A LinkedIn summary is one of the most important parts of your LinkedIn profile as an accounting student. It’s often the first thing hiring managers and recruiters will look at to get a quick sense of who you are and what you have to offer. With competition fierce for entry-level accounting roles, you need a summary that sells your skills, experiences and career goals in a succinct yet compelling way. But what exactly should your LinkedIn summary as an accounting student include? Here are some best practices to follow:
Keep it concise
You have limited space, so don’t try to cram everything into your summary.Aim for 2-3 short paragraphs or bullet points that capture your essence. Avoid rambling or repeating what’s listed elsewhere in your profile. Get to the point quickly.
Tailor it to accounting
Make it clear you are pursuing a career in accounting. Include accounting-related terms like “financial statements,” “GAAP,” “auditing,” etc. Mention your accounting major, minor or concentration. List relevant coursework. Share details on accounting internships or work experiences specifically. Customize your summary for your target accounting audience.
Highlight key skills
Recruiters want to know the concrete skills you have to excel in an accounting role right off the bat. Include proficiency with essential programs like Excel, QuickBooks and ERP systems. List any technical skills related to data analysis, forecasting, budgeting and reporting. Soft skills are also important – emphasize attention to detail, organization, communication abilities and teamwork.
Showcase achievements
Don’t just state your skills and qualifications. Back them up with measurable results and accomplishments. Did you increase sales or cut costs during your accounting internship? Did you receive academic awards or honors related to your accounting coursework? Quantifying your achievements makes them more tangible and memorable.
Express your career interests
Briefly explain the types of accounting jobs, companies or industries that interest you. Are you passionate about auditing, taxes or forensic accounting? Does a specific corporation, nonprofit or government agency catch your eye? Outlining career goals shows you have direction and helps attract employers looking for that specialty.
How Long Should Your LinkedIn Summary Be?
When writing your LinkedIn summary as an accounting student, a good rule of thumb is to keep it between 2-3 paragraphs or approximately 3-5 bullet points. You want it to be concise but also detailed enough to showcase your qualifications. Most experts recommend the following length guidelines:
- Paragraph summary: 100-150 words
- Bullet point summary: 4-8 points
Anything below 2 paragraphs or 3 bullet points is likely too short to effectively communicate what you bring to the table. Anything above 3 paragraphs or 5 bullet points veers into too wordy and risks losing the reader’s attention.
Shoot for right around 120 words or 5 concise bullet points as an accounting student and you’ll hit the sweet spot between succinct and descriptive for your summary.
What Information to Include
Here are some details to consider including in your LinkedIn summary as an accounting student:
Education
List your college, degree(s) pursued (Bachelor’s in Accounting, Master’s in Accounting, etc.), projected graduation date and GPA if above 3.0. You can also mention academically relevant coursework, concentrations, honors and involvement in student accounting organizations.
Experience
Highlight internships, relevant part-time jobs, volunteer work, class projects and leadership experiences. Include your title, organization, dates and responsibilities. Focus on building applicable skills like financial analysis, reporting, auditing, etc.
Skills
Account for hard skills (Excel, QuickBooks, etc.) and soft skills (work ethic, communication, organization). Consider technical abilities like data analysis if relevant. Back up claims of strong skills and work habits with specific examples and measurable outcomes when possible.
Certifications
List any certifications earned or in progress like CPA, CMA, CIA, etc. Being a candidate shows initiative.
Career Goals
Briefly explain your short- and long-term career ambitions, like wanting to work for a top accounting firm then transition to an industry leadership role. This provides direction to your profile.
Keywords to Include
When writing your LinkedIn summary as an accounting student, weaving in relevant keywords can help attract recruiters’ attention and get your profile found in searches. Some top keywords to consider:
- CPA candidate
- Financial reporting
- Budgeting
- Audit
- Taxes
- Financial statements
- Forecasting
- Analytics
- GAAP
- QuickBooks
Work keywords naturally into your summary in a way that flows well and complements your skills and experiences. Avoid awkwardly cramming in keywords or repeating them excessively. Use them strategically to reinforce your competencies and goals.
Sample Summaries
Here are two example LinkedIn summaries for accounting students showcasing different effective formats:
Paragraph Summary Example
Third-year Accounting student at University of Michigan graduating May 2023 with a 3.8 GPA. Experienced in financial preparation and analysis through internships at EY (Summer 2021) and Wells Fargo (Summer 2022). Skills include: financial statements, managerial accounting, QuickBooks, Excel, communication, organization, teamwork. Seeking full-time Auditor role at a public accounting firm where I can leverage my education and experience to add value to client engagements and continue building expertise in the accounting field.
Bullet Point Summary Example
- Bachelor’s in Accounting, May 2023, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 3.8 GPA
- Accounting Intern, EY, Summer 2021 – Assisted with audits and preparation of financial statements resulting in 10% increased efficiency
- Accounting Intern, Wells Fargo, Summer 2022 – Developed budgeting models and forecasts leading to 5% cost reduction
- Excel proficient; QuickBooks; Data analysis; Financial reporting; Communication; Teamwork
- Pursuing CPA licensure; Member of AICPA and Beta Alpha Psi honor society
- Seeking Audit Associate role at top public accounting firm
Either format can work as long as you follow best practices – be concise, showcase skills and achievements, express career goals, and use targeted keywords.
Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some final dos and don’ts for creating an appealing LinkedIn summary as an accounting student:
Do:
- Stay under 3 paragraphs or 5 bullet points
- Use active, professional language
- Include measurable accomplishments
- Showcase accounting-specific skills and expertise
- Proofread for spelling/grammatical errors
Don’t:
- Exceed more than 3 meaty paragraphs
- Use first person or I/me statements
- Have unexplained gaps in education or experience
- Simply list responsibilities. Focus on outcomes and impact instead.
- Have typos or spelling/grammatical errors
Follow these tips and you’ll be well on your way to a compelling LinkedIn summary that makes the right first impression on accounting recruiters and hiring managers.
Conclusion
Your LinkedIn summary is hugely important as an accounting student looking to land your first full-time role and advance your career. Aim for a summary around 100-150 words or 4-8 concise bullet points. Tailor it specifically for accounting opportunities by highlighting relevant coursework, certifications, internships and skills in areas like financial reporting, analysis, auditing and taxes. Back up professed skills with measurable results and accomplishments from past experiences. Show you can add value right out of college by quantifying your achievements. Express genuine career ambitions in the accounting field based on your interests and goals. Proofread closely and use targeted keywords. With a strategically crafted summary that checks all the right boxes, you’ll maximize your profile’s impact and attraction to accounting employers.
Section | Key Points |
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Introduction |
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Length |
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Information to Include |
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Keywords |
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Examples |
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Do’s and Don’ts |
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Conclusion |
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