I jumped back in the workforce three years ago after being home for 5 years and then working a part-time "mom" job for 4 years. My previous career was in career counseling/training so I felt that gave me some insight into getting back into the workforce.
My tips:
1) Make sure your resume shines. Frankly, most people's kind of suck so having a polished, professional resume makes you stand out in a good way. I always recommend the askamanger.org blog for good tips. I bet many of us here would be happy to critique it and offer advice. Make sure your resume is focused and shows why you are a good candidate for a job.
2) Write a great cover letter. Manager's differ on the emphasis they place on cover letters, but if a manager cares, a good cover letter can really sell you as a candidate. I wouldn't shy away from the fact you have been a stay-at-home parent. Mention it, move on and show how you have retained your skills.
3) Look at government agencies and non-profits and be open to part-time work. I have found that a lot of non-profits need part-time workers and they can be hard to find. There is a specific website in my city just for non-profit jobs so I would see if your city has something similar. My first FT job after being home with the kids was a non-profit. I was able to leverage that experience to get a job in state government. I just received a big promotion so in 3 years, I went from a basically a skilled, but fairly entry level job to a much higher job classification and a huge pay increase.
4) I know networking is overstated (never harass people!), but do let people know you are looking. You never know where it may lead.
5) Don't quit applying! It took me over a year of applying before I got a face-to-face interview, but it eventually happened. I was really discouraged, but I kept remind myself that it just takes one yes.
6) When you get an interview, prepare and believe in yourself. After I got my first interview, I was called to do a second interview where I had to do a presentation. I worked hard to make it look great and I kept telling myself that I was a rock star who was going to nail it. I went in there and killed that presentation and literally had a call within 30 minutes with a job offer. I have always struggled with confidence, but I decided that if I didn't believe in my abilities no one else would either. When I left that job, my boss sent me an email telling me I was the best hire he had ever made. I have kept that email to remind myself that I am a capable person with a lot to offer. I encourage you to believe the same about yourself.
7) Think outside the box as far as employers. I currently work in a state hospital that hires direct care staff. We literally always need people in these positions. While it is not the greatest job, it is a foot in the door and I always encourage new hires to leverage that. Once you are here, you can apply for promotional opportunities for any state job out there. I have seen a lot of new employees make a jump to another agency after only a few months.
8) Figure out if you want a career or just need money. I was career-focused so I waited to find something that would put me on a career trajectory. Before my kids were in school, I was more money focused - I just needed something to bring in some extra cash. I ended up working at my daughters' preschool for 4 years part-time. The pay wasn't the best, but the job was easy, I could bring my girls to work, and the hours worked for me. There are lots of ways to make money - seasonal work at retail stores or ball parks, working as a substitute teacher, merchandising, etc. With an accounting background, a seasonal job at somewhere like H&R Block may be the type of job to get your foot in the door and will show some current experience.
9) Apply for jobs even if they are a stretch. Studies show that women are less likely to apply for a job if they don't feel completely qualified. If you feel you are about 60% qualified, apply anyway. The worst that can happen is that they don't interview you.
Hope this helps! I wish you the best of luck. As I always told my clients who were job seekers, it is not a matter of "if" you find a job but "when" you find a job. It will happen!