If you’re thinking of becoming an accounts assistant, then you should know that it is a role that will equip you for a variety of future positions, especially if you find employment in an area with a lot of lateral career opportunities. Your responsibilities as an accounts assistant will involve bookkeeping, processing invoices and expenses, and formulating payroll. It’s an integral role which many offices depend on.
The skills you bring to the table and gain while working as an accounts assistant will put you in a good position to apply for a variety of roles in whatever field you personally enjoy. Every type of business needs an accounts assistant – from retail to TV production companies, theatres to finance.
What type of person would suit becoming an accounts assistant?
Due to the responsibility of the role, it’s important that you are organised and can work with clarity under high-pressure situations. The ability to communicate well with people, especially in sensitive situations, is essential. Additionally, this role would suit someone with high attention to detail and punctuality.
What skills do you need to become an accounts assistant?
Essential skills to highlight on your CV when looking for jobs in this field, and this applies to all accountancy jobs, including an aptitude for mathematics and any qualifications you have in that area, a firm grasp on IT and data processing skills, and any experience working with spreadsheets and other accounting software.
Starting with a professional summary at the top of your CV, which should introduce specialist experience, training or skills, is an effective way to grab the attention of your prospective employer right away.
Aptitude with mathematics.
If you have qualifications in mathematics, it’s best to mention that at the top of your CV, whether it’s a degree, a decent A level, or a professional course. You should elaborate on your specialism in the field with ways you’ve demonstrated this experience; bonus points go towards digital data logging, algorithms, and statistics. If you’re relatively new to the area, with a low level of experience, try to think outside the box for ways you’ve demonstrated your aptitude for mathematics, like being a maths tutor for younger students, or expound on one of your achievements during schools and college.
Computing or other relevant experience.
Most of the jobs in this field will be computer-based, and any experience you have in this area will weigh heavily in your favour. Mention your IT qualifications or other office-based experience you have already gained and ensure that you draw attention to specific areas where you’ve excelled or gained specialist experience. For example, if you have worked for 6 months in an office that used a particular accounting software, mention this as even if the new company is using a different product, your experience equates to a highly desirable, transferable skill.
Keep it simple and play to your strengths.
While writing an account's assistant CV, it’s best to try to keep things as concise and factual as possible. Try to stick to one or two sides of A4 paper. You don’t need to lie or hide areas where you could improve, as this entry-level position will expect some gaps in your knowledge. Ensure that you have emphasised your qualifications, experience and any additional training you’ve taken on, particularly those with relevance to mathematics and IT.
