If you’re majoring in accounting, landing an internship isn’t just a nice résumé booster — it’s one of the most important steps in launching your career. Accounting internships give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in class, try out different roles, and make connections that often turn into full-time offers.
“Internships in accounting are more than a summer job — they’re the gateway into the profession,” says Nick Dentice, manager of campus recruitment at Withum, a CPA firm based in Buffalo, NY. “They give students the chance to test-drive their career path, and they give firms the chance to invest early in future CPAs.”
An internship can set the stage for your entire career, whether you’re eyeing a public accounting internship at a firm like Withum or Deloitte or you’re seeking a corporate accounting internship.
Where to find accounting internships (and when to apply)
Accounting firms start recruiting early — usually a full year in advance. If you want a summer 2026 internship, you’ll likely need to apply by fall 2025.
Most firms offer structured summer internships that last from 6 to 10 weeks. Some firms also have “busy season” internships during tax time in the winter or spring; these give you real exposure to audit and tax work in the middle of the action.
You’ll find openings on Handshake, at campus career fairs, at “Meet the Firms” events, and on company websites. Dentice’s advice? Apply early — those spots fill up fast.
A strong application showcases more than just grades. Recruiters look for:
Solid accounting coursework and a strong GPA (especially in accounting classes, and yes, you can list those separately)
Leadership roles in campus organizations like Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) or NABA
Part-time jobs, volunteering, or internships that show initiative and reliability
Communication skills — both written and verbal
Analytical thinking — solving problems with limited data
Curiosity — asking questions and learning across disciplines
And don’t forget technology. “In my class, we talk about Excel and Power BI all the time,” says Holly Hawk, Ph.D., CPA, CGMA, a clinical assistant professor at Clemson University. “If you can analyze data and think with a data-driven mindset, that’s going to help you stand out.”
What you’ll actually do as an accounting intern at a CPA firm
Forget coffee runs. Today’s internships are about hands-on client work and real-world learning.
At Withum, interns get to see how classroom knowledge applies in practice. They’re staffed on audit or tax engagements, shadow client meetings, and take part in professional development sessions.
“Students want impact, not busywork,” says Dentice. “We make sure interns are part of client work and have access to professional development, because that’s how they grow.”
Interns typically work 32–40 hours per week and earn $23–$30 an hour depending on the firm and city. But the biggest payoff is experience.
You might find yourself:
Assisting with audit fieldwork or preparing tax forms
Reviewing real transactions for clients in industries like manufacturing, real estate, healthcare, or even breweries
Visiting client sites to understand how different businesses operate
Public accounting internships often amount to a trial run for your first year as a staff accountant.
“We treat [our interns] like a first-year hire,” Dentice says. “They’re doing real work and learning to stand on their own.”
Public versus corporate accounting: Which path is for you?
Not every accounting student is destined for public accounting, and that’s perfectly fine. Heidi Martin, CPA and senior director of internal audit at Delaware North, says her company’s accounting and finance rotational internship program helps students explore multiple areas in one summer.
“Over eight to twelve weeks, our interns sit in multiple different disciplines and get a really unique perspective,” she explains. “They leave that summer with an appreciation of what they enjoy and what they don’t.”
As an example, Martin relates the story of an intern who spent part of his summer assisting the controller of a national park property, where he recorded journal entries and reconciliations. Later in the internship, he joined the internal audit team to audit that same property.
“He saw the same operation from two completely different perspectives,” Martin says.
During a corporate accounting internship, you might:
Audit major sports stadiums’ food and retail operations
Observe inventory counts
Review internal controls around IT systems
Help with the corporate month-end close
The main difference between corporate and public accounting internships, Martin says, is that “public accounting interns look at transactions from the outside, ensuring financials are accurate. Our interns are inside the business, learning how it actually works — how we sell things, how we plan, how we execute.”
Students who are unsure whether they would prefer working in public or corporate accounting might consider doing two separate internships to test the waters.
Martin encourages students to explore both before choosing. During your internships, you’ll start to see what feels like a fit.
“When you graduate, you’ll feel more confident in your decision if you’ve tried different environments,” she says.
Dentice notes that the longer you stay in public accounting, the more doors open later. “Those jobs in [corporate accounting] will always be there,” he says. “But the more years you spend in public accounting, the more job offers you’ll get.”
How to land your dream internship
Networking makes all the difference.
“Engage with recruiters early — don’t wait until senior year,” says Dentice.
Attend campus events, career fairs, and information sessions. When you meet firm reps, follow up with a short thank-you note or LinkedIn message.
Hawk tells her students that networking isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of your career. “When guest speakers come in, go introduce yourself,” she says. “Follow up afterward. People remember the brave accounting major who made an impression.”
Some of her most successful students didn’t just apply on LinkedIn. They built real connections, and those personal referrals often made the difference. “Generic LinkedIn applications don’t hold as much weight as students who have made a connection with someone at the firm,” she says.
How to stand out in the interview
Recruiters aren’t just checking your GPA; they’re assessing how you’ll complement the team.
Dentice looks for authenticity and confidence: “I want someone who can hold a conversation in a client meeting. Be genuine, be coachable, and show curiosity.”
4 tips to prepare for interviews:
Know the firm. Research their clients, industries, and culture. (Pro tip: Dentice even recommends using ChatGPT to brainstorm 10 talking points before your interview.)
Practice interviews. As Hawk puts it: “Students think they know the answer until they’re put on the spot.” Use your school’s career center — or free resources like Robert Half’s interview prep.
Show decisiveness. Instead of saying you’re open to anything, tell recruiters why their firm or program specifically appeals to you.
A short thank-you email after the interview. Your note doesn’t need to be long; it just needs to show appreciation and professionalism. Send the thank you within one business day, ideally, and definitely by the end of the week.
Once you’re in, treat your internship like a long job interview
Show up every day with enthusiasm and curiosity. Ask if you can join meetings — even as a fly on the wall to listen and learn; seek feedback on your performance; and volunteer for extra projects should they come up.
“Come every day with good energy,” says Dentice. “Be coachable. Ask lots of questions. That eagerness is what we want to see.”
Hawk tells her students that effort equals outcome: “If they just go in for their 40 hours and not try to get anything out of it, that’s what they’re going to get. But if they go in wanting to build a specific skill set, they’ll get way more out of the experience.”
Martin agrees. At Delaware North, interns are encouraged to speak up about what they want to learn. “When interns communicate their goals, it helps us give them the right opportunities. We set up meetings and shadowing sessions across departments to help them build a holistic mindset.”
Don’t forget the social side, too. Attend firm events, volunteer outings, and/or happy hours. Participating in social events when people tend to speak more casually is one of the best ways to see whether the firm’s culture is right for you.
An internship is the start of your professional story
Accounting internships aren’t just about adding a line to your résumé — they’re where your career truly begins.
Internships give you a front-row seat to how the profession works, the relationships that make it rewarding, and the confidence to see yourself as a future CPA.
“The biggest thing I tell students,” says Dentice, “is that an internship isn’t just about getting experience. It’s about building a career foundation.”
Apply early. Be curious. Ask questions. Build relationships. And remember, whether you’re reconciling accounts at a national park, auditing a brewery, or sitting in on your first client meeting, make every experience count.