You want your cover letter to strike the perfect balance between being professional and showing some personality. But how do you achieve this?
If you write too formally, your tone may come across as stiff. If you're too casual, it may sound overly conversational.
While modesty is always valued, how can you confidently present your skills without sounding arrogant or boastful?
This guide will help you find the right balance, ensuring your cover letter is both professional and personable, while focusing on the key job requirements.
Cover letter examples for finance manager
Explore additional finance manager cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Role
Finance Manager in Retail
- Specific Role Relevance: The cover letter judiciously highlights Jack Taylor's role as a "Senior Finance Manager" with a focus on "Strategic Planning" and "Leadership," aligning directly with the key requirements of senior management finance roles.
- Quantifiable Achievements: It effectively utilises quantifiable achievements, such as increasing department efficiency by 20% and achieving a £10 million revenue increase, which provide tangible evidence of his impact.
- Educational Background & Continuous Learning: References to relevant qualifications, such as an MBA from the London Business School and completion of specialised courses like Advanced Financial Modelling, exhibit a commitment to continuous professional development.
- Cross-functional Collaboration and Strategic Thinking: Emphasising cross-functional collaboration, as shown in roles at Google and Amazon, and strategic initiatives aligns with the complexity and multi-departmental coordination required in senior finance positions.
Senior Finance Manager in Manufacturing
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively outlines significant roles held in relevant companies, showcasing a progression in responsibility and skill level tailored to a finance manager position.
- Emphasising Achievements: Specific achievements, such as cost savings and process improvements, are quantified, reflecting a result-oriented approach that is highly beneficial for a strategic finance role.
- Showcasing Leadership and Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrating leadership in cross-functional teams and collaborations with IT highlights essential skills of project management and stakeholder engagement, critical for a Finance Manager role.
- Continuous Development: The inclusion of additional courses and a focus on financial data analytics and strategic planning demonstrates a commitment to ongoing professional development, aligning with the dynamic financial landscape.
Junior Finance Manager in Healthcare
- Specific Achievements: Clearly highlights key accomplishments such as a 15% improvement in reporting times and a 20% increase in budget accuracy, providing concrete evidence of the candidate's impact.
- Relevant Skills: Emphasises relevant financial skills like variance analysis, financial modelling, and forecasting, aligning well with the demands of a Financial Analyst role.
- Professional Growth: Shows a trajectory of professional development, transitioning from Finance Intern to Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis, which reflects leadership skills and increased responsibility.
- Education and Continuous Learning: Includes courses in Advanced Financial Modelling and Power BI, demonstrating proactive pursuit of further knowledge and skills relevant to finance.
Finance Manager in Information Technology
- Emphasise the significance of advanced certifications, such as CIMA, which demonstrates expertise in management accounting crucial for the IT Finance Manager role.
- Highlight leadership capabilities by showcasing experience in managing a team of finance analysts and improving reporting efficiency, which is essential for upper management and strategic planning roles.
- Showcase technical proficiency in financial software and reporting systems, like Microsoft Dynamics AX and Excel, emphasising improvements in forecasting accuracy and process optimisation.
- Underline achievements related to budgeting and cost optimisation, such as improving forecast accuracy by 15% and leading procurement cost-saving projects, to demonstrate the ability to enhance financial strategies.
Finance Manager in Non-Profit Organisations
- Emphasise strategic achievements such as reducing operating costs by 15% and leading a successful audit, which demonstrate proactive financial management and compliance skills essential for a Finance Manager role.
- Highlight experience in managing and optimising significant organisational budgets (e.g., £3.5M) and achieving cost-effective results, showcasing capability in handling large-scale financial operations.
- Detail leadership skills by mentioning the successful management of a finance team and collaboration with cross-functional departments, illustrating the ability to lead and align financial strategies with broader business goals.
- Include relevant technical proficiencies such as QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, which are fundamental tools in financial analysis and reporting in finance roles.
Finance Project Manager
- Showcase of Project Leadership: Effectively highlights experience leading transformation projects, such as the £2M asset management project and significant improvements in departmental efficiency, demonstrating capability to drive change in finance settings.
- Specific Achievements and Impact: Quantifiable achievements are provided, such as a 15% cost reduction and 40% improvement in project timetable adherence, which are crucial in illustrating the candidate's impact on previous roles.
