Staff accountants need to be accurate with their work, precise with their colleagues and incredibly driven by process. While much of what they accomplish in their day is standard (not making mistakes is a key success criterion), their attitude and proactive approach can make a huge difference to colleagues. These personal and behavioral aspects are difficult to get across in a resume, so the staff accountant cover letter is the perfect place to detail how you work as well as what you do.
Every staff accountant role is different, so you can tailor a cover letter to show just how much you understand what is expected of you. Analyse the job description and tell only the most relevant accounting stories.
Of course, it is worth being well prepared before you sit down to pick the stories that you wish to tell in your cover letter. There are plenty of different factors to consider. Why not have a look at some of our 180+ cover letter examples to get a sense of what is involved? In this specific staff accountant cover letter guide, we consider:
For extra inspiration, here are some other financial cover letter examples:
Every accountant appreciates the need for structure. Whether they are preparing a P&L or a financial statement, there are certain ways of doing things. It is much the same for a cover letter. Try to follow the standard form of an application letter:
When it comes to writing the content, have a look at the job description. Pick out the accomplishments that others may not be able to boast. It is important that you move beyond just parroting a list of responsibilities. Employers care about the magnitude of your achievements, so give detail about stories that you would like to tell during an interview.
There are plenty of small decisions to make sure you get writing the letter itself. Our comprehensive cover letter guide goes into the details. What font should you choose? What design is most effective? How much white space do you need? An accountant’s cover letter should make their financial contribution clear—bullet points may help.
Dear Mrs. Johnson,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the open staff accountant position at your company. With over five years of experience in accounting and finance roles, I believe I have the qualifications and expertise to excel in this position.
As my attached resume shows, I have gained considerable knowledge of general ledger accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and analysis, AR/AP, payroll, and more through my previous full-cycle accounting roles. In my current position as a senior accountant at Acme Company, I prepare month-end closing entries, reconcile accounts, analyze financial data to detect discrepancies or issues, and generate financial statements. Through this experience, I have become proficient in using accounting software like QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
In addition to my accounting expertise, I possess strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and communication abilities. I am accustomed to managing multiple priorities and projects while meeting tight deadlines. I am also skilled at investigating and resolving accounting issues and providing recommendations based on insightful financial analysis.
With my technical accounting skills, problem-solving capabilities, and passion for the field, I am prepared to handle the responsibilities of a staff accountant position with your organization. This includes assisting with general ledger accounting, month-end closings, compliance reporting, financial statement preparation, and any other activities that support accurate financial tracking and reporting.
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my experience and capabilities can benefit your accounting team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Janice Green
The cover letter header should contain the basic of full name, email, and mobile number. This should be repeated here as well as on your resume. You never quite know when a hiring manager might want to get in touch. Pick a professional and simple header design. There is no need to detract from the content of your job search pitch.
There are data protection issues with including your full address, so just your town or city of residence will be fine. If you want to be very formal, the inside address of the employer may be included, but as the cover letter is sent electronically it is no longer required.
The greeting for the cover letter should not pose any problems. “Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Surname” will be fine. If you are not sure of the name of the hiring manager or HR representative, it may be worth a quick call. You never know, it may have been omitted from the job description in error. Attention to detail is key for a staff accountant, so get it right.
If you do not know the name of the recipient, “Dear Company Team” is fine. Try to be warm and personable in any way possible.
The introduction for the staff accountant cover letter should get straight into your suitability for the role. What are the big projects that you will be handling? How can your past achievements shine a light on your potential? Make sure to include plenty of statistics and growth numbers where possible. The hiring manager will be interested in the scale of your experience as well as the financial nuances.
Think about the top conversations that you hope to have during an interview. The introduction should ideally introduce the number one story on your list.
Dear Mrs. Johnson,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the open staff accountant position at your company. With over five years of experience in accounting and finance roles, I believe I have the qualifications and expertise to excel in this position.
Many accountants will have plenty of projects that they wish to highlight, so consider using bullet points in the middle of your cover letter. They lend themselves perfectly to the truncated nature of achievements and you can be more economical with your language, while at the same time including plenty of numbers. Introduce each bullet with an evocative action verb. The hiring manager should be able to imagine you in action.
The middle part of your cover letter should also go into detail around the cultural and industry fit. Show that you understand the financial aspects of the employer’s industry. You will likely be applying to companies in different industries, so this level of detail will help your application to stand out.
As my attached resume shows, I have gained considerable knowledge of general ledger accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and analysis, AR/AP, payroll, and more through my previous full-cycle accounting roles. In my current position as a senior accountant at Acme Company, I prepare month-end closing entries, reconcile accounts, analyze financial data to detect discrepancies or issues, and generate financial statements. Through this experience, I have become proficient in using accounting software like QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics GP.
In addition to my accounting expertise, I possess strong attention to detail, analytical thinking, and communication abilities. I am accustomed to managing multiple priorities and projects while meeting tight deadlines. I am also skilled at investigating and resolving accounting issues and providing recommendations based on insightful financial analysis.
With my technical accounting skills, problem-solving capabilities, and passion for the field, I am prepared to handle the responsibilities of a staff accountant position with your organization. This includes assisting with general ledger accounting, month-end closings, compliance reporting, financial statement preparation, and any other activities that support accurate financial tracking and reporting.
Close the staff accountant cover letter with a desire to find out more. The job description can only give so much detail, so showing curiosity indicates that you are engaged in the process. Saying that you are looking forward to discussing the role at an interview is a common way of ending a cover letter. Don’t be shy, don’t be presumptuous, and let the hiring manager feel that you are in demand.
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how my experience and capabilities can benefit your accounting team. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Janice Green
It may be the case that you do not have much accounting experience. Everyone starts somewhere, so do not worry. The most important thing is to show that you have passed the required qualifications and that you have a broad understanding of finance. Mention any internships that you have done and show that you are ready to learn.
Accountants need to start somewhere. If the employer is a small business, they may well give you a chance, especially if this is on a part-time basis.
Attention to detail is central to the work of any staff accountant, so any mistakes in the cover letter will not create the best impression.