Top Five Internships Every Accounting Student Should Know About
- Nonprofit Organizations
- Tax Firms
- Governments
- Corporations
- Law Enforcement Agencies
An accounting internship can be a great way to begin a career. There are many options to choose from when considering where to find a position. Becoming an accountant requires a lot of hard work and perseverance. Spending time as an intern can help you become acclimated to the environment and profession. Your experience as an intern can also be listed as work experience on a resume. Recruiters from the Big Four firms will look for applicants with experience as interns and strong knowledge of an accountant’s duties. Here are five internship opportunities to consider.
1. Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofits need accountants to:
- keep their budgets balanced
- audit their books
- ensure that their costs and income are optimized
As an intern at a nonprofit organization, you’ll gain experience in an important field, and you’ll make professional contacts that can help you advance your career after graduation. Working in a nonprofit is similar to working in a corporation or private business. The biggest difference is that many nonprofit organizations have smaller budgets than for-profit businesses. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonprofits need accountants to:
- calculate payroll
- file tax returns
- perform financial audits
2. Tax Firms
Tax firms hire accountants almost exclusively. They frequently offer excellent opportunities to interns for summer and fall positions. Whether you work for a small business or a Big Four company, you can add a valuable reference to your resume when you start looking for a full-time job. Working as an intern at a tax firm is a good idea for accountants who want to work in the federal, state or local tax field. The experience you gain from this position will be beneficial in any financial profession. However, it will be especially useful if you decide to become a tax accountant.
3. Governments
Government agencies are constantly on the lookout for accountants to work as interns. The positions may be paid or unpaid, but the knowledge gained from the experience will be valuable for your career. Government positions can be quite demanding, so you can expect to learn a lot as an intern at a state, local or federal branch of the government. If you don’t live near your state capital, you can apply for a position at your local city government building. The mayor, comptroller or treasurer may have positions open for the spring, summer or fall semesters.
4. Corporations
Private corporations usually offer summer and fall intern positions for students to assist senior accountants and gain experience to add to their resumes. The Big Four firms typically advertise positions at universities in towns with local branch offices. Whether you go to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, or KPMG, you can expect to acquire valuable experience and a prestigious name for your resume. Smaller firms also hire interns, so if one of the Big Four doesn’t have a position open when you apply, check some of the other firms in your area.
5. Law Enforcement Agencies
Police and sheriff departments require accountants to handle bookkeeping and auditing duties, and these accountants need interns to assist them in their work. You can also apply for a position at a federal law enforcement agency, such as:
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
- the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- the Drug Enforcement Administration
Beginning a career as an accountant requires extensive knowledge of the profession and some experience working as an intern. By completing at least one accounting internship, you can ensure that your job search will be quick and successful.
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