3 Accountant Cover Letter Examples & Guide for 2023

Stephen Greet

  • Accountant Cover Letter
  • Senior Accountant Cover Letter
  • Accounts Payable Specialist Cover Letter
  • Writing Your Accountant Cover Letter 101

Accountants can make or break a company’s finances. And since companies hire accountants with care to keep their finances in order, getting hired is competitive.

You have the  skills  to make any company proud, but even the best  accountant resume  might not be enough. It’s hard to argue with a killer resume  and  cover letter, though. Problem is, writing a cover letter can be harder than  building a resume , especially if you’re better with numbers than prose. 

We know, it’s no fun writing a cover letter, but we’ll help you  worry less and write better  with our accountant cover letter examples and writing guide, so you can wow employers and get the accounting role you want.

Accountant Cover Letter Example

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3 Steps to Writing Your Accountant Cover Letter

Job seeker in yellow shirt types accountant cover letter on blue laptop with a yellow cat sitting beside desk

An amazing accountant cover letter is two things: specific and separate from your resume. Your cover letter should stand on its own as a concise, detailed document that highlights your qualifications.

cv cover letter accounting job

Step 1: Due diligence comes first

Many people use the same cover letter repeatedly, but that won’t impress your future employer. Just as you can see financial trouble from a mile away, employers can spot a recycled cover letter within seconds. So, tailor your cover letter to each job for which you apply. 

Just as you can see financial trouble from a mile away, employers can spot a recycled cover letter within seconds.

Stuck on where to start? Let the  accountant job description  you’ve found guide you. Does the company need someone who has experience with Quickbooks? Explain how you used it to manage invoices for annual grants to the community college you worked for last year. Does the job ad mention a need for improved accounting processes? Describe how you implemented a mentorship program that reduced error rates by 33%. 

Do your research to confidently address how you can meet the company’s needs. You can also address the  soft and hard skills  they require; if they need someone to assist with annual audits, discuss how your time reconciling accounts means you have a keen attention to detail and a strong grasp of GAAP and FASB standards. In essence, take what you know and use it to show you have the necessary skills. 

cv cover letter accounting job

Step 2: Go beyond your resume

Most cover letters summarize their accompanying resume in boring, professional jargon, which won’t inspire someone to hire you.

Your accounting cover letter must convince the employer to seriously consider you even if they haven’t seen your resume. It needs to dig deeper than your resume allows and tell the story of your career.

What are your crowning achievements, and how did they impact your workplace or clients’ financial operations? Refer back to why you’re applying for this role and how you’ll change the company for the better. 

Think of it this way: your resume is a shallow pool, but your cover letter is a narrow trench. One gives a general overview of your qualifications while the other explores a few experiences in-depth. Below, we’ve shared two examples that dive into the trench.

Both mention responsibilities that should also be on the resume, but they  explain the significance of their work and what happened afterward .

cv cover letter accounting job

Step 3: Do communicate the right message

Now that you know what to include, let’s discuss   how  to include it. Keep in mind this is still a letter; it should be informative without going over a page, and it needs to sound professional without being stuffy.

Much like a normal letter, imagine you’re having a conversation. You need to be professional, but you should also be relatable and interesting. And just like a good conversation, you should always circle back to how you can improve the employer’s business. 

The good news is you can revise your cover letter before you send it. Review your cover letter with the same precision you apply when reviewing financial transactions. As you revise, shorten your sentences, improve your word choice, and establish your personality. We won’t say it’s fun, but revision is an essential step to writing a cover letter that gets you the job.

Outline Your Accountant Cover Letter

Accountant and three colleagues on yellow laptops outline a cover letter

Staring at a blank page can be intimidating, especially when it comes to cover letters. Never fear, BeamJobs is here! Use our outline to organize your cover letter to perfection.

Your contact info: Your future employer will need to contact you at some point, so include your number, email, and your location (city and state). And of course, they’ll need your full name, so don’t forget to enter that into your template. Many employers also ask to see your LinkedIn profile. 

Date:  Every letter needs a date, but if you’re using a template or outline, don’t forget to change the date when you submit. If you sent your letter in April but started drafting it in February, the hiring manager may look at you funny.

Inside address:  It sounds a bit counter-intuitive to include the inside address (aka the recipient’s address) since most cover letters are virtual, but it shows the employer you’ve done your research, and it makes it look more professional and complete.

Include the hiring manager’s name, their title, and the company’s address at the top of your cover letter, left-justified. If you can’t find the company’s complete address or the hiring manager’s name, don’t stress. Try checking on LinkedIn, Facebook, their website, and other job boards.

