Landing your dream job begins with securing one of the many accounting internships available with firms and organizations. It’s important to gain professional experience that puts your classroom learning into practice, expands your knowledge, and gives you a taste of what tasks you enjoy (or don’t).
Learn more about the benefits of internships in accounting, how to find yours, and tips to land an accounting internship that sets you up for career success.
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The benefits of accounting internships
After you’ve worked all semester, why work on your summer break? Is it worth having an accounting internship? In short, absolutely, yes.
Here are the many benefits that accounting internships bring to your summer…and your long-term career plans.
Boost your resume.
When it’s time to look for a job after graduation, having professional experience will make your resume exponentially more attractive to potential employers.
Build your network.
Working in accounting internships will help you meet professionals and build relationships that can help you throughout your career. This is also an excellent way to connect with a potential mentor.
Gain experience.
Accounting internships enhance your knowledge, skills, and business acumen, and give you a feel for the corporate business environment and schedule.
Discern your direction.
With real-world experience under your belt, you’ll have a better idea of what career specialization interests you, what projects you enjoy, and where to focus more of your high-level courses.
Boost your savings.
Many accounting internships are paid. Enjoy the paychecks to build on your bank account, put toward your college expenses, or treat yourself to a special purchase.
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Finding accounting internships
Start searching for accounting internships by using the many resources available to you.
Most universities have career centers that provide resources to help you search for open positions and network at career events.
Job fairs or other events organized by your accounting department or business school are key places to find accounting internships. These are great opportunities to meet representatives and get your resume out there.
You can also apply online for available positions. Recruiting for spring or summer public accounting internships generally happens during the fall prior, so make sure to check your campus career website regularly once you begin the fall semester. After applying online, you can then look for that company’s local recruiter and send a message for a personal touch.
You can also consider joining a professional organization, such as local accounting societies, which have resources and networking opportunities for students and recent graduates. You may learn about internship opportunities before they're published or make a valuable connection with a hiring manager.
Choosing the right accounting internship
Don’t forget to stop and think about your own interests during the process of finding accounting internships. Ask yourself things like:
- What type of environment do I want to work in? Public firm or private corporation? Small team or large network?
- Am I interested in a certain specialty (tax, audit, etc.)?
- What knowledge and skills do I want to gain?
- Do I want something in-person or virtual?
- Am I aligned with the company culture and values?
- Is the position paid or unpaid?
Also, if a role continues past summer, consider how you will balance your internship with your classes, if you're still in school. You don't want to let your grades slide, but you also want to continue doing good work at your internship, so be sure to communicate with your internship supervisor, request flexibility, and let them know about your academic commitments.
How to land an internship in accounting
While many firms and organizations offer accounting internships, it’s a competitive job market, and landing your dream internship isn’t always easy. Follow these tips to help secure your spot in the position that’s best for your career goals.
Get your resume in shape.
Make sure that you’ve updated your resume with a mix of good grades, school activities, and leadership experience. A standout resume will get you past the screening process to land the interview.
Study the role.
Do not show up to accounting internship interviews unprepared. Make sure that you learn about the firm or business, read through the job description (more than once!), and consider why you want this role and why it’s a good fit for you.
Prepare for accounting internship interview questions.
Be ready to answer the questions that nearly always come up during the interview process for accounting internships. These include questions like:
- Why are you interested in this position?
- Why do you want to work at [company or firm]?
- What skills do you hope to gain from this position?
- What qualities do you look for in a team?
Get ready for the curve balls too. While you can’t prepare for every accounting internship interview question, know that you’ll likely face behavioral interviewing techniques to determine how you react in certain situations and if you’ll be a good fit for the company.
The best way to respond to a “Tell me about a time when you…” type of question is to have 5-10 experience-based examples ready to go. These can draw on classes or group projects, prior professional positions, or even leadership roles within clubs or volunteer organizations. Having these formative moments top-of-mind will help you mold them into a response that can answer almost any question thrown your way.
At the end of the interview, they will ask if you have any questions. Always have at least two questions prepared, such as "What does a typical day in this role look like?" At the very least, this shows that you have studied the role and thought about how it applies to you.
Get the basics right.
Triple check the time and location of the interview and arrive 15 minutes early. If you know who you’re interviewing with, look them up on LinkedIn to get an idea of their background.
Understand the attire and make sure that what you wear is appropriate–but when in doubt, it’s always better to overdress than underdress. Bring a copy of your resume in a portfolio and a pen, just in case.
Put your phone on silent, shake hands firmly, and have good eye contact. And remember, a smile and a positive attitude go a long way.
Send a thank you email.
Once the interview is behind you, you’re not quite finished. Send a personalized thank you email to each person you interviewed with. You can grab their emails from their business cards; but if you don’t have them, you can ask the recruiter for their contact information.
Make sure to send the thank you email within 24 hours to show your dedication before the team makes a hiring decision.
Accounting internships for future CPAs
If you’re looking to secure accounting internships to grow your career, there’s no better boost than preparing to earn your CPA license. Learn all about the CPA license, its unparalleled benefits for your accounting, tax, or audit career, and how to pass the CPA Exam.
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