Accounting Internship cover letter example

You’re beginning your career and you want to kick it off with an accounting internship that will get you the experience you need to step into the right job. Your cover letter can make all the difference in whether you get that interview. You need to project competence, professionalism and attention to detail. This guide is designed to help you to that by focusing on:

• The best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
• How to make the most of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
• Getting down to the writing of your cover letter
• Tips for avoiding common errors when writing your accounting internship cover letter.

Best format for an accounting internship cover letter

The goal of your accounting internship cover letter is to total up the value you will bring to the job. To do that, you need to know what goes into a great letter. 

The format of a accounting internship cover letter should contain the following elements:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting / salutation
• The cover letter intro
• The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)

If you’re looking for general advice on cover letters, our comprehensive cover letter guide  will tell you all you need to know. Below you will find specific advice on how to develop the most effective paragraphs possible. 

Below you will find a complete accounting internship cover letter example to use as a starting point for developing your own application.

Cover letter header

The header of your accounting internship cover letter announces your name and important contact details so that hiring managers can easily reach you to schedule an interview. This is the only design element of your cover letter, and while you want to attract attention, accounting is a relatively conservative field, so match your header style (and the tone of your writing) to the professional demeanor you will adopt on the job. 

The header should include your name and the best phone number and email address to use to contact you quickly.

Cover letter greeting

The greeting of your accounting internship sets the tone for your cover letter and your candidacy as a whole. Stick with a formal opening, since your chosen career requires professionalism and precision.

We suggest “Dear Dr./Mr./Ms. [Surname].” Most of our cover letter samples begin this way. Why? Because it is professional but warm. It gives the reader the sense that you are addressing them and that you took the time to get to know their name. If you absolutely cannot find out who to address your letter to, you may use “Dear Accounting Team.” Avoid the stuffy “To Whom It May Concern.” It sounds outdated and impersonal.

Cover letter introduction

Your introduction tells recruiters a bit about where you are, who you are, and where you want to go. It also previews what you will say in the middle part, or body of your letter. Since you are looking for an accounting internship, you should explain whether you have finished your degree or where you are in the process and what you think is most important about accounting work.

Use strong descriptions of your skills that will pique the interest of the internship coordinator.

The cover letter sample below will help you get started.

Cover letter middle part (body)

The middle part, or body, of your accounting internship letter gets to the heart of your application. Why do you want this internship as opposed to another? What have you learned at college that you will bring to the job?

Since you probably don’t have a lot of work experience, you should focus on your accounting philosophy and what drew you to the career. Describe your work style and focus on the soft skills you do have. These include reliability, leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and attention to detail. Any college experiences that relate directly to the requirements of the internship are a great addition to this part of your cover letter. 

How to end an accounting internship cover letter (conclusion & sign-off)

You’ve explained why you want the internship and made an accounting of your skills. Now it’s time to remind the recruiter why you are the right person for the job. 

If you have space in this closing paragraph, you may choose to relate an anecdote that lends professional personality to your letter or if you did not do so in your introduction, explain your accounting philosophy or why you chose the career. 

Finally, you need a call-to-action, or a polite interview request.

See our cover letter sample text below for an idea of how to word your call-to-action, or request for an interview.

Avoiding basic mistakes in an accounting internship cover letter

• Be careful! You’re in a field that requires precision, so any typo, formatting error or misstep could cost you the interview.
• Know your audience. Maintain a professional tone throughout. Especially take care that if you choose to relate a personal anecdote that you don’t veer into casual writing.
• You’re a college student or recent graduate who may have a cute email address you used with your friends. Don’t use that for your applications. Instead, use your college email address or get one with a format such as firstname.lastname@email.

Key takeaways

1. An accounting internship is a great first step to enter the industry and gain experience, and a cover letter is the best place to showcase what makes you stand out.
2. Don’t forget to build a human connection with the employer while highlighting your skills and accomplishments.
3. Your layout and design make a big difference, so don’t forget to check out our accounting internship cover letter sample for more ideas.