You're ready to apply for that finance officer role, but there's one thing left to nail: the cover letter. It's not just a repeat of your resume; it's your chance to share a standout achievement in a story that makes you shine. Steer clear of the tired phrases that hiring managers see all the time and keep it to one page. Let's solve the puzzle of writing a cover letter that's formal, fascinating, and, most importantly, uniquely yours.
- Writing the essential finance officer 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 finance officer cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ finance officer 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 finance officer cover letter should look, in mere moments.
If the finance officer isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Finance officer cover letter example
Gabriel Baker
San Diego, CA
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Highlighting a significant professional achievement, such as the successful implementation of a new ERP system, demonstrates the candidate's capacity to lead and complete major projects that improve efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting.
- Detailing quantifiable results like saving $3M in potential tax liabilities and securing an additional $5M funding showcases the candidate's strong negotiation skills and ability to manage budgets effectively - crucial for a finance role.
- Expressing a desire to contribute to the company's specific initiatives, which in this case involves integrating advanced technologies with financial planning, shows the candidate has researched the company and is motivated to support its strategic goals.
- Offering to discuss the alignment of the candidate's experience and skills with the company's needs in the role suggests the candidate's willingness for open communication and establishes a call to action for the hiring manager to engage further.
Structuring and formatting your finance officer cover letter
Here's what the structure of your finance officer cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your finance officer resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your finance officer cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your finance officer cover letter.
The top sections on a finance officer cover letter
- Header: Include your name, address, phone number, and email so the recruiter can easily identify and contact you for further dialogue or to schedule an interview.
- Greeting: Address the hiring manager or recruitment team personally, if possible, to establish a connection and demonstrate that you’ve researched the company.
- Introduction: Clearly state the position you’re applying for, and succinctly mention your key qualifications, including your finance-specific skills and relevant certifications, to immediately capture the recruiter's interest.
- Body: Elaborate on your previous finance experience, quantifiable achievements (like managing budgets, financial reporting, or audits), and how your expertise aligns with the job description, showing you are well-equipped for the role’s responsibilities.
- Closing: Reiterate your interest in the position, express your appreciation for the recruiter's consideration, and propose a follow-up meeting or call to discuss how your financial acumen can benefit the company, promoting proactive engagement.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills: to effectively manage financial data and create forecasts.
- Attention to detail: to ensure accuracy in financial reporting and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Advanced proficiency in financial software and systems: for efficient handling of finance-related tasks and data analysis.
- Solid understanding of financial regulations: ensures the company stays compliant with laws and standards.
- Proven experience in budgeting and financial planning: to contribute to the financial health and strategy of the organization.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities: to collaborate with team members and present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.
How to personalize your finance officer cover letter greeting
Before you start writing your finance officer cover letter, take the time to find out who is recruiting for the role.
Search for the recruiter's name on LinkedIn or the corporate website to address them personally in your finance officer cover letter salutation.
What if you can't find out who's recruiting for the role?
Always aim to avoid the very impersonal "Dear Sir/Madam" - instead, opt out for "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager" to make a better first impression.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Recruiting Team,
- Dear [Department Head's Name],
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [First Name] [Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Hiring Committee,
Introducing your profile to catch recruiters' attention in no more than two sentences
The introduction of your finance officer cover letter is a whole Catch 22 .
You have an allocated space of no more than just a paragraph (of up to two sentences). With your introduction, you have to stand out and show why you're the best candidate out there.
Set out on a journey with your finance officer cover letter by focusing on why you're passionate about the job. Match your personal skills and interests to the role.
Another option for your finance officer cover letter introduction is to show you're the ideal candidate. Write about how your achievements and skills are precisely what the company is looking for.
However you decide to start your finance officer cover letter, always remember to write about the value you'd bring about. Making it both tangible (with your metrics of success) and highly sought out.
What to write in the body of your finance officer cover letter
Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your finance officer cover letter.
It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs. This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.
Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your finance officer resume.
Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.
But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.
Select your achievement that:
- covers job-crucial skills;
- can be measured with tangible metrics;
- shows you in the best light.
Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.
Closing paragraph basics: choose between a promise and a call to action
You've done all the hard work - congratulations! You've almost reached the end of your finance officer cover letter.
But how do you ensure recruiters, who have read your application this far, remember you?
Most finance officer professionals end their cover letter with a promise - hinting at their potential and what they plan on achieving if they're hired.
Another option would be to include a call for follow-up, where you remind recruiters that you're very interested in the opportunity (and look forward to hearing from them, soon).
Choose to close your finance officer cover letter in the way that best fits your personality.
Is it beneficial to mention that you have no experience in your finance officer cover letter?
Lacking professional experience isn't the end of the world for your finance officer cover letter.
Just be honest that you may not have had roles in the industry, but bring about so much more.
Like, your transferable skills, attained thanks to your whole work and life experience (e.g. the skills your summer spent working abroad taught you).
Or, focus on what makes you, you, and that one past success that can help you stand out and impress recruiters (think of awards you've attained and how they've helped you become a better professional).
Alternatively, write about your passion and drive to land the job and the unique skill set you would bring to enhance the workplace culture.
Key takeaways
Your finance officer cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your finance officer cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your finance officer cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your finance officer cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
