Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Accounting associate skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.,

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical accounting associate skills. We ranked the top skills for accounting associates based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.3% of accounting associate resumes contained reconciliations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an accounting associate needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 accounting associate skills for your resume and career

1. Reconciliations

Here's how accounting associates use reconciliations:

Perform daily/monthly close and reconciliations of loan Servicing/Loan Prospector fees and coordinate delivery of this information to downstream accounting data consumers.
Performed monthly and daily transaction preparation including entering journal entries, preparing general ledger reconciliations and preparing reports for month end.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how accounting associates use customer service:

Deliver customer service by answering questions, providing information, and assuring appropriate follow-through and/or resolution; resolve customer billing discrepancies.
Specialized account invoicing, accounts payable auditing, container customs documentation handling, shipment tracking and exceptional customer service.

3. Data Entry

Data entry means entering data into a company's system with the help of a keyboard. A person responsible for entering data may also be asked to verify the authenticity of the data being entered. A person doing data entry must pay great attention to tiny details.

Here's how accounting associates use data entry:

Assisted staff accountants with data entry, analysis of financial statements, researching and reconciling accounting transactions.
Processed balance adjustments, including determining adjustment required, data entry, processing and verification of adjustment.

4. Account Reconciliations

Here's how accounting associates use account reconciliations:

Maintained depreciation and fixed asset management schedules and bank account reconciliations.
Researched and analyzed variances and reconciling items for bank account reconciliations.

5. General Ledger Accounts

A general ledger account is a practice to keep a record of a company's total financial accounts. The accounts included in a general ledger lists the assets, liabilities, owners' equity, expenses, and income or revenue. It forms the basis of reporting a business's financial statements.

Here's how accounting associates use general ledger accounts:

Account analysis of general ledger accounts, researched unidentified, misapplied and unclaimed premium payments.
Reconciled general ledger accounts, prepared balance sheet reconciliations, and cleared exception items.

6. Purchase Orders

Here's how accounting associates use purchase orders:

Converted non-purchase orders for payment and purchase requisitions into purchase orders using accounting software.
Reviewed project contract and purchase order documents to establish invoicing requirements.

Choose from 10+ customizable accounting associate resume templates

Build a professional accounting associate resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your accounting associate resume.

7. Work Ethic

Here's how accounting associates use work ethic:

Rehired for a second summer internship based on a strong work ethic and outstanding performance.
Performed presentations on rudiments of bank accounting and work ethics for new employees.

8. PowerPoint

Here's how accounting associates use powerpoint:

Prepared and presented PowerPoint accrual procedures to train Finance department.
Obtained a Data Processing Operator Certificate (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet).

9. Balance Sheet

Here's how accounting associates use balance sheet:

Performed complex general accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliation
Prepared financial statements, balance sheet reconciliation and timely month-end close process for multiple locations.

10. CPA

Here's how accounting associates use cpa:

Prepare for annual CPA audit, including analyzing and reconciling 500+ G/L accounts and 25+ bank accounts.
Associate for small CPA firm with dozens of small business clients and hundreds of individual clients.

11. GAAP

Here's how accounting associates use gaap:

Participated in auditing financial statements and examining documents that supported financial statements and GAAP procedures.
Prepared compilation and review financial statements according to GAAP.

12. Accruals

Here's how accounting associates use accruals:

Created general ledger process for inventory receipt and accruals during the implementation of a new inventory management system.
Prepared monthly accounts receivable reconciliation and sub-schedules for warranty and maintenance accruals.

13. Expense Reports

Here's how accounting associates use expense reports:

Partnered with other departments to ensure departmental compliance and accuracy adhering to expense reports regulations and guidelines.
Audited expense reports/documents and vendor invoices for accuracy, completeness and adherence to stated client polices/procedures.

14. ACH

Automated Clearing House, ACH is a computerized electronic network to process, coordinate and manage transactions (credit and debit) and automated money transfers between banks and other financial institutions without the use of paper checks, electronic transfers, credit cards, or cash networks. The ACH network is regulated by the federal government and managed by the National Automated Clearing House Association (NACHA).

Here's how accounting associates use ach:

Conducted weekly review of A/P aging, wire transfers, ACH and checks before final disbursement; maintenance of vendor database.
Reconciled daily and monthly cash transactions, and initiated an average of 50 monthly outgoing wires and 15-20 weekly ACH transactions.

15. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how accounting associates use hr:

Assisted General Manager, HR Manager, and Vice President of company with setting up meetings, and transportation for visitors.
Maintain 401-K plan records, contributions, payouts, and various administrative duties in coordination with Accounting and HR assist.

5 Accounting Associate resume examples

Build a professional accounting associate resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your accounting associate resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Accounting Associates find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on accounting associate resumes?

Curtis Nicholls Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, Co-director of the Student Managed Investment Fund, Bucknell University

The obvious trends are going to become more pronounced: coding and technology-related skills. I think we are going to see an elevation in the coding expectations. In the future, I expect employers to begin providing coding assessments to potential candidates. This is a common feature of engineering and finance jobs, and I think we will see it with respect to claims about coding prowess.

