[lobrennan]

Ok I paid a company to make me a resume, and they did, and it’s fantastic! Except it says I can do all sorts of things in the accounting field that I have never done before. Tax preparation, I did do VITA in 2007 so I figure that’s ok.

But financial statement preparation, other things like that, I have only done in the context of the CPA exam (and school). Is it ok to list those things on a resume if I’ve never done them in a job environment? I’m really confused about this. Don’t want to make it sound like I fell off the turnip truck and have never used a 10-key before, but I don’t want to get to the interview and have them read my resume, and then I have to say, “About that….”

If the resume clearly states I have no accounting experience and am looking for an entry-level job, is it understood that my Skills are pretty much all academic? Help!!

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[lobrennan]

I think that part is just from stock. I was very clear that I have no work experience, though I did an internship I'm not listing it because I don't feel I learned much from it. This is the first rough draft and I've got until after the holiday to think about how it needs to change. I mean, I did well in school and am familiar with a lot of this stuff. But proficient… nope. What I mainly want emphasized is how I've volunteered a lot and taken extra education that has pertained to my jobs, and that shows up in the cover letter. Phrased much more elegantly than I could have put it, thank goodness. I'm confident I can sell myself in an interview (once I get one :)) Depending on how much literal space is left on the resume I might be able to convey some of that there as well. I haven't job-hunted since 1999, wish me luck!

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[lobrennan]

I think that part is just from stock. I was very clear that I have no work experience, though I did an internship I'm not listing it because I don't feel I learned much from it. This is the first rough draft and I've got until after the holiday to think about how it needs to change. I mean, I did well in school and am familiar with a lot of this stuff. But proficient… nope. What I mainly want emphasized is how I've volunteered a lot and taken extra education that has pertained to my jobs, and that shows up in the cover letter. Phrased much more elegantly than I could have put it, thank goodness. I'm confident I can sell myself in an interview (once I get one :)) Depending on how much literal space is left on the resume I might be able to convey some of that there as well. I haven't job-hunted since 1999, wish me luck!

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[lobrennan]

No worries, I'm not distributing anything I'll have to explain away once an interview happens. I'd rather have fewer more successful interviews than more failures. Sooner or later a good fit will turn up. I've still got 2 sections of the exam to pass first, anyway!

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[lobrennan]

No worries, I'm not distributing anything I'll have to explain away once an interview happens. I'd rather have fewer more successful interviews than more failures. Sooner or later a good fit will turn up. I've still got 2 sections of the exam to pass first, anyway!

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[mla1169]

I'll just leave it at this. Not sure what types of jobs you plan to apply for but if they're in the accounting field and require a degree, it goes without saying that EVERYBODY applying for that job touched on those subjects in school or studying for the exams. It's just not impressive to a potential employer.

By that train of thought I should list on my resume that I am also knowledgable in IT, tax planning, etc.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

I'll just leave it at this. Not sure what types of jobs you plan to apply for but if they're in the accounting field and require a degree, it goes without saying that EVERYBODY applying for that job touched on those subjects in school or studying for the exams. It's just not impressive to a potential employer.

By that train of thought I should list on my resume that I am also knowledgable in IT, tax planning, etc.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[lobrennan]

That is very true, and anyone who has an accounting degree and has passed the tests will have a pretty solid idea of what I do and do not already know, from their own personal experience. I'm gathering to steer this more toward my experience as opposed to my education, which is the same as anyone's. I'm interested in working with non-profits so maybe I ought to make space for my Meals on Wheels internship. And at my last job I was a horrible catcher but showed up every week for the company softball games to make sure we had enough players and wouldn't have to forfeit.

I really appreciate this sounding board. Seriously, thanks for the input. I've got customer service and volunteerism out the wazoo, maybe I should just try to lead with that. Education is done, experience will come with time.

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[lobrennan]

That is very true, and anyone who has an accounting degree and has passed the tests will have a pretty solid idea of what I do and do not already know, from their own personal experience. I'm gathering to steer this more toward my experience as opposed to my education, which is the same as anyone's. I'm interested in working with non-profits so maybe I ought to make space for my Meals on Wheels internship. And at my last job I was a horrible catcher but showed up every week for the company softball games to make sure we had enough players and wouldn't have to forfeit.

I really appreciate this sounding board. Seriously, thanks for the input. I've got customer service and volunteerism out the wazoo, maybe I should just try to lead with that. Education is done, experience will come with time.

