Accounting Intern Cover Letter Example and Template

Accounting interns are professionals who work in temporary positions to gain experience. They assist senior accountants with their daily responsibilities while gaining a deeper understanding of what it takes to work in this career. If you're studying to become an accountant and want to gain some professional experience, you may want to read the job description of an accounting intern. When applying for one of these roles, it's helpful to write a cover letter that highlights the information on your resume. To write an effective resume, you can browse some resume samples and templates. In this article, we discuss how to write an accounting intern cover letter, list some important skills to include in your letter, mention some key takeaways for the writing process and provide an example to help you get started. Once you've finalized your application materials, you can upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to begin applying for accounting internships. Megan Kim
Albuquerque, NM
542-555-0156
megan.kim@email.com May 6, 2023 Dear Hiring Manager, My name is Megan Kim, and I'm writing this letter to express my interest in the Accounting Intern Position at Cloudwater Investments. I'm an accounting major in my fourth year of study, and I'm looking for an internship opportunity where I can learn more about what it takes to work in this industry. I'm familiar with your business, and I'm impressed by the level of service that you provide for all your clients. With my commitment to learning and improving, I know I'd be a valuable addition to your team. Since I began my studies, I've consistently maintained a 3.6 grade-point average while participating in a variety of extracurricular activities. I'm the captain of the Mathlete team at our school, and I've led that team to the national semifinals two years in a row. I've been lucky enough to work in internship roles every summer since I started my education, so I believe that I've developed the professional abilities required to succeed in this new role. In every internship role I've held, I received excellent reviews from both my managers and coworkers. My dedication to learning in new environments has helped me succeed in each of these roles, and I believe I would make a great addition to your accounting team. After finishing my education, I plan to earn my Certified Public Accountant Certification (CPA). Once I've earned this certification, I'd like to find a full-time position where I can help private individuals manage their finances. My hope is that I can use this internship as an opportunity to build lasting professional relationships. I'm incredibly excited about the opportunity to work for this company. I've attached my resume and three professional references for you to review. If you have any questions about my qualifications, please feel free to contact me via phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you to learn more about this role. Sincerely,
Megan Kim To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write an accounting intern cover letter

Here are some steps you can follow to write an effective accounting intern cover letter:

1. Introduce yourself

When writing your letter, it's important to use a professional format. Professional cover letters begin with your name and contact information, so including a header with these details is a good first step. If the application doesn't specify what information to include, it's a good idea to start with your full name, phone number, email address and the city where you live. Related: Is a Cover Letter Necessary? (With Other FAQs About Cover Letters)

2. Address the reader

After introducing yourself, the next step is to address the reader. Addressing the reader is another important part of a professional cover letter format, so including this at the start of your page is key. If you don't know the name of the employee who reviews the applications, you can address the letter to the hiring manager.

3. Mention why you're interested in the job

The main part of your letter should discuss why you're interested in the position. If you're studying accounting, you can discuss how you think this internship would provide you with valuable professional experience. Depending on how advanced your education is, an internship may be a learning opportunity or an avenue toward full-time employment. Depending on the job, it may be a good idea to mention the potential of transitioning to a full-time job after the internship expires. Related: A Guide To Finding an Internship During College

4. Discuss your experience and education

After you've mentioned why you're interested in the role, discuss any relevant education or professional experiences you have. Most hiring managers understand that students applying for internships might not have an extensive work history, so it's ok to focus on academic achievements. Mention what your major is, your current level of education and what you plan to do once you graduate. If you have relevant work history, it's important to discuss what you've learned in any previous internship roles.

5. Relate your skills to the job

In addition to your relevant experience and education, discuss your skills. When talking about your skills, it's important to explain how each of them connects to the duties of an accounting intern. Explaining why your skills make you an ideal candidate for the internship can help show the hiring manager that you understand the job's responsibilities. If you aren't sure how to discuss your skills, it can be helpful to mention a few examples of how they've helped you succeed in school. Related: 5 Paid Internships for College Students and How To Choose the Right One for You

6. Thank the reader

In the conclusion paragraph of your letter, thank the reader for taking the time to review your application. You may also want to include a call to action, such as asking the hiring manager to contact you via phone or email if they have any questions about your qualifications. At this point, it's also a good idea to briefly summarize some of the key information in your letter. Summarizing your letter at the end can help reinforce any important points you've made about how your qualifications make you an excellent candidate.

Skills to include in your accounting intern cover letter

Here are some important skills that you may want to include in your cover letter:

Math skills

When writing your accounting intern cover letter, demonstrating your proficiency with numbers can be helpful. Accountants spend a lot of time working with figures, so strong math skills can help you succeed in this role. If you aren't sure how to demonstrate these skills, you may want to list some relevant educational accomplishments, such as passing a high-level math course. If you're involved in extracurricular activities that use math, mentioning those in the letter can also help. Related: 20 Math Degree Courses (And the Topics They Cover)

Communication skills

Working as an intern often involves collaborating with your team, so effective communication skills can be essential. When writing your letter, include a few examples of relevant experiences you've had that required effective communication. If you aren't sure what to write about, discuss some group projects you've worked on as part of your education. It can also be helpful to discuss how your communication skills helped you succeed in any past positions.

Time management skills

Hiring managers want to find interns that complete their tasks on time and without requiring extensive supervision. When writing your letter, it's helpful to show the hiring manager that you're an organized individual. Demonstrating your ability to hit deadlines independently can show the hiring manager that you would be an asset to their team. While internships are important learning opportunities, showcasing your work ethic and independence can be an effective way to earn a full-time position at the business. Related: Financial Accounting vs. Managerial Accounting: 6 Differences

Computer skills

Most accounting professionals rely on computer programs to help complete their tasks, so strong computer skills are essential. It's a good idea to discuss your technological proficiency in the letter, as the hiring manager may want to find someone who doesn't require extensive training. Computer skills can help you adapt quickly to any systems that the business uses while also improving your ability to complete your responsibilities on time.

Attention to detail

Working as an accountant involves creating essential financial documents. The business uses these documents to track profits, manage expenses and report taxes, so it's crucial that they're free from error. Attention to detail can help you create reports that are thorough and easy to understand. When writing your letter, discuss your strong attention to detail, as this can show the hiring manager that you understand the responsibilities of this role.

Key takeaways for writing an effective accounting intern cover letter

Here are some key takeaways to remember before writing your letter:

Treat this role as a first step into the industry

An accounting internship may be your first professional experience in this industry, so it's ok to not have a lot of relevant work history. The hiring manager understands that most internship applications are from students, so it's important to focus on your academic achievements. If you have don't have any relevant work experience, you can still demonstrate your qualifications through your educational accomplishments or extracurricular activities. Related: Where To Put Extracurricular Activities on Your Resume

Be personable

While it's important to remain professional, the cover letter is an opportunity to talk about more than just your qualifications and experience. You can discuss these concepts, but it's also important to make the hiring manager feel like they're getting to know you. Being personable can help show the hiring manager that you're more than just the lines on your resume. It can also help them decide whether you'd be a good fit for the company's culture.

Use a professional format

When reviewing internship applications, hiring managers often encounter a variety of different letter formats. For many professionals, applying for an internship may be their first time going through the job application process. With this in mind, using a professional format can help distinguish your letter from the other applications that the hiring manager needs to review. If you aren't sure where to begin, it can be helpful to review some cover letter templates online before you start writing. Related: How To Format a Proper Business Letter (With Examples) Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.