How to craft an effective accounting and finance cover letter
Companies in all industries rely on dependable accountants who can keep their business and financial records well-managed and organized.
Hence, your accounting and finance cover letter needs to be just that. Organized, well-formatted, and it needs to show you're ready to become a trusted part of their team and offer them peace of mind with your accounting expertise and rigorous organizational skills.
In this guide, we show you 8 simple steps for creating an accounting and finance cover letter.
Keep reading to learn all about:
- Formatting your accounting and finance cover letter header & headline
- Creating a personalized greeting on your accounting cover letter
- Writing an attention-grabbing accounting and finance cover letter introduction
- Presenting your professional journey as an accounting professional
- Aligning your accounting experience with the job requirements
- Demonstrating your value for the targeted company
- Incorporating appropriate accounting and finance keywords in your cover letter
- Concluding your accounting and finance cover letter with a strong closing statement
As a bonus, we include an accounting cover letter example that got a real person hired at CohnReznick and examine why it was successful.
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1. Formatting your accounting and finance cover letter header & headline
Before you begin writing the introduction or body text of your accounting and finance cover letter, you must first properly format your header and headline.
A cover letter header refers to the block of text most commonly found in the top left and right corners of the document. The header includes both the applicant's and the company's credentials, like the full name, address, or email.
A cover letter headline directly follows the header and is used as a title to both introduce the document to an employer and grab their attention simultaneously.
To help better illustrate how to format each of these cover letter elements, we have included more detailed explanations and examples below:
Formatting the cover letter header
The header of your accounting and finance cover letter can vary in format and order of information depending on the style of cover letter you are creating. However, regardless of aesthetics, a good header should always include:
- The name of the company (& department, when applicable) you are applying to
- The company's address
- Your name and professional title
- Your contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
It should look something like this:
Example of an accounting and finance cover letter header
To:
- (Name of HR Manager if available)
- HR Department
- Mellow Mushroom Corporate Offices
- 778 Sloan Oak, Seattle, USA
From:
- John Doe
- Accounting Specialist
- (123) 456-7890
- johndoe@kickresume.com
- Toronto, Canada
Writing the headline
When writing the headline of your cover letter, it is important to consider how headlines are used in newspapers and magazines. An effective headline will grab a reader’s attention by offering a compelling – and honest – preview of the information to come.
In your headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Example of an accounting and finance cover letter headline
My 3 Essential Accounting Skills & How I Will Apply Them at Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Skills
Keyword: Accounting
Adjective/Verb: Essential, Apply
Promise: Your Company – the addition of this statement at the end of your headline implies to employers that you will not only be describing your qualifications for the position but will also relate your skills directly to their company’s needs.
If you can't be bothered with formatting, our cover letter builder takes care of it for you, plus it gives your letter a stunning design.
2. Creating a personalized greeting for your accounting cover letter
The next step to crafting a job-winning accounting and finance cover letter is to create a personalized greeting.
Personalized greetings on cover letters address a specific person or department, rather than using a generalized statement such as “To Whom It May Concern.” This level of specificity shows employers that you not only have great attention to detail but also that you have thoroughly researched their company.
If you are unable to pinpoint the exact person or department who will review your application, try out one of the following alternatives:
- To the [Company Name] Team
- Dear Hiring Manager
- Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. Writing an attention-grabbing accounting and finance cover letter introduction
The introduction to your accounting cover letter comes after your headline, which will have already done a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of initially grabbing an employer’s attention.
As such, to keep them intrigued, your introductory paragraph should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Accounting and finance cover letter introduction example
“Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am an Accounting professional with over 4 years of experience working in large-scale corporate environments. At a recent business conference, I had the pleasure of working on an Innovation in Accounting presentation with your company’s VP, Joe King, who recommended I apply for this position.”
4. Presenting your professional journey as an accounting professional
Right after your catchy introduction, it's time present your career history and expertise. This next paragraph should squeeze in enough about your expertise and skills to impress, but not overwhelm. It's your moment to shine, but remember to be concise.
First, relay your career timeline. Let them know where you started, where you landed, and what you learned along the way.
Next, add in your skills. What tools have you mastered? What accounting methods are you a pro at? Make it relevant to the job you're shooting for.
Finally, present your accomplishments. What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant? If you can quantify your accomplishments, even better!
Example of career history for accounting and finance cover letter
"After starting my career as a junior accountant for XYZ Corp., I leaped up the ladder to senior accountant in just two years. I have a knack for identifying cost-saving opportunities and the grit to navigate complex financial laws. I also have an intimate understanding of QuickBooks and Oracle software — skills that I noticed your recent job posting highlighted. In one notable project, I spearheaded a transition from legacy systems to state-of-the-art fintech software, including QuickBooks and Oracle. This upgrade played a significant role in enhancing our department's efficiency by an impressive 20%."
Examples of how to describe different accomplishments in an accounting and finance cover letter
Increased Efficiency and Cost Savings: In my previous role as a Financial Analyst, I successfully implemented process improvements that resulted in a 25% reduction in month-end closing time. By streamlining financial data collection and implementing automation tools, I not only saved valuable time but also identified cost-saving opportunities, contributing to a 10% reduction in departmental expenses.
Revenue Generation and Growth: As a Senior Financial Manager, I developed and executed a comprehensive pricing strategy that led to a 15% increase in revenue within the first year. By conducting in-depth market analysis and optimizing pricing structures, I successfully captured new market segments and improved profit margins.
