When you start applying for jobs, you quickly realise that including a cover letter with your CV is a excellent way to stand out. But what should your cover letter focus on?
Should it emphasise your key achievements or simply list your responsibilities? And how can you effectively demonstrate that you're the ideal fit for the role?
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is either underselling themselves or overstating their experience.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to craft a compelling cover letter by showcasing your most significant professional achievement and telling the story behind it.
Cover letter examples for finance director
Explore additional finance director cover letter samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Finance Director
- Emphasises extensive experience by outlining over 10 years in senior finance roles, showcasing reliability and industry understanding crucial for a Finance Director position.
- Highlights specific achievements, such as improving profitability by 25%, which demonstrates the ability to drive tangible financial results.
- Mentions successful stakeholder engagement and collaboration with senior management that resulted in a 12% business turnover increase, underscoring leadership and strategic planning skills.
- Integrates passion for environmental sustainability, reflecting a forward-thinking approach and aligning with modern business trends towards sustainable growth.
Junior Finance Director
- Highlighting practical experience in financial management and team leadership within the luxury hospitality industry demonstrates a strong alignment with the requirements of an Assistant Director of Finance role.
- Mention of GAAP compliance and continuous improvement in profitability metrics underscores a robust understanding of financial standards and the ability to enhance the financial health of an organisation.
- Achievements such as leading cost-saving initiatives and improving team performance provide tangible evidence of past successes and potential future contributions.
- Relevant certifications (e.g., Advanced GAAP Standards Certification) show commitment to professional development and expertise in specialised financial areas.
Interim Finance Director
- Highlighting Relevant Experience: Emphasising leadership roles in prestigious international charities such as Oxfam International, Save the Children UK, and British Red Cross underscores a strong background in finance leadership, aligning well with the requirements for a strategic and advisory role.
- Strategic Achievements: Providing specific examples of cost-efficiency improvements and successful financial process overhauls, such as a £3 million budget saving, effectively demonstrates tangible achievements and value addition to previous employers.
- Emphasising Soft Skills and Team Development: By detailing successful coaching and high team morale improvements, the letter underscores the candidate’s ability to enhance team performance, which is crucial for a leadership role.
- Relevant Certifications: Mentioning the Certified Change Management Professional certification adds credibility and shows formal training in managing organisational changes, vital for strategic change management roles.
Group Finance Director
- Emphasise relevant certifications: Highlighting the "Chartered Accountant Qualification (ACA)" showcases the candidate's high-level financial management skills and aligns with the requirements for a Finance Director role.
- Quantify achievements: Providing specific figures, such as increasing EBITDAs by 20% and managing a turnover exceeding £50m, demonstrates the candidate's capability to drive financial performance and strategic impact.
- Demonstrate leadership and team management: Mentioning leadership roles, such as leading a team of 20 in restructuring financial processes, indicates the candidate's ability to manage and guide teams effectively, which is crucial for a director-level role.
- Showcase regulatory compliance expertise: Highlighting achievement with regulatory compliance, like ensuring zero compliance breaches, indicates the candidate's thorough understanding and execution of compliance standards, essential for a Finance Director.
Assistant Finance Director
- Emphasise advanced credentials such as CIMA and ACCA to demonstrate proficiency in financial systems and contribute credibility to the role.
- Highlight leadership and team management skills showcased through experience in overseeing teams and leading initiatives that drive financial improvement.
- Utilise specific achievements such as improving budget accuracy and implementing process automation to provide concrete examples of efficiency and effectiveness in finance roles.
- Mention relevant courses and professional development in strategic leadership and advanced financial reporting to exhibit continuous learning and expertise in financial management and strategy.
Associate Finance Director
- Emphasising Leadership: The cover letter highlights leadership by showcasing the ability to lead financial teams, improve technical skills, and foster a culture of excellence, essential qualities for an Associate Director of Finance role.
- Stressing Financial Acumen: It underscores the candidate's expertise in financial modelling, budget management, and cost-saving strategies, crucial for a role focused on financial planning and analysis.
- Showcasing Achievements: The cover letter effectively presents quantifiable achievements, such as managing a £50 million budget, improving reporting efficiencies, and delivering cost savings, which lend credibility and weight to the applicant's experience.
