Crafting a financial controller cover letter can be daunting. You're deep into your job search, clutching your polished resume, only to hit a roadblock—the cover letter. It's not about echoing your resume; it's your chance to weave a compelling narrative around your proudest career triumph. Striking the balance between formality and originality, sans tired clichés, is key. And remember, brevity is your ally; your story, impressive and succinct, must unfold in under a page. Let's get started.
- Including all the must-have paragraphs in your structure for an excellent first impression;
- Learning how to write individual sections from industry-leading cover letter examples;
- Selecting the best accomplishment to tell an interesting and authority-building professional story;
- Introducing your profile with personality, while meeting industry standards.
And, if you want to save some time, drag and drop your financial controller resume into Enhancv's AI, which will assess your profile and write your job-winning cover letter for you.
If the financial controller 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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Financial controller cover letter example
Grace Jackson
Houston, Texas
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Aligning personal ethos with company values: The cover letter highlights the applicant's appreciation for the company's ethical financial practices, strengthening the case for cultural fit and shared values.
- Demonstrating impact through specific achievements: By describing the successful cost optimization initiative that led to a 20% expense reduction, the applicant provides concrete evidence of their ability to contribute significantly to the company's financial health.
- Expressing eagerness for an interview: The applicant closes the cover letter by clearly stating their enthusiasm for the role and an openness to discuss their fit for the position further, inviting the hiring manager to initiate the next step of the recruitment process.
Standard formatting for your financial controller cover letter
Structure your financial controller cover letter, following industry-leading advice, to include:
- Header - with your name, the role you're applying for, the date, and contact details;
- Greeting - make sure it's personalized to the organization;
- Introduction paragraph - no more than two sentences;
- Body paragraph - answering why you're the best candidate for the role;
- Closing paragraph - ending with a promise or a call to action;
- Signature - now that's optional.
Set up your financial controller cover letter for success with our templates that are all single-spaced and have a one-inch margin all around.
Use the same font for your financial controller cover as the one in your resume(remember to select a modern, Applicant Tracker System or ATS favorites, like Raleway, Volkhov, or Chivo instead of the worn-out Times New Roman).
Speaking of the ATS, did you know that it doesn't scan or assess your cover letter? This document is solely for the recruiters.
Our builder allows you to export your financial controller cover letter in the best format out there: that is, PDF (this format keeps your information intact).
The top sections on a financial controller cover letter
- Header: Includes your contact information, date, and employer's details, ensuring the letter appears professional and provides easy ways for the recruiter to contact you.
- Opening Greeting: Addresses the recruiter or hiring manager directly if the name is known, which helps to create a personal connection from the outset.
- Introduction: Briefly mentions your current role, how you learned about the job, and why you are enthusiastic about the opportunity, specifically highlighting your interest in financial control.
- Body: Details your relevant experiences, financial acumen, and accomplishments with specific figures and examples to demonstrate your capability and suitability for the role of a financial controller.
- Closing: Reaffirms your interest in the position, invites further discussion in an interview, thanks the employer for considering your application, and includes a professional sign-off, ensuring you leave the reader with a strong, lasting impression.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Strong Technical Accounting Skills: Proficiency in GAAP, IFRS, or other accounting principles is crucial for ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance.
Financial Analysis and Forecasting: Ability to analyze financial data to forecast future financial performance and inform business decisions.
Budget Management Experience: Demonstrated experience in managing budgets, cost control, and implementing financial strategies to maximize a company's financial performance.
Leadership and Team Management: Experience in leading a finance team, including accountants and financial analysts, to ensure timely and effective financial processes.
Advanced Proficiency with Financial Software: Familiarity with ERP systems, financial reporting software, and advanced Excel to manage complex financial data efficiently.
Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management: Understanding of applicable financial regulations and experience in managing financial risk to protect the organization's interests.
What matters most when tailoring your financial controller cover letter salutation
Your financial controller cover letter greeting should feel welcoming to recruiters.
Use their first name (e.g. "Dear Marshall" or "Dear Sara"), if you've previously been in touch with the hiring manager and are on a more friendly basis.
If this is the first time you're contacting the recruiters, start your financial controller cover letter with:
- their last name (e.g. "Dear Ms. Ali" or "Dear Mr. Stevens") - look up who's the hiring manager for the role on social media or the company website;
- generalized greeting (e.g. "Dear HR Team") - just don't use "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Name of the Financial Manager/Officer],
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Dear Members of the [Department Name] Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name] and the Hiring Committee,
The financial controller cover letter introduction: focusing on your unique value, with a creative twist
You are not the only one wondering how to start your financial controller cover letter. Those first two sentences introduce your profile and should be memorable.
No pressure.
When beginning your financial controller cover letter, immediately point out the unique value of working with you. In other words, what you promise to bring to the role by using your past track record of success.
Start your financial controller cover letter with a creative twist by telling a joke or stating something relatable. Select this type of introduction only if it aligns with the company culture.
Storytelling in the middle (or body) of your financial controller cover letter
You've got your whole resume sorted, detailing your achievements and skills. What else can you write in your financial controller 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.
A sincere and original way to end your financial controller cover letter
When writing their financial controller cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".
Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner.
Write about:
- how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
- the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
- the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).
What to write on your financial controller cover letter, when you have zero experience
The best advice for candidates, writing their financial controller cover letters with no experience, is this - be honest.
If you have no past professional roles in your portfolio, focus recruiters' attention on your strengths - like your unique, transferrable skill set (gained as a result of your whole life), backed up by one key achievement.
Or, maybe you dream big and have huge motivation to join the company. Use your financial controller cover letter to describe your career ambition - that one that keeps you up at night, dreaming about your future.
Finally, always ensure you've answered why employers should hire precisely you and how your skills would benefit their organization.
Key takeaways
Writing your financial controller cover letter has never been easier, so remember to:
- Select a financial controller cover letter template that automatically meets industry formatting (e.g. has one-inch margins, is single-spaced, is in PDF, etc.);
- Make your financial controller cover letter personal by mentioning the recruiters' first or last name;
- Within the introduction, describe what you like best about the company in no more than two sentences;
- Use your financial controller cover letter body to tell a story of your greatest achievement, backed up by job-relevant skills and technologies;
- If you have no professional experience, be honest about it in your financial controller cover letter, but also write about your unique talents.
