Internships are a valuable source of training for Accounting majors. Many universities assist upperclassmen with placement in internships so they may gain the experience needed to obtain the career of their choice. However, smaller colleges may not have the resources available to offer this kind of assistance so in those instances, it is up to each student to acquire an internship on his or her own.
Businesses often pay their interns as they gain work experience. They may make a smaller salary than a permanent employee, but for most college students, any paid position in their field of interest is better than no position at all. This may allow the intern to focus on his or her upcoming career without having to work more than one job in addition to going to school.
Internships are also usually flexible because companies realize interns are still students, and must have time to study, take care of their families, or simply enjoy some free time away from work and school.
CPA firms offer wonderful internship opportunities for Accounting students. However, competition can be fierce, especially for positions in the Big Four firms. Participants may be exposed to classroom-like training that educates them about the areas of expertise provided by the firm.
They are given technological training using state of the art industry software and are provided with laptop computers to do their work. They are then sent out to the field with a supervisor to gain real work experience.
Clients can range from the smallest of “mom and pop” businesses to the largest Fortune 500 companies. These opportunities are open to the most promising students with the strongest academic qualifications. Successful interns are often recruited to begin their professional career at these firms.
For those who do not have the good fortune of placement assistance, all is not lost. Temporary employment agencies may be helpful in finding a paid internship with a variety of businesses. The Internet contains websites that provide lists of businesses who are looking for interns for seasonal, part-time work.
If there is a specific company that is of interest, students may check their website for career opportunities that may include an internship. If a student is already employed, the company may be willing to provide a new position or incorporate accounting functions into the job duties that are already being performed. Students may attend job fairs and career events to explore new prospects and meet new people.
Networking with current and former employers, college professors, friends, and neighbors may also provide leads to great opportunities.
It is not always easy to acquire an internship, particularly if you live in a small town or attend a small school. Sometimes it takes a great deal of creativity and self-motivation to locate a position.
Laura Sweet, an Accountant with ten years of experience states, “I attended a small, private college where internships were not offered, so it was up to me to find my own. I also live in a small town where there are only a handful of businesses. So I created a resume and faxed it to every accounting office and small business in my town and in the neighboring city. I got three responses and was hired by a local accountant. I worked for him for four months during the ‘busy season’ doing all kinds of work from bookkeeping and filing to tax returns and W-2 preparation. It was a great experience and made me realize that I really enjoyed the work and looked forward to my new career.”
Ultimately, students should not be afraid to make contact with businesses to inquire if they are seeking help and whether they would be willing to take on an intern. It is beneficial to everyone – the company gets the assistance it needs and the student gets the experience needed to launch a successful new career!
Zeshawn is a doctoral student in the Accounting & Management Department at the Harvard Business School. His research uses archival and field methods and covers managerial accounting topics including employee and organizational incentives, cost management and profitability analysis...
