What is an ATS resume checker?

An ATS resume checker analyzes your resume against a specific job description and returns a keyword match score from 0 to 100%. According to the Jobscan 2024 ATS Usage Report, 98.4% of Fortune 500 companies use applicant tracking systems to rank candidates before a recruiter reviews them. 22skills runs the check in under 30 seconds and returns your score plus a prioritized list of missing keywords.

Is the ATS resume checker free?

Yes. 22skills gives you 1 free ATS scan with no signup and no credit card. A free account raises the limit to 5 scans per month. Pro is $14.99/month (or $39 per quarter) with unlimited scans and AI-powered resume rewriting, compared to Jobscan at $49.95/month for similar scan volume.

What is a good ATS score?

Aim for 70% or higher to clear most automated filters, and 80% or above for senior roles or postings with heavy competition. Below 60% usually means several required skills from the job description are missing. See the full guide: What ATS score do you need?

Can I run my resume through an actual ATS?

Not directly. Employers' systems are not open to candidates. An ATS checker simulates the two things those systems do with your file: parse the text and match it against the job description. That is what 22skills tests, and it is why the result predicts whether you pass the keyword filter.

Why is my resume being rejected by the ATS?

The most common reasons are missing keywords from the job description, formatting the parser cannot read (tables, text boxes, multi-column layouts, graphics), non-standard section headings, and skills spelled differently than the posting spells them. Greenhouse reported an average of 244 applications per job opening in March 2026, so those mismatches decide who gets read. One scan shows all of them.

Should I upload a PDF or a DOCX?

Either works with modern systems as long as the file contains selectable text. If the posting asks for a specific format, follow it. Otherwise a text-based PDF keeps your layout stable across systems. Never upload a scanned image or a design-tool export that flattens text into graphics. 22skills accepts PDF uploads and pasted text.

Do I need a different resume for every job?

You do not need to rewrite your history, but you should tailor the summary, skills section, and top bullet points to each posting. Tailoring is what moves a score from the sixties into the eighties. 22skills is built for that loop: scan, add missing keywords, rescan, apply. Start from one master resume and create a tailored version per job.

How does keyword matching work?

22skills uses exact matching (case-insensitive) and fuzzy matching with a Levenshtein distance of two or fewer edits, so "Javascript" and "JavaScript" count as one keyword and minor misspellings are not penalized. The dictionary holds 500+ ATS keywords with synonyms and variants. Keywords marked as required in the posting weigh more than nice-to-haves. More in How ATS software works.

What is the difference between a resume scanner and a resume checker?

In practice the terms are used interchangeably. A scanner reads your file the way a parser does; a checker also compares it with a job description and scores the match. 22skills does both in one scan: it parses your PDF or text, then scores it against the posting you paste.

Which applicant tracking systems does this cover?

The checker does not imitate one vendor. Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, Taleo, SAP SuccessFactors, and iCIMS all parse slightly differently, but they share the same signals: keyword match, recognizable sections, and readable text. 22skills tests those shared signals, which is what transfers between systems.

How does this compare to checking my resume with ChatGPT?

You can paste both documents into ChatGPT and ask for feedback, but you get unstructured text, no consistent score, and nothing saved between applications. 22skills runs the same class of AI models inside a fixed pipeline that returns a 0 to 100% score, matched and missing keyword lists, and prioritized suggestions, and keeps your history so you can track improvements across versions.

Are free ATS checkers accurate?

Only if they compare your resume with the real job description. A checker that grades formatting alone misses the main reason resumes are filtered out: missing keywords from the specific posting. 22skills runs the same AI models on the free tier as on Pro and matches against 500+ ATS keywords, so a free scan uses the same scoring engine as a paid one. The only difference is scan volume.

Yes. Anonymous scans are not stored. With an account, your analyses are stored in the EU and only you can see them. You can delete your account and all data at any time. We never sell resumes, share them with recruiters, or train models on them. See Security.

What is the best free ATS resume checker?

The best free checker scores your resume against a specific job description rather than giving a generic format grade. 22skills returns a job-targeted score, your matched and missing keywords, and prioritized fixes on the free tier. Many alternatives call themselves free but gate the job-targeted analysis behind a paid plan (Jobscan from $49.95/month, Resume Worded Pro $49/month). Compare: Best ATS resume scanners in 2026.

