Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

2019 Accounting Internship Programs, Ranked

Ah, internships: where bright-eyed, eager, budding capital market servants get their first taste of the hell that is a career in public accounting. But which accounting internship programs are the most popular among college students? Our friends at Vault have the answer.

Vault recently released its top internship program rankings for 2019 in a bunch of industries, including consulting, financial services, investment banking, and of course, accounting.

Here’s the methodology Vault uses to put this thing all together:

In order to compile the 2019 Vault Top Internships Rankings, Vault invited more than 400 organizations to participate in our 2018 Internship Survey. We gathered information both from organizations that sponsor internships and from their interns. The internship sponsors provided Vault with descriptions of their programs, as well as details on the number of interns hired, duration of program, locations and departments in which interns are placed, and application requirements. We also asked current and former interns to comment on and rate their internship experiences on a variety of factors, including the application process, compensation and perks, quality of life, meaningfulness of assignments and training, and full-time employment prospects.

More than 13,000 interns across all industries responded to this year’s survey. The ratings were averaged to determine an overall score for each program.

So here ya go, future accountants of America: Vault’s top 20 accounting internship programs ranked in ascending order, with a brief description of each, as provided by the firms (all are paid internships):

20. Marks Paneth LLP Internship Program

“At Marks Paneth, we utilize our internship program as a way to hire full-time associates. The majority of our interns receive full-time offers upon graduation. Our internships are paid and require a minimum commitment of 15 to 20 hours per week.”

Ranked No. 19 in 2018

19. CohnReznick Audit or Tax Internship

“You will learn by doing real work on real engagements. And you’ll have the opportunity to do client work in growing industries like renewable energy, technology, life sciences and real estate.”

Ranked No. 15 in 2018

18. Rehmann Internship Program (Audit and Tax)

“All interns will have client interaction, be part of client meetings and interface with all levels of associates, and receive competitive compensation and feedback.”

Ranked No. 20 in 2018

17. CBIZ MHM LLC

“An internship with CBIZ MHM is intended to provide: exposure to meaningful work; an introduction to CBIZ culture; a chance to network with experienced partners, managing directors, leading professionals, and fellow interns; an opportunity to expand classroom theories into practice; the potential to earn a highly competitive wage; and the experience of working in an office environment.”

Ranked No. 6 in 2018

16. Wipfli Internship Program (Accounting and Consulting)

“Interns will be responsible for utilizing educational knowledge and experience to perform numerous tax and audit related responsibilities, preparation of a variety of individual and corporate tax returns and financial statements, conducting tax research and other appropriate or related financial reports, and responding to tax inquiries from clients and from government notices.”

Ranked No. 18 in 2018

15. Baker Tilly Accounting Internship

“As an intern, you will have the opportunity to participate in a technical training and development program, experience meaningful work engagements, learn directly from experienced staff and partners, work directly with a variety of privately held and publicly traded clients, and demonstrate your performance, drive, and potential to join Baker Tilly full-time.”

Ranked No. 14 in 2018

14. Crowe Internship Program

“Interns have the opportunity to work closely with Crowe leaders at all levels and have immediate access to partners. They participate in information sessions led by firm leaders and enjoy various networking and team-building opportunities.”

Ranked No. 13 in 2018

13. KPMG Internship Program

“KPMG internships offer big rewards: nationally developed training program to prepare you for your internship; real-life experience working with clients in a number of our industries; an abundance of networking opportunities with peers, clients, and firm leadership; and for successful interns, a full-time offer of employment.”

Ranked No. 9 in 2018

12. PwC Summer Internship Program

“Interns are a vital part of our business, and we continue to look for ways to enhance their experience here to give them a realistic preview of what it is like to work in a professional services organization, with hands-on client experience.”

Ranked No. 11 in 2018

11. Eide Bailly Audit and Tax Internships

“Internships in both audit and tax provide students with hands-on experience in public accounting. As an intern, you will perform many of the same tasks as our audit and tax associates and have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and industries.”

Ranked No. 17 in 2018

10. Sikich LLP Internship Program

“Sikich provides students with real work assignments related to their major. Accounting interns are responsible for preparing statistical and account analysis to aid in the preparation of financial statements. They prepare various tax returns and reconcile accounting work papers, fixed asset reports, and tax journal entries.”

Not ranked in 2018

9. Moss Adams Summer Internship Program (Assurance and Tax)

“At Moss Adams, you’ll be challenged and rewarded for leadership, technical excellence, and inspired perspectives. That’s why we offer opportunities to build your skills and explore your career in a supportive environment. Interns gain knowledge of the firm’s Assurance and/or Tax practices through working with multiple clients across a variety of industries.”

Ranked No. 5 in 2018

8. PKF O’Connor Davies Internship Program (Winter Tax and Summer Audit)

“You’ll assist in executing actual audit projects for key clients and conduct a market research project for presentation to firm leadership. Community service and firm-sponsored events help you build a professional network as you expand your skills through specialized training and collaboration with your own intern adviser.”

Ranked No. 16 in 2018

7. Armanino LLP Audit, Tax, and Consulting Internship

“Your internship provides you with the same exposure to Armanino as our staff-level hires, with two key differentiators: Fun Fridays and Intern Week. Every Friday of your internship, you will participate in soft skills trainings followed by a social event with the firm-wide intern group. During Intern Week, you will have the opportunity to learn about our accounting and consulting service areas, network cross-functionally, and experience the inner-workings of a top-ranked accounting firm.”

Ranked No. 8 in 2018

6. Schenck Internship Program

“We support our interns to take the lead in growing themselves, their goals, and their career. Envision your future success with a Schenck internship: hands-on experience with a variety of clients; professional development; life friendly; coaching, mentoring, and support; and listening to the voice of our interns.”

Ranked No. 7 in 2018

5. Plante Moran Internship

“We treat interns like first-year staff. Although each internship is slightly different, most interns work on actual client projects, getting a real feel for the profession, the firm, and our clientele. You’ll meet with clients and perhaps even tour their facilities, seeing firsthand how what we do—and how we do it—directly affects their businesses.” (Description taken from the firm’s website.)

Ranked No. 3 in 2018

4. BDO USA LLP Internship (Tax and Audit)

“You will assist in problem-solving and fact-finding, working side-by-side with more experienced team members who can provide you with direction, coaching, and learning opportunities. This allows you to gain a unique hands-on perspective on our firm’s practices and people, as well as beginning to forge the critical relationships that will help maximize your chance for success in your career.”

Ranked No. 10 in 2018

3. Wilkin & Guttenplan P.C. Winter or Summer Internship

“Our interns get to work closely with all levels of our staff to gain an understanding of both audit and tax. They will have the opportunity to assist in performing audits, reviews, compilations, and tax compliance, as well as work on varied client assignments, both in-office and out in the field.”

Not ranked in 2018

2. Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP Summer Internship Program

“Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP offers a unique eight week rotational internship that allows students majoring in accounting to try audit, tax, consulting, and more. The purpose of our summer internship is to present students with an opportunity to gain practical work experience in a professional environment.”

Ranked No. 2 in 2018

1. Elliott Davis ENVISION Summer Internship Experience

“Students will begin their internship with a firm-wide orientation and training. During the internship, interns will work on tax and audit engagements for real clients, complete an intern project, contribute to the community, and participate in leadership development activities.”

Ranked No. 1 in 2018