How to Write a Cost Accountant Resume (With Example)

Updated 12 December 2022

When you work as a cost accountant, good attention to detail and strong analytical skills are important. A large part of the role involves recording spending to help improve cost management. Learning how to write an effective resume is important if you're applying for this job. In this article, we explain what a cost accountant resume is, list some steps to help you write one, provide writing tips and include a template and example to guide you.

What is a cost accountant resume?

A cost accountant resume is a professional document that forms part of your job application when applying for a role as a cost accountant. This resume typically highlights your experience, qualifications and skills so a hiring manager or organisation can understand your suitability for the position. A resume is typically less than two pages long and is an excellent opportunity to sell yourself.

How to write a resume for a cost accountant role

Take the following steps to write your resume:

1. Include your contact information

Begin by listing your key contact information at the top. Placing this information at the beginning of your resume makes it easy for a hiring manager to contact you for an interview. Include your full name, phone number and professional email address. As a cost accountant, you can include your suburb and state, but it's not necessary to list your complete address.

2. Write a professional summary

Creating a professional summary is a great way to introduce yourself to a hiring manager and highlight your experience and qualifications that show your capability for the role. Include the skills most relevant to the position after reading the job description thoroughly. A professional summary is typically two or three sentences long. A well-written summary can encourage a hiring manager to continue reading your resume to learn more about you and what you can offer.

3. List your work experience

Your employment history shows a hiring manager what experience you can apply in the role. When listing your experience, start with your current or most recent role and work backwards in reverse chronological order. For each entry, include your job title, the dates of employment and the name and location of the employer.

Write your responsibilities in bullet points so a hiring manager can easily scan the list to determine if you have the necessary skills. Try to include the impact or outcome of your responsibilities or achievements, using numerical data where possible. For example, as a cost accountant, you might mention how you assisted operation teams in managing costs, resulting in cost savings for the entire business.

4. Highlight your skills

Writing a separate list to highlight your skills is an excellent way to show a hiring manager you have the necessary skills for the job. Before writing your skills, read the job description and identify any specific requirements. If you have these skills, include the exact keywords so a hiring manager can recognise your capabilities and how they align with their requirements.

When highlighting your skills, include a mix of hard and soft skills. For example, as a cost accountant, employers are likely to expect you to know how to use different accounting software, analyse data and prepare financial statements. Some important soft skills for an accountant include communication, problem-solving and attention to detail.

5. Include your education

Many employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree, typically in accounting, finance, commerce or a similar field. List your most recent qualification and work backwards in reverse chronological order. If you've undertaken any additional courses or specific programs in cost accounting, you can also include these in your education section.

Tips for writing your resume

The following are tips to consider when writing your resume:

Read the job description

Reading the job description can help you tailor your resume to the open position. Identify keywords to include, such as specific requirements the employer wants or technical skills necessary to perform the role. For example, as an accountant, an employer may look for someone with experience using specific accounting software that the organisation uses, as they may not have time to train a new employee.

Do your research

Researching the organisation before you write your resume can help you produce a tailored resume and ensure that the role is right for you. Explore the organisation's website to learn about its goals and identify its culture. You may wish to look for customer feedback to understand the service the organisation offers. You can also search for online reviews from previous employees to learn what it's like working at the organisation. Consider incorporating your findings into your cover letter or resume. For example, you could state that your personal values align with the organisation's values.

Consider the format of your resume

When applying for a cost accounting role, it's essential to create a resume using a professional layout to ensure it's easy to read and makes an excellent first impression. This also means a hiring manager can find the information they're looking for to learn about your skills and experience. Aim to keep your resume to two or three pages and use plain fonts, such as Times New Roman or Arial. A font size of 10 to 12pt can ensure that your resume is ready to read. Consider also incorporating bold font for headings.

Proofread before sending

After you write your resume, proofread it before sending it. Proofreading can ensure that you fix any spelling or grammatical mistakes to help you make a positive first impression on the hiring manager. In addition, reading your resume aloud ensures that it reads well. You may also consider asking a family member or friend to read your resume to check whether you've missed any errors.

Template for writing your resume

You can use this template when writing your resume for a sports therapist position.

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable] [Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

[Job Title] | [Employment dates] [Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

[Certification name], [Host organisation], [Year completed or expiration date]

Example of a cost accountant's resume

The following is an example of a complete cost accountant resume to guide you:

Daria Mitchell | Bachelor of Business (Accounting) 0491 571 804 | dmitchell@email.com | Sydney, NSW

Professional Summary
Experienced accountant with extensive experience providing accounting support in the logistics industry. Excellent cost accounting methods and tools, with demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data to identify variances and make recommendations to senior leaders to reduce operational costs.

Experience
Cost Accountant | November 2020–Current
West End Logistics | Sydney, NSW

Perform cost/benefit analysis for key partners and distribution channels
Develop and maintain up-to-date product costs
Communicate any cost explanations, including variances, to distribution managers
Oversee cost control systems, including managing and interpreting cost audits to prepare recommendations for senior executives
Train operations and distribution teams on managing costs, resulting in cost savings across departments of over 15% in 12 months

Cost Accountant | January 2017–October 2020
Sydney East Shipping | Sydney, NSW

Prepared account reconciliations and budget comparisons for senior managers
Assisted senior accountants with month-end financial reporting
Investigated counting variances and worked with distribution teams to resolve issues and dispose of obsolete inventory

Education Bachelor of Business (Accounting), Greater NSW University