- Emphasis on Key Skills: Skills such as Stakeholder Management and Change Management are prominently featured, aligning well with job requirements and demonstrating readiness to handle related challenges.
- Relevant Certifications and Courses: Mentions of an "Advanced Project Management Certification" and a course on "Stakeholder Engagement and Change Governance" support the candidate's qualifications and readiness for the role.
Finance Manager in Education
- Highlighting Achievements: The cover letter effectively emphasises notable achievements, such as achieving a 20% revenue increase and a 15% cost reduction, directly showcasing tangible results from strategic planning and resource optimisation. This aligns well with the financial management focus of the role.
- Strategic Leadership Experience: Demonstrating over 10 years of strategic financial leadership experience at notable organisations reflects a strong foundation in managing financial operations and strategic planning, which is crucial for a Finance Manager role.
- Advanced Education and Certifications: Including relevant advanced education such as an MBA and specific certifications like the Strategic Financial Management Certification showcases a commitment to continuous learning and proficiency in financial strategy and governance.
- Skills Emphasised: The cover letter effectively mentions key skills such as financial strategy, budgeting, and risk management, which are critical for a strategic financial leadership role, along with technical skills like SAP Financials and Oracle E-Business Suite that are essential in modern financial operations.
Finance Manager in Real Estate
- Highlighting Professional Certifications: Emphasises relevant qualifications, such as ACA and Certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA), which are crucial for roles focused on fund accounting and investment management.
- Experience Detailing: Spells out specific achievements in past roles, such as the 30% improvement in delivery timelines at Schroders, demonstrating effectiveness in enhancing financial processes.
- Emphasis on Financial Acumen: Showcases comprehensive involvement in significant financial projects, such as executing a £50 million fund expansion, underscoring capability in managing extensive investments.
- Technical Skills and Tools: Lists skills related to IFRS, GAAP, Yardi, and Microsoft Office, highlighting the technical tools and knowledge necessary for precision in financial reporting and accounting.
Finance Manager in Hospitality
- Highlighting Specific Skills: The cover letter effectively emphasises key skills such as financial reporting, advanced Excel, team management, and system integration, which are crucial for a Finance Manager role.
- Quantifiable Achievements: It provides quantifiable achievements, like improving report accuracy by 15% and achieving a 20% efficiency improvement in financial reporting, demonstrating the applicant's impact in previous roles.
- Relevant Experience: Includes a comprehensive background in finance roles, demonstrating a steady career progression from Management Accountant to Finance Manager, showcasing relevant experience in financial strategy and leadership.
- Education and Continuous Learning: Highlights a solid educational background and additional courses in advanced financial modelling and system integration, indicating a commitment to professional development.
Finance Manager in Construction
- Industry-Specific Certifications: The cover letter effectively highlights the NEBOSH Construction Certificate, emphasising the candidate's specialised knowledge in construction health, safety, and risk management, which is critical for a Construction Risk Manager role.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Utilising statistics such as a "30% reduction in potential risk occurrences" provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s impact and effectiveness in previous roles, which can be crucial in influencing a hiring decision.
- Relevant Technical Skills: The cover letter mentions proficiency with QRisk, a tool relevant to risk management, underscoring the candidate's capability with industry-standard technology that can enhance workflow efficiency.
- Stakeholder Management: By highlighting experience in stakeholder management and improving collaboration across departments, the candidate demonstrates vital interpersonal skills necessary for managing construction risks effectively in complex environments.
Finance Operations Manager
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: The cover letter effectively outlines the candidate's experience in financial operations, cash flow optimisation, and process improvement, which are crucial for the role of a Finance Operations Manager.
- Emphasising Certifications: Noteworthy certifications like "Advanced Cash Flow Analysis" and "SOX Compliance and Control" are highlighted, which demonstrate the candidate's specialised knowledge and commitment to staying current in financial regulations and practices.
- Quoting Key Achievements: The specific mention of tangible achievements, such as a 20% improvement in liquidity management and reducing payment errors by 15%, provide concrete evidence of the candidate's successful track record.
- Inclusion of Passion and Mentorship: Demonstrating a passion for financial strategies innovation and a commitment to mentorship indicates an eagerness not only for personal growth but also for the development of future talents in the industry.
