Embarking on your job quest, you've discovered that snagging that accounts payable specialist role is more than just submitting a resume; a compelling cover letter is a must. Craft yours to captivate, not by regurgitating your resume, but by spotlighting a standout professional triumph, weaving a narrative of success without resorting to tired clichés. Keep it concise, professional, and to a single page, to make an impression that counts. Let's unlock the secrets to writing a cover letter that opens doors.
- Writing the essential accounts payable specialist cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
- Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
- Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your accounts payable specialist cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ accounts payable specialist cover letter, using templates from industry experts.
Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your accounts payable specialist cover letter should look, in mere moments.
If the accounts payable specialist isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
- Accounts Payable Specialist resume guide and example
- Portfolio Manager cover letter example
- Financial Assistant cover letter example
- Finance cover letter example
- Chief Financial Officer cover letter example
- Treasury Analyst cover letter example
- Personal Banker cover letter example
- Internal Audit Manager cover letter example
- Bank Teller cover letter example
- Financial Accountant cover letter example
- Finance Officer cover letter example
Accounts Payable Specialist cover letter example
Carter Andrade
Denver, Colorado
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Quantifying Achievements: The cover letter emphasizes the candidate's ability to deliver measurable results, such as improving efficiency by 20% and reducing unpaid invoices by 30%, which is compelling evidence of their skills and effectiveness.
- Relevant Experience: Highlighting experience with specific tools like Docupeak and Netsuite that are pertinent to the accounting and finance sector can help the candidate stand out as an experienced and immediately valuable asset to the team.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Mentioning the initiation of process streamlining demonstrates the candidate's proactive approach to problem-solving and their capacity for innovation within their role.
- Impact on Vendor Relations: Showcasing the improvement in vendor communication underscores the candidate's understanding of the importance of maintaining strong external partnerships and their role in the financial health of a company.
The format of your accounts payable specialist cover letter: structure, fonts, margins, and more
Your accounts payable specialist cover letter should include a header (with your name, position, and date); a greeting and introductory paragraph; a body and closing paragraphs; and an optional signature.
Remember that you're writing your accounts payable specialist cover letter for recruiters - as the Applicant Tracker System won't scan this content.
Here are a few more tips and tricks to keep in mind when formatting your accounts payable specialist cover letter:
- Use the same font in your accounts payable specialist cover letter and resume. We recommend modern fonts, e.g. Lato and Rubik, to help you stand out, instead of the stereotypical Arial and Times New Roman.
- Each paragraph should have single spacing, which is already set up for you in our cover letter templates.
- Our cover letter builder follows industry standards for your accounts payable specialist cover letter formatting - with a one-inch margin, surrounding your content.
- Always export your accounts payable specialist cover letter in PDF to ensure the image or text quality stays the same and your writing isn't moved about.
The top sections on a accounts payable specialist cover letter
Header: Include your contact information and the date, which is essential for the recruiter to easily know who you are and how to contact you.
Greeting: Address the hiring manager by name if possible, as personalizing the salutation demonstrates attention to detail and a genuine interest in the position.
Introduction: Clearly state the job title you are applying for and briefly mention how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the accounts payable specialist role.
Body: Explain in one or two paragraphs your relevant experience in managing invoices, processing payments, and using financial software, highlighting how those skills will benefit the company's financial operations.
Closing: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the opportunity, invite the hiring manager to discuss your application further, and thank them for considering your application, which signals professionalism and a courteous attitude.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Attention to detail: Necessary for accurately processing invoices and payments, ensuring that financial records are meticulous and error-free.
- Proficiency with accounting software: Essential for efficiently handling accounts payable duties, including data entry and payment processing on platforms such as QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle.
- Strong organizational skills: Important for managing a large volume of invoices and maintaining orderly financial records, which helps to ensure timely payments and easy retrieval of documents.
