How to Write a Cover Letter for an Accountant Job

Align Your Content With the Accountant Job Description First

Start by scanning the job posting for mandatory requirements, like experience with GAAP, public accounting experience, or proficiency with specific ERP systems. Mention these exact terms early in your cover letter to pass ATS filters, which many large finance teams use to screen applications before a hiring manager sees them. For example, if the role specifies responsibility for SOX compliance, note your relevant SOX audit experience in the first paragraph, instead of burying it later.

Highlight Quantifiable Accounting Achievements

Accountant hiring managers prioritize tangible results over generic claims, so frame your experience around measurable outcomes instead of vague statements like “I performed month-end close.” Instead, tie your work to core finance priorities like efficiency, accuracy, cost savings, or compliance. Examples of relevant accountant achievements include:

• Reduced month-end close processing time by 18% by streamlining journal entry approval workflows
• Cut accounts payable reconciliation errors by 22% by implementing a new cross-check process for vendor invoices
• Identified $42,000 in unclaimed tax deductions during 2023 year-end close for a mid-sized retail client
• Led quarterly internal audit preparations that resulted in zero material findings for 6 consecutive audit cycles

Only include 1-2 of your most relevant achievements in the cover letter, and pick ones that match the priorities listed in the job description. For example, if the role is focused on tax preparation, highlight your tax deduction or filing accuracy achievements, rather than internal audit experience.

Showcase Role-Relevant Technical and Soft Skills

Balance technical accounting skills and soft skills that are critical for accountant roles, to show you can perform the work and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Technical Skills to Feature

Mention 2-3 specific technical skills that are required for the role, such as GAAP/IFRS compliance knowledge, experience with QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, or Xero, tax preparation software proficiency, or advanced Excel skills including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and financial modeling.

Soft Skills to Feature

Accounting roles require more than just technical expertise, so highlight soft skills that set you apart, like attention to detail, cross-functional communication for gathering expense reports from other departments, problem-solving for resolving recon discrepancies, and time management for meeting strict month-end, quarter-end, and year-end filing deadlines.

Close With a Clear Call to Action Tailored to Finance Teams

End your cover letter by reiterating your interest in the role, and a specific line that shows you’ve researched the company. For example, if the firm recently announced an expansion of its small business tax services, note that you’re eager to bring your 3 years of small business tax preparation experience to support that new initiative. Then, invite the hiring manager to discuss your qualifications further, and offer to share additional materials like past audit reports or process improvement case studies that demonstrate your work, if requested. Avoid generic lines like “I look forward to hearing from you” and instead be specific: “I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my experience streamlining month-end close processes can help your team reduce its current close timeline, as noted in the job posting.”