- Relevant Certifications: Highlighting certifications like the Advanced Financial Modelling Certification and leadership courses demonstrates a commitment to continuous professional development, aligning with the specialist and leadership demands of the role.
Deputy Finance Director
- Emphasise the extensive experience in financial management, as demonstrated by over 15 years in the field, to signify expertise and depth of knowledge.
- Highlight achievements such as the "Financial Strategy Excellence Award" and "Innovative Budgeting Techniques Recognition" to demonstrate a track record of excellence and innovation in finance.
- Showcase leadership capabilities by mentioning the management and improvement of teams, with a significant 30% performance enhancement, indicating strong team leadership skills.
- Draw attention to transformational projects that resulted in increased efficiency, like the 25% process time reduction through digitisation, to underline the candidate's ability to drive change and improve operations.
By Role
Finance Director of Operations
- Strategic Financial Leadership: Highlighting over 15 years of strategic leadership in financial and operational management sets a strong foundation for the role, indicating experience in high-stakes decision-making and financial strategising.
- Proven Track Record of Innovation: Demonstrating the ability to lead projects that significantly boost efficiency and cut costs, such as the 35% enhancement in organisational efficiency, showcases a results-oriented mindset crucial for a leadership role.
- Advanced Education Credentials: Featuring an MBA from the University of Cambridge underlines the candidate's strong academic background, essential for a role involving complex financial and operational oversight.
- Comprehensive Skill Set: Skills such as risk management, compliance, and data security are directly relevant to the responsibilities of a Director of Finance and Operations, offering assurance of the candidate's capability to navigate crucial aspects of the role.
Finance Director of Strategic Planning
- The cover letter effectively highlights relevant certifications like the "Mergers and Acquisitions Certification" from London Business School, which is critical for a role focused on Corporate Strategy and M&A.
- The inclusion of specific achievements, such as leading a $200 million acquisition, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's experience and success in similar strategic initiatives.
- A strong emphasis is placed on strategic skills such as "Strategic Planning" and "Market Research," which are essential for the role of a Director in Strategic Planning and Corporate Strategy.
- Detailed mention of language proficiencies, particularly the candidate's fluent English and conversational French, can be an asset for roles involving international strategy or dealing with cross-border M&As.
Non-Profit Finance Director
- Emphasising Leadership: Clearly highlighting leadership experience by detailing responsibilities such as leading finance teams to achieve cost reductions and compliance improvements showcases suitability for senior roles like Director of Finance.
- Achievements and Impact: Quantifying accomplishments, such as a 25% operational cost reduction and a 15% increase in investment returns, offers concrete evidence of past successes and value potential for prospective employers.
- Industry-Relevant Courses and Education: Citing advanced education, such as a Master of Finance from the University of Cambridge, alongside specialised courses like Strategic Financial Management, reinforces expertise and ongoing professional development.
- Passion Alignment: Including personal passions such as Theatre and Performing Arts aligns with relevant industry roles like those at the Royal Shakespeare Company, indicating a deep understanding and enthusiasm for the sector.
Corporate Finance Director
- Focus on Achievements: The cover letter effectively highlights specific, quantifiable achievements such as securing transactions worth over £100 million, leading a team to increase sales by 30%, and achieving top sales performer status. This demonstrates the candidate's proven success in the field.
- Emphasis on Core Skills: Core skills like corporate finance, trade receivables financing, and business development are prominently featured, showcasing the candidate's expertise relevant to the role.
- Relevant Experience: The candidate's experience in roles like Director of Sales and Senior Business Development Manager, along with strategic roles in corporate finance, align well with the responsibilities of Director positions in sales and business development.
- Education and Professional Development: Highlighting advanced education in finance and completion of specialised courses demonstrates commitment to professional growth and expertise in specific areas of finance.
Finance Director of Risk Management
- Emphasising Leadership: Highlighting leadership achievements such as a 25% growth in lending portfolios and mentoring that led to a 40% increase in successful independent assessments can strengthen credibility for a director-level role.
- Focusing on Industry-Specific Experience: Detailing experience utilising bespoke risk solutions for high-net-worth clients and collaboration to improve deal structures showcases the depth of expertise in credit risk management, crucial for Wealth Management.
- Highlighting Advanced Certifications: Mention of an Advanced Credit Risk Management certification from a recognised body underscores expertise in credit risk methodologies, adding further weight to candidacy for senior positions.
