Crafting a staff accountant cover letter can be a daunting task. You might have already started your job hunt, only to realize a compelling cover letter is essential and that simply repeating your resume won’t cut it. Instead, it should spotlight a standout professional triumph that you're proud of in a narrative style. Striking the right balance between formal tone and fresh, non-cliché language, all while keeping it to just one page, is key. Let's navigate this together.
- Create a staff accountant cover letter to persuade the recruiters you're the best candidate for the role;
- Use industry-leading staff accountant cover letter templates and examples to save time;
- Dedicate your staff accountant cover letter space to your best achievement;
- Make sure your staff accountant cover letter meets recruiters' expectations and standards.
Avoid starting at the blank page for hours by using Enhancv's AI - just upload your resume and your staff accountant cover letter will be ready for you to (tweak and) submit for your dream job.
If the staff accountant 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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Staff Accountant cover letter example
Taylor Foster
Washington, D.C.
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Demonstrating relevant professional experience can bolster credibility, as seen with the mention of a former role at EY, a notable firm in the finance sector.
- Quantifying achievements, such as a 20% improvement in record efficiency, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's capabilities and impact in previous positions.
- Detailing specific tasks and responsibilities, like managing capital calls and bank reconciliations, showcases practical expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the field.
- Expressing eagerness to face new challenges and discussing alignment of skills with the company's goals hints at a forward-thinking mindset and potential for growth within the organization.
Designing your staff accountant cover letter: what is the best format
Let's start with the basics, your staff accountant cover letter should include your:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing statement
- Signature (that's not a must)
Next, we'll move to the spacing of your staff accountant cover letter, and yes, it should be single-spaced (automatically formatted for you in our cover letter templates).
Don't go for a old-school font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman), but instead, pick an ATS-favorite like Chivo, Volkhov, or Raleway, to stand out.
Our cover letter builder is also set up for you with the standard one-inch margin, all around the text.
Finally, ensure your staff accountant resume and cover letter are in the same font and are submitted in PDF (to keep the formatting in place).
P.S. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your [job] cover letter, it's solely for the recruiters' eyes.
The top sections on a staff accountant cover letter
- Header: The header should include the applicant's contact information, candidate’s name, address, phone number, email, and the date, ensuring the recruiter knows how to reach you and maintain a professional document format.
- Greeting: Address the cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager, to show attention to detail and a personalized touch which are critical skills in the accounting field.
- Introduction: Introduce yourself by mentioning your current role as a staff accountant, any pertinent certifications (like CPA), and a brief statement about your passion for accounting, which demonstrates relevance and engages the reader immediately.
- Professional Experience and Skills: Highlight your relevant accounting experience, expertise with financial software, and ability to manage detailed financial processes, as these are the key competencies a recruiter is looking for in a staff accountant.
- Closing and Call to Action: Politely express your enthusiasm for the opportunity, reiterate your interest in contributing to the company’s financial team, and indicate your availability for an interview, displaying proactivity and a clear interest in moving forward in the hiring process.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Attention to detail: Ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with accounting regulations.
- Proficiency in accounting software: Expertise in software such as QuickBooks, SAP, or Oracle to process financial transactions efficiently.
- Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP): Knowledge of these principles is critical for accurate financial reporting and analysis.
- Time management skills: Ability to meet tight deadlines during monthly closes and audit periods.
- Analytical skills: Aptitude for analyzing accounting data to support business decisions and identify financial discrepancies.
- Communication skills: Clear communication with financial and non-financial stakeholders to explain accounting processes and findings.
What matters most when tailoring your staff accountant cover letter salutation
Your staff accountant 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 staff accountant 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 Hiring Manager],
- Dear [Name of the Accounting Department Head],
- Dear [Name of the Company or Firm] Recruitment Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
Your staff accountant cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your staff accountant cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your staff accountant cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your staff accountant cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
How to write an achievement-focused staff accountant cover letter body
We've got the intro and greeting covered. Now, comes the most definitive part of your staff accountant cover letter - the body.
In the next three to six paragraphs, you'd have to answer why should recruiters hire you.
What better way to do this than by storytelling?
And, no, you don't need a "Once upon a time" or "I started from the bottom and made it to the top" career-climbing format to tell a compelling narrative.
Instead, select up to three most relevant skills for the job and look back on your resume.
Find an achievement, that you're proud of, which has taught you these three job-crucial skills.
Quantify your accomplishment, using metrics, and be succinct in the way you describe it.
The ultimate aim would be to show recruiters how this particular success has built up your experience to become an invaluable candidate.
Ending your staff accountant cover letter: a closing paragraph with a promise
If you're thinking of finishing your staff accountant cover letter with a "Sincerely yours" or "Thanks for the consideration," you need to read on.
End the final paragraph of your staff accountant cover letter with a twist:
- a promise - of how you'd grow as a professional, part of the company, or improve organizational metrics;
- a call to action - prompt interviewers with some follow-up actions if they are interested in your profile.
A personalized ending would surely help you to stand out by being a memorable candidate.
Lacking experience: here's how to write your staff accountant cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your staff accountant cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Within this Enhancv guide, we've provided you with plenty of advice and inspiration on writing your staff accountant cover letter:
- Always make sure your staff accountant cover letter is tailored to the role you're applying for to make a good impression on recruiters;
- In your staff accountant cover letter include a header (with your name, the role you're applying for, date, and contact details) and an introduction of up to two sentences that highlight your key accomplishment or why you'd fit the role;
- Focus your staff accountant cover letter body on one sole achievement through your career and all the valuable lessons, skills, and know-how you've learned (that are relevant to the role);
- Ensure your staff accountant cover letter closing statement isn't generic and includes either a call to action or a promise;
- If you lack professional experience, shift recruiters' focus to a relevant achievement (thanks to your academic or versatile experience) or toward your dreams and goals for professional growth.
