Key Takeaways

  • 75% of U.S. employers use automated applicant tracking systems to screen resumes before a human reviews them (Harvard Business School & Accenture, 2021)
  • The most common ATS failures are missing keywords, incompatible formatting, and incorrect file types
  • ResumeGeni scores your resume across 8 parsing layers — modeled on the same steps enterprise ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, and Taleo use to evaluate candidates

How ATS Resume Scoring Works

Applicant tracking systems parse your resume into structured data — extracting your name, contact info, work history, skills, and education — then score how well that data matches the job requirements. Many ATS rejections happen because the parser couldn't extract critical fields, not because the candidate wasn't qualified.

LayerWhat It ChecksWhy It Matters
Document extractionFile format, encoding, readabilityCorrupted or image-only PDFs fail immediately
Layout analysisTables, columns, headers, footersMulti-column layouts break field extraction
Section detectionExperience, education, skills headingsNon-standard headings cause sections to be missed
Field mappingName, email, phone, dates, titlesMissing contact info is a common cause of immediate rejection
Keyword matchingJob-specific terms, skills, certificationsKeyword overlap affects recruiter search visibility and ATS scoring
Chronology checkDate ordering, gap detectionReverse-chronological order is expected by most ATS
QuantificationMetrics, numbers, measurable outcomesQuantified achievements help human reviewers and some scoring models
Confidence scoringOverall parse quality and completenessLow-confidence parses get deprioritized in results

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ResumeGeni free?
Yes. ResumeGeni is currently in beta — ATS analysis, scoring, and initial improvement suggestions are free with no signup required. Full guidance and saved reports may require a free account.
What file formats are supported?
PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, RTF, ODT, and Apple Pages. PDF and DOCX are recommended for best ATS compatibility.
How is the ATS score calculated?
Your resume is processed through an 8-layer parsing pipeline that extracts structured data the same way enterprise ATS platforms do. The score reflects how completely and accurately your resume can be parsed, plus how well your content matches common ATS ranking criteria.
Can ATS read PDF resumes?
Yes, but not all PDFs are equal. Text-based PDFs parse well. Image-only PDFs (scanned documents) and PDFs with complex tables or multi-column layouts often fail ATS parsing. Our analyzer will flag these issues.
How do I improve my ATS score?
Focus on three areas: use a clean single-column format, include keywords from the job description naturally in your experience bullets, and ensure all sections (contact, experience, education, skills) use standard headings.

ATS Guides & Resources

Built by engineers with 12 years of experience building enterprise hiring technology at ZipRecruiter. Last updated .

Senior Accountant

Simplex Trading · Chicago

Our employees are truly our greatest asset. We have spent years building a team of talented, dedicated technologists, data-driven traders, and expert leaders with an emphasis on our core values: Collaboration, Ethics, Risk Management, and Diverse Experience and Opinions. Simplex is an in-office organization, helping to foster a collaborative and communicative culture.

Simplex Trading is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Senior Accountant to join our Finance team in our Chicago, Illinois office. This is a full-time, in-office position. The Senior Accountant will play a critical role in maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the firm’s financial records, supporting regulatory compliance, and driving process improvements across our accounting function. The ideal candidate has experience in a broker-dealer or financial services environment, a strong command of GAAP, and a proactive mindset for identifying and implementing efficiencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

General Ledger & Month-End Close

  • Own and execute the monthly and quarterly close process, including journal entries, account payable, account reconciliations, and variance analysis
  • Maintain the general ledger and ensure accuracy and completeness of all financial data
  • Coordinate with Accountant, operations and trading teams to reconcile trade invoicing

Regulatory Reporting

  • Maintain working knowledge of applicable SEC and FINRA financial responsibility rules,  including SEC Rules 15c3-1, and ensure the firm remains in compliance.  Prepare monthly and quarterly FINRA reporting in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Liaise with external auditors, regulators, and compliance personnel as needed

Tax Preparation & Compliance

  • Assist in the preparation of federal, state, and local tax returns and estimated tax payments
  • Support the annual tax provision process and maintain tax-related workpapers and documentation
  • Coordinate with external tax advisors on tax planning and compliance matters
  • Monitor changes in tax legislation relevant to broker-dealers and proprietary trading operations

Financial Statements & Reporting

  • Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP
  • Support the preparation of management reports and financial analysis for senior leadership
  • Assist in the annual audit process, serving as a primary contact for external auditors and preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation
  • Ensure financial reports are completed accurately and on schedule

Technology & Process Improvement

  • Own the firm's credit card spend and expense reimbursement program, including policy enforcement, employee communication and monthly reporting.
  • Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounting processes
  • Participate in the evaluation and implementation of accounting systems and technology 
  • Document accounting policies and procedures and recommend improvements to enhance internal controls
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with technology and operations teams on finance-related system initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
  • 4-7 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within a broker-dealer, proprietary trading firm, or regulated financial services environment
  • Willing to sit for FINRA licensing exams to ensure regulatory compliance with the scope of the role
  • Strong working knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards
  • CPA license (active)

Preferred

  • Experience with options, derivatives, or equity securities accounting, a plus
  • Exposure to process automation tools or accounting system implementations such as Claude, NetSuite or Intacct
  • Public accounting experience is a plus

Annual base salary ranges from $130,000 to $150,000, and is influenced by a number of factors, including qualifications and experience. This role is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, which can be a significant portion of total compensation. This full time role is also eligible for other forms of compensation and benefits including health/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k) contributions.

Sr. Accountant pay range
$130,000—$150,000 USD

Why us?

Founded in Chicago in 2004, Simplex is a leading, technology-driven, proprietary market-making firm. We work with the most advanced technology and software in the market, and we’ve continued to remain at the forefront of the industry by always focusing on innovation, automation, and data-driven analysis. We also leverage our experience and expertise to make strategic investments and capitalize on opportunities in the venture capital markets with promising, early-stage financial and technology start-ups. 

PLUS, the goods!

  • Benefits: Excellent a la carte Medical/Dental/Vision (free employee coverage!), 401(k) match, generous parental leave!
  • The Office: The kitchen is stocked with snacks, and beverages; you also have daily stipends for breakfast and lunch! 
  • Tuition Reimbursement: As an investment in our employees’ careers and the company’s future, we offer educational assistance to provide employees with professional development opportunities that increase their skills and enhance their contributions to the organization!
  • Employee Discounts: To gyms, national brands, and more!
  • Building: We are located in the Federal Reserve building. As a tenant, you have access to a building gym and a full cafeteria. We are easily accessible to all public transportation.
  • Charity Match: We match up to $2,000 a year in donations to the charities of your choice!
  • Fun Events: In-person happy hours, celebrations throughout the year, game nights, video game fun, and so much more!

Simplex is an Equal Opportunity Employer

View full listing