- Balancing Skills with Results: Aligning skills such as Regulatory Compliance and Portfolio Management with quantifiable outcomes like improving portfolio quality by 30% adds tangible evidence of capability.
International Finance Director
- The cover letter effectively highlights experience and achievements related to financial analysis, showcasing relevant expertise for strategic finance roles in the fashion industry.
- It provides specific examples of cost-saving and efficiency improvements, such as reducing administrative costs by 15%, which demonstrate a proven track record in optimising financial processes.
- There is a clear connection between volunteer experiences and the desired impact in a finance role, particularly through collaboration and innovative budgeting solutions for projects with limited resources.
- Relevant education and courses, such as a degree in Finance and certifications in Financial Modelling and Forecasting, strengthen the applicant's qualifications and credibility in strategic financial planning.
Finance Director of Mergers and Acquisitions
- Certification Relevance: Highlighting the "Hydrogen Energy Transition Certification" from the Hydrogen Council showcases specialised knowledge crucial for roles in energy transition and hydrogen strategies.
- Proven Leadership and Results: Emphasising achievements, such as leading a team to a 35% increase in client revenue, provides tangible evidence of effective leadership and strategic planning capabilities.
- Industry Influence: Mentioning the leadership of the Net Zero conference and influence on UK energy policy demonstrates thought leadership and an active role in shaping industry discourse.
- Relevant Experience: Detailing directorial roles in major firms such as PwC and EY, along with specific outcomes (e.g., £20 million client revenue), reinforces credibility and industry experience.
Finance Director of Compliance
- Emphasising strategic financial leadership and the ability to increase budget efficiency are crucial given the high-level managerial expectations for a Director of Finance role.
- Highlighting leadership in cross-functional team environments shows capability in collaborating across departments, an essential skill for achieving organisational financial objectives.
- Demonstrating success in vendor negotiation and cost reduction, such as a 12% reduction in costs, illustrates a proven track record in improving an organisation's financial performance.
- Citing significant achievements, like directing financial analysis for new initiatives, showcases an ability to leverage financial data for informed decision-making, aligning with strategic leadership qualities required in the role.
Finance Director of Budgeting
- Highlighting certifications such as the Risk Management Professional Certification enhances credibility for positions in finance that require advanced risk analysis and mitigation skills.
- Emphasising leadership experience, such as heading risk management transformations and strategic finance projects, underlines the candidate's ability to innovate and lead in high-pressure environments.
- Demonstrating measurable achievements like a 15% operational cost reduction and improved forecasting accuracy by 25% offers quantifiable evidence of the candidate's impact, aligning with strategic finance priorities.
- Articulating passions such as financial mentorship and charity aligns personal values with organisational mission, which can resonate with roles focused on social impact and community-based financial strategies.
Finance Director of Investment
- Highlighting strategic leadership and commercial success which are crucial for a Director of Finance role, ensuring the reader understands the candidate's capability to lead significant financial undertakings.
- Emphasising achievements such as increasing funding efficiency by 30% and boosting regional connectivity through a £50M infrastructure initiative demonstrates tangible impacts and value the candidate has brought to previous roles.
- Showcasing advanced skills in financial management and stakeholder engagement emphasises the candidate's ability to handle complex financial strategies and maintain crucial relationships, which are vital for a role impacting public sector financial governance.
- Listing education and courses related to finance and strategic leadership adds credibility to the candidate's knowledge base, underscoring their suitability for overseeing significant financial portfolios and strategic initiatives.
Finance Director of Treasury
- Highlight Specialised Experience: The cover letter effectively emphasises Ella's over 15 years in quantitative model development, which is crucial for a senior role like Quant Model Developer Director. Highlighting specific expertise in asset and liability modelling and non-maturing deposit models showcases specialised knowledge that is highly relevant to the role.
- Quantify Achievements: Ella's accomplishments are well quantified, such as improving prediction accuracy by 25% and achieving zero breaches in risk management policies. Clearly stated metrics provide tangible evidence of her capabilities and the impact of her work.
- Showcase Leadership: The document underscores Ella's leadership prowess, such as leading a 20-member team and advising senior management. For a director-level position, demonstrating the ability to lead and influence strategic decisions is critical.
