It is a great time to be applying for an internship! A key part of a well-rounded application is a cover letter. In this article, I will walk you through how to write a standout accounting internship cover letter.
How to Write Accounting Internship Cover Letters
I have coached clients through and written hundreds of cover letters, and this is the tried-and-true process I go through each time I sit down to write one. Keep in mind, the steps I recommend are for a highly tailored cover letter that will speak directly to the hiring manager and job description for the accounting internship you are seeking.
Step 1: Start with the job description
Print the job description for the accounting internship first. This is a very important step for several reasons. One, it allows you to mark up the document and make notes. Second, and most importantly, it will serve as a record for you of which accounting internships you applied to and will help you prepare when you are called for an interview.
After you have printed the job description, read it closely and highlight all skills, duties, knowledge, and personal qualifications that you meet. Sometimes students will read a job description and then quickly decide they aren’t qualified enough to apply. Hear me on this, rarely will a company ever have an applicant that meets every single requirement or desire they have put in a position description. Companies write a job description with the ideal person in mind. If you meet half of the requirements, I encourage you to apply, especially for internships.
If the opposite happens and you have highlighted most of the position description, that’s impressive! The next step for you is to decide which qualifications are most impressive or most desired for the company. Those will be what you highlight in your cover letter.
Step 2: Research the company and department
Before you begin writing, spend at least 15 minutes online looking at the company’s website, Google profile, LinkedIn page, etc. If the hiring manager or supervisor for the internship is not listed on the job description, see if you can figure out who the hiring manager/supervisor will be through research.
Also, look closely for the company’s mission statement and values. What alignments do you see between your own and the company? Writing to these similarities and speaking with this voice in your cover letter can be very compelling.
Step 3: Writing the opening paragraph
Similar to a five-paragraph essay structure that you likely learned in middle school, you want a great introduction paragraph that hooks the audience. Much like resumes, candidates have a small opportunity to convince the audience to keep writing. Your introduction paragraph must capture their attention.
I typically ask candidates, what is one thing that you want to make sure the hiring manager knows about you? Or what is your greatest selling point? Your responses to those questions will help you determine what will hold the attention of the hiring manager.
The opening paragraph should do two things:
- Express enthusiasm
- Convince the audience to keep reading and learn more about you
Step 4: Body paragraphs of an accounting internship cover letter
The biggest mistake I see people make when writing a cover letter is they want to include their entire story and address too many topics in one short document. Remember, the purpose of your cover letter is to earn an invitation to interview. Then, in the interview, you can elaborate more on your qualifications, history, etc.
Rather than trying to tell your entire story or address all qualifications in a cover letter, choose wisely and give tangible evidence of your best qualities and most relevant experience. For students applying to internships, I recommend using one body paragraph to highlight educational accomplishments and relevant course work, and a second body paragraph to highlight relevant work experience, soft skills, or work history.
As you write your body paragraphs, bring your qualifications and accomplishments to life. For example, instead of writing “I am majoring in accounting and am a great student,” one can write, “I am thoroughly enjoying my coursework in accounting! Through hard work, I have proudly maintained a 3.9 GPA as a full-time student and part-time employee. My GPA and President’s List accomplishments demonstrate my ability to manage my time well as well as unmatched dedication to the goals I set for myself.”
The example above provides tangible evidence of successes and soft skills. Anyone can say they are a hard worker. Employers are interested in how you have demonstrated that trait and what outcomes have proven it.
Step 5: Close the letter confidently
Your word choice in the closing paragraph matters. I see many students applying to internships close their cover letters very abruptly or with weak wording. I coach candidates to use strong, confident wording. “I hope to hear from you soon” isn’t as strong as “I look forward to discussing my qualifications in a formal interview!”
The closing paragraph should also remind the audience of a strong attribute that you can offer their team. So, like the introduction paragraph, this is your opportunity to make a lasting impression and get that invite to interview!
Finalizing and formatting your letter
After you have your paragraphs written, I encourage you to use Google’s free service, Grammarly, to check your letter for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Additionally, have a trusted adult proofread your letter as well.
Formatting for an accounting internship cover letter should also not be overlooked. Attention to detail is important in your field, and this is a great opportunity to demonstrate your capability! To begin, use the same header as your resume as a letterhead for your cover letter. Then, I recommend using block-style business letter formatting for your cover letter. Making sure your letter follows proper business formatting will highlight your professionalism and written communication skills.
Feeling unsure about your accounting internship cover letter?
Writing a cover letter is challenging! But a well-written accounting internship cover letter can be the difference in whether you get an invitation to interview. If you’re feeling unsure about your cover letter or want a second set of eyes with years of experience, I can help! Reach out using the Contact page or book a free consultation to speak with me via Zoom!