- Effective communication: Critical for liaising with vendors, resolving disputes, and interacting with other internal departments to maintain smooth financial operations.
- Understanding of accounting principles: Fundamental to recognize the implications of accounts payable on the overall financial health and to adhere to proper accounting procedures.
- Problem-solving ability: Valued for the capacity to address discrepancies in invoicing, resolve payment issues, and adapt to changing workflows or company policies.
The accounts payable specialist cover letter salutation: how to address hiring managers
After covering the format of your accounts payable specialist cover letter, let's look at the salutation.
Back in the day, the cordial "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", might have worked out fine.
But, nowadays, your cover letter should approach hiring managers on a more personal basis.
So, what to do about your cover letter salutation?
If you've messaged the recruiters and are on a first name basis or a more formal one, use the hiring manager's name in the greeting (e.g. "Dear Sophie," "Dear Ms. Givens", or "Dear Mr. Everett,").
Always aim to make the effort to find out the name of the hiring manager, who'd be assessing your application. Search on LinkedIn, double-check the advert on the corporate website, or message the brand on social media to find out more about the role.
If you can't find the hiring manager's name (and still want to sound professional), use "Dear HR Team,", "Dear Hiring Manager,", or the likes.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear Finance Department,
- Dear Accounts Payable Supervisor,
- Dear [First Name] [Last Name],
What to include in those first two sentences, or your accounts payable specialist cover letter introduction
Have you ever wondered what the best way is to present your profile in the accounts payable specialist cover letter introduction?
There's no right or wrong answer if you're being concise and authentic to yourself.
Some professionals start their accounts payable specialist cover letter by:
- congratulating the company - focusing on something impressive, whether that's an award, an industry-leading project, or a key event;
- aligning their passion for the field or industry with the job - if you're enthusiastic about what you do, you'd thus grow your skill set and value as a professional.
Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your accounts payable specialist cover letter
You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your accounts payable specialist cover letter?
For starters, take the time to re-assess the job requirements and re-discover the most crucial skills and requirements (or keywords).
After making a list of these important keywords, look back on your experience to select just one of your past accomplishments.
Choose the achievement that is the most noteworthy, relevant to the role, and matches the required skills.
Use the next between three and six paragraphs to narrate how:
- you've grown your skill set, thanks to your achievement;
- you'd use the know-how you've gained in your new role;
- your accomplishment could help your potential employers grow.
Remember that recruiters don't need a retelling of your whole resume, but want to find out what makes you, you.
Finishing off your accounts payable specialist cover letter with what matters most
So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your accounts payable specialist cover letter for the role and recruiter.
Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.
And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.
End your accounts payable specialist cover letter with the future in mind.
So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.
You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).
No experience accounts payable specialist cover letter: making the most out of your profile
Candidates who happen to have no professional experience use their accounts payable specialist cover letter to stand out.
Instead of focusing on a professional achievement, aim to quantify all the relevant, transferrable skills from your life experience.
Once again, the best practice to do so would be to select an accomplishment - from your whole career history.
Another option would be to plan out your career goals and objectives: how do you see yourself growing, as a professional, in the next five years, thanks to this opportunity?
Be precise and concise about your dreams, and align them with the company vision.
Key takeaways
Writing your accounts payable specialist cover letter doesn't need to turn into an endless quest, but instead:
- Create an individual accounts payable specialist cover letter for each role you apply to, based on job criteria (use our builder to transform your resume into a cover letter, which you could edit to match the job);
- Stick with the same font you've used in your resume (e.g. Raleway) and ensure your accounts payable specialist cover letter is single-spaced and has a one-inch margin all around;
- Introduce your enthusiasm for the role or the company at the beginning of your accounts payable specialist cover letter to make a good first impression;
- Align what matters most to the company by selecting just one achievement from your experience, that has taught you valuable skills and knowledge for the job;
- End your accounts payable specialist cover letter like any good story - with a promise for greatness or follow-up for an interview.