- Relevant Education and Courses: Ella's education in Financial Mathematics and Mathematics is pertinent to the role, and additional courses like Advanced Financial Modelling further reinforce her technical proficiency and commitment to continuous learning.
Finance Director of Financial Reporting
- Relevant Certifications: Highlight certifications such as the 'Non-Profit Financial Management' from the Open University that align with the role's focus on financial control and non-profit management.
- Specific Skills and Experience: Emphasise skills like 'Audit Preparation' and 'Financial Modelling', mentioning their direct impact such as reduced audit errors and improved financial reporting accuracy.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Include achievements with specific percentages and figures, such as boosting team productivity by 25%, to demonstrate effectiveness and impact in previous roles.
- Passion for Relevant Causes: Incorporate personal passions, such as 'Mental Health Advocacy', that align with the mission of non-profit roles, showing a deeper personal connection to the work.
Finance Director of Audit
- Strong Industry Specific Experience: Highlighting 12+ years in external audits within the FS insurance sector demonstrates deep industry knowledge and expertise relevant to the role of an Audit Director.
- Leadership and Impact: Emphasis on proven leadership abilities with achievements such as managing a team of 10 and leading 25+ audit engagements per year reinforces capacity to lead and deliver significant impacts.
- Innovative Solutions: Mentioning the implementation of innovative audit tools and methodologies denotes a progressive approach towards enhancing audit quality and efficiency, crucial for maintaining competitive advantage.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Demonstrating effective stakeholder management and relationship building skills underscores the ability to navigate and align diverse interests, important for an Audit Director's role in securing new business and enhancing value.
Finance Director cover letter example
Elsie Murray
Coventry, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing to express my interest in the Finance Director position at your esteemed organization. With over six years of experience in high-level financial management and a focus on strategic financial planning, I have been following your company's innovative approach to financial solutions that aligns closely with my professional values and goals.
During my tenure as Senior Finance Manager at Deloitte, I led strategic planning initiatives that significantly increased our revenue prediction accuracy by 15%. This experience honed my skills in financial analysis and strategic planning, and allowed me to implement a 20% operational cost reduction. My ability to direct comprehensive financial forecasting played a pivotal role in enhancing our profitability and efficiency, making a substantial positive impact on our UK operations.
I am eager to bring my expertise in strategic planning and financial management to your team, confident that my proven track record in driving profitability aligns with your company's objectives. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to your ongoing success. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Elsie Murray, Finance Director
What sets this cover letter apart:
- Highlight Specific Achievements: The cover letter effectively mentions specific achievements like increasing revenue prediction accuracy by 15% and reducing operational costs by 20%, showcasing the candidate's ability to deliver tangible results in financial roles.
- Align Skills with Company Objectives: The candidate emphasizes their experience in strategic planning and financial analysis, aligning their skills with the company's innovative approach to financial solutions, which is crucial for a strategic role like Finance Director.
- Emphasize Leadership Experience: The letter highlights leadership experience, such as leading strategic planning initiatives at a reputable firm like Deloitte, signifying the candidate's capability to handle high-level responsibilities and drive organizational success.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters provide recruiters with the opportunity to learn more about your career aspirations, hinting at how you’d integrate within the organisation over the long term.
Here are three additional reasons why cover letters are important:
- Making an excellent first impression (and a formal introduction): Your cover letter is often the employer’s first introduction to you, showcasing your personality, communication skills, and motivation for the role.
- Complementing your career history: While your CV lists qualifications and experience, a cover letter provides the context, explaining how your background fits the role.
- Demonstrates your genuine interest: A well-crafted cover letter reflects the effort you’ve put into researching the company and role as well as your attention to detail.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
A great cover letter can set you apart when applying for jobs in the UK.
Follow these tips to ensure you make a strong impression:
- Research thoroughly: Spend time delving into the company’s website, social media, and industry news to understand their projects, awards, and future plans. The more specific your knowledge, the better you’ll be able to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
- Reflect their values: Every UK company has its own set of values that guides their culture. Once you’ve identified them, make sure your cover letter reflects how your values and work ethic align with theirs. If they’re known for integrity, emphasise your commitment to ethical practices.
- Tailor your skills: Focus on aligning your most relevant skills with the job description. Look for key terms and priorities mentioned in the advert, and make sure to provide examples of how you excel in those areas.
