Financial Analyst cover letter example & writing guide

Financial Analysts are finance professionals who analyze data, create financial models, and advise individuals and businesses on strategic financial decisions. No matter how good you are at crunching the numbers, however, crafting a cover letter that abundantly highlights your important skills might seem like a big obstacle. But just like creating a financial statement, generating a top-notch cover letter requires a strong plan of attack, as your goal is to give the reader a straightforward idea of the unique value you bring to the table as a financial analyst.

In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding financial analyst cover letter example, we’ll discuss how to draft a cover letter that can get you noticed, including: 

• What should your financial analyst cover letter include? 

• What can you write in the introduction of the cover letter

• What information can you give in the body of the cover letter

• How to write a cover letter closing

What should your financial analyst cover letter include?   

Your financial analyst cover letter should be organized so that the reader can see your most relevant skills and qualifications right away. To this end, a good cover letter contains several elements, beginning with a header that includes your contact information as well as the name and address of the organization where you are applying. Then, you’ll greet your recipient—preferably by name. In our article on how to address a cover letter, we provide more examples and tips to accomplish this. Other sections your financial analyst cover letter should include are an introduction, the body of the letter, and a closing. We’ll review these components in detail in the following paragraphs. 

What can you write in the introduction of your cover letter?

The introduction of your cover letter needs to grab the reader’s attention and encourage them to keep reading. To accomplish this, put your achievements and skills “center stage,” placing the spotlight on the prime moments of your career over the last decade or so. 

Don’t “beat around the bush.” State your interest in the position right away. After that, dazzle the reader with your career highlights, like your high-performing investment decisions, profitable investments, or financial reports you’ve presented. If you have a referral or know another high-level employee at the company, feel free to give their name in your opening paragraph, too, as referrals can give you extra credibility. Your cover letter objective is to concisely demonstrate why you’re qualified, but also that you’re enthusiastic about the position as well as the value you’d bring to the company. 

What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for a financial analyst vacancy?  

The body of the financial analyst cover letter is the “nitty gritty” where you provide further details of your qualifications as a financial analyst, including, your relevant experience, skills, and your Unique Selling Points (USP).

To accomplish this, separate it into three sections:

1. Why you? Provide an encapsulation of your skills and relevant expertise, including your work experience, college degrees, and certifications. Underscore your accounting, business, or economic degrees or any specific financial certifications or coursework, using them to transition into your job history. Don’t focus on your day-to-day tasks. Instead, focus on quantifiable achievements at prior positions. For example, if you increased a client’s portfolio value by a significant percentage or created forecasting tools to analyze revenue deviations that realized a $500k revenue opportunity, these are constructive and important achievements to include. Don’t feel the need to play it cool. What sets you apart from the crowd? What makes you special? That’s your USP. Potential employers want to see a financial analyst who can “show them the money.” The cover letter is your opportunity to demonstrate how you can accomplish that. 

2. Why here? A generic cover letter won’t work here. Talk about what attracted you to this company and position. Have you always wanted to work for a private equity group, or are you interested in investment banking? What is it about this particular opportunity that caught your eye? Do you admire their values or global reach? Keep in mind, though, that you want to praise the company itself, but you also need to demonstrate how you would be a great fit for the team and contribute to the company culture and goals. 

3. Why now? Talk about why this position is the right fit for you at this point in your career. Is this a switch to a new environment? Is this an upgrade to a new role as a financial analyst that will help grow your skills and experience and get you one step closer to CFO? Briefly mention your career goals, your intended career path, and how your accomplishments and experience have prepared you to be the top candidate for the position—right here, right now. 

Get more in-depth advice from our blog: What should you write in a cover letter body

How to write a cover letter closing

You already know to keep the closing of your cover letter brief—1 to 2 sentences, maximum—and express gratitude for their time and attention. But keep in mind that those few sentences could help your chances of actually getting an interview by providing a call to action for the hiring manager to contact you. 

• Connect your skills to the position. Reiterate how your specific skills and experience can make you a valuable addition to the company: “My twelve years of financial management success and consistent record profits would make me a great asset to your team.”

• Include a Call to Action. Motivate the reader to take the next step in the interview process: “I look forward to meeting with you to discuss this opportunity and my qualifications in detail.”

Get your cover letter to the finish line. Learn more here: How to close a cover letter.

If you need more examples of tested and proven cover letters, check out Career.io’s Cover Letter Examples tool!