Data skills will also continue to become more prevalent across all business disciplines. Employers are looking for experience with large data sets, data visualization software (e.g. Tableau, PowerBI, Alteryx, etc.) and statistical analysis. Data has become a major currency, and employees' ability to utilize data for decision making will be critical to success in the employment marketplace.

Beyond the obvious, I think the pandemic has also shifted focus to skills surrounding resilience and motivation. I've heard employers during the pandemic express surprise at the disparity of responses to the pandemic: some employees made the pivot to remote work seamlessly, others required significantly more support. Skills that demonstrate resilience, such as group work, honors programs, etc. will become more important.
I would encourage job seekers to highlight skills learned during the pandemic. I would anticipate a regular interview question inquiring about how the job seeker used their extra time during the pandemic. The most common answers will likely include lots of Queen's Gambit and Tiger King, but employers will look for answers surrounding the development of new skills or acquired certifications. Imagine the employer's thoughts when you suggest that you used the extra time to pursue a lifelong dream such as learning to play the piano or guitar. If you missed the early pandemic window of opportunity, take advantage now!

This line of questions may precede a dangerous trend for employers to look for indications of mental strength. I find this possibility disheartening as we could see employers screening employees with mental health challenges at a time when the solidarity of a job could provide much needed structure.

What soft skills should all accounting associates possess?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay Advisor, Austin Peay State University

From speaking with employers in the industry, the number one soft skill seems to be written and spoken communication. Many current students need to hone their written communication skills to avoid "text speak" when communicating with potential employers and/or clients. Other important soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and willingness to deal with failure and/or criticism. Especially in the world of COVID and ever-changing work environments, the importance of adaptability and problem-solving have only been highlighted. Since most work environments involve people working in teams, effectively collaborating with others and accepting criticism are vital skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for accounting associates?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

In addition to general accounting knowledge, critical thinking, data analytics, and advanced Microsoft Excel abilities are some of the most important skills. Clearly, having a solid foundation in general accounting knowledge is necessary to be a candidate for a job in the accounting field. However, possessing the ability to critically think and analyze data and use Microsoft Excel beyond the basics, such as pivot tables, will only improve a candidate's chances.

What accounting associate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.

Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis

In the spirit of continuing education I would recommend the following: First and foremost, successfully complete the cpa exam. This is a huge difference-maker in the marketplace. If the young professional has already accomplished that, I would consider developing expertise consistent with their long-term career goals. Potential areas of expertise include data analytics, information systems controls and security, taxation, SEC reporting, or management accounting. There are certificate programs in each of these skills at universities across the country. The internet is also replete with free or relatively inexpensive materials for self-starters.

What type of skills will young accounting associates need?

Jeff Bogan

Adjunct Professor, California State University - Fullerton

The skills required for young accounting and tax graduates are evolving. Young accounting professionals must be more skilled in working with various types of technologies and applications. Young graduates should have experiences working with data integration tools, such as Microsoft getting & Transform, Alteryx, data visualization tools, cloud-based platforms such as Microsoft Azure, and robotic processes automation applications such as UiPath and Blue Prism.

Over the last decade, we have seen global transparency initiatives such as OECD's BEPS initiative, complex tax law, and numerous complex accounting guidance. Also, the business has become much more complicated with global footprints and digital platforms. These changes now require accounting professionals to have the well-developed critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills. Accounting professionals must now also have a "continuous learning" mindset. Technology is changing rapidly, and accounting professionals will need to adapt and learn new technologies.

What technical skills for an accounting associate stand out to employers?

Jodi Olson

Assistant Accounting Professor, Winona State University

Accountants serve many industries and sectors, so a broad range of technical skills is required to be ready to meet the needs of employers. Graduates must be technically competent in areas such as accounting information systems, tax preparation, auditing, managerial/cost accounting, financial reporting, and financial statement analysis. Also, graduates are expected to have general business acumen in areas such as management information systems, business law, operations, strategic management, and ethics. All these skills are important for graduates, but the pandemic has made the accounting systems and management information systems skills operative in allowing graduates to deliver their other areas of technical expertise.

Do you want to know more?

List of accounting associate skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an accounting associate resume and required skills for an accounting associate to have include:

Reconciliations
Customer Service
Data Entry
Account Reconciliations
General Ledger Accounts
Purchase Orders
Work Ethic
PowerPoint
Balance Sheet
CPA
GAAP
Accruals
Expense Reports
ACH
HR
QuickBooks
Vendor Invoices

Bank Deposits
Cash Receipts
Internal Controls
Fixed Assets
Financial Analysis
Bank Accounts
Financial Data
Financial Transactions
Sales Tax
Tax Returns
Bank Statements
Vendor Statements
Accounts Payables
SOX
Customer Accounts
Credit Memos
Process Invoices

Credit Card Payments
Payable Invoices
Wire Transfers
Computer System
Cash Application
Reconcile General Ledger
Vendor Payments
Account Analysis
Accounts Payable Processing
PeopleSoft
Accounts Receivables
W-9
Vendor Accounts
IRS
General Ledger Entries
Collection Calls

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs