Accountant Cover Letter Examples and Templates for 2023

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The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects strong demand for accountants over the next decade due to globalization and complex taxes and regulations. This will increase jobs by 4%, or around 61,700 positions. However, there will always be competition for individual jobs, and an eye-catching cover letter is one of your best chances to snag an opening interview.

You can improve your accounting cover letter by using one of our downloadable templates. There are examples for entry-level accountants, as well as those with plenty of accounting experience. You can also find tips for making the key parts of your cover letter compelling.

Downloadable Cover Letter Examples

Example #1
Accountant_Entry-level.pdf

Example #1

Example #2
Accountant_Mid-career.pdf

Example #2

Example #3
Accountant_Senior-level.pdf

Example #3

Accountant Cover Letter Examples (Text Format)

Years of Experience
  • Example #1 #1
  • Example #2 #2
  • Example #3 #3

Sarah Pearce
Accountant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 567 Home Lane, Portland, ME 12345

February 9, 2021

Marilyn Goddard
Senior Hiring Manager
Maine Health
(890) 123-4567
[email protected]

Dear Ms. Goddard,

Last year, I designed and implemented a correctional protocol that reduced accountancy errors for my company by 60% while significantly improving the team’s efficiency. I hope to display the same innovation and creativity in the Role of Staff Accountant at Maine Health.

I know you are looking for an accountant who can work collaboratively with colleagues and manage their own workload with minimal supervision. I believe that my three years of experience and recent accomplishments clearly show that I am the ideal candidate for a team-based accountancy role. These include:

  • Contributing towards a training program for newly-qualified accountancy staff that led to an average 45% improvement in their efficiency
  • Working with a small team to settle a problematic statement that had previously remained unresolved for several months
  • Receiving written praise from my manager for my part in reducing company paperwork by 30% using a new digital system

I am keen to discuss how my attention to detail and excellent knowledge of Lawson accounting software can help your organization. Please feel free to suggest a convenient interview date.

Sincerely,

Sarah Pearce

P.S. I would like to share why I was promoted after just two years in my current role.

Katherine Davis
Accountant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 State Street, Bloomington, IL 09876

February 1, 2021

Kevin Williams
HR Director
Lincoln Design Group
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]

Dear Mr. Williams,

During my six years of experience as a staff accountant at a midsize web and app developing firm, I tracked and maintained expenditures of over $10 million annually. I also led the successful transition to the MAS 90 accounting system without disrupting accounting operations. I am excited to bring my work ethic and enthusiasm for accounting to your organization.

As a Certified Public Accountant, I have a proven track record of exceeding expectations. I am drawn to your organization’s reputation for excellence, and I believe this exciting opportunity would lead to a challenging yet rewarding career. Some of my previous achievements include:

  • Identified the ability to save variable costs by 18%
  • Streamlined accounting processes to reduce waste and improve productivity
  • Prepared for tax audits and assisted tax auditors directly to facilitate a positive outcome

I’d like to set up a time to meet with you and discuss how I can benefit your organization. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience.

Best Regards,

Katherine Davis, CPA

P.S. I’d also like to tell you about the time I identified and solved a company-wide issue that resulted in $420K savings per year!

Aston Pham
Senior Accountant | [email protected] | (876) 543-2109 | 585 Address Road, Jacksonville, FL 23456

February 13, 2021

Layla Hills
Hiring Manager
Intuit
(876) 543-2109
[email protected]

Dear Ms. Hills,

My publication on accounting data security won a Joint AICPA/AAA Notable Contributions to Accounting Literature Award in 2020. The judging panel stated that my work made a significant impact on industry best practices. I hope to apply my extensive knowledge in the role of Senior Accountant at Intuit.

I know you seek an individual with in-depth experience in tax laws and concepts who can lead a large team in a fast-paced company. My recent accomplishments show that I have the potential to become an inspiring leader at Intuit. These include:

  • Spearheading a project to improve detection of accountancy errors, resulting in a saving of $2.3 million in 2020
  • Applying innovative data security measures that reduced company spending by 25% over two years
  • Providing high-quality professional development sessions to junior accountants that delivered a productivity increase of 45%

I am available at your convenience to explore how my attributes and skills can help Intuit continue to build its reputation as a leading provider of accountancy services. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to schedule an appointment.