Corporate Finance Manager
- Highlighting leadership skills by mentioning the management of a team and the resulting improvements in budgetary controls and cost-effectiveness, which is crucial for a finance professional role.
- Emphasising the expertise in financial reporting and reducing reporting time, demonstrating efficiency in a core area of financial management.
- Showcasing advanced budgeting techniques that led to cost savings, thus indicating the capacity to achieve financial targets without compromising service quality.
- Underlining advanced certifications such as 'Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst' which provide additional credibility in specialised financial roles.
Finance Manager in Logistics
- Highlighting Achievements: The cover letter effectively showcases quantifiable accomplishments, such as a 30% inventory reduction at Unilever, demonstrating expertise and success in finance management and operational optimisation.
- Specific Industry Experience: The mention of 8 years of experience in the FMCG industry positions the candidate as someone with relevant direct experience, important for a role that requires specialised knowledge.
- Emphasis on Skills and Tools: Emphasising skills such as "Inventory Optimisation" and "Financial Analysis," as well as familiarity with tools like SAP and BI/BPC, aligns well with the requirements of a finance role in operations and innovation.
- Educational and Professional Development: Citing an MBA and courses in Advanced Financial Modelling and Strategic Supply Chain Management underscores a commitment to professional growth relevant to finance and operations roles.
Finance Risk Manager
- Highlight Key Achievements: Effectively spotlight major accomplishments, such as reducing operational costs by 15% and improving cash management efficiency by 20%, which demonstrates the ability to drive financial performance and strategic success.
- Emphasise Leadership and Collaboration: Stress the capacity to lead teams and collaborate across departments, evidenced by managing a team of 10 and working with department heads to boost profitability by 12%.
- Certifications and Education: Include relevant certifications and educational background, such as the Certified Management Accountant qualification and an MBA, which affirm expertise in financial management.
- Industry-Specific Technology Skills: Mention experience with specific systems like PeopleSoft, Opera, and Micros Systems, which are vital for roles in hotel operational finance.
Finance Manager in Energy Sector
- Highlighting the CIMA qualification as it demonstrates a high level of expertise in financial management, crucial for a Finance Manager role.
- Emphasising specific skills such as financial modelling and risk management, which are key competencies required for excelling in financial strategy and oversight.
- Showcasing achievements in cost efficiency and financial reporting improvements reflects a strong track record of driving financial performance and strategic alignment.
- Including passions related to sustainable energy solutions aligns with an interest in industry advancements, which can be valuable for companies focusing on environmental sustainability.
Finance Manager in Telecommunications
- Highlight Key Achievements: Emphasising achievements such as reducing credit risk by 20%, or developing a risk rating model, showcases the impactful results of past actions, directly aligning with the core responsibilities of a Finance Credit Risk VP.
- Emphasise Industry-Specific Skills: Mentioning skills like Credit Risk Management, Legal Compliance, and Financial Modelling critically aligns with the requirements and expectations of a senior position within finance and risk management.
- Showcase Leadership and Mentoring Experience: Demonstrating leadership capabilities through mentoring junior analysts underlines the candidate's ability to drive team growth and improved project outcomes, which is vital for a VP role.
- Underline Certifications and Continuous Learning: Listing professional courses such as the Advanced Financial Modelling Certification evidences a commitment to professional growth and knowledge enhancement in alignment with industry demands.
Finance Manager in Automotive Industry
- Highlight the candidate's leadership accomplishments by mentioning their success in mentoring and improving team performance by 30% during their tenure.
- Emphasise the candidate's technical proficiency in cutting-edge financial systems such as SAP, Power BI, and advanced financial modelling, essential for enhancing financial operations.
- Illustrate the candidate's strategic impact by referencing their history of cost-saving initiatives and revenue enhancement, showcasing their ability to drive enterprise value creation.
- Underscore the candidate's role in large-scale financial integrations and projects, detailing their contribution to ERP implementation and enhanced data accuracy, to demonstrate their capability of managing complex systems and fostering organisational efficiency.
Finance Manager in Agriculture
- Emphasise Relevant Experience: Highlighting over 5 years in financial services with a proven track record of increasing policy sales by 35% showcases expertise and success in insurance and sales, appealing to employers seeking experienced candidates.
