most prominent government accounting professional accolades and achievements.
Make sure that these sections don't take too much away from your experience, but instead build up your government accounting professional profile.
Key takeaways
Writing your government accounting resume can be a structured and simple experience, once you better understand the organization's requirements for the role you're applying to. To sum up, we'd like to remind you to:
- Always select which experiences, skills, and achievements to feature on your resume based on relevancy to the role;
- In your resume summary, ensure you've cherry-picked your top achievements and matched them with the job ad's skills;
- Submit your government accounting resume as a one or two-page long document at the most, in a PDF format;
- Select industry leading certifications and list your higher education to highlight you have the basis for technical know-how;
- Quantify your people's skills through various resume sections (e.g. Strengths, Hobbies and interests, etc.) to show recruiters how your profile aligns with the organizational culture.
