Accounts payable clerk cover letter

Accounts Payable Clerk Cover Letter (With Examples)

Cover letters aren’t as widely requested as they used to be. Many job applications list a cover letter as optional. So, to write one or not to write one — that is the question.

Short answer: yes, you should write one.

Long answer: chances are your letter probably won’t be read, but that still doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to submit one. Why? Because it shows a good work ethic, demonstrates that you’re willing to put in extra time and effort to get the job, and gives you an extra opportunity to introduce yourself.

Many hiring managers skim through a stack of cover letters without paying much attention because the vast majority of those letters are generic. Lazy or uncreative applicants simply copied and pasted templates from the web with a few tweaks such as updating the name and position.

But if you follow the tips in this article and avoid some common cover letter mistakes, your letter will stand out from the mundane templates being passed off as original work. Done correctly, it may even elevate you above the competition and help you secure that coveted interview.

Parts of an Accounts Payable Clerk Cover Letter

The responsibilities of an accounts payable clerk can include completing payments and controlling expenses by receiving, processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices, ensuring credit is received, issuing stop-payments or purchase-order amendments, preparing letters of transmittal, verifying vendor accounts, and a myriad of other tasks.

This type of job is all about numbers, although other soft skills such as good communication are also valuable. It’s important to point out that accounts payable and notes payable are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences between the two.

Whether your cover letter is accompanying a federal resume or a basic resume, it should follow the standard format and include these key components:

1. Your contact information

2. The organization’s information

3. Dear [Manager Name],

4. First paragraph: intent and the opening hook

5. Second paragraph: main body with key skills and accomplishments concerning the job requirements

6. Third paragraph: closing lines with a compelling call to action

7. Best regards, followed by name and title

Be sure to keep your cover letter contained on a single sheet of paper. This means that your space is limited, so you can’t afford to waste it with wordy pleasantries or irrelevant experience. Every sentence needs to pull its own weight and contribute.

Your cover letter should also have a clean, professional-looking layout. If you have any uncertainties about how to format a cover letter, browse free cover letter templates for assistance.

Accounts Payable Clerk Cover Letter Opening

Just like putting your contact information on your resume, it’s important to make sure these details can be quickly and easily located. List your contact information for both you and the company to which you are applying at the top of the letter so a hiring manager can contact you without having to hunt for your phone number or address.

If at all possible, address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, use a gender-neutral greeting such as “Dear [Company Name] Recruitment Manager.”

Tip: addressing your letter to “Sir or Madam” or “To whom it may concern” is a big no. It is unoriginal, and even worse, there’s a chance a hiring manager might think you’re sending a generic cover letter to multiple employers without taking the time to personalize each one.

While a neutral “Dear Hiring Manager” or similar phrase is acceptable in place of a name, consider mentioning the company and/or department to make it a little more personalized.

Keep in mind that a hiring manager is likely skimming through a lot of boring, generic cover letters sent as a formality instead of a genuine pitch, so if you don’t start with a bang right away to catch his or her attention, your letter is going to be passed over.

Start by clearly communicating which position you are applying for, then immediately follow with an impactful accomplishment. If you can utilize numbers and statistics, which are proven eye-catchers, you’ll be off to a strong start.

Note that the applicant in the example personalized her cover letter by providing exact numbers to demonstrate her years of experience and her commitment to improving efficiency. Taking this approach instead of relying on market buzzwords and empty, generic claims about increasing revenue is a proven attention-grabbing technique.

Accounts Payable Clerk Cover Letter Body

Once you’ve captured a hiring manager’s attention, the goal is to keep it. To prove that you’re the ideal candidate for the position, you need to explain:

1. Why you want this job

2. The skills that qualify you for the specific requirements of the job

3. Why you are the perfect fit for the position

Avoid following a great opening paragraph with a boring list of general skills and accomplishments that have nothing to do with the specific job listing.

Instead, you need to demonstrate that you’ve not only taken the time to research the position and company but also fully understand what’s expected of you in this type of role. Then, highlight your most relevant skills and tie them directly to the company’s needs.

Note that the applicant first demonstrates that she understands the company’s needs, then breaks those needs down with specific personal examples to prove that she is capable of fulfilling the company’s demands. This format is concise and easy to read, and it draws a clear connection to show why she’s a great candidate.

Accounts Payable Clerk Cover Letter Closing Lines

This letter is off to a great start, but it still needs a strong ending to close on a high note and leave a lasting impression. The conclusion should consist of a quick recap and optimistic closing to remind the hiring manager why you should be considered one of the leading candidates.

The applicant in this example has successfully wrapped up her closing in a concise but powerful way that demonstrates her knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine desire for the company’s short-term and long-term success.

Example of an Accounts Payable Clerk Cover Letter

Putting all the parts together illustrates how the ideal cover letter should start with an attention-grabber and maintain that same level of energy and competency throughout the entire pitch.

Final Thoughts

If you’re listing accomplishments from your resume but are worried that you don’t have much administrative experience to reference yet, rely on relevant coursework and school achievements. You can also list contract work on your resume and cover letter.

Writing a cover letter may seem like a daunting task at first, but if you break the process up step by step and follow a similar pattern to the example provided in this article, you have a greater chance of standing apart from the competition and catching a hiring manager’s attention.

Best-case scenario, your cover letter blows the manager away and makes him or her want to scramble for the phone and call you in for an interview.

Worst-case scenario, the recruitment manager never reads your letter, which means you spent an hour or so on additional prep work and are now equipped with talking points for the interview. If you’re fortunate enough to advance to the interview phase, be sure to follow up with a thank-you letter after the interview.

However you roll the dice, taking the time to write and submit a cover letter is a worthwhile use of your time.