- Showcase Leadership and Teamwork: Detailing leadership roles and collaborative efforts, such as mentoring staff and successfully executing marketing campaigns, underscores ability to lead and work within teams to achieve company goals.
- Highlight Achievements: Mentioning awards like Top Sales Performer 2022 and successful projects like reducing resolution times by 25% demonstrates consistent performance and innovative thinking.
- Use of Specific Metrics: Providing quantifiable achievements, such as a 30% reduction in dispute resolution times and 50% improvement in team performance, effectively communicates the tangible impacts of past work experiences.
Finance Manager in Aerospace
- Specific Experience: Highlighting Henry White's extensive experience of over 10 years in financial planning, analysis, and change management is crucial. Mentioning previous roles at reputable companies like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce Holdings, and Airbus adds credibility and showcases a strong background in the industry.
- Technical Skills: Emphasise proficiency in SAP, budgeting, and financial modelling. Additionally, listing advanced certifications such as the SAP Financial Accounting Certification demonstrates a commitment to staying updated with current financial technologies.
- Achievements and Impact: It's important to underscore specific accomplishments, such as leading a team to improve financial reporting efficiency by 25% and reducing overhead costs by 20%. These achievements indicate the applicant's tangible impact on organisations and alignment with business goals.
- Industry & Passion: Showcasing a passion for aerospace industry trends indicates a strong alignment with potential industry-specific roles and a proactive interest in sector developments that could translate into insightful business financial decisions.
Finance Manager in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Highlight Industry Experience: The candidate's specific experience within the pharmaceutical and finance sectors should be underscored, showcasing their familiarity with industry-specific challenges and terminology.
- Emphasise Relevant Tools and Skills: Proficiency in tools like Anaplan, SAP ERP, Power BI, and skills such as financial modelling and strategic planning are critical for a finance role, and these should be clearly linked to the candidate's achievements.
- Include Quantitative Achievements: Specific achievements, such as improving forecasting accuracy by 20% or increasing profit margins by 12%, provide tangible evidence of the candidate's impact and should be prominently featured.
- Mention Certifications and Education: Relevant certifications like the SAP ERP course and a Master’s degree from a prestigious institution enhance credibility and demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning in finance.
Finance Manager cover letter example
Ivy Ward
Leeds
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Operations Manager position at your company. With extensive research into your commitment to innovative sustainability practices, I am inspired by your ethos of leveraging strategic planning to drive both operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
At GreenBuild Consultancy, I successfully overhauled operational processes which increased efficiency by 20% through strategic planning and policy development. This effort was part of a larger initiative that I led, resulting in a 15% reduction in operational costs. These achievements highlight my ability to drive process improvements and lead cross-functional projects, which could be pivotal as you seek to enhance your operational frameworks.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills can benefit your organization. Please feel free to contact me to arrange an interview at your convenience. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Ivy Ward, Operations Manager
Here’s why this cover letter works well:
- Highlighting Results-Driven Experience: The candidate effectively showcases specific achievements (such as increasing efficiency by 20% and reducing costs by 15%) that illustrate their capability in driving operational improvements, which is crucial for an Operations Manager role.
- Aligning Personal Values with Company Mission: The letter strategically connects the candidate’s experience with sustainability initiatives to the company’s values, demonstrating cultural fit and a genuine interest in the role.
- Demonstrating Leadership and Cross-Functional Skills: Emphasizing leadership in overseeing policy development and cross-functional projects indicates strong managerial and collaborative abilities, essential for the Operations Manager position.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters are a vital part of professional job applications, helping shape recruiters' first impression of your profile.
Here’s why they’re important:
- Indicates your genuine interest: A well-researched cover letter reflects your knowledge of the company and role.
- Professionalism from the outset: Employers expect your cover letter to be structured, polite, and formal. If you wish to add a more personalised touch, be sure to address your recipient directly.
- Capture the recruiters' attention: For most roles, candidates tend to have rather similar experience, which is why you should use your cover letter to explain what is unique about your profile.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
Your UK employers will appreciate your application if you've taken the effort to tailor your cover letter to their job requirements.
Here’s how to ensure yours ticks all the right boxes:
- Research the company thoroughly: It's not enough to have only read the job advert. Look into the company's history, products, services, and recent achievements to demonstrate your genuine interest and knowledge.
