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Senior corporate 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 senior corporate accountant skills. We ranked the top skills for senior corporate accountants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.4% of senior corporate accountant resumes contained reconciliations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior corporate accountant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior corporate accountant skills for your resume and career

1. Reconciliations

Here's how senior corporate accountants use reconciliations:

Assist with testing and receive final approval for system reports required for management, financial reporting and general ledger reconciliations.
Performed detailed review of entries and reconciliations prepared by junior staff to ensure the financial information has been recorded accurately.

2. GAAP

Here's how senior corporate accountants use gaap:

Certify external financial reports accuracy and adherence to Federal, GAAP and Statutory requirements.
Prepared consolidated financial statements both domestically and internationally in accordance with US GAAP.

3. SOX

Here's how senior corporate accountants use sox:

Maintained internal control documentation and SOX documentation for the department.
Reviewed journal entries and additional documentation for SOX testing requirements.

4. External Auditors

Here's how senior corporate accountants use external auditors:

Ensured compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and provided all necessary information to internal/external auditors for all corporate entities.
Provided requested client assistance to internal and external auditors, including analysis and schedule preparation.

5. Internal Controls

Here's how senior corporate accountants use internal controls:

Execute internal controls over financial reporting and fulfill internal and external audit requests.
Maintain internal controls surrounding corporate funds in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.

6. Strong Analytical

Here's how senior corporate accountants use strong analytical:

Established strong analytical and technical accounting skills through financial statement analysis.
Demonstrate strong analytical abilities and computer skills.

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7. Close Process

A close process is the necessary closing steps required to prepare the accounts for recording the transactions of the next period. Its purpose is to reset or close the temporary account balances on the general ledger, and the accounting system for a company's financial data including income statement and accounts payable.

Here's how senior corporate accountants use close process:

Perform various divisional level tasks related to the monthly close process including sales voucher review and posting and support schedule preparation.
Perform a lead role in the month end close process through journal entry preparation and account analysis.

8. Balance Sheet Accounts

Here's how senior corporate accountants use balance sheet accounts:

Maintained assigned Financial Statement items by performing monthly review of balance sheet accounts and financial results.
Prepared and analyzed financial statements for management, reconciled balance sheet accounts, and maintained sub-ledgers.

9. 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 senior corporate accountants use general ledger accounts:

Reconciled all pension-related general ledger accounts to ensure the proper treatment of pension liability and expense recognition globally.
Compiled and analyzed financial information; prepared journal entries to general ledger accounts documenting business transactions.

10. Financial Data

Here's how senior corporate accountants use financial data:

Assisted in preparation of company's annual report including verifying financial data, creating support schedules/documentation as necessary.
Managed information extractions and uploads from Corporate and North American SAP system to Hyperion Financial Data Management system.

11. Fixed Assets

Here's how senior corporate accountants use fixed assets:

Maintained annual capital expenditure reporting for company with responsibilities included additions, disposals and depreciation of fixed assets.
Evaluated Capital project expenditures and maintain accurate records of Fixed Assets placed in service and depreciation schedules.

12. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how senior corporate accountants use payroll:

Reconciled corporate concentration account, consolidated accounts payable and payroll accounts.
Prepare payroll adjusting entries and associated adjusting invoices to TCB-managed properties.

13. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how senior corporate accountants use erp:

Maintained general ledger and supporting schedules, using JD Edwards ERP, AS400 Software and Share Point.
Trained the current AR Accountant and the GSD Operations Analyst to use the new ERP system.

14. Hyperion

Here's how senior corporate accountants use hyperion:

Worked with Firm Fixed Price and Cost Plus contracts up to $30 million utilizing Salmon and Hyperion software systems.
Complete the monthly upload process into Hyperion Financial Management, review all applicable forms and correct errors when needed

15. Accruals

Here's how senior corporate accountants use accruals:

Developed monthly investment income, accruals, allocations per operating agreement, and manual depreciation calculations.
Performed general ledger accounting for corporate activities such as allocations, long term debt, prepaid, accruals and other transactions.

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What skills help Senior Corporate Accountants find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on senior corporate 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 hard/technical skills are most important for senior corporate accountants?

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

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 soft skills should all senior corporate accountants possess?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

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 senior corporate 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 senior corporate accountants need?

Karyl Leggio Ph.D.

Professor of Finance, Loyola University Maryland

For the past several years, it is a given that graduates will have strong financial skills. In addition, new employees need to work effectively in teams, be strong critical thinkers, be self-directed, and be able to present their views in a persuasive and well-documented way.

What technical skills for a senior corporate accountant stand out to employers?

Dr. JP Krahel Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, Accounting Department Chair, Loyola University Maryland

First, Excel. It's the most basic, essential tool for the accounting professional. If you can come in on Day 1 knowing essential keyboard shortcuts, proper formula and reference use, and how to format a spreadsheet properly, you'll have an immediate advantage over your peers.

Second, believe it or not, is writing. People think that accounting is all about numbers, but really, it's less about the math (which Excel does for you) and more about being able to explain the deeper meaning behind the results. Can you explain complex depreciation methods to an audit client? Give bad news to a tax client in an understandable way? These are big deals.

Third is data analytics. Given the immense volume of data now available to firms, someone who can extract, clean, and present that data using modern software tools will have an edge. It's really another form of communication, and one that early-career accounting professionals would do well to familiarize themselves with before entering the workforce.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior corporate accountant skills to add to your resume

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

Reconciliations
GAAP
SOX
External Auditors
Internal Controls
Strong Analytical
Close Process
Balance Sheet Accounts
General Ledger Accounts
Financial Data
Fixed Assets
Payroll
ERP
Hyperion
Accruals
Process Improvement

Balance Sheet Reconciliations
Real Estate
Financial Analysis
Variance Analysis
Treasury
Sarbanes-Oxley
Income Statement
Tax Returns
Financial Results
Intercompany Transactions
Cash Flow
IRS
Reconcile General Ledger
Account Analysis
Taxation
Audit Schedules

Cash Management
Calculation
Management Reports
Sage
Ledgers
Financial Statement Preparation
Shared Services
Bank Accounts
Lawson
PeopleSoft
Financial Reports
Revenue Recognition
Cash Flow Analysis
Sales Tax
A/P
Cost Centers

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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