Have you come to the realization that you don't know how to write a good accountant cover letter? Don't worry! With our comprehensive guide, your cover letter will be more than just good. All our tips, templates, cover letter samples, and examples have stood the test of time. So, let’s make your cover letter one to remember!
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Keep reading to learn how to:
- Properly format your accountant cover letter header & headline
- Personalize the greeting on your accountant cover letter
- Effectively grab employers’ attention in the cover letter introduction
- Showcase your professional value as an accountant
- End your accountant cover letter with a powerful closing statement
- Access top resources for job-seeking accountants
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Properly format your accountant cover letter header & headline
To begin writing your accountant cover letter, the first key step to take is to create a properly formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header is the block of text most often found in the upper left corner of the document that includes all the necessary information about the applicant and the company they are applying to.
As for the cover letter headline, this is similar to a title and serves a key role in helping to attract the attention of employers immediately.
To help demonstrate how to craft each of these cover letter elements, we have included more in-depth explanations and examples below:
Formatting the header
The header of your cover letter is the first piece of information an employer will see. As such, it should clearly identify who you are and the company and department the letter is intended for.
Your header should include:
- The name of the company & department you are applying to
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
Altogether, this information should form a header that looks similar to this example
To: McMillan Legal Group, Financial Department
From: Joe King, Professional Accountant
(123) 456-7890 | joeking@email.com | linkedin.com/in/joe-king
Writing the headline
In the headline of your accountant cover letter, 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.
Here is an example of an effective headline from an accountant cover letter, followed by a brief breakdown of its key components
My 3-Step Approach as an Accountant & How It Can Simplify Your Company’s Financial Record System
Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Accountant, Financial Record System
Adjective/Verb: Simplify
Promise: Your Company – the addition of this statement within your cover letter headline informs the employer that you will specifically explain how your skills can benefit their company.
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2. Personalize the greeting on your accountant cover letter
Whenever you write a cover letter as an accountant, it is crucial to use a personalized greeting to start off your letter strong.
A personalized greeting will address a specific person or department within a company by name, showing the employer that you have great attention to detail and have thoroughly researched their business before submitting your cover letter.
If you are unable to discover the exact person or department who will review your application, try out one of the following alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. Grab employers’ attention with your accountant cover letter introduction
When well-written, the headline and greeting of your cover letter will help to initially hook an employer’s attention. However, it is the introduction of your cover letter that will ensure that an employer remains attentive and intrigued by the document.
For the introductory paragraph of your accountant cover letter, you 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)
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write an accountant cover letter introduction
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am a professional Accountant with 5+ years of experience working in a corporate FinTech office. Our mutual acquaintance and tax services expert, Jack Smith, recommended me for this position after I assisted him in developing a new digital accounting platform.
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4. Showcase your professional value as an accountant
Following your introduction are the body paragraphs of your cover letter. You should aim for between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer these 4 key questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Pay special attention to how you include and describe your relevant accomplishments, as they can help immensely in showing employers the real-life value you can bring to the company.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter
As an Accountant for [Former Client], I optimized their tax filing system and assisted in filling out the necessary deduction paperwork. In the 3 years I helped with this company’s taxes, I improved their record-keeping system which resulted in a 30% decrease in total value owed in taxes annually.
5. End your accountant cover letter with a powerful closing statement
To conclude your accountant cover letter, you will need a powerful closing statement that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective closing statement from an accountant cover letter
I am eager to further discuss how I can apply my accounting talents for the benefit of your company, and would like to schedule a direct in-person or virtual meeting within the next two weeks. I am available every weekday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the best way to reach me is at my office number – (123) 456-7890.
Appreciatively,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Top resources for job-seeking accountants
To master the process of cover letter writing is one thing; but to master the art of finding the right work opportunities is quite another. But don't let that get you down! You can start by going through these resources:
- Industry-specific job boards: Websites that offer job opportunities specifically for accountants are many. You can start with AccountingJobsToday, GAAPweb, or Accountancy Age Jobs.
- General job boards: Although general search engines like Indeed, Glassdoor, or SimplyHired focus on a broad spectrum of jobs, by using targeted search terms related to accounting, such as "accountant," "CPA," or "auditing," you can narrow down the results.
- Professional associations: Accountant associations can be an invaluable source of industry news, training, job listings, specialized publications, and networking opportunities. For example, visit websites of the European Accounting Association (EAA), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), or the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
- LinkedIn: You can use LinkedIn as a job search tool, a networking platform, or a source of latest finance news.
- Accounting agencies: You can also join agencies, such as Careers in Audit, Reed, and Deloitte that can connect you with job opportunities that match your skills and expertise.
- Continuous learning: To keep on growing as a professional, taking on new courses and certifications is a must. So, besides professional associations, you can also take advantage of online learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or edX.
No matter how many job postings you decide to apply for, always remember to custom tailor each and every cover letter you write. It's one of the most effective ways to catch the hiring manager's attention and make a lasting first impression. Good luck!
Accountant Cover Letter FAQ
Should I mention my certification or any accounting systems I'm proficient in?
Certainly, yes! Its details like these that could set you apart from your competition. Mention your certification and highlight your proficiency in well-known accounting software like QuickBooks or Microsoft Excel.
Should I detail my soft skills in an accountant cover letter?
Yes, soft skills are definitely worth mentioning too. You can highlight relevant soft skills such as time-management, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills in the context of your past experiences.
How can I effectively use keywords in my accountant cover letter?
Firstly, you need to identify keywords from the job description. Then you have to incorporate them into your cover letter. If they're looking for someone with, for example, audit expertise, mention your "audit" experience. Make sure that all the keywords are spelled exactly as they appear in the job posting.
Should I mention that I'm continuing my education or planning to get a higher certification in my cover letter?
Yes, if you're continuing your education or planning to attain further certifications that's worth mentioning. It demonstrates your ambition and commitment to improving your competency as an accountant. Just ensure to briefly touch on how this ongoing education will benefit your potential employer.
How can I demonstrate that I understand the company's needs in my cover letter?
Research is key here. Go through the company's LinkedIn profile, their web page, social media accounts, etc. Identify the company's needs based on the job description and their business goals you've found in your research. Mention these needs in your cover letter and pair them with your skills and experiences. Explain how you can help them achieve their objectives with specific examples.
