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General accountant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Richard Hale,

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical general accountant skills. We ranked the top skills for general accountants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 11.4% of general accountant resumes contained financial data as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a general accountant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 general accountant skills for your resume and career

1. Financial Data

Here's how general accountants use financial data:

Administered payroll and benefits, coordinated monthly closings and collaborate with other departments regarding financial data compilation.
Coded data for input to financial data processing system according to company accounting procedures.

2. Reconciliations

Here's how general accountants use reconciliations:

Introduced invoicing process improvements that enhanced accounts receivable/ invoicing functions, reduced errors and significantly reduced time spent on monthly reconciliations.
Project accountant for gas processing and pipeline partnerships, which included distributions, invoicing, reconciliations and financial statements.

3. Cash Handling

Here's how general accountants use cash handling:

Demonstrated my trustworthiness by being in charge of all hotel cash handling and other sensitive company assets.
Prepare daily consolidated deposits of cash received by all cash handling employees.

4. Vendor Invoices

Here's how general accountants use vendor invoices:

Tracked vendor invoices and payments based on contract requirements Prepared and initiated wire transfers and issued checks to vendors.
Encode and input vendor invoices into general ledger system and ultimately setting up invoices for payment.

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 general accountants use general ledger accounts:

Reconciled general ledger accounts on a monthly basis to guarantee accurate financial information.
Reconcile General Ledger accounts for a local subsidiary of a multinational manufacturer.

6. Account Reconciliations

Here's how general accountants use account reconciliations:

Maintain monthly balance sheet account reconciliations and accounts receivable collection calls.
Prepared account reconciliations and managed fixed assets accounting.

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7. Ledgers

Here's how general accountants use ledgers:

Managed accounts payable ledgers for multiple entities representing varying industries under the Marketing Publications Solutions Corporation.
Record detail financial transactions in appropriate journals and subsidiary ledgers as needed.

8. GAAP

Here's how general accountants use gaap:

General Summary: Responsible and accountable for performing accounting functions in accordance with GAAP and company policy/procedure within stated deadlines.
Implemented new system that dramatically improved financial reporting compliance with GAAP standard.

9. Balance Sheet Accounts

Here's how general accountants use balance sheet accounts:

Ensured that accounting transactions are recorded accurately and balance sheet accounts are reconciled on a timely basis.
Reconciled and analyzed all Balance Sheet accounts monthly, ensuring timely corrections.

10. External Auditors

Here's how general accountants use external auditors:

Participated in quarterly and annual financial audit reviews with internal and external auditors including preparation of detailed schedules.
Worked directly with internal and external auditors - including preparation and review of documentation and schedules.

11. Fixed Assets

Here's how general accountants use fixed assets:

Increased responsibilities in analysis, reporting and managing fixed assets with added emphasis on leadership and complex projects.
Developed and successfully implemented a tracking process for all large-dollar, fixed assets from procurement to functional installation.

12. Payroll Taxes

Here's how general accountants use payroll taxes:

Responded to EDD, IRS, SSA, and other authorities regarding employee earnings and payroll taxes.
Prepared monthly financial statements, corporate budget packages, quarterly payroll taxes, and year-end tax returns.

13. CPA

Here's how general accountants use cpa:

Created budget at beginning and coordinated CPA firm's audit at the end of year.
Worked with Attorney's / CPA's on all professional matters concerning the company.

14. Accruals

Here's how general accountants use accruals:

Calculate and record Instructional Tax and other necessary Instructional Accruals for accurate financial reporting.
Completed Monthly Accruals, Prior Month Reversals, and Adjustments through expense analysis for Month End Close, $67M annually.

15. SOX

Here's how general accountants use sox:

Maintained process documentation and ensure SOX 404 compliance for functional area of responsibility.
Perform required SOX control procedures and maintain related documentation.

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What skills help General Accountants find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on general accountant resumes?

Dr. Richard Hale

Associate Professor of Accounting, Berea College

When we meet with practitioners, the most commonly requested skills are:
-The ability to think critically about situations
-Good communications skills in writing
-The ability to speak in public and present ideas
-Working well with others
-The ability to work independently

Notice that these skills are not dependent upon any particular technology or discipline.
An advantage we have at Berea College, a liberal arts college, is that we incorporate these foundational skills into all we do.
Indeed, we also have our students master working with spreadsheets, develop skills in data analytics, and study all aspects of the business from Management, Economics, Finance, and Marketing.
As accounting is the business language, our students have more excellent business knowledge than other studies.

A key distinction for Berea College students is that all students must work for the college while they attend.
These jobs may vary from raising livestock to working in Accounts Payable. But all Berea graduates have years of practical work experience.
A core component of a Berea College education is to value the labor experience. We believe they enter the post-collegiate workforce with a significant advantage over their peers.

What soft skills should all general accountants 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 general accountants?

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 general accountant 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 general accountants need?

Delvin Grant

Associate Professor, DePaul University

The ability to problem solve, which requires an understanding of the problem and a structured approach towards the solution. The ability to apply concepts learned in one discipline to another. Quite often, students are unable to see how a concept translates from one domain to another, and this stifles innovation.

Do you want to know more?

List of general accountant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a general accountant resume and required skills for a general accountant to have include:

Financial Data
Reconciliations
Cash Handling
Vendor Invoices
General Ledger Accounts
Account Reconciliations
Ledgers
GAAP
Balance Sheet Accounts
External Auditors
Fixed Assets
Payroll Taxes
CPA
Accruals
SOX
Close Process
Internal Controls

Credit Card
ERP
Variance Analysis
Income Statement
Financial Transactions
Sales Tax
Financial Analysis
Cash Flow
Bank Accounts
Bank Statements
Tax Returns
Account Analysis
Accounts Payables
Reconcile General Ledger
Expense Reports
Balance Sheet Reconciliations
Inter-Company Accounts

QuickBooks
PeopleSoft
General Ledger Entries
Physical Inventory
ACH
Financial Reports
ADP
Sox Testing
Bank Deposits
Trial Balance
HR
Inventory Control
Customer Accounts
Wire Transfers
General Ledger
Capital Expenditures

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

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