cover letter for accounts jobs- appraisal please!

skintpaul

Clearly I need some help, if only to get an interview at least..

Most applications are based around the following text, amended for each position. Any thoughts hints, etc welcome- please be gentle!

"I have just viewed your job vacancy for 'Accounts Assistant' on (website name), and would like to be considered for this position.

Most of my career has been accounts based- various promotions were gained when working (approx five years each) at both (company #1) - filing, loan admin, credit control- then later at (company #2), analyzing credit card debts, reconciling debt ledgers, serving the switchboard, and then onto arranging travel for staff at the (#3), near Gatwick Airport.

I have also gained extensive data entry skills, while temping at (#4) and (#5) - allocating cheque and BACS payments, for new and ongoing accounts. Some required manual split allocations, for larger clients, so self-audits were done each day to ensure that all funds were accurately assigned.

My qualifications include a BTEC in Business & Finance, the ITQ ('ECDL Extra'), and last year I completed level 1 of the AAT accounts course-

I have just started part time study for level 2, one afternoon a week at (college name ).

This will develop my accounting skills further, and gain a better awareness of such an important function, within a company.

I have a very good eye for detail (data entry, proof reading etc), have a calm clear telephone manner, and work well with others, in any environment.

My CV is attached to this application, for reference. I am available, and very eager, to start immediately.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards ...

Scorpio33

I would start with:


"I have just viewed your job vacancy for 'Accounts Assistant' on (website name), and would like to be considered for this position. My CV is attached to this application and I am available to start immediately."


then I would use the next few paragraphs to highlight why your skills match the specific role. For example, if it was a credit control role, highlight your "at (company #1) I worked within credit control and within (company #2), I reconciled debt ledgers and achieved xx"


The cover letter should be highlighting key points to draw the attention in of the potential employer.


However, for a general application I would put:


"I have an extensive range of experience in Finance, including loan admin and credit control in (Company #1), analyzing credit card debts, reconciling debt ledgers in (Company #2). I have also had temporary roles in (#4 and #5), where I allocated cheque and BACS payments and gained extensive data entry skills.


I am keen to learn, have a BTEC in Business & Finance, and have completed level 1 of the AAT accounts course. I am looking to further this study with practical experience and feel this role will be enable me to fulfil this.


I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards ... "


You don't want to sound too eager.


To be fair though, your CV is much more important than the covering letter. The point in both the CV and the letter is to match your skills to the role they are advertising.

Let me know if you want more.

jobbingmusician

The sentence below is grammatically incorrect.

skintpaul wrote: »

This will develop my accounting skills further, and gain a better awareness of such an important function, within a company.

'This' relates to a course, which will NOT gain better awareness....etc.

You could revise it to say

This will develop my accounting skills further, and enable me to gain a better awareness of such an important function, within a company.

or

This will develop my accounting skills further, and expand my knowledge of how more specialist accounting functions can be used to benefit my employer.

Just a suggestion

Acc72

It is difficult to comment without seeing the ad.


Each cover letter and CV should be tweaked to the specific requirements outlined in the ad.


eg. if the requirements are AAT level 1 qualified with 2 years experienced in an office environment then your letter would start with how you are AAT level 1 qualified with 2 years experience in an office environment etc.


The recruiter will only spend a very short amount of time reading the letter and CV so make sure that you include the key points and don't make the letter too long or include unnecessary details as the important stuff might get lost.


Good luck.