Internships Whet Student Appetites for Accounting Profession

>Collaboration and hands-on experience were highly valued among accounting students who interned at accounting practices this summer, and they learned everything from effective communication skills to Excel shortcuts. Indeed, a KPMG Intern Pulse Survey of its U.S.-based interns in July noted, “Interns specified that hands-on practice projects are the preferred way to learn new information at work, followed by peer-to-peer knowledge sharing and in-person training sessions.” 

>Here’s how several college interns summarized their experiences and how they plan to apply their knowledge gained on the job to their future careers:  

Important Takeaways 

• “During my time interning at Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman (RRBB) Accountants & Advisors, I’ve been surrounded by not only great minds, but great people. A key takeaway I’ve observed as a tax intern is the importance of being personable and willingness to rely on others. Accounting isn’t a field where classroom knowledge alone will suffice — it’s constantly evolving. I often witnessed my superiors (who, from my point of view as an intern, seemed like they did accounting for sport growing up) asking questions and working collaboratively, whether for simple clarification or deeper insight. Challenges are inevitable no matter what your experience, but you don’t have to face them alone — and in many cases, you shouldn’t.” 
  — Mali Coleman, student at Rider University, interned at Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman (RRBB)  
• “My internship at Wiss was one of the most pivotal experiences of my college career. It provided firsthand experience that showed me what my future career will look like, specifically in audit. The biggest takeaway is the experience itself. Take advantage of every opportunity and never hold back. Challenges will arise, but each challenge will offer a lesson that will benefit you in the long run. The challenges helped me grow professionally and personally. Every responsibility that was given to me made such a big impact on the overall experience.”
  — Sophia Covello, student at Montclair State University, interned at Wiss 
• “As an intern at Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors in Oradell New Jersey, I’ve gained real-world experience that has helped broaden my understanding of the accounting profession. This hands-on learning, combined with college coursework, allows me to develop a better understanding of the principles and foundational skills that accountants use daily. One significant aspect of my internship has been recognizing the value of client relationships. I used to see accounting as primarily behind-the-scenes work, but from the experience I have gained, I now understand that communication and collaboration are vital to the profession. From shadowing and participating in client conversations, I learned that the focus of accounting is more than just numbers, but on qualitative insight as well. Furthermore, interning at Traphagen has introduced me to a work environment that is familial, reshaping my understanding of work culture in accounting. Being in such a setting brings me a sense of fulfillment and security, knowing I have a team that will always support me.” 
  — Ava Febre, student at Ramapo College, interned at Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors 
• “Although I interned in the marketing department, my most significant takeaway from my internship at Wiss was the critical role that marketing plays in promoting professional services, especially in fields such as accounting. Before this experience, I hadn’t fully understood the importance of effectively communicating the value of a service that isn't always tangible. Through content creation and strategy development, I saw firsthand how marketing helps firms like Wiss build trust, highlight expertise and stand out in a competitive industry.”
  — Logan Gleniewicz, student at University of South Carolina, marketing Intern at Wiss 
• “During my time at SAX, the most important takeaway from the internship has been proactive communication. As interns we are encouraged to always ask questions, working at SAX has taught me to be intentional and timely with my inquiries. I learned that speaking up immediately is essential when clarification is needed to ensure that projects are completed correctly, efficiently and in a timely manner. By doing so, I have improved in taking accountability for my work through consistent follow-up communications with team members about expectations for deadlines and the quality of the work. This experience has helped me build a better habit of maintaining thorough documentation of communication between myself and the team so that I remain prepared to ask and answer questions deliberately and intentionally!”
  — Grace Lim, student at Fordham University, interned at SAX 
• “My two most important takeaways from my internship are to always have attention to detail in my work as well as the importance of communication. I learned that double and triple checking your work for accuracy is critical, especially in investment banking. Even the small things that some may think are not as important are, in fact, important and necessary to be accurate and consistent, as we have a strong reputation as a firm to uphold with clients. Communication is also key, especially as an intern, because there were many things that I did not know when I started my internship that I had to learn through asking questions, which required efficient communication with my team.”   
  — Arber Prela, student at Fordham University, interned at SAX 
• “My most important takeaway from this internship is the leadership SAX has shown. From my first day, my manager was beyond my expectations. She helped ensure my work ethic and quality was at its best ability, while also reassuring me that mistakes happen and can be fixed. I've learned that effective leadership shapes both the workflow and team environment, and I have seen how strong SAX's leadership has built trust and a system within their team.” 
  — Hailey Singh, student at Pace University, interned at SAX 
• “I think the most important takeaway from this internship is the ability to be confident in the workplace and trusting my skills. I found the team to be incredibly welcoming to my ideas and encouraged me to speak up when I had something to say. I never felt diminished in meetings, despite being an intern. Even though it was hard at first, this confidence definitely came with time as I continued to learn throughout the internship. Many of the other interns I spoke to across the firm felt a similar way. Leadership at Wiss always tries to find ways to improve and takes feedback from interns seriously. This openness really did aid me in finding my voice within a professional setting, which is a skill I hope to take with me in my future career.” 
  — Natalie Ursich, student at Marist University, marketing intern at Wiss 