🧾 ATS Checker for Accountants

ATS Resume Checker for Accountant

Check your accountant resume for ATS compatibility. Scan against 73 role-specific keywords, get your ATS score, and see exactly what's missing.

Free scan, no signup needed · 73 accountant keywords checked · Results in 30 seconds

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Free ATS Scan

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73 Keywords

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What does ATS look for in a Accountant resume?

Updated March 2026

22skills is a free ATS resume checker that scans accountant resumes against job descriptions, checking 73 role-specific keywords across 6 categories. It shows exactly which keywords are missing and provides an ATS compatibility score (0-100%).

ATS systems for accounting roles screen for GAAP knowledge, specific accounting software, certifications (CPA, CMA), and compliance keywords. The most commonly filtered terms include QuickBooks, SAP, NetSuite, month-end close, SOX compliance, and accounts payable/receivable. 22skills checks your accountant resume to identify missing software names, compliance terminology, and financial reporting keywords that ATS filters require.

22 Skills scan data · updated September 2026

What real scans for this role show

Based on 62 unique resume-and-job-posting pairs for this role, scanned on 22 Skills between October 2025 and September 2026.

Median keyword match: 72/100
Scored below 50: 33%
Resumes missing the job title from the posting: 61%
Keywords missing per resume (average): 6 of 13

Source: 22 Skills scan data (62 pairs, computed September 2026). Scores come from 22 Skills’ keyword model, not employer ATS software. Methodology and full data

Average Salary

$58,000 - $105,000

Job Growth

4% projected growth (2024-2034), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

ATS Keywords Tracked

Salary and growth data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024

Accountant ATS Keywords to Check

These are the keywords ATS systems scan for in accountant resumes. Use 22skills to check which ones your resume is missing.

Core Accounting Skills

GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)Financial ReportingAccounts Payable (AP)Accounts Receivable (AR)General Ledger (GL)Bank ReconciliationJournal EntriesMonth-End CloseYear-End CloseBalance SheetIncome StatementCash Flow StatementVariance AnalysisCost AccountingAccrual Accounting

Accounting Software

QuickBooksQuickBooks OnlineSAPSAP S/4HANAOracle FinancialsNetSuiteMicrosoft Dynamics 365Sage IntacctXeroBlacklineConcurWorkday FinanceHyperionExcel (Advanced)Power BI

Certifications & Credentials

CPA (Certified Public Accountant)CMA (Certified Management Accountant)CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)EA (Enrolled Agent)CGMA (Chartered Global Management Accountant)CIA (Certified Internal Auditor)CISACFE (Certified Fraud Examiner)

Tax & Audit

Tax PreparationTax ComplianceFederal TaxState & Local Tax (SALT)Corporate TaxTax PlanningASC 740External AuditInternal AuditAudit PreparationFinancial Statement AuditInternal ControlsRisk AssessmentAudit FindingsPCAOB Standards

Compliance & Regulatory

SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) ComplianceIFRSSEC Reporting10-K10-QCOSO FrameworkAML ComplianceRevenue Recognition (ASC 606)Lease Accounting (ASC 842)Policy DevelopmentRegulatory Filings

Soft Skills & Leadership

Attention to DetailAnalytical ThinkingProblem SolvingCross-functional CollaborationFinancial StorytellingStakeholder CommunicationProcess ImprovementTeam SupervisionDeadline Management

About the Accountant Role

Accountants maintain accurate financial records, prepare financial statements, and ensure compliance with tax laws and regulatory requirements. They work in corporate accounting departments, public accounting firms, and government agencies, supporting management decision-making with reliable financial data. The role spans everything from day-to-day bookkeeping to strategic financial analysis and external audit coordination.

