Business & Finance·Mid level·3 min read

Accountant cover letter

Write a Accountant cover letter that highlights GAAP, Financial reporting, Month-end close. Get role-specific tips and examples.

A strong Accountant cover letter goes beyond listing skills. Hiring managers want to see how you've applied GAAP and Financial reporting to deliver results. This guide covers what to include, common mistakes to avoid, and how to stand out.

What to highlight

  • 1CPA or other certifications
  • 2Close process improvements
  • 3Audit results and findings
  • 4ERP system experience
  • 5Industry-specific accounting knowledge

Key skills to mention

GAAPFinancial reportingMonth-end closeReconciliationTax complianceAudit supportExcel

Tools & software

QuickBooksSAPNetSuiteExcelOracleSage

Mistakes to avoid

  • Not prominently featuring CPA
  • Being vague about company size
  • Ignoring system experience
  • Not mentioning compliance knowledge

Relevant certifications

  • CPA
  • CMA
  • EA

Frequently asked questions

Is CPA required for accountant roles?

Not always, but it's strongly preferred for senior roles. Mention if you're pursuing it.

Should I mention company size?

Yes. Accounting at a startup vs Fortune 500 is different. Show you can handle the scale.

How do I show growth potential?

Mention process improvements, additional responsibilities, and career development (CPA progress, etc.).

Example accountant cover letter

I'm writing to apply for the Accountant position at [Company]. As a CPA with 5 years of experience managing month-end close processes and financial reporting for a mid-sized company, I bring the accuracy and attention to detail your team needs.

At my current role, I reduced month-end close time from 10 days to 6 through process automation and better reconciliation workflows. I've managed full-cycle accounting including AR/AP, general ledger, and bank reconciliations for a company with $20M annual revenue. My audit support has resulted in clean opinions three years running, and I'm experienced with both QuickBooks and NetSuite. I take pride in maintaining organized, accurate records.

I'm drawn to [Company]'s growth trajectory and would welcome the chance to bring my accounting expertise to your finance team. Thank you for considering my application.

Replace [Company] with the actual company name. Customize the details to match your experience.

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