Finance Cover Letter Examples (Text Format)
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Kevin Jones
Accountant | kjon[email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Seattle, WA
January 1, 2021
Sidney Wright
Head of Human Resources
Washington State University
(254) 710-3435
[email protected]
Dear Ms. Wright,
During my three years at the University of Washington as an accountant, I streamlined the school’s accounts payable and receivable system, leading to an increase in the efficiency of processing admissions. I look forward to bringing that same level of success to Washington State University.
I’m inspired by WSU’s commitment to service and excited for the opportunity to utilize my skills as an accountant for the school. Some of my previous achievements include:
- Improved low-performing accounts, increasing average revenue by 14%
- Voted “employee of the month” multiple times in my three years with UW
- Partnered with procurement services to consolidate weekly classroom supply orders to bulk monthly orders, reducing supply costs by $10,000 annually
I look forward to setting up an interview with you at your earliest convenience. I would love to discuss how my past work experience can further WSU’s commitment to service.
Best regards,
Kevin Jones
P.S. — I’d also like to tell you about how I’m on my way to earning my CFP certification.
Sarah Black
Senior Accountant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Los Angeles, CA 90001
January 1, 2021
John Doe
Talent Specialist
Holman Enterprises
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Doe,
My five years of accounting experience recently culminated in developing an error-catching seminar spanning three days and attended by other accountants within the company. This workshop resulted in 20% fewer errors demonstrated on monthly company-wide reports. I believe I can bring this same innovation to Holman Enterprises as a senior accountant.
I want to be part of the culture that has been created at Holman Enterprises. I’m excited to share my past success that could benefit the company:
- Held monthly meetings with department leads, creating a 55% increase in departments keeping within their budgets
- Mentored new employees, leading them in company standards and increasing new-hire productivity
- Earned my CFP certification
I would love to schedule an interview with you when you’re available. We can go into further detail about how my accounting skills can financially improve Holman Enterprises.
Best regards,
Sarah Black
P.S. — I’d like to tell you more about how I produced end-of-year reports within the first week of January for four years straight.
Martha Phillips
Financial Manager | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Newark, NJ 07101
January 1, 2021
Robert Getz
Hiring Manager
UC Irvine
(949) 824-5011
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Getz,
I’ve accumulated over 10 years of experience as a finance manager, and I was recently promoted to financial controller after earning my CFA at Johns Hopkins University. I’m excited to partner with UC Irvine as a finance manager and put my skills to great use.
The excellence and top-ranking reputation of UCI is the main reason I want this finance manager role. I strive for excellence in my work and believe I can bring success to the school’s financial department.
Over the years, I’ve focused on developing and furthering my knowledge and ability as a financial professional. Here are only a few examples of what I have achieved:
- Developed and managed a team of 10 financial analysts to build financial models, create reports, and analyze data
- Earned my CFA certification
- Forecasted detailed benefits and salary plans, resulting in an annual savings of over $15,000
I want to move forward and set up an interview with you to talk about how my extensive experience and achievements can further UCI’s reputation of excellence. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me with a time that works best with your schedule.
Best regards,
Martha Phillips
P.S. — I would love to talk more about how I graduated top of my class at Johns Hopkins.
Finance Cover Letter Checklist
To keep your writing clear and concise, it helps to plan your cover letter section by section. Following a structured outline is a great way to arrange your thoughts and only include what’s most important. All finance cover letters should consist of these five main elements:
1. Heading. Select a professional stylized template that presents your name in an eye-catching way and includes:
- Your name, title, and contact info
- The date it was written
- Information of addressee
2. Salutation. If you know the hiring manager’s name and pronoun preferences, use it in the greeting of your letter — Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]. If you don’t know their pronoun preferences, opt for addressing them with their first and last name — Dear [First and Last Name]. And if you don’t know their name, start your letter with “Dear Hiring Manager.”
3. Introduction. Introduce yourself with an attention-grabbing sentence that conveys your interest in the position.
4. Body paragraphs. Keep it simple with two paragraphs describing your relevant education, skills, and professional experience. Add a bulleted list to break up the blocks of text and draw the reader’s attention to your selling points.
5. Closing section. This is your chance to conclude with a CTA (call to action) and ask for the interview. To go the extra mile, consider adding a P.S. that lists one last achievement that helps you stand out.
Introduction
The introduction is your chance to grab the hiring manager’s attention and communicate your interest in the job. Choose one of your top accomplishments and elaborate on how you achieved those results. Go beyond generalizing statements about your previous experience. Be specific about how this demonstrates your ability to excel at the new job in question.
Good
I’ve accumulated over 10 years of experience as a finance manager, and I was recently promoted to financial controller after earning my CFA at Johns Hopkins University. I’m excited to partner with UC Irvine as a finance manager and put my skills to great use.
Bad
As a financial professional with over 10 years of experience, I believe I’m qualified for the finance manager position.
Body Paragraphs
Prove your deep interest and investment in working for the organization by reading up on the values and goals of the company. Speaking to the hiring manager with their lingo and an understanding of their culture shows you did your research.
Explain why you want the job and what’s driving you toward this one specifically. Give examples of any educational degrees or certifications you’ve earned that are required or relevant to the position. List actual numbers and results of projects or initiatives that you’ve led. Provide some detail on how you were successful.
Good
Robert Half being voted America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firm four years running is what draws me to the company. I know my financial skills will only add to your top-performing organization, and I’m looking forward to bringing my drive and determination to the team.
My results-oriented achievements prove my capability:
- Earned BS in accounting from University of Oregon, graduating with honors
- Implemented digital documentation system, reducing paper waste by 23%
- Reconciled any errors found in portfolio accounts within the system to maintain GAAP standards
Bad
The job listing on your website for the accountant position with 3 years of experience. I have 3 years of experience as an accountant and would enjoy working for Robert Half.
Some of the responsibilities of my current position include:
- Earning my degree in accounting
- Reducing paper waste by going digital
- Correcting errors in accounting system files
Closing
Avoid ending your cover letter with a simple, “Thank you for your time.” Your goal is to land an interview, so show some proactivity by closing with a CTA that offers a next step for the hiring manager.
Add an extra achievement after your signoff in a P.S. section. This is another small way to stand out and get you noticed. It’s one last chance to make an impression with something you want to stick in their memory as they consider all the prospective new hires.
Good
I want to schedule an interview to discuss further how my internship experience has prepared me for this job position. Please get in touch with me to set up a time to talk that works with your schedule.
Best regards,
Janet Smith
P.S. — I would love to share how I stay up to date on the latest finance technology to improve accounting efficiency.
Bad
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to having a deeper discussion about my previous experience.
Best,
Janet Smith