Key Responsibilities ATS Screens For

Prepare and review financial statements in accordance with GAAP or IFRS
Manage month-end and year-end close processes across multiple entities
Reconcile general ledger accounts and investigate variances
Coordinate with external auditors and prepare audit schedules
Ensure compliance with tax filings, SOX controls, and regulatory requirements
Analyze financial results and present findings to management

Accountant Career Path

Staff Accountant (0-3 years)

Senior Accountant (3-6 years)

Accounting Manager / Senior Manager (6-10 years)

Controller (10+ years)

CFO or VP of Finance

Where Accountants Are Hired

Each industry uses different ATS systems and prioritizes different keywords. Tailor your resume to the specific industry and company you're applying to.

Public Accounting FirmsFinancial ServicesHealthcareManufacturingGovernment

Salary range: $58,000 - $105,000 · 4% projected growth (2024-2034), per the U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook 2024

Check your Accountant resume now

Paste your resume and a accountant job description. Get your ATS score and see which of these 73 keywords you're missing.

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ATS Tips for Accountant Resumes

Include both acronyms and full names: "CPA (Certified Public Accountant)" and "GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles)"

Specify your accounting software by exact name — QuickBooks, SAP, NetSuite, and Oracle are top ATS filters

Quantify the scale of your close: "Led month-end close for 12 entities with $500M in combined revenue"

If you have SOX experience, state your specific control testing responsibilities, not just "SOX compliance"

Common Accountant Resume Mistakes That Hurt ATS Scores

Not naming the accounting software used — generic "ERP experience" won't match ATS filters

Omitting close process scope (entities, revenue size, team members supervised)

Leaving off the CPA designation if earned — it's the top certification ATS screens for

Listing duties without measurable outcomes (error reduction, close day improvement, audit findings resolved)

Failing to include compliance keywords (SOX, GAAP, ASC 606) relevant to the posting

Accountant ATS Resume Checker FAQ

What ATS keywords do accounting job descriptions filter for most?

The highest-priority ATS keywords for accountant resumes include: standards (GAAP, IFRS, ASC 606, ASC 842), software (QuickBooks, SAP, NetSuite, Oracle Financials, Sage Intacct, Excel), certification (CPA, CMA, CFA, EA), core skills (month-end close, general ledger, bank reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting), and compliance (SOX, internal controls, PCAOB, SEC reporting). Match the specific software stack and compliance requirements named in the posting.

How does a CPA affect ATS scoring for accountant resumes?

"CPA" is the single most filtered credential in accountant and senior accountant job descriptions. If you hold a CPA license, include it in your resume header, a dedicated Certifications section, and your most recent job title (e.g., "Senior Accountant, CPA"). Include the full form at least once: "Certified Public Accountant (CPA)." If you are a CPA candidate, state "CPA Candidate — X of 4 parts passed" — many ATS configurations flag this as a valid qualification for pipeline roles.

How do I list accounting software for ATS?

Name each system explicitly — do not use umbrella terms like "ERP experience." Include: "QuickBooks Online," "SAP S/4HANA," "Oracle Financials," "NetSuite," "Sage Intacct," or whichever platforms you have used. List them in a dedicated Technical Skills section and reference them in experience bullets with context: "Prepared month-end journal entries and GL reconciliations in NetSuite for a $120M revenue company." ATS systems do exact or near-exact keyword matching against the software names in the job description.

How do I describe SOX compliance experience for ATS?

Use the specific SOX keywords ATS filters look for: "SOX (Sarbanes-Oxley) compliance," "internal controls testing," "COSO framework," "Section 302/404," "control deficiency remediation," and "external auditor coordination." Describe your specific role: "Documented and tested 35 financial controls for SOX 404 compliance, coordinating with Big 4 auditors and remediating 2 material weaknesses." Vague phrases like "compliance experience" will not match ATS filters configured for SOX-specific roles.

ATS Checkers for Related Roles

📊Financial Analyst ⚙️Operations Manager 📈Data Analyst 💼Sales Manager

ATS Resume Checkers by Role

← Back to ATS Resume Checker · See all Accountant resume keywords → · See a Accountant resume example →

About this guide

This Accountant ATS keyword guide is maintained by the 22skills team and updated regularly based on analysis of real job postings and ATS screening patterns. Keywords are sourced from active accountant job descriptions across Public Accounting Firms, Financial Services, Healthcare, and other industries. Salary and job growth data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last reviewed: March 2026.

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