Joanne Perry Stone Environmental Human Resources/Office Administrator 535 Stone Cutters Way Montpelier, VT 05602 

Greeting:  Just like a good handshake, a good greeting (also called a salutation) helps you make the right first impression. Always say “Dear [Name]” instead of “hello” or any other iteration. (It is a business letter, after all.) Then, address the employer/hiring manager by name. This shows you’ve taken the time to research who’s in charge of the hiring process.

Body:  The body of your accountant cover letter should cover why you’re interested in the position, your credentials, and your enthusiasm for future discussion. We’ll take a look at each section.

Opening paragraph:  Just like a good book, you’ve got to get your reader hooked from the first line. That’s hard to accomplish, though, which is why so many cover letter openings sound like this (and yes, we’ve seen this actual example!).

When I found the job listing at Alterra Mountain Company, it sounded like a dream come true.

While this has potential, it’s generic and lifeless. Even the cliché “dream come true” phrase can’t strengthen this intro. This example, though, enthusiastically shows your interest and your credentials. 

I first heard about Alterra Mountain Company when you joined the Climate Collaborative Charter, and ever since, I’ve wanted to join your community of passionate outdoor adventurers who love the mountains and their communities with equal fervor. As a CAPP with four years of accounts payable experience, I know I can manage your travel and expense systems, resolve system issues, and support Alterra Mountain staff as your Travel & Expenses Accounts Payable Specialist.

This tells the employer that the candidate not only knows about but values the company’s mission. He also makes it clear that he’s studied what this role will entail. 

If you’re struggling to write your intro, write a few openers until you get one that sounds right. Sometimes it takes a few tries, and that’s okay—just keep trying until you hit one that’s focused and engaging.

Paragraphs 2-3:  These paragraphs support your claims in the opening paragraph. Each paragraph should focus on a clear accomplishment. Maybe you managed grants totaling over $15 million for a community college, or maybe you initiated daily reporting to reduce manual reporting work hours. 

Avoid the temptation to tackle too much per paragraph; you can’t go into as much detail (save the list of your credentials for your resume, instead). Here’s a good example of a focused discussion of a significant milestone. 

Within the hospitality industry, I have three years of experience working as an accountant for the Goode Company Restaurant Group. I learned how to work within a team-oriented and deadline-driven environment while managing multiple accounts. By the end of my time there, I had lowered the cost per invoice and invoice exception rate by 17 percent, and through my partnership with management, improved the budget to actual variance by 13 percent.

This paragraph gives a general overview of the candidate’s past role without getting sidetracked. It also includes some phrases from the job description, including “team-oriented” and “deadline-driven” while including metrics. 

Closing paragraph:  Finish strong with a sentence summary of how your values and qualifications align with the company’s needs. Lastly, give a call to action. Whatever you do, don’t end the way 99 percent of other accountants will, like this.

I believe I would be a good fit for the senior accountant position, and I hope to talk more with you soon about my qualifications. 

It’s not that those sentiments are untrue, but they’re, once again, generic and lifeless. This close, however, will leave a positive lasting impression.

Achieving these goals has been rewarding, but I’m excited to master new skills and handle multiple dynamic projects that will help provide scientific tools, information, and analyses to help clients solve environmental challenges. Stone Environmental is a place where I can live my values, grow my skills, collaborate with a motivated, talented team, and assist employees directly. I would be thrilled to share more of my experience with you and look forward to connecting soon.

Signature:  Make sure you say “thank you” if you didn’t do that in the closing paragraph. Then sign off with a professional closing phrase along with your name. 

Best regards,

Samaria Singh

Enclosure(s):  Lots of cover letters miss this step, but this alerts the hiring manager to what follows your knockout cover letter. As an accountant, you’ll want to include your resume, the job application form, and any reference letters requested in the job ad. Employers may also ask for your college transcript or CPA/CMA licenses, although many just ask for the application and your resume.

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation CAPP certification

Takeoff with Your Accountant Resume

Yellow cat in purple rocket takes off into the stars to signify finishing an accountant cover letter and resume

Now that you have the resources you need to make your cover letter shine, don’t neglect your  accountant resume . They’re two sides of the same coin, so make sure your resume is just as polished as your cover letter. After all, your resume is where you can list the duties you excel at, such as analyzing balance sheet accounts and checking compliance with financial policies and procedures.

We know—it’s exhausting writing financial reports all day only to have to write a resume on top of your cover letter. We ease the process with our quick 11 steps on  how to make a good resume , and we have  free resume templates  like this one, which you can edit right now, to help you start (or rewrite) your resume. 