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[TXgurl]

omigosh – as an accountant with 20+ years experience, I would definitely scale it way back to what you can actually do. If you are fresh out of school, prospective employers know that you do not have this kind of work experience. It will make your resume look bogus. Keep it real. Emphasize your education and your progress on the CPA. IMHO

Employers are interested in what you can actually do, and what your potential is. Are you applying to public acctg firms? If yes, then they already know what you covered in school.

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[TXgurl]

omigosh – as an accountant with 20+ years experience, I would definitely scale it way back to what you can actually do. If you are fresh out of school, prospective employers know that you do not have this kind of work experience. It will make your resume look bogus. Keep it real. Emphasize your education and your progress on the CPA. IMHO

Employers are interested in what you can actually do, and what your potential is. Are you applying to public acctg firms? If yes, then they already know what you covered in school.

REG 75
FAR 88
AUDIT 82
BEC 74, 12/4/2013 84 Thank You Lord Jesus !!!

[Mayo]

Personally, I would scrap that entire section of your resume. One look at it and the resume reader will be able to tell you have zero experience in accounting. Just because you read it in school isn't something to put down as “skills” IMO.

I think your resume should basically list these items:

********************************************************************************************************************

NAME: lobrennan

EDUCATION: Name of school, Degree earned, GPA, years attended

CPA EXAM: Actively pursuing CPA license. Passed X of 4 parts of the CPA EXam (BEC & AUD).

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE:

-Internship-

bullet point

bullent point

bullet point

-work experience-

bullet point

bullet point

bullet point

-One Leadership position held in school (clubs, large school projects, volunteer,sports,etc.)-

bullet point

bullet point

bullet point

EXTRACURRICULAR:

Professional organization membership

Volunteering position

Etc.

SKILLS:

Familiar with XYZ program

Working/intermediate/expert knowledge of MS Office programs

Foreign languages

********************************************************************************************************************

I just don't see any reason to include that whole list of stuff that any graduate with an accounting degree studied. Honestly, it looks amateurish/naive at best, and disingenuous at worst.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Mayo]

Personally, I would scrap that entire section of your resume. One look at it and the resume reader will be able to tell you have zero experience in accounting. Just because you read it in school isn't something to put down as “skills” IMO.

I think your resume should basically list these items:

********************************************************************************************************************

NAME: lobrennan

EDUCATION: Name of school, Degree earned, GPA, years attended

CPA EXAM: Actively pursuing CPA license. Passed X of 4 parts of the CPA EXam (BEC & AUD).

PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE:

-Internship-

bullet point

bullent point

bullet point

-work experience-

bullet point

bullet point

bullet point

-One Leadership position held in school (clubs, large school projects, volunteer,sports,etc.)-

bullet point

bullet point

bullet point

EXTRACURRICULAR:

Professional organization membership

Volunteering position

Etc.

SKILLS:

Familiar with XYZ program

Working/intermediate/expert knowledge of MS Office programs

Foreign languages

********************************************************************************************************************

I just don't see any reason to include that whole list of stuff that any graduate with an accounting degree studied. Honestly, it looks amateurish/naive at best, and disingenuous at worst.

Mayo, BBA, Macc

[Anonymous]

I would assume the employers who are looking through resumes are busy at least that's the case at places I've worked, don't give them a reason to toss your resume aside and not bring you in for an interview. I also would advise staying away from paragraphs, again due to the time the reader will spend looking at your resume. Find a way to distinguish yourself from other potential job seekers, like adding the volunteer work or other community involvement you mentioned. Hope this helps!

[Anonymous]

I would assume the employers who are looking through resumes are busy at least that's the case at places I've worked, don't give them a reason to toss your resume aside and not bring you in for an interview. I also would advise staying away from paragraphs, again due to the time the reader will spend looking at your resume. Find a way to distinguish yourself from other potential job seekers, like adding the volunteer work or other community involvement you mentioned. Hope this helps!

[lobrennan]

You guys have helped a lot. I've gone ahead and made up my own resume in my own words and I'll pass it on to get prettied and formatted up, and I'm just leaving out the Skills altogether. Or maybe I'll just send it out as-is. Sort of an expensive mistake to make but it's certainly clarified for me which direction I do *not* want to go. Thanks again 🙂

FAR 8/2013 - Passed!
REG 11/2013 - Passed!
AUD 1/2014

[Author]

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