Top Cost Accounting sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers & results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a Cost Accounting resume experience section
Cost Accounting Resume Experience Section Checklist:
- Use at least 3 and no more than 7 bullet points per position;
- Make your experience sound relevant to what you’re applying for;
- Combine responsibilities, results, and critical situations that you’ve handled well;
- Show that you’re willing to take up on challenges;
- Include numbers in any form you like.
If you prefer to be led by example, check out some great Cost Accounting resume experience section snippets below!
- Led the development and implementation of a cost allocation model, resulting in a 15% reduction in indirect costs.
- Created detailed cost models for multiple programs, resulting in savings of over $5M in 2021.
- Conducted regular audits of the cost accounting system, identifying and correcting errors and ensuring compliance with GAAP.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and implement cost reduction initiatives, resulting in a 10% reduction in overall program costs.
- Provided financial analysis and reporting to senior management to support strategic decision making.
- Managed a team of three cost accountants, providing training and development opportunities to support their professional growth.
- Developed and maintained cost tracking systems for multiple programs, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of program costs.
- Analyzed and reconciled variances in program costs, identifying and resolving issues to maintain program profitability.
- Collaborated with program managers to develop and update program budgets and forecasts.
- Prepared and submitted monthly and quarterly cost reports to senior management.
- Supported audits of the cost accounting system, ensuring compliance with government regulations and company policies.
- Developed and implemented standard costing methodologies resulting in a 10% reduction in production costs.
- Led the monthly inventory reconciliation process resulting in a 5% reduction in excess inventory.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement cost savings initiatives resulting in $2M in annual savings.
- Improved NetSuite reporting capabilities resulting in a 20% reduction in month-end close time.
- Created and delivered training materials for finance and operations teams to increase understanding of cost accounting principles.
- Implemented a standard costing methodology resulting in a 15% reduction in production costs.
- Managed the monthly inventory reconciliation process, reducing excess inventory by 8%.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement cost savings initiatives resulting in $1.5M in annual savings.
- Developed and delivered training materials for finance and operations teams on cost accounting principles and the use of NetSuite.
- Improved NetSuite reporting capabilities resulting in a 15% reduction in month-end close time.
- Implemented a standard costing methodology resulting in a 10% reduction in production costs.
- Managed the monthly inventory reconciliation process, reducing excess inventory by 5%.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and implement cost savings initiatives resulting in $1M in annual savings.
- Developed and delivered training materials for finance and operations teams on cost accounting principles and the use of NetSuite.
PRO TIP
Make sure to relate your experience to your job description, but never lie. That’s not tolerated and will show up in the face-to-face interview later on.
Action Verbs for your Cost Accounting Resume
Recommended reads:
Cost Accounting Resume: Crafting a Strong Skills Section
Writing a skills section that stands out:
- Check the job advert for keywords that you can use: this will help you pass ATS;
- Focus on relevant and valuable skills that will support your application;
- Make sure to include both hard and technical skills, leaving soft skills for other sections of your Cost Accounting resume;
- Don’t list skills you don’t have.
Top skills for your cost accounting resume
cost accounting
budgeting
financial analysis
variance analysis
inventory management
cost allocation
product costing
process improvement
data analysis
forecasting
communication
problem-solving
attention to detail
time management
adaptability
analytical thinking
critical thinking
teamwork
leadership
negotiation
PRO TIP
When picking skills to feature in your resume, make sure they'll be relevant to the position you’re applying to. The point of listing skills is for you to stand out from the competition. Stay away from repetitive, meaningless skills that everyone uses in their resumes. Or else, they’ll backfire and make you look like an average candidate.
Recommended reads:
Cost Accounting resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Cost Accounting resume summary checklist:
- Your total years of experience
- The industry you’re coming from
- One or two most remarkable accomplishments that have helped you - turn into a great professional
- Short sentences that add value – avoid filler words and phrases
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Read the job description carefully and understand what the hiring company is exactly looking for. After that, write your summary accordingly while highlighting your potential and ability to be the best at that job.
Recommended reads:
How to write a Cost Accounting resume
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
More tips on perfecting your resume style and layout:
- Choose a traditional 12p font;
- Make sure your resume margins are no bigger than an inch;
- Go for a one-page template. If you have broad experience and can’t fit your resume on one page, choose a two-page resume template
- Save your resume as PDF to avoid formatting issues and unauthorized editing.
Read this: Ways to make your Cost Accounting resume stand out