Senior Accountant Resume

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You have what it takes, so let our tools empower you to take your career documents from general to great. We’re cheering for you, and when you land your next accounting role, be sure and let us in on your great news! 

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Professional Accounting Cover Letter Example for 2023

Read for inspiration or use it as a base to improve your own Accounting cover letter. Just replace personal information, company application data and achievements with your own.

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Easy-to-follow cover letter writing tips for Accounting

Address your cover letter to the right person and make your introduction strong, mention both your hard and soft skills.

End with a call to action

As an accountant your attention to detail , organization and ability to work under pressure is what will make you stand out compared to the 25 other applicants.

Including the right skills on your cover letter and understanding how to pair it with your resume is a key part of getting your dream job.

In this guide we’ll go over how to structure an accounting cover letter and we’ll give you an example how a good cover letter for the accountant position should look like.

accounting cover letter example.jpg

There are several things you need to do if you want to make your cover letter stand out .

First and foremost, make sure to stick to a tone of voice that is either formal and more on the traditional side or completely matches the company culture.

Second, make sure you’re not just re-writing your resume . Rather, build upon it.

And third, focus on achievements and motivations, rather than plainly listing your hard skills.

Now, if you want to stay on top of your cover letter game, we’ve got some additional tips for you.

In general, the salutation you use depends on the tone of voice you’ve decided to go for but also on the company culture.

However, it’s always a good idea to address your letter to the person responsible for the recruitment process. If you don’t know their name, try to find it out. And only if that proves to be impossible, choose a generic salutation.

Here are some phrases you can use (note that some of them require you to know the hiring manager's name):

You wonder what the key to good introductions is ? (Moderate) Creativity!

You’ve probably heard that many people out there have started using phrases like “I found your job advert on platform X and decided to apply”, right?

And what’s wrong with such phrases, you may ask. They’re outdated and they definitely won't make you stand out, to say the least.

So go for something different. Begin your cover letter by sharing your excitement about the company, the position, and even the field.

Listing hard skill s on your resume is quite straightforward, isn’t it? But when it comes to writing a memorable Accounting cover letter, you need to be a bit more creative.

The thing is, cover letters are designed to tell a story . To show the thought process behind your achievements and motivations. To put the recruiter in your shoes and allow them to get to know you better.

Maybe you want to share how you deal with challenges? Or what helps you reach your goals? It doesn’t really matter.

And while soft skills are important , hard skills shouldn’t be skipped either. Mentioning some hard skills (especially the ones listed by the recruiter) is always a great idea. This will help you pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen documents for certain keywords.

Show that you've researched the company

Showing that you’ve researched the company and are excited to become part of its team is definitely one of the best ways to prove you're a strong candidate.

Recruiters want to make sure that you’re at least as passionate about the company and the industry as them.

It’s also a good idea to mention how your previous experience could help you in your work and what impact it could have on your long-term performance.

In addition, showing that you are aware of industry or even company issues and are not afraid of facing them will give you additional points!

The last paragraph of your cover letter should briefly sum up the whole text. This is the time to express your motivation to get to the next step of the hiring process, but also your gratitude for the reader’s time and consideration.

You can be creative or use traditional closing lines here – it all depends on your preference and the company culture.

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If you want to make sure that the hiring manager will remember you, pair your cover letter with a matching resume.

Check out our Accounting resume examples and job-winning templates for some additional inspiration.

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COMMENTS

  1. Accountant Cover Letter Examples and Templates

    Writing a great Accountant cover letter is an important step in your job search journey. When writing a cover letter, be sure to reference the requirements listed in the job description. In your letter, reference your most relevant or exceptional qualifications to help employers see why you're a great fit for the role.

  2. Accountant Cover Letter

    Accounting Cover Letter Example October 5, 2022 | By the Resume Genius Team | Reviewed by Aaron Case, CPRW Good at numbers but need assistance auditing your accountant cover letter? View the sample and tips below to learn how to improve your cover letter for an accountant role and land your next interview. Build My Cover Letter Now View Text Format

  3. Accounting Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-To-Use Templates

    02/07/2023 Accounting Cover Letter: Examples & Ready-To-Use Templates Ready to write your accounting cover letter? We'll help you balance the books and get back in the black with a cover letter for accounting jobs the CFO will admire. Christian Eilers Career Expert 401K. That's not just one of the employment benefit plans you'll be administering—

  4. 3 Accountant Cover Letter Examples & Guide for 2023

    Stephen Greet January 13, 2023 Accountants can make or break a company's finances. And since companies hire accountants with care to keep their finances in order, getting hired is competitive. You have the skills to make any company proud, but even the best accountant resume might not be enough.