Risk Management and Compliance: In my role as a Risk Analyst, I implemented robust risk assessment frameworks and conducted thorough compliance audits, resulting in 100% adherence to regulatory requirements. By proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks, I helped protect the organization's financial assets and maintained a strong reputation for compliance excellence.
If writing is not your strong suit, you can try our cover letter write tool, which uses AI to help craft the first draft of the cover letter for you.
5. Aligning your accounting experience with the job requirements
Continuing on in your cover letter, it's time to play matchmaker. This is where you tailor your accounting and finance expertise directly to what the job post is asking for.
Emphasize how your previous accomplishments and knowledge can deliver what they need.
Turn your experience into compelling narratives that mirror their requirements.
Have they mentioned the need for excellent risk management skills? Outline a situation where you successfully mitigated a potential financial risk.
Do they need someone who knows their way around complex tax laws? Share an instance where your strong understanding of tax codes saved your previous employer money.
This is how to tailor your accounting expertise to the job ad in your cover letter:
"In your job description, you mentioned the need for robust risk management strategies. I'd like to recall an instance when I acted as the primary risk analyst for my previous company. There, I implemented innovative risk assessment frameworks and led rigorous compliance audits. This resulted in consistent meetings with regulatory requirements and significantly lowered our financial risks.
Furthermore, understanding and navigating complex tax laws have been integral parts of my past roles. I steered my former company through a tricky tax season last year, spotting a little-known tax deduction that resulted in considerable savings. Judging by your job description, it seems these experiences would translate particularly well into the role you're offering.”
6. Demonstrating your value for the targeted company
The next part of your cover letter should be all about demonstrating the value you'd bring to the company.
This is where you go beyond simply listing your skills and experience, and instead showcase how you would apply your arsenal of abilities specifically for your prospective employer's benefit.
Highlight the unique perspectives or innovative ideas you could bring, or discuss how you could leverage your skills to overcome a challenge you know the company is facing.
Basically, what can you do for them?
For instance:
"I firmly believe I could bring valuable insights and solutions to your team.
For example, your recent press release highlighted a push towards using new-age fintech methods, a challenge I relish. In my previous role, I managed a digital transformation project that increased our operational efficiency by 20%. I'm thrilled at the prospect of doing the same for your company.
Also, your emphasis on ethical practices resonates with me. As an accountant who always prioritizes financial integrity and transparency, I know I can uphold and further strengthen your company's reputation of uncompromising ethics.”
7. Incorporating appropriate accounting and finance keywords in your cover letter
In the sea of applications, populating your cover letter with the right accounting and finance keywords can be a game-changer. It not only helps your application stand out but also establishes you as the perfect match for the job role.
Appropriate keywords can align your experiences with the job requirements, making an immediate connection with the hiring manager. Furthermore, many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan for these keywords to filter candidates, so including them increases your chances of your application getting noticed.
These keywords can be skillfully incorporated into different sections of your cover letter, such as when you're sharing your past experience or when you describe the value you'll bring to their company.
15 accounting and finance keywords to include in a cover letter
- Financial analysis
- Budget forecasting
- Tax preparation
- Cost reduction
- Budget management
- Financial reporting
- Audit compliance
- Accounts receivable & payable
- Cash flow management
- Data analysis
- Profit and Loss (P&L) management
- General ledger accounting
- Accounting software (such as QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle)
- Financial planning
- Debt management
Remember, the main goal is to match the job requirements as closely as possible. Select your keywords based on what the employer emphasizes in their job description. This can make a significant difference in making your cover letter resonate with the prospective employer.
8. Conclude your accounting and finance cover letter with a strong closing statement
The final step is crafting a strong cover letter closing paragraph. In this statement, you should:
- highlight your strengths,
- call for action,
- express gratitude,
- use a professional sign off.
How to end an accounting and finance cover letter?
“With my many years of experience and proven track record as an Accounting professional, I am certain I am the ideal candidate for your company. I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you more about how I can contribute to the growth and success at [company] during an in-person or virtual meeting.
The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 on any weekday between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Best regards,
[Your Name]”
Accounting and finance cover letter example
Finally, to tie everything together, we think that one picture is often worth a thousand words — so, have a look at a real accounting and finance cover letter example that got a person hired at CohnReznick.
Here's why this cover letter succeeded:
- Attention-grabbing introduction. The writer opens the letter with expressions of gratitude and excitement about the opportunity, immediately capturing the reader's attention. Their clear respect for the organization comes through, setting a positive tone from the onset.
- Alignment with job requirements. The candidate made a point to mention their skills in Accounting, Finance, and Tax Auditing among others, aligning them with potential responsibilities in the role.
- Showcasing value for the company. The writer mentions his existing knowledge about the company, expresses his ability to adapt and learn quickly, and cites past achievements that could be beneficial for the role — indicating he will bring value to the team.
Key takeaways: Accounting and finance cover letter
Crafting an impactful accounting and finance cover letter is a critical step in landing a job in this industry. Just like the perfect candidate in this field is professional, well-organized, and analytical — your resume should be all of those, too.
This cover letter can elevate your application and set you apart from the competition.
Here's how you turn an average accounting cover letter into a job-winning one:
- Create a well-formatted header and a captivating headline
- Address your letter personally, to make your greeting feel more authentic
- Begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that succinctly presents your background
- Devote a section to describe your professional journey, highlighting specific accomplishments
- Align your professional experience and achievements with the job requirements
- Highlight how you can benefit the company and what value you can bring
- Infuse your letter with relevant accounting and finance keywords to increase visibility
- Close your cover letter powerfully, making a final pitch for your candidacy
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
