This guide gives Accounts Receivable Specialist cover letter examples and templates to help you present your billing, collections, and reconciliation skills clearly. Use these examples to write a concise cover letter that makes it easy for hiring managers to see how you can improve cash flow and accuracy.
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💡 Pro tip: Use this template as a starting point. Customize it with your own experience, skills, and achievements.
Key Elements of a Strong Cover Letter
Put your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL at the top so hiring managers can contact you easily. Include the job title and company name to make it clear which role you are applying for.
Start with a short statement that explains why you are a strong fit and what you bring to accounts receivable. Mention a relevant credential or a recent accomplishment to capture attention quickly.
Focus on accounts receivable tasks such as invoicing, collections, reconciliations, and aging report management that match the job posting. Name the accounting systems and processes you know and explain how you used them to improve results.
Quantify your impact with metrics like reduction in days sales outstanding or improvement in collections rates when possible. Close by stating your interest in the role and asking for a meeting to discuss how you can help the team.
Cover Letter Structure
1. Header
Include your full name, phone, email, and LinkedIn link on the first line or a single block so contact details are easy to find. Add the job title and company name below your contact block to show you tailored the letter.
2. Greeting
Address the hiring manager by name when possible to show you did research and care about the role. If you cannot find a name, use a professional greeting such as Dear Hiring Manager and follow with a comma.
3. Opening Paragraph
Begin with one sentence that states the position you are applying for and a short reason you are a fit based on experience or skills. Follow with a second sentence that highlights a key achievement or certification that aligns with accounts receivable responsibilities.
4. Body Paragraph(s)
Use one or two short paragraphs to describe relevant responsibilities and specific results you delivered in prior roles, such as improving collections or streamlining invoicing. Mention the accounting software and processes you used and explain how those skills will help the prospective employer meet goals.
5. Closing Paragraph
End with a brief paragraph that reiterates your enthusiasm for the role and your availability for an interview. Offer to provide references or examples of reports you have prepared to support your claims.
6. Signature
Use a polite sign off like Sincerely or Best regards followed by your full name and contact details. If you include links to a professional portfolio or LinkedIn, make sure they are current and relevant.
Dos and Don'ts
Tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company by mentioning one or two requirements from the posting that you meet. This shows you read the listing and helps you stand out from generic applications.
Lead with measurable results such as percent reduction in days sales outstanding or the dollar amount of past collections to demonstrate impact. Numbers give hiring managers a clear sense of your contribution.
Name the accounting systems and tools you know, such as QuickBooks, NetSuite, or Excel, and briefly explain how you used them to complete receivables work. This helps match your technical skills to the employer's needs.
Keep the letter concise and focused at about three short paragraphs and under one page to respect the reader's time. Use clear language and avoid repeating your resume line for line.
Proofread carefully for math errors, inconsistencies, and typos to maintain credibility in a numbers-focused role. Ask a trusted colleague to review it if possible.
Do not repeat your resume verbatim because the cover letter should add context and show how your experience applies to this job. Use the letter to tell a short story about a relevant accomplishment.
Avoid vague phrases like excellent communicator without giving an example of how you used that skill in collections or reconciliation. Specifics make your claims believable.
Do not claim responsibilities or results you cannot back up with documents or references because accuracy matters in accounting roles. Be honest about the scope of your work and your contributions.
Avoid long paragraphs that list every duty you ever had because hiring managers skim cover letters quickly. Focus on the few responsibilities that match the job posting best.
Do not include salary demands or unrelated personal information in the cover letter unless the employer specifically asks for it. Keep the focus on fit and value you bring to the role.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Opening with a generic line such as I am writing to apply makes your letter forgettable and does not show why you are a fit. Start with a specific detail about your experience or the company instead.
Focusing on job duties rather than results leaves hiring managers unsure of your impact and value. Always tie duties to outcomes, such as faster collections or improved accuracy.
Forgetting to match keywords from the job posting can cause your application to be overlooked by applicant tracking systems. Mirror the language used in the listing for skills and tools you actually possess.
Neglecting to proofread numbers, dates, or company names reduces trust and signals a lack of attention to detail. Double check calculations and proper nouns before sending.
Practical Writing Tips & Customization Guide
Open with a brief example of how you solved a specific AR problem to create an immediate connection with hiring managers. A concrete example helps them picture you in the role.
If you managed a process improvement, describe the change and its measurable outcome to show you can improve team performance. Even small percentage improvements matter in finance roles.
Include one sentence that links your soft skills such as persistence or organization to everyday AR tasks like following up on overdue invoices. This helps hiring managers see how you will execute day to day.
Attach a one page example of a dashboard or a sample aging report only if the employer requests work samples and you can share nonconfidential data. Real examples can boost credibility when appropriate.
Cover Letter Examples
Example 1 — Experienced Accounts Receivable Specialist (Industry Finance)
Dear Ms.
With eight years managing accounts receivable for regional banks, I bring a track record of improving collections and tightening controls. At Harbor Bank I managed an AR ledger averaging $3.
2M and reduced days sales outstanding (DSO) from 58 to 43 days within 10 months by introducing a prioritized follow-up schedule and automated invoice reminders. I also led the NetSuite transition for AR, mapping 12 payment terms and cutting reconciliation time by 35%.