How to format a finance director cover letter
Keep in mind that your cover letter is intended for the recruiters' eyes only, not for the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) software that aligns your job application with role requirements. That's why it's essential to concentrate on the quality of the content and presentation to make a memorable first impression.
Don’t forget to include:
- Your address and contact details
- The employer’s name and address
- Date
- Greeting
- Introductory paragraph
- Body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Sign-off and signature
Now for some formatting tips and tricks: choose modern fonts such as Rubik, Volkhov, or Raleway instead of traditional ones like Arial. Keep your cover letter single-spaced with margins of around 1-inch (2.5 cm). To maintain a professional and consistent look, ensure that both your CV and cover letter use the same font style.
Lastly, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve its formatting and prevent any edits once it's sent, ensuring your design and layout remain intact for the recruiters.
How to write your finance director cover letter salutation
It's never advisable to begin your cover letter with 'Dear Sir/Madam', as it sounds comes across as impersonal.
Take the time to find out who is hiring for the role and address them directly in your cover letter greeting (e.g., 'Dear Mrs Chanceworth', 'Dear Harrod').
If you're uncertain where to find the hiring manager’s name, check the company website, look on LinkedIn, or send a courteous email requesting this information. Don't hesitate to ring reception either—they are unlikely to refuse to assist.
How to write your finance director cover letter intro
It's never a bad time to show enthusiasm about the role, company, or team in your cover letter introduction.
Begin by sharing one or two aspects that genuinely excite you about the position—whether it's the company culture, specific responsibilities, or the team's past achievements.
Your enthusiasm demonstrates that you'll bring a strong work ethic, are eager to contribute, and are motivated to succeed.
Cover Letter Intro
With a robust background in strategic financial management and a commitment to fostering ethical finance solutions, I am keen to bring my experience to ABC Corp, where your dedication to innovation and sustainable growth has inspired my admiration. I am particularly drawn to your company's ethos of integrating social responsibility with financial performance, and I am eager to contribute to furthering these ambitious goals.
RIGHT
How to write your finance director cover letter body
Which makes for a stronger cover letter body: a long-winded account of everything you’ve ever done, or a focused achievement that’s directly relevant to the job?
Hint: recruiters prefer the second.
When writing your cover letter, select your most impressive achievement that:
- Directly aligns with the job description and role.
- Is quantifiable with tangible metrics like numbers or percentages.
- Maps out your hard and soft skills, showcasing what makes you unique.
- Tells the story of the impact you could have on the organisation.
Cover Letter Body
During my tenure as Financial Controller at XYZ Corporation, I led a transformative project that overhauled our financial reporting system, resulting in a remarkable 25% reduction in reporting time and a 40% increase in report accuracy. This project was driven by my strategic foresight and deep technical proficiency in cutting-edge financial software. Taking the initiative to assess and integrate a new AI-driven analytics platform, I facilitated more dynamic and reliable financial forecasting, which directly contributed to a 12% uplift in our revenue margins within one fiscal year. This achievement underscores my ability to combine strong leadership with innovative financial solutions to drive measurable improvements, aligning perfectly with the objectives of your finance director role.
RIGHT
How to write a closing paragraph
There’s a wrong and a right way to close your cover letter. Here’s how.
The wrong way is to end with a signature or a formal 'Thank you in advance.'
The right way is to either promise how you’d make a positive impact on the company or ask when you can expect a response. This will highlight you as a forward-thinking candidate who’s enthusiastic about securing the role.
Cover Letter Closing
I am eager to bring my strategic vision and robust financial expertise to your esteemed organisation and am confident that my proactive approach will contribute significantly to your continued success. I would be delighted to discuss further how my skills and experiences align with the objectives of your finance department. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange a convenient time for an interview. Thank you very much for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team and am enthusiastic about the opportunity to collaborate and drive financial excellence.
RIGHT
Conclusion
Your cover letter is an opportunity to showcase your personality and skills to potential employers. Start by addressing the hiring manager by name and tailoring your content to reflect the role’s requirements.
Include a specific example of your greatest achievement to illustrate your suitability for the position, while also expressing your enthusiasm for the company. Remember to format your letter professionally, ensuring it aligns seamlessly with your CV.
