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Make sure your professional cover letter header matches your resume for a cohesive look. Include your name, phone number, and email.
Visit the company’s directory to research the hiring manager and contact info. Add the date of writing, followed by the manager’s name, job title, and professional mailing address.
Begin the letter with a professional salutation. We prefer the following formal greetings: “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,” “Hello, Mr./Ms. Last Name,” or the last resort, “To whom it may concern.”
Add the name of the position and company, how you learned about it, and one accounting skill or accomplishment to advertise your suitability in this opening paragraph.
Use one or two paragraphs to elaborate on one or two accomplishments from your accountant’s resume. The goal is to quantify your training further and prove your proficiency.
In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest and qualifications. Express your eagerness to discuss your candidacy in an interview further.
End the letter with a formal closing followed by your full name and, if applicable, your professional titles or certifications. Acceptable signatures include “Salutations,” “Best,” or “Regards.”
When sharing your soft skills, hard skills and technical skills, remember to add specific examples of how you applied them in your previous roles and their positive impact on the organization’s financial operations.
Emphasize your role in preparing audit documentation and supporting materials for external auditors, contributing to smooth audits.
Discuss your proficiency in creating budgets and forecasts that aid strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
Illustrate your success in optimizing cash flow by efficiently managing accounts payable, accounts receivable and working capital.
Explain how you use analytical skills to create detailed cost analysis and identify areas for cost reduction and process improvement.
Highlight your familiarity with enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and your ability to extract meaningful financial data for analysis.
Detail your ability to prepare accurate, comprehensive and compliant financial reports.
Mention your computer skills with using accounting software, such as QuickBooks, SAP or Oracle.
Showcase your in-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and how you’ve applied them in your previous roles.
If relevant, highlight your understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and how you’ve applied them in a global accounting context.
Describe your critical thinking skills to help implement adequate internal controls to safeguard assets, prevent fraud and ensure accuracy in financial transactions.
Explain how you’ve determined accurate inventory valuations using FIFO, LIFO or weighted average methods.
Highlight your experience efficiently conducting month-end and year-end closing procedures, ensuring timely and accurate financial statements.
Discuss your expertise in reconciling complex accounts and identifying discrepancies, ensuring the accuracy of financial records.
Mention your experience managing tax compliance, including timely and accurate tax returns and filing preparation.
Detail your skill in conducting variance analysis to compare actual financial results against budgets or forecasts, providing actionable insights.
Pro tip: It’s always good to tailor these accountant cover letter examples to the specific job description and company culture for an even more significant impact.
Dear Mr. Hernandez:
When I learned of Goodlines’s need for an Accountant, I felt compelled to submit the enclosed resume. As an accounting professional with over 15 years of experience managing general accounting and reporting responsibilities, I am well-positioned to exceed your expectations for this role.
From generating and analyzing financial reports and overseeing account reconciliations to driving month-close processes and implementing effective economic policies, I excel in strategically performing all aspects of accounting operations. My demonstrated success in collaborating with peers to achieve top performance levels, along with my expertise in Microsoft Excel, ADP, and Oracle, prepares me to significantly impact your organization’s bottom line.
Consider the following highlights of my experience include:
1. Accurately and expeditiously managing accounting procedures, variance analyses, ad-hoc reports and projects, general ledger account tasks, and cost-reduction efforts to propel organizational performance.
2. Ensuring all accounting procedures comply with internal and external regulations and policies, including Sarbanes-Oxley.
3. Driving the success of various financial analysis projects involving Excel pivot tables and spreadsheets through expertise in VLOOKUPS.
4. Excelling in a time-sensitive, fast-paced atmosphere while implementing highly efficient and accurate procedures to maximize productivity; performing effectively in independent and team-oriented environments.
With my experience in general accounting operations and solid interpersonal and problem-solving skills, I am ready to provide outstanding service within your company. I look forward to meeting with you and discussing how I am prepared to contribute strongly to this role.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Angela L. Petry
How would this accountant cover letter example sway a hiring manager? It’s well-organized and concise, providing enough information about a hiring company’s needs. Overall, this cover letter effectively showcases the applicant’s qualifications, achievements, and enthusiasm for the position.
The accountant cover letter example addresses the recipient directly and mentions the company name and job position. This personalization indicates that the applicant has researched and is genuinely interested in the post.
The first paragraph directly connects the applicant’s experience and qualifications to the job opening. This introduction prioritizes the position’s requirements and is confident in its ability to meet them.
The second paragraph summarizes the job seeker’s 15+ years of experience managing various accounting tasks. It also mentions specific computer software skills (Microsoft Excel, ADP and Oracle) relevant to the position.
The accountant cover letter example uses bullet points to present specific accomplishments and responsibilities. This format makes it easy for the reader to grasp the applicant’s key strengths and achievements quickly.
The bullet points highlight quantifiable achievements and outcomes, such as accurate management of accounting procedures, compliance with regulations, and successful financial analysis projects. These accomplishments provide evidence of the applicant’s effectiveness.
The cover letter demonstrates that the applicant understands the company’s needs and emphasizes their ability to contribute to its success.
The accountant cover letter example also mentions interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills and problem-solving skills, indicating that the applicant is technically competent in working effectively with others.
The applicant expresses enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute and indicates a willingness to discuss their potential contribution in person.
The letter closes with a formal “Sincerely” and the applicant’s full name. This farewell maintains a professional tone throughout.
Mentioning that the enclosed resume is standard practice ensures that the recipient knows to look for the attached resume.
A cover letter helps promote your resume — but your resume is the essential building block for your job search. This concise summary helps hiring managers trace your training, experience, skill development and accomplishments. The following help articles, online tools and samples can help you improve your resume.
You may ask “what is a cover letter? Why do I need one for an application?” Not all hiring managers read cover letters, but those who do admit they play a deciding factor. This document allows you to highlight your skills and enthusiasm for the role. They complement your resume by offering a personalized touch.
Use a professional cover letter format with your name, contact details, date, recipient’s info, a concise introduction, body paragraphs showcasing skills, achievements, and alignment with the role, and a closing expressing interest.
Absolutely. Mention software like Excel, QuickBooks, or SAP, along with accounting skills such as financial reporting, analytical skills, critical thinking and compliance, to showcase your expertise.
You can use the job post to tailor your cover letter to each accounting position.
Use relevant keywords from the job description to optimize your cover letter and resume to ATS. Ensure your writing remains natural — format with clear headings, bullet points and standard fonts for easy ATS parsing.
