An accounting intern cover letter is your chance to show employers you have the foundational knowledge and drive to contribute from day one. Even without years of experience, the right letter can set you apart from dozens of other candidates applying for the same position.
Whether you are finishing your sophomore year or heading into your final semester, this guide will help you write a focused letter that highlights what matters most. If you are exploring other roles in business and finance or applying broadly to internship positions, the principles here still apply — but the details should always match the specific posting.
What employers look for in an accounting intern cover letter
Hiring managers reviewing intern applications know you are early in your career. They are not expecting a CPA. What they want to see is evidence that you can handle the basics and learn quickly.
Here is what moves the needle:
- Relevant coursework. Mention specific classes — financial accounting, managerial accounting, cost accounting, or tax — that connect to the role.
- Excel proficiency. Most accounting teams live in spreadsheets. Call out VLOOKUP, pivot tables, or any experience with accounting software like QuickBooks or SAP.
- Attention to detail. Accounting errors cost money. Any example that proves you work carefully will stand out.
- Eagerness to learn. Employers invest in interns who ask questions and absorb knowledge fast.
- Strong GPA. If your overall or major GPA is 3.5 or above, include it. Below that threshold, leave it off.
- Student organization involvement. Treasurer roles, volunteer tax prep (VITA), or accounting society membership all signal genuine interest.
How to write an accounting intern cover letter that gets interviews
1. Open with the role and a relevant qualification
Skip generic openers. Name the position, then immediately connect it to a specific class, project, or skill. This tells the reader you wrote this letter for them, not for every firm on your list.
2. Connect coursework to real tasks
Hiring managers at accounting firms care about whether you can reconcile accounts, prepare journal entries, or assist with audits. Bridge the gap between your classroom work and their daily operations. If you completed a capstone project where you analyzed financial statements for a real company, say so — and include a number. For more ideas on framing accounting skills, see our accountant cover letter guide.
3. Show you understand the company
Research the firm before you write. A mid-size regional firm values different things than a Big Four office. Reference a specific service line, client industry, or company value that attracted you. This level of effort is rare among intern applicants and immediately sets your letter apart. Our general accounting cover letter page covers how to tailor language for different firm sizes.
4. Close with a clear next step
End by restating your interest and suggesting a specific follow-up. Something like requesting a brief call to discuss how your coursework aligns with their summer workload is direct without being pushy. If you are also considering bookkeeper positions, adjust your closing to match the scope of each role.
Cover letter example
Adapt names, metrics, and achievements to your own experience.
Subject: Application for the Accounting Intern position
Dear Ms. Thornton,
I am writing to apply for the Accounting Intern position at Greystone & Associates, as advertised on your careers page. I am a junior at the University of Illinois, majoring in Accounting with a 3.7 GPA, and I am eager to apply my classroom knowledge in a professional setting.
In my Intermediate Financial Accounting course, I completed a semester-long project analyzing the financial statements of a publicly traded retail company. I identified a $2.4 million discrepancy in reported lease obligations and presented my findings to a panel of faculty and industry professionals. That experience sharpened my ability to read financial data critically and communicate findings clearly.
I am proficient in Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and conditional formatting, and I have working knowledge of QuickBooks from a part-time bookkeeping role at a local nonprofit where I processed over 150 transactions per month. As treasurer of our campus Accounting Society, I managed a $12,000 annual budget and reconciled accounts on a monthly basis.
What draws me to Greystone is your focus on serving small and mid-size manufacturing clients. I completed coursework in cost accounting that covered standard costing and variance analysis, and I would welcome the chance to support your team during the busy season.
I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my skills and coursework align with your needs. I am available for a call at your convenience.
Sincerely, Jordan Castillo
Before you send your application
Use this quick checklist to catch common mistakes before you hit submit:
- The company name and hiring manager's name are spelled correctly throughout.
- You mention at least one specific course or project relevant to the role.
- Your letter is under one page and stays focused on what you bring to the team.
- You have proofread for number errors — transposed digits look especially bad on an accounting application.
- The tone is professional but not stiff; you sound like a real person.
- You have customized the letter for this firm, not recycled a generic version.
For more role-specific guidance across business and finance positions, or to see how other candidates in similar roles structure their letters, check our bookkeeper cover letter page.
FAQ
Do I need a cover letter for an accounting internship?
Yes. Most accounting firms and corporate finance departments still expect one, especially for internship programs where they receive hundreds of similar resumes. A focused cover letter is one of the few ways to differentiate yourself. If you are new to writing them, our cover letter format guide walks through the standard structure.
What if I have no accounting work experience?
Lean on coursework, class projects, student organization roles, and any volunteer work involving finances. A VITA tax prep volunteer season or a treasurer position carries real weight with employers. Our no experience cover letter guide has additional strategies for building a compelling letter without a traditional work history.
How long should an accounting intern cover letter be?
Keep it to three or four paragraphs that fit on a single page. Recruiters at busy firms often spend less than a minute on each letter. Every sentence should earn its place.
Should I mention my GPA?
Include it if your cumulative or major GPA is 3.5 or higher. If it is lower, focus on projects, relevant skills, and extracurricular involvement instead. A strong project with measurable results often matters more than a number.
How is an accounting intern cover letter different from an entry-level one?
An intern letter emphasizes coursework, campus involvement, and eagerness to learn, while an entry-level cover letter typically highlights a completed degree and any post-graduation experience. The structure is similar, but the evidence you present shifts depending on where you are in your career.