I’m excited by Evergreen Capital’s focus on scalable operations; I can reduce DSO and strengthen month-end reconciliations while training staff on billing exceptions. I look forward to discussing how my hands-on process improvements and ERP experience will support your year-end close targets.
Sincerely, A.
Why this works: Quantifies impact (DSO, $3. 2M), names tools (NetSuite), and links past results to the employer’s needs.
–-
Example 2 — Recent Graduate Entering AR
Dear Hiring Manager,
I graduated with a B. S.
in Accounting (GPA 3. 7) and completed a 6-month accounts receivable internship at Metro Clinics where I handled invoicing for 1,200 monthly claims.
I improved invoice accuracy by 30% by creating an Excel validation sheet using pivot tables and VLOOKUPs that flagged mismatches before submission. I also collaborated with the billing team to cut average dispute resolution from 21 days to 14 days.
I’m eager to bring strong Excel skills, attention to detail, and a customer-focused approach to your AR team. I am available to start immediately and would welcome the chance to demonstrate how my process improvements can support timely collections.
Sincerely, J.
Why this works: Shows measurable improvements, concrete tools (Excel functions), and readiness to contribute.
–-
Example 3 — Career Changer from Customer Service
Dear Mr.
After five years in high-volume customer support, I shifted into accounts receivable and in the past year handled AR follow-ups for a $1M client base. I resolved 200+ billing inquiries monthly and introduced a scripted escalation that improved first-contact resolution by 25% and reduced past-due balances by 12% in six months.
I use QuickBooks for daily postings and created a standardized dispute template that cut average dispute lifetime from 18 to 10 days.
I excel at clear communication with customers and cross-department collaboration. I welcome the chance to apply my dispute-resolution skills and process improvements to increase your collection rate and reduce outstanding balances.
Sincerely, M.
Why this works: Highlights transferable customer-service metrics, specific software, and measurable AR outcomes.
Practical Writing Tips
1. Open with a targeted hook.
Start by naming the role and one specific result you’ll bring (e. g.
, “I cut DSO by 15 days”). That grabs attention and frames the rest of the letter.
2. Mirror the job posting language.
Use the same terms the employer uses (billing cycles, collections, reconciliations) to pass resume scanners and show fit.
3. Quantify achievements with numbers.
Include dollars, percentages, or days (e. g.
, managed $2M AR ledger; reduced disputes by 40%). Numbers make claims credible.
4. Use active, concise sentences.
Prefer “I reduced invoice errors by 30%” over long passive constructions. Short sentences read faster and sound confident.
5. Name the tools you know.
List specific systems (QuickBooks, NetSuite, SAP, Excel pivot tables) and how you used them—this proves practical skill.
6. Focus on problem → action → result.
Briefly state the AR challenge, what you did, and the outcome. Recruiters want impact, not tasks.
7. Personalize one paragraph to the company.
Reference a recent initiative, the company’s billing model, or a posted goal to show you researched them.
8. Keep it to one page and three short paragraphs.
Limit length so hiring managers read all of it; use 3–4 sentences per paragraph.
9. Close with a specific next step.
Offer to discuss how you’ll hit a metric (e. g.
, reduce DSO 10–15 days) and provide availability.
10. Proofread with role-specific checks.
Read aloud, verify numbers, and ensure policy terms (e. g.
, HIPAA) are correct when applicable.
How to Customize Your Cover Letter
Strategy 1 — Match industry priorities
- •Tech (SaaS): Emphasize subscription billing, revenue recognition, and automation. Example: “I reduced monthly invoice exceptions by 40% through automated proration rules for 3,000 subscriptions.” Mention API or billing platforms (Stripe, Zuora).
- •Finance/corporate: Stress controls, SOX compliance, and large-scale reconciliations. Example: “Led monthly close for a $10M AR ledger and reconciled 95% of aged items within 7 days.” Name ERP systems (SAP, Oracle).
- •Healthcare: Show experience with payer remits, EOBs, and denial management. Example: “Cut claim denials by 22% by standardizing CPT code checks and training front-end staff.” Note HIPAA awareness.
Strategy 2 — Tailor to company size and culture
- •Startups: Highlight process building, flexibility, and cross-functional work. Example: “Built an AR aging workflow from scratch and decreased days past due by 10 days.”
- •Mid-size/corporation: Focus on scale, policy adherence, and month-end cadence. Example: “Managed AR for 50+ vendors and supported quarter-close reconciliations.”
Strategy 3 — Adjust for job level
- •Entry-level: Emphasize accuracy, Excel, internships, and quick learning. Use specific coursework or internship outcomes (e.g., “improved invoice accuracy 30% as an intern”).
- •Senior: Emphasize leadership, forecasting, process redesign, and measurable financial impact. Use team size and dollar figures (e.g., “managed a 5-person AR team and reduced DSO by 12 days across $5M receivables”).
Strategy 4 — Three concrete customization moves
1. Pick 2–3 achievements that map exactly to the job requirements and open with the strongest one.
2. Swap one technical skill and one metric to match the posting (e.
g. , NetSuite → QuickBooks; $3M → $500k) so your letter feels tailored.
3. End by proposing a specific outcome for that employer (e.
g. , “I can help reduce your DSO by 8–12 days in the first 90 days”).
Actionable takeaway: Before applying, read the job post and company site for 10 minutes, choose three matching achievements, and rewrite your opening and closing to reflect the employer’s top priorities.