489-555-0125
toddjeffreys@email.com February 4, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager, I'm writing to express my excitement about the open CMA position you have available at Zargon Suppliers. It would be an honor to manage the financials of such an impressive international company that makes quality products used all over the world. With over 10 years of experience as a Certified Management Accountant, I feel confident that my skills and abilities are a great fit for both the position and your organization as a whole. Since passing the CMA exam, I've worked to hone my skills in the financial industry. I've received continuous praise for my hard work and problem-solving skills, as evidenced by the awards and recognitions I've gained. For example, in my previous position, I saved my organization close to $65,000 after identifying an area in which money was being spent needlessly. My organization awarded me with the "Financial Professional of the Year" recognition, and they moved me into a higher-level position as a result. Additionally, I assisted in the creation of a more effective customer financial metric system. I'm sincerely excited to hear more about this position, as I believe my background and commitment to learning make me a great candidate for this position. If you'd like to hear more about my experience, please contact me by phone or email at any time. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, Todd Jeffreys To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.
What is a CMA?
A certified management accountant, or CMA, is a financial expert who holds the CMA certification, which is offered through the Institute of Management Accountants. Accountants who hold this certification show hiring managers they are experts in their field and have extensive knowledge in strategic business management and accounting. Common duties of these professionals include:- Preparing controller reports, or accounting management reports, within the controller department of an organization
- Putting together financial statements for an organization
- Overseeing the budget of a company and ensuring the company maintains its budget throughout a fiscal year
- Working with financial department members to assign financial operations duties
- Training new financial department staff
- Searching for potential opportunities for investment that may yield additional income for an organization
- Assessing internal and external financial risks
What to include in a CMA cover letter
The following are components to include when composing a new cover letter or refining a current CMA cover letter:Contact information
The first section of a cover letter should list your contact information at the top of the page. This makes it easy for hiring managers to find your information should they wish to contact you. Elements to incorporate into your contact section include your full name, phone number, professional email and a link to your professional website or portfolio if applicable. Related: Learn About Being a Certified Management AccountantSalutation
After your contact information, you can incorporate a professional salutation for addressing the person to whom you're writing. In most cases, you'll likely address your cover letter to the hiring manager. Using the hiring manager's name can help show initiative, so if you can't find their name on the job listing or company website, consider reaching out to the organization's HR department.Introduction
An introduction should explain why you're applying for the position. You may want to include your interest in the company, how much experience you have in the field and what makes you a good fit for the role. For example, you could state that you have over 10 years of experience working as a CMA for well-known organizations. The introduction is the first part of the letter a hiring manager reads, so building a strong leading paragraph can help catch their attention and convince them to continue reading.Body
The next part of your letter is the body, in which you can continue to highlight your qualifications, experience and knowledge related to the open CMA position. Consider using keywords mentioned throughout the job listing, such as "financial operations" or "organizational budgets." This can show hiring managers you paid attention to the listing and may help your resume get through the applicant tracking system more easily. Related: Complete Guide for How To Become a Certified Management AccountantClosing
The final paragraph of your cover letter can be used to summarize important statements, such as your main qualifications or your excitement about the job. You can also add a sentence about why you feel the company is right for you and how you can positively contribute to it. It's also helpful to include a call to action that encourages the hiring manager to contact you. You could express your enthusiasm to further discuss your experience and your availability.Signature
The last component of your cover letter is a closing salutation followed by your signature. Appropriate salutations to consider using include "Respectfully," "Sincerely," and "Thank you for your consideration." Follow the salutation with either an online or hand-signed signature depending on how you're submitting the cover letter.Skills to highlight in your CMA cover letter
Certified management accountants often require several skills for success in their position, some of which may include:- Attention to detail
- Familiarity using financial software, like QuickBooks
- Familiarity with tax law
- Budgeting
- Auditing skills
- Communication skills
- Math skills
- Knowledge of accounting practices
- Critical thinking
- Data analysis
- Financial statement preparation
Tips for writing a CMA cover letter
The following are tips to keep in mind when writing a cover letter for a certified management accountant position:- Highlight your financial background. The primary role of a certified management accountant is to oversee the financial aspects of a company, so it's essential to highlight your financial education, certification and experience throughout your cover letter.
- Talk about relevant skills. While you may have a variety of skills, not all of them may relate to the job for which you're applying. Look at the job listing and incorporate the specific skills mentioned, such as working with QuickBooks or an understanding of tax laws.
- Quantify your accomplishments. Hiring managers often like to see measurable accomplishments and achievements. Whenever possible, use numbers or percentages to describe your experience, such as "I saved my previous company $14,000 by helping them identify and cut back on production costs."
- Use a professional cover letter format. Using a professional cover letter format can ensure that it's easy to read and structured in a way that allows hiring managers to quickly see what you have to offer. Tips for professional cover letter formatting include using a professional font such as Times New Roman, setting your font size to 11 or 12 points and setting 1-inch margins.
- Edit your cover letter: Editing your cover letter can help ensure there are no grammatical errors or spelling mistakes before you send it to a potential employer. You can also have a friend or colleague read it for a second opinion.