45% of hiring managers read an applicant’s cover letter before even glancing at their resume.
This means your cover letter is often your first impression—and we all know how important first impressions are!
For staff accountant roles, where attention to detail and precision are critical, a strong cover letter can set you apart from the competition.
Instead of just summarizing your resume, think of your cover letter as your opportunity to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and the specific skills that make you perfect for the job.
To help you craft a winning cover letter, we’ve outlined 6 essential dos and don’ts that will make your application shine.
1. DO Tailor It to the Job Description
Hiring managers want to know why you’re the perfect fit for their team. This means aligning your skills and experience with the company’s specific needs, as outlined in the job posting.
For example, if the job description emphasizes proficiency in QuickBooks or Excel, highlight your hands-on experience with these tools and how you’ve used them to solve problems or improve efficiency.
Pro Tip: Use keywords from the job description to make your cover letter more applicant-tracking-system (ATS) friendly. This helps ensure your application gets noticed.
DON’T Copy and Paste a Generic Cover Letter
It’s tempting to use the same cover letter for every job, but this can backfire. Employers can easily spot a generic application, and it signals a lack of genuine interest in their company.
Personalizing your cover letter demonstrates enthusiasm and attention to detail—qualities every staff accountant should have.
Also Read: What are some great examples of cover letters?
2. DO Highlight Relevant Achievements
Your achievements show hiring managers what you bring to the table. Use specific, measurable examples to illustrate your value. For instance:
- Example: “In my previous role, I reduced the monthly financial close cycle by 20% by streamlining reconciliation processes.”
Pro Tip: Frame your achievements using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to clearly demonstrate your impact.
Focus on accomplishments that directly relate to the responsibilities of a staff accountant, such as preparing accurate financial reports, managing budgets, or identifying cost-saving opportunities.
DON’T Overload It with Jargon
While you want to demonstrate your technical expertise, excessive jargon can alienate the reader. A hiring manager may not always be from an accounting background, so aim for clarity and simplicity without oversimplifying your skills.
Also Read: How to start a cover letter?
3. DO Show Enthusiasm for the Role
A great cover letter conveys not just your skills but also your excitement about the position and the company. Research the organization’s mission, values, or recent accomplishments, and weave these into your letter.
- Example: “I’m inspired by [Company Name]’s dedication to innovation in the financial sector and would be thrilled to contribute by ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of your financial reports.”
DON’T Focus Only on What You Want
While it’s fine to mention your career goals, don’t let your cover letter become a list of demands. Keep the focus on what you can offer the company, not what the company can do for you.
Also Read: How to address a cover letter without a name?
4. DO Address Potential Gaps or Concerns
If you have an employment gap or are transitioning into accounting, your cover letter is the place to address it proactively. Focus on what you’ve learned or accomplished during the gap and how these experiences prepare you for the role.
- Example: “During my career break, I completed a CPA certification and volunteered as a treasurer for a local nonprofit, sharpening my financial management skills.”
DON’T Apologize or Dwell on Negatives
There’s no need to explain gaps in an overly defensive or apologetic tone. Instead of saying, “I’m sorry for the gap in my resume,” say, “My recent certification equips me with cutting-edge skills in [specific area].”
Also Read: What are some great cover letter designs?
5. DO End with a Strong Call-to-Action
The conclusion of your cover letter should leave no doubt about your enthusiasm and eagerness to discuss the role further.
- Example: “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience and skills align with your team’s goals. I look forward to connecting!”
DON’T Forget to Proofread
Even the best cover letter can be undone by typos or grammatical errors. Proofread carefully or ask a trusted friend to review it for you.
Also Read: How to write a short cover letter?
6. DO Keep It Concise and Focused
A one-page cover letter is more than enough. Use short, impactful paragraphs and avoid unnecessary fluff. Aim for 3–4 paragraphs that get straight to the point.
DON’T Repeat Your Resume
Your cover letter should add value to your resume by providing context and narrative. Instead of repeating your job titles and duties, use the cover letter to explain how your experiences prepare you for the staff accountant role.
Also Read: How to end a cover letter?
Conclusion
Crafting the perfect cover letter takes time and effort, but the right tools can make the process smoother.
Hiration’s platform offers a Cover Letter Generator, Resume Builder, and Mock Interview Simulator to help you stand out.
Whether you’re tailoring your resume, practicing for interviews, or optimizing your LinkedIn profile, Hiration’s AI-powered solutions make it easy to showcase your skills and land your dream job.
