When writing your finance cover letter, focus on how you can manage money successfully for the employer that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills like investment analysis, cost reduction, or risk management.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job in finance.
Finance Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Finance Cover Letter
A good finance cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section back to the firm and its stated hiring needs. The following advice and examples show how you can use this strategy to optimize your letter for each application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include:
- Your resume contact header, which should give your full name, address, email, phone number, and LinkedIn or other social accounts if applicable
- The date
- The recipient’s name, title, company, and contact information (when available)
Note: Feel free to omit this section when sending your cover letter as an email message as long as your contact details are part of your email signature. If you’re unsure whether to send your letter by email message or attachment, first look for instructions on the job posting. When the posting doesn’t specify, it’s your choice – just bear in mind email messages are increasingly common, but an attachment is often still better for more formal applications to large employers.
Example
Kevin Jones
Accountant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Seattle, WA
January 1, 2024
Sidney Wright
Head of Human Resources
Washington State University
(254) 710-3435
[email protected]
2. Salutation
Address your recipient by name – this is the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the person’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
Note: While a colon is standard punctuation here, you can use a comma if you know your recipient or the company has a casual work culture (sometimes indicated by a company description on the job posting). In rare cases, you may also trade out the standard “Dear” for a more casual “Greetings,” “Hello,” “Hi,” or even “Good morning.” But again, use your discretion and take cues from the job posting when possible.
Examples
Dear Mr. Doe,
Dear Holman Enterprises Talent Specialist:
3. “Hook” or introduction
Catch the reader’s attention by citing an achievement from your resume or a key credential the firm seeks in applicants. Then, connect that highlight to your main strengths and overall candidacy for the advertised finance role.
As an alternative to the work highlight approach, you can set yourself apart by networking. Begin your letter by citing any personal or professional connections you have with the hiring manager. If someone at the company alerted you to the job, use a line like “I was excited to hear from your colleague [Name] about [Company]’s new finance opening.” Or, if you’ve already met your recipient, mention that with a line like “It was great speaking with you at the [conference] last month.”
Example
I’ve accumulated over 10 years of experience as a finance manager, and I was recently promoted to financial controller after earning Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) at Johns Hopkins University. I’m excited to partner with the University of California, Irvine, as a finance manager and put my skills to great use.
4. Job- or employer-specific paragraph(s)
This section is crucial, so think it through fully for each application in your job search.
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this finance position or employer interests you based on the job posting. (See tip No. 2 below for some related ideas.)
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Adapt those points into one or two brief paragraphs that speak to the job opening at hand. By making this description a central part of your letter, you’ll more likely persuade the manager to give you a call.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your finance skills or achievements, possibly as bullet points.
Example
I’m inspired by Washington State University’s commitment to service and excited for the opportunity to use 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 the University of Washington
- Partnered with procurement services to consolidate weekly classroom supply orders to bulk monthly orders, reducing supply costs by $10,000 annually
5. Conclusion
Finally, request an interview and thank the hiring manager for their time and attention. Consider briefly restating why this finance job interests you and how you’d contribute to the firm’s success. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
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
Finance Cover Letter Tips
1. Show your skill at managing and growing assets
You can start your letter strong by citing an improvement you made to financial systems or resources. Then, spell out how that success helped your employer achieve strategic goals or raise the bottom line.
Example
During my three years as an accountant at the University of Washington, I streamlined the school’s accounts payable and receivable system, which increased the efficiency of processing admissions. I look forward to bringing that same level of success to Washington State University.
2. Tell why you’re a good fit
When brainstorming points for your cover letter, think about what this finance role has in common with your background or goals.
For instance, maybe you have an extensive background managing similar accounts or investments. Or the role centers on cost reduction, a skill area you’d like to develop further. While finance workers usually operate behind the scenes, they’re key to maintaining an organization’s integrity and public standing. So consider anything you know about the hiring firm’s reputation and how that aligns with your own work ethic.
Example
The University of California, Irvine’s excellence and top-ranking reputation are the main reasons I want this finance manager role. I strive for excellence in my work, and I can bring success to the school’s financial department.
3. Highlight your other strengths as a finance professional
With a short list of bullet points, you can show your success in areas related to finance, such as cost reduction, revenue growth, or client relations. Where possible, quantify each achievement. For finance jobs, the best data to quantify are dollar amounts. But if those numbers don’t align with your job goal (such as moving from a large firm to a small startup), give percentages instead.
Example
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 certified financial planner (CFP) credential
Finance Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Sarah Black
Senior Accountant | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Address St., Los Angeles, CA 90001
January 1, 2024
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
Finance Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a cover letter for my job search?-
Yes, in most cases. Job postings today usually require or allow you to send a cover letter along with your resume. While not every hiring manager reads or prioritizes them, a well-crafted letter can only help you stand out from other applicants. It will also help you clarify what points to emphasize during the interview.
How should I format my cover letter? -
Like your resume. Carry over all of that document’s basic format settings, like font style, line spacing, and page margins. Finance professionals should use a simple, traditional design across all their job search documents.
What’s the most important part of a cover letter?-
Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems. They also set the stage for a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the office’s work culture.
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