- Connect with the company’s values: Every company has core principles that shape its culture and operations. Identify these values and use your cover letter to show how they align with your professional conduct and ethics.
- Emphasise your relevant skills: Highlight specific skills that match the job description and are most in demand. Use examples from your previous experience to support your claims and set yourself apart from other candidates.
How to format a finance manager cover letter
Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong impression, so its structure must be professional and clear.
Here's an overview of how a UK cover letter should be structured:
- Begin with your address and contact details at the top.
- Include the employer’s name and address directly below.
- Add the date to the left or right of the page.
- Use an appropriate greeting, such as 'Dear Mr Smith' or 'Dear Sir/Madam.'
- Open with a strong introductory paragraph.
- Develop your points in the middle paragraphs, focusing on relevant skills and experience.
- Close with a concise conclusion, reiterating your interest and suitability for the role.
- Sign off formally with your name and signature.
The software used to match your profile to the job, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), won’t scan your cover letter. Instead, the cover letter reads as a more personalised note to the recruiter.
When it comes to choosing a font, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, or Chivo, which should also be applied to your CV to maintain a consistent appearance.
Additionally, your cover letter should be single-spaced with 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides (our templates are pre-set with these specifications so you can focus on your cover letter content).
Finally, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve the formatting and prevent edits.
How to write your finance manager cover letter salutation
First impressions often start with the greeting and in the case of your job application, 'Dear Sir or Madam' simply won't suffice.
Find out who’s hiring for the role—by calling or emailing the company, searching online, or using LinkedIn—and address them correctly.
Generally, you should address them by their surname (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Weasley'), but if you've spoken to them before, you might use their first name (e.g., 'Dear Albus').
How to write your finance manager cover letter intro
While your cover letter should remain professional, adding a touch of personality or humour can make you stand out.
Hiring managers sift through countless applications, day in and day out. Anything unique or personable that grabs their attention could give you a competitive edge.
But do your homework first to ensure a dash of creativity would be appropriate and suitable to the company culture.
Cover Letter Intro
Having closely followed Rotherfield Investments' innovative approach to sustainable financing, I am drawn to the Finance Manager role, where I can contribute to your commitment to ethical and impactful investment strategies.
RIGHT
How to write your finance manager cover letter body
Which makes for a stronger cover letter body: a long-winded account of everything you’ve ever done, or a focused achievement that’s directly relevant to the job?
Hint: recruiters prefer the second.
When writing your cover letter, select your most impressive achievement that:
- Directly aligns with the job description and role.
- Is quantifiable with tangible metrics like numbers or percentages.
- Maps out your hard and soft skills, showcasing what makes you unique.
- Tells the story of the impact you could have on the organisation.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as Finance Manager at XYZ Corporation, I led a strategic initiative to overhaul our financial analysis procedures, enhancing efficiency and decision-making accuracy. By integrating advanced data analytics tools and streamlining reporting processes, I was able to reduce our financial closure timeline by 50%, from twenty days to just ten. This improvement not only saved the company approximately £250,000 annually in operational costs but also provided more timely fiscal insights that allowed senior management to act swiftly in adjusting business strategies. This achievement underscores my expertise in financial process optimisation and my ability to leverage data-driven strategies to deliver substantial cost savings and bolster organisational performance.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
When ending your cover letter, you have two options:
Option one is to promise how you’d contribute to the organisation—whether that’s improving a target or achieving a specific goal—or how the company could help you grow professionally. Always emphasise the tangible impact you can deliver.
The second option is to close by asking when you can expect to hear back from the hiring managers, whether for an update or to arrange an interview.
Cover Letter Closing
Thank you for considering my application for the Finance Manager position at your esteemed organisation. I am eager to bring my analytical skills and strategic financial planning experience to your team. I am confident that my commitment to excellence and my proactive approach would be an asset to your company. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your financial objectives and would welcome the chance to interview at your earliest convenience. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience to schedule a meeting. I greatly appreciate your time and consideration and am genuinely excited about the prospect of joining your team.
RIGHT
Conclusion
Creating a compelling cover letter is vital in making a positive first impression on potential employers. Personalise your letter by addressing the hiring manager directly and ensuring your skills align with the job description.
Highlight specific achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role, and express genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity. Finally, maintain a professional format that complements your CV for a cohesive application.
