Résumé How-to for Accounting

Lecture hall with a professor speaking and students seated, some using laptops.

Résumé How-to for Accounting

Unique Formatting Considerations 

Different industries have different preferences when it comes to the formatting and content that appears on résumés. For students pursuing a career in accounting, particularly in the public sector, there are some unique considerations you will want to take into consideration when crafting your résumé. 

Major GPA

Many accounting firms have minimum GPA requirements for internships or entry-level jobs, and may request that students include their major and cumulative GPA on their résumé. It is critical that the GPA listed is accurate, not only to remain ethical in the internship/job search process, but also because it is common to have to submit unofficial transcripts when applying for accounting-related positions. 

  • Pro-tip: Your major GPA can be found on your degree audit, or you can use the UNL GPA calculator and 
    manually enter your past grades to calculate this number. 

Further Education and Licensure Plans

For students considering public accounting and getting their CPA license, it is important to include information about this on your résumé. Sample phrases, depending on how you plan to achieve this goal, include: 

  • Plan to attend graduate school to obtain 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam in Month 20xx 
  • Plan to complete the Masters in Professional Accountancy program by Month 20xx to obtain 150 credit hours 
  • Plan to obtain 150 credit hours by Month 20xx to sit for the CPA exam

Related Coursework

Some employers want students to have passed certain classes before they apply for internship opportunities. If a firm or organizations specifically lists required coursework in their posting, make sure to include relevant or related coursework in the “Education” section of the résumé. List the name of the course rather than the course number to clearly demonstrate what class was taken. 

Example of an Accounting Education Section 

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, May 20xx 
Major: Accounting 
Accounting GPA: #.##/4.00 | Cumulative GPA: #.##/4.00 

  • Plan to attend graduate school to obtain 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam in May 20xx