Changing Perspectives of Accounting  

• “As a 13-year track and field athlete, I’ve developed a competitive mindset and thrived to become the best version of myself in whatever it is I do. My internship allowed me to witness the skill and knowledge top accountants possess. I even had the pleasure of seeing my supervisor, Christopher Kimock, supervisor at RRBB, complete the CPA Exam. That experience, paired with my growing interest in accounting, didn’t change my perspective, it inspired me. The heights in this field are real and reachable with hard work and consistency — values I’m proud to already hold.” 
  — Mali Coleman, student at Rider University, interned at Rosenberg Rich Baker Berman (RRBB)  
• “The internship has definitely changed my perspective of accounting. There is the common misconception that it is very tedious and repetitive work, but my experience has shown me how far from the truth that is. Each engagement required me to learn different aspects of how clients operate, and no two audits were the same. As an auditor, completing all of the steps is critical when ensuring transparency in financial reporting. With every client, I was given different tasks, which led to many valuable learning opportunities to help deepen my understanding of the audit process. Overall, my internship experience was an amazing opportunity and I highly recommend everyone to do one especially before accepting a full-time offer.” 
  — Sophia Covello, student at Montclair State University, interned at Wiss 
• "Since starting as an intern at Traphagen, my respect for the profession has deepened, solidifying my desire to become a CPA. My internship not only changed my perception of accounting, but it has motivated me to continue my studies and encourage my peers to pursue similar opportunities. I highly recommend that students obtain an accounting internship to learn more about the great profession!” 
  — Ava Febre, student at Ramapo College, interned at Traphagen CPAs & Wealth Advisors 
• “My internship gave me a deeper appreciation for the work accountants do. Sitting alongside professionals and learning about the services they provide, ranging from audit to advisory, was eye-opening. I came to understand that behind every financial statement is a team of individuals putting in a great amount of effort and care. It reinforced the idea that accounting is not just about numbers, but about helping clients make smart, informed decisions that impact their futures. This experience broadened my perspective on the accounting field and deepened my respect for CPAs. It also showed me that marketing and accounting are more connected than I originally thought. Both require precision, trust, and a strong understanding of client needs.”  
  — Logan Gleniewicz, student at University of South Carolina, marketing Intern at Wiss 
• “My internship has changed my perspective on accounting in that I have realized just how critical a role it plays across many areas of finance. Working in SAX's investment banking division has shed light on just how critical a firm’s financial statements and being able to read and understand them are to the M&A process.” 
  — Arber Prela, student at Fordham University, interned at SAX 
• “This internship gave me a much greater and deeper understanding of the accounting/CPA profession than a university ever could. The hands-on experience I have had has shown me how intricate tax and audit is, while also teaching me that it is not only about technical accuracy and compliance, but it is also about people and how success depends on collaboration, communication and the ability to guide others.”  
  — Hailey Singh, student at Pace University, interned at SAX 
• “This internship definitely changed my perspective of accounting. My dad is a CPA, so I have always heard about his job but never truly understood what he does every day. I just knew he worked really hard and had long hours. With that, I never had any interest in this field. However, with my internship at an accounting firm like Wiss, I had the opportunity to really dive into this industry and learn more about what CPAs actually do every day. Even though I worked with the Marketing Team, I still felt that I was gaining valuable knowledge about accounting and CPAs. It made me appreciate the work they do to help clients be as successful as possible, especially small businesses.  Aside from accounting, the internship also helped me better understand general financial planning. Between work I did with Wiss’ financial literacy course for Team Walker and casual conversations with professionals around the office, I found myself having better insights on personal finance. I feel like I have more confidence with how I am spending my money. Although I never thought I would enjoy working in an accounting firm, I have taken away many valuable lessons that I will carry into both my personal and professional life in the future.” 
  — Natalie Ursich, student at Marist University, marketing intern at Wiss 

Top 10 Takeaways from Accounting Interns 

1. Be personable and pleasant. 
2. Don’t be afraid to rely on others for answers.
3. Use collaborative solutions when possible.
4. Know communication is vital to the accounting profession.
5. Be prepared to ask questions deliberately and intentionally.
6. Understand that effective leadership shapes the workflow and team environment.
7. Always pay attention to detail.
8. Take advantage of every opportunity.
9. Know that the heights in this field are reachable.
10. Be precise and know what clients need.