As you dive into the job application process, you'll quickly realize the significance of an attention-grabbing general ledger accounting cover letter. While your resume highlights your qualifications, your cover letter is a chance to spotlight your proudest professional achievement with a compelling narrative. It's a delicate balance: crafting a formal letter that stands out without falling into the trap of overused clichés. Remember, brevity is key – keep it to one page to make the strongest impact. Let's navigate these challenges together and set you apart from the competition.
- Personalize your general ledger accounting cover letter and get inspired by other professionals to tell a compelling story;
- Format and design your general ledger accounting cover letter to make an excellent first impression;
- Introduce your best achievement in your general ledger accounting cover letter to recruiters;
- How to make sure recruiters get in touch with you, using your general ledger accounting cover letter greeting and closing paragraphs.
What is more, did you know that Enhancv's AI can write your cover letter for you? Just upload your general ledger accounting resume and get ready to forward your job application in a flash.
If the general ledger accounting isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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General ledger accounting cover letter example
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- Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning a specific achievement, such as reducing the close cycle time by 30% at MetLife, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's ability to significantly improve accounting processes.
- Relevant Experience: Highlighting experience in financial statement preparation, compliance, and financial analysis directly correlates with the core functions of an Accounting Manager, showcasing the applicant's suitability for the position.
- Alignment with Company Values: Expressing knowledge of the company's commitment to integrity and sustainable growth demonstrates the candidate's cultural fit and an understanding of the company's strategic direction.
- Leadership Abilities: Describing the role in leading a team to achieve an important departmental goal implies strong leadership and management skills, which are crucial for an Accounting Manager.
The must-have sections and format of your general ledger accounting cover letter
When writing your general ledger accounting cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your general ledger accounting cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your general ledger accounting cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole general ledger accounting cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a general ledger accounting cover letter
Header: This includes your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information. It's essential for the recruiter to know who you are and how to reach you, aligning with professional business letter standards.
Greeting: Address the hiring manager or the recruitment team by name if possible. Personalizing the greeting shows you’ve done your research and are serious about the position.
Introduction: Open with a strong statement about your enthusiasm for the role of General Ledger Accountant and briefly mention how your skills and experience align with the job requirements.
Body: This section should detail your relevant accounting experience, understanding of general ledger tasks, proficiency with accounting software, and any experience with financial analysis or reporting. It should illustrate why you are a strong candidate for the position through examples of past achievements.
Closing: In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest in the position, thank the recruiter for considering your application, and indicate that you're looking forward to the possibility of discussing your qualifications further in an interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficiency with accounting software and advanced Excel skills: Recruiters look for candidates who are comfortable with the technology and tools central to general ledger accounting, as these skills are crucial for efficient and accurate financial record-keeping.
- Attention to detail and accuracy: General ledger accountants must ensure that all financial transactions are accurately recorded, as errors can lead to significant financial discrepancies.
- Understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP): Knowledge of GAAP is essential for preparing compliant and standardized financial statements, which is a core responsibility in general ledger accounting.
- Experience with month-end and year-end close processes: Those familiar with closing processes can efficiently reconcile accounts and prepare financial reports within tight deadlines, a common requirement for general ledger roles.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: The ability to analyze financial data and solve complex accounting issues is critical for general ledger accountants who help guide financial decision-making.
- Effective communication and collaboration abilities: General ledger accountants must communicate financial information clearly to non-accounting stakeholders and collaborate with other departments, ensuring coherence in the organization's financial matters.
Greeting recruiters with your general ledger accounting cover letter salutation
What better way to start your conversation with the hiring manager, than by greeting them?
Take the time to find out who the professional, recruiting for the role, is.
Search on LinkedIn, the company website. And for those still keen on making a fantastic first impression, you could even contact the organization, asking for the recruiter's name and more details about the job.
Address recruiters in the general ledger accounting greeting by either their first name or last name. (e.g. "Dear Anthony" or "Dear Ms. Smarts").
If you're unable to discover the recruiter's name - don't go for the impersonal "To whom it may concern", but instead use "Dear HR team".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department] Director,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [Title] [Last Name],
- Good Afternoon [Last Name],
Your general ledger accounting cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your general ledger accounting cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your general ledger accounting cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your general ledger accounting cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
The middle or body of your general ledger accounting cover letter body: a great instrument to tell a story
Now that you've set the right tone with the greeting and introduction of your general ledger accounting cover letter, it's time to get down to business.
Hear us out, the body of your general ledger accounting cover letter is the best storytelling instrument you have, in your job-hunting arsenal.
Writing the next three to six paragraphs, take the time to reassess the advert to discover job-crucial requirements.
Next, choose one accomplishment that covers those key skills and talents.
Use precisely that achievement to tell an exciting story of how you match the ideal candidate profile.
In the undertones of your story or general ledger accounting cover letter body, hint at the difference you'd make and sell your application as the perfect one for the job.
Thinking about the closing paragraph of your general ledger accounting cover letter
Before your signature, you have extra space to close off your general ledger accounting cover letter.
Use it to either make a promise or look to the future.
Remind recruiters how invaluable of a candidate you are by showing what you plan to achieve in the role.
Also, note your availability for a potential next meeting (in person or over the telephone).
By showing recruiters that you're thinking about the future, you'd come off as both interested in the opportunity and responsible.
Which story should you tell in your general ledger accounting cover letter when you have zero experience
Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.
Your general ledger accounting cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.
And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?
Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).
Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your general ledger accounting cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.
Key takeaways
Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise general ledger accounting cover letter that:
- Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the general ledger accounting resume;
- Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
- Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
- Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
- Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.