Sincerely,

Aston Pham

P.S. I would love to explain why I was named Manager of the Year at my company in 2020!

Accountant Cover Letter Checklist

When crafting your accounting cover letter, pay careful attention to these five elements:

1. Heading. A professional template can ensure you include the essentials in your heading and make the information stand out. It needs to cover:

  • Your name, title, and contact details
  • The date it was written
  • The addressee’s details

2. Salutation. The best practice is to greet the hiring manager by name, using their title and last name. If the job advertisement doesn’t include their name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” instead.

3. Introduction. Introduce yourself in your opening paragraph before expressing your interest in the position. This section should also be compelling, so the hiring manager continues reading.

4. Body paragraphs. The body makes up the bulk of your letter, consisting of two paragraphs that detail your relevant experience and skills. A bulleted list in this section can help the hiring manager quickly grasp your capabilities.

5. Closing section. This is where you should leave the hiring manager with their next step, namely asking them to invite you for an interview. A postscript can be added here as an effective way of drawing attention to a final achievement and leaving a lasting impression.

Introduction

Your introduction needs to be compelling enough for the hiring manager to keep reading. At the same time, it should express your interest in the accounting position. To do this, build your opening paragraph around one of your top accomplishments. Choose something that demonstrates how well-qualified you are for the job and make sure it can be quantified. Generic facts, like how long you’ve been an accountant, should be avoided.

Good


My greatest achievement as an accountant was introducing new finance recording procedures that decreased errors by 48% and resulted in $300,000 in savings over 12 months. I hope to bring the same mix of innovation and dedication to ADM & Partners as an accountant.

Bad


I’m writing to express my interest in the accountant position you recently advertised. As an accountant with eight years of experience, I’m an ideal fit for your company.

Body Paragraphs

The body of your cover letter is usually two paragraphs in length. The first should explain why you’re interested in the position and why you wish to work for the hiring company. This will show the hiring manager that you’re not sending the same letter to multiple companies and that you’ve seriously considered the position.

In the second paragraph, list your relevant accomplishments. You can use the job description to determine the company’s key needs and include promotions, successful projects, and experience that match these priorities. Make sure you quantify each achievement and list the positive outcome to demonstrate your abilities.

Good


I’ve striven to be honest and diligent with the money I managed over my eight years as an accountant. ADM & Partners’ reputation as a trustworthy and reliable accounting firm is the optimal fit for my conscientious style of accounting.

 

I’m excited to bring further success to ADM & Partners and their clients. My accomplishments in the past include:

  • Managing a $12 million budget and reducing costs by 25% over three years
  • Introducing automation of general ledger preparation and review, resulting in a reduction of 15 hours of work each month
  • Creating accurate reporting infrastructure for clients experiencing growth of up to $10 million in annual revenue

Bad


Your job advertisement mentions that you’re looking for someone with experience working with multiple clients. Over my eight years as an accountant, I have worked for accounting firms and regularly manage multiple client accounts at any given time.

 

In my current role, I’m regularly responsible for:

  • Reconciling clients’ accounts
  • Preparing sales and business tax records
  • Training new accountants in company procedures

Closing

A strong closing should leave a lasting impression that entices the hiring manager to take action. Encourage their next step by asking them to schedule an interview. A conclusion that just thanks the hiring manager for their time and attention will sound generic and is more likely to be overlooked.

A postscript at the end of your letter is an opportunity to mention one last accomplishment to help you linger in the hiring manager’s mind. This can be related to professional experience but can also mention an award, a volunteer position, or an educational project. Just make sure it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for.

Good


I’d like the opportunity to discuss how my experience can help increase ADM & Partners’ capacity to provide quality accounting services to clients. Please feel free to contact me to arrange an interview time that works with your schedule.

 

Best regards,

John Doe, CPA

 

P.S. I’d love the chance to tell you about my volunteer work managing the budget for a non-profit that helped them reach 30% more students in 12 months.

Bad


Thank you for your time and attention in considering my application. Please contact me if you require any further information.

 

Regards,

John Doe