Accounting Assistant Cover Letter Example + Tips

The primary role of an accounting assistant is to support the accounting department of a company. Their job responsibilities are often split between administrative and accounting needs. In smaller companies, accounting assistants will often be asked to perform more administrative tasks. In large a corporation, the specific function of an assistant is primarily accounting related and often narrowly defined.Accounting responsibilities can include check preparation, inventory records management, document coding, budget creation, tax document preparation and bank statement reconciliation. Oversight of accounts payable and accounts receivable are usually part of an accounting assistant’s job as well. They post financial transactions, receive and record cash, vouchers and checks, and generate balance sheets and income statements.Administrative responsibilities usually include the day-to-day office tasks like answering the telephone, filing and faxing. The accounting assistant is often responsible for managing the daily office schedule. Special project work may be requested by the accounting manager. Tax season is an especially busy time in the accounting sector, and an accounting assistant should be aware and available for likely overtime.

The minimum education requirement is an associate’s degree in office administration or accounting. Candidates advancing toward a bachelor’s degree in accounting will be prepared for career advancement as well. Familiarity with financial/accounting software and spreadsheets is required along with strong math skills. Experience in an accounting setting is preferred.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provided the following information as of May 2012: – Median salary of accounting assistants was $35,170 – Lowest 10 percent earned less that $21,610 – Top 10 percent made more than $54,310 Hopefully, your resume is ready to go. Now, it’s time to write a cover letter. Do you simply say “I saw your ad…,” or do you write an actual letter? Easy. You want an actual letter; one that enhances the work experience listed on your resume, not just repeats it. The sample cover letter below can show you how to highlight you accounting experience to make it match the requirements the hiring manager has identified. The goal of a well-crafted cover letter is to interest the hiring manager enough to read your resume and call you for an interview. After that, it’s up to you.