Accounting Assistant Cover Letter Example and Template

An accounting assistant is an entry-level finance employee who supports an accounting team by handling tasks like filing, reporting, record-keeping and analysis. They may manage financial processes like payroll, tax preparation, invoicing and accounts payable, and some perform clerical office work. If you're organized and habitual with strong math skills, you may appreciate the nature of an accounting assistant career. To better prepare for your job search, read the job description and explore resume samples to learn more about what qualifications these professionals have. In this article, we discuss what to include in an accounting assistant cover, share some tips that may be helpful when writing your own and offer a sample cover letter that you could review. Cover letters and resumes can help you summarize your background and highlight your strengths to hiring managers. When you start pursuing accounting assistant jobs, you can upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume. Jerrod King
Seattle, Washington
223-555-0105
jerrodking4@email.com April 30, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager: My name is Jerrod King, and I'm writing you today to express my interest in the Accounting Assistant job at Waysmith-Crane Enterprises. I recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, and I have three years of experience in accounting positions. I'm adept at creating financial reports, processing transactions, tracking budgets and assisting in audit preparation. My systematic, goal-oriented approach to accounting allows me to help the organizations I support stay compliant and meet their financial objectives. I'm eager about the opportunity to bring my skills to Waysmith-Crane Enterprises. I've spent three years as an Accounting Intern for the Heldboro Educational Foundation. I helped this non-profit keep detailed records of their expenditures, like payroll, supplies and travel, to help them ready for tax preparation. I also created and analyzed weekly reports, summarizing key findings in a regular email to the accounting team. I supplemented my accounting duties with general office support, answering phones, responding to donor emails and filing hard copies of financial documents. I implemented a new filing system to improve the organization's records, for which the office management staff recognized me as Intern of the Month. I'm drawn to Waysmith-Crane Enterprises because of the reliance on modern technology to improve financial reporting and analysis. During my time at Sweetstate University, I worked with a broad range of accounting software, and I enjoy learning new programs to analyze financial data and create real-time forecasts. I also appreciate the value your team places on collaboration. At the Heldboro Educational Foundation, I worked alongside two Staff Accountants and a Financial Director, who each ranked my performance 5/5. I thrive when supporting busy teams moving toward a common goal, and I'm thrilled to learn Waysmith-Crane Enterprises functions the same way. Upon carefully reviewing the job description, I'm confident that my technical literacy, diligent accounting skills and passion for teamwork make me an excellent fit for Waysmith-Crane Enterprises' finance team. I'm available for an interview during business hours Monday through Friday all month, and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have about my background. I appreciate your time in considering my application. Regards,
Jerrod King To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

What to include in an accounting assistant cover letter

Below are elements that are typically included in cover letters for accounting assistant jobs:

Contact information

Begin your letter with a header that includes your name, phone number and professional email address. You could also include your city and state to add context to your application. It's beneficial if hiring managers can quickly identify your contact information so they can reach you to progress the hiring process.

Skills

Accounting assistants typically possess a particular set of technical skills and mathematical abilities that allow them to interpret financial statements, perform simple calculations and operate accounting software. In your cover letter, plan to discuss your competencies, focusing on the hard skills that enable you to complete daily job functions. You can supplement these abilities with soft skills that make you an efficient and collaborative team member. Here are some skills you could mention:

Math
Accounting software
Spreadsheets
Tax preparations
Email
Filing
Knowledge of financial regulations
Data entry
Budgets
Financial forecasting
Reporting
Organization
Time management
Phones
Office equipment
Typing

Related: 6 Essential Accounting Skills

References to the job description

You could use the job description as inspiration for the content of your letter. Mirroring some of the qualifications requested in the description could help show potential employers that you meet their needs. You could also explain how you learned of the job, especially if you have a personal reference or a connection to the company. Including important keywords and competencies could improve your chances of successfully navigating an applicant-tracking system (ATS). Related: Your Guide to Cover Letter Keywords

Work experience

Your resume may mention your work experience, but it may help to discuss your workplace achievements in greater detail in your cover letter. You could share information about the projects you worked on and the results of your actions. It may be helpful to connect these experiences to the job description or the company to which you're applying. For example, if the job description mentions that the accounting assistant's duties include helping the team switch from one bookkeeping software to another, you could discuss your experience implementing new technologies at a previous job. Related: 7 Accounting Tasks and Duties

Tips for writing an accounting assistant cover letter

Below are tips you may find helpful when crafting your cover letter:

Opt for strong language

Using active verbs and specific adjectives to describe your accomplishments could help you stand out from other candidates. Language in a cover letter is typically professional, but choosing unique, descriptive words could help you showcase your personality and present a memorable letter. Consider using verbs that imply a positive outcome, like rejuvenated, optimized or implemented. Related: How To Use Active Verbs in Resumes and Interviews

Format your letter correctly

Cover letters typically use one-inch margins on the top, bottom and sides, which you can typically adjust in your word processor settings. Pick a professional font, as most accounting assistants work in corporate environments where simple, legible documents are standard. Making your cover letter clean and easy to read may help you hold readers' attention and showcase your professionalism. Read more: How To Format a Cover Letter (With an Outline and Examples)

Customize each cover letter

Remember to write a unique cover letter for each job for which you apply. While you could discuss some of the same strengths and personality traits in your letters, it's essential to share specific reasons you want to work for each organization. Researching the companies you're applying to may help you learn more about their values, identify personal connections and explain how you fit into the culture of each team. Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed. Related: How To Become an Accounting Assistant (With Salary and Skills)