Accounts Receivable Resume Example
A career as an accounts receivable specialist typically involves managing AR records and processing customer payments. For a successful accounts receivable specialist application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating an accounts receivable specialist resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
This complete guide to an accounts receivable resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Continue reading to find the best accounts receivable resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Main sections of an accounts receivable specialist resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your accounts receivable resume, while there are also a few optional sections. If you're lacking relevant work experience, you might choose to add sections that showcase your skill set earlier than in a traditional resume layout. These sections might include projects, education, hobbies and interests, skills and other optional sections.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header
Your accounts receivable resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Ruby Bennett
ruby.bennett@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
linkedin․com/in/ruby–bennett123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for accounts receivable specialist roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for accounts receivable specialist roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A good resume summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for accounts receivable specialist roles, while leaving the reader with an impression of your unique qualities and strengths. The most effective resume summaries also provide evidence to back up the claims made in them. Take a look at some strong examples of how to approach a accounts receivable resume summary in the graphic below.
Detail-oriented Accounts Receivable Specialist with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and extensive experience as an Accounts Receivable Analyst. Proven track record in managing and optimizing receivable processes, ensuring timely collection, and maintaining accurate financial records. Adept at identifying discrepancies, resolving billing issues, and enhancing client relationships to support financial stability and growth. Proficient in accounting software and committed to maintaining compliance with financial regulations and standards
Accounts receivable specialist with some background in accounting and handling payments. Worked in roles where I dealt with collecting money and keeping financial records. Have experience in finding and fixing issues with bills and working with clients. Familiar with accounting tools and focused on following financial rules and guidelines
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Hard and Soft Skills
The skills section of an accounts receivable specialist resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include ERP systems proficiency, problem solving skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as an accounts receivable specialist.
How to include hard skills on your accounts receivable resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an accounts receivable resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for an accounts receivable resume.
- Financial statement analysis
- Accounts reconciliation
- ERP systems proficiency
Showcasing your best soft skills
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for an accounts receivable specialist resume.
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Effective communication skills
Education and Qualifications
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to accounts receivable specialist roles.
An accounts receivable specialist role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your ERP systems proficiency or aging report management.
For each entry in this section, add the name and level of your qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study. You can enhance this section by adding bullet points that show any outstanding grades, awards or achievements and any specialist subjects you studied. These details can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Accounting, 2017 - 2020
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to accounts receivable specialist jobs. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, add any necessary licenses and certifications in this section, along with valid dates so employers can see you're still qualified for the job.
Take a look at some example certifications for an accounts receivable resume below:
- CPAR Certification, 2022
- CCE Certification, 2022
- CRCR Certification, 2022
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for an accounts receivable specialist position. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Accounts Receivable Analyst, January 2022 - Present
LedgerLine Solutions, Anchorage
- Reduced outstanding receivables by 25% in 6 months through improved invoicing and collection strategies
- Implemented automated billing system, decreasing invoice processing time by 40% and reducing errors
- Achieved 98% accuracy in accounts reconciliation, streamlining month-end close processes and improving financial reporting
Accounts Receivable Analyst, January 2022 - Present
LedgerLine Solutions, Anchorage
- Improved invoicing processes to enhance efficiency and accuracy
- Contributed to financial reporting improvements
- Assisted in streamlining month-end close activities
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Expert Tip:
If you have limited formal experience, highlight other achievements, like completing training programs, certifications, or successful personal projects. (1) Present this information in a clear and concise format with easy-to-read sections and plenty of white space. (2)
Optional Sections
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for an accounts receivable specialist resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for accounts receivable specialist jobs.
Hobbies
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world accounts receivable specialist experience. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteering
Listing volunteer work is another useful way to prove your relevant experience for accounts receivable specialist roles. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
Standard accounts receivable specialist resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your accounts receivable resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Managed
- Processed
- Reconciled
- Tracked
- Analyzed
- Communicated
- Reviewed
- Collected
- Verified
- Resolved
If you want to create a resume that stands out from the crowd, use Jobseeker's expert-designed resume templates. You can also find cover letter templates that work to get you noticed by employers.
Example of an accounts receivable resume
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example accounts receivable resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
•
ruby.bennett@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/ruby–bennett123
Detail-oriented Accounts Receivable Specialist with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and extensive experience as an Accounts Receivable Analyst. Proven expertise in managing accounts, ensuring timely collections, reconciling accounts, and streamlining billing processes. Strong analytical skills and proficiency in accounting software, with a commitment to accuracy and efficiency in financial reporting.
Accounts Receivable Analyst
2020
-2022
Summit Financial Solutions (Gilbert)
- Reduced outstanding receivables by 25% within six months through optimized collection strategies
- Implemented an automated invoicing system, decreasing billing errors by 40%
- Reconciled complex accounts, recovering $200,000 in overdue payments from high-value clients
Financial statement analysis
Accounts reconciliation
ERP systems proficiency
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Effective communication skills
CPAR Certification
CCE Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Key tips for an accounts receivable resume
- Aim for a brief, concise accounts receivable resume. One page is ideal for junior roles, while two pages are more suitable for senior positions.
- Adapt your resume for every job application for maximum impact. Review the job description to understand the specific requirements for the role.
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Use strong verbs to help show the actions you've taken in different accounts receivable specialist roles (e.g. verified, resolved, managed).
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't include personal details beyond your name, location and contact details. Adding your age, gender, nationality or a photo can create unwanted hiring bias.
- Don't list irrelevant work experience as it will likely do nothing for your chances of success.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use complex formatting that makes your accounts receivable resume harder to read or less scannable by software such as applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. There are several things you can do when writing your accounts receivable resume, to give yourself the strongest chance of ranking highly in the ATS stage and progressing through the recruitment process.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Use of job description keywords throughout your resume will help it rank higher in the ATS scanning stage, as it will more closely match the requirements laid out in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions for an accounts receivable resume
As well as writing a professional accounts receivable resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the accounts receivable specialist role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
If you have plenty of experience as an accounts receivable specialist, you'll want your resume to showcase your extensive career history and achievements. As an experienced candidate, your accounts receivable resume might include a work experience section that goes back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years. This will give you the chance to highlight your extensive experience and achievements. In your accounts receivable resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for accounts receivable specialist jobs. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Aspiring Accounts Receivable Specialist
- Expert in Efficient Invoice Management
- Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your accounts receivable resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