  5. Accounting and finance Cover Letter Example

    The format of an accounting and finance cover letter should contain the following elements: The cover letter header The greeting / salutation The cover letter intro The middle paragraphs (body of the letter) The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)

  6. How to Write an Accounting Cover Letter

    If you are pursuing a career in this field, consider sending an accounting cover letter alongside your resume/CV. Due to an increase in demand for accountants, a strong accounting cover letter will undoubtedly distinguish you from other candidates and increase your chances of landing the job.

  7. Creating an Entry-Level Accountant Resume: Tips and Template

    1. Start with a header At the top of the page, include a header that has your first and last name in a large font. If you're a CPA, you can include this title in your header, but most entry-level accountants will not yet have this designation. On the following lines, list your address, phone number and email in a smaller font.

  8. Accountant Cover Letter Examples & Samples for 2023

    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 more than 15 years of experience managing general accounting and reporting responsibilities, I am well positioned to exceed your expectations for this role.

  9. How To Write An Accountant Cover Letter (With Example)

    1. Research the company Once you review the requirements for the role, conduct additional research on the company to include that information in your cover letter. Researching the company can give you detailed information and insight into the company's culture and values. Also, focus on identifying the person who receives your cover letter.

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    Consider including your full name, city and state, email and phone number so hiring managers can easily contact you regarding your interest in the job. 3. Address your recipient. Underneath your personal details, you can write your recipient's name, job title and place of work. In addition to helping your application get to the right place ...

  11. How To Write an Accountant Cover Letter (With Examples)

    Indeed Editorial Team Updated 5 August 2022 A job application for an accounting position is more likely to be successful if it's accompanied by a well-written cover letter. This is because a cover letter is meant to persuade the reader that you're the ideal candidate, whereas your CV just provides information.

  12. Accounting Clerk Cover Letter Examples and Templates

    (111) 789-3456 [email protected] 19-Aug-19 Dear Hiring Manager, I am happy to be applying for the Accounting Clerk position at Centurion Medical. As an alum of St. Helena University's accounting program, working as a clerk will allow me to fully utilize my technical knowledge.

  13. Optimize Your Accountant Cover Letter: Tips & Examples

    Nicole Ortiz, Ortiz and Miller Accounting Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: 555-555-5555 E-Mail: [email protected] Dear Nicole Ortiz, As a highly skilled accountant, I read your posting for a new accounting professional with interest.

  14. Real Accounting Cover Letter Example for 2023

    Accounting Cover Letter Professional Accounting Cover Letter Example for 2023 Read for inspiration or use it as a base to improve your own Accounting cover letter. Just replace personal information, company application data and achievements with your own. Create a Cover Letter Read the Guide EVAN AARIKSEN Accountant +1-555-0100

  15. Accounting Manager Cover Letter Examples and Templates

    In the same way that you might reference resume samples, the following Accounting Manager cover letter example will help you to write a cover letter that best highlights your experience and qualifications. If you're ready to apply for your next role, upload your resume to Indeed Resume to get started. Ivy Haddington. (123) 456-7891.

  16. Accountant Cover Letter Examples

    1. You should develop a solid plan aside from just applying to every job in sight. If you currently have a job, develop a plan of applying for so many jobs each day. If you are out of work, try to find some kind of temporary employment to help you out while you search. 2.

  17. How To Write a Cover Letter for Accounting

    1. Include your name, contact information, and the date Before you can start writing your letter, you need to include your name, the city and province/territory where you live, and your contact information. This allows the hiring manager to see who the letter is from quickly so they can contact you.

  18. Accounting Assistant Cover Letter Examples and Templates

    In the same way that you might reference resume samples, the following Accounting Assistant Cover Letter cover letter example will help you to write a cover letter that best highlights your experience and qualifications. If you're ready to apply for your next role, upload your resume to Indeed Resume to get started. Jax Sampson. (111) 789-3456.

  19. Accounting Assistant Cover Letter Examples

    Build my cover letter. Noah Miller. 1 Main Street. New Cityland, CA 91010. Cell: (555) 322-7337. E-Mail: [email protected]. Dear Ms. Houston, As an accomplished Accounting Assistant, I read your posting for a new Accounting Assistant with interest. My experience aligns well with the qualifications you are seeking at Houston Restoration ...

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    Top 4 characteristics of a best-in-class accountant CV. Professional summary. The professional summary is an "elevator pitch" of your top skills and experience. In two to three sentences, the summary of an accountant CV should include the skills most relevant to the job, your years of experience and any notable work achievements that will impress the recruiter or hiring manager right off ...