<p>I know the summer internship after sophomore year is important for people who want to work eventually in investment banking. What about for accounting, with a big four or next tier accounting job after graduation in mind.</p>
<p>Typically you go for Spring(i.e. busy season) internships in accounting. And there it is very important. Internships are like auditions for full-time and most interns are hired.</p>
<p>bthomp1 - most public accounting firms will hire first from intern “pools” when looking for full time hires. As stated above, the internship is very important in accounting, and not having one will definitely hurt you/if not preclude you from getting a full time gig with one of the Big 4 after graduation.</p>
<p>^What? I went to a Big 4 recruiting session (I’m a sophomore) and all of them said that I was too young for their Summer Leadership Programs, and that I would most likely have to look for an internship with them my senior year. I think things have changed, because, with the 150 hr rule that makes you get certified a year later, firms are now expecting that you come in CPA eligible and thus have altered their requirements for their summer programs as well. I think these days everything is pushed back a year, but I could be wrong/have misinterpreted what they said.</p>
<p>Since there seems to be some confusion on timing, I figure a general time line might help, for those trying to go into public accounting (assumes 5 years of school). This is something I sent a student I was mentoring, just edited slightly:</p>
<p>Sophomore Year: Participate in any accounting competitions sponsored by firms on campus (xACT competition that PwC does, for example). It’s good face time in front of managers/partners, who judge the presentations. Other than that, just work hard in class and get to know professors. At my school, recruiters would take profs to lunch and ask who they thought the best students were, so it was important to have a good relationship with them.</p>
<p>Junior Year: Try interviewing for accounting/finance/internal audit internships outside of public accounting. Corporate internships are usually for the summer between junior and senior year. Getting any sort of accounting related experience will really help your resume come recruiting season senior year. You’ll also get to see what working in industry is like–maybe you’ll like it. It’s a good time to explore your different options. Also try to participate in the Summer Leadership Programs that firms put together. Applicants are (usually) not interviewed for these spots, so having a good GPA and being involved with activities on campus can really help, along with attending recruiting events. If you get both a corporate internship and a spot in summer leadership, these two things may conflict time-wise. I was able to get the day off of work, but not all places are this flexible.</p>
<p>Senior Year: Interview for public accounting internships, and maybe some corporate internships as a back up plan. This is really your one shot at getting an internship in public accounting. Most interns are hired full time–this makes your 5th year a lot less stressful.</p>
<p>Masters/Fifth Year: Interview for full time positions if you don’t already have one. Know that there won’t be as many positions available as their were for internships, because most interns accept their full time offer, and firms are only interviewing to “fill” the start class.</p>
<p>As for when you interview, that seems to vary. Some of the people on this board say they interviewed in Fall, while our window is in Spring(for next year). I think your university, provided it’s targeted for recruiting and has some leverage, dictates to the firms what the schedule is. That way it makes everything simpler.</p>
<p>I know at San Diego State University (SDSU), meet the firms is in the fall and everyone applies for summer internships in jan/feb.</p>
<p>Interesting. I always assumed everyone did fall recruiting. I’m surprised the firms would do Spring since that’s when everyone is busiest at work.</p>
<p>I know many current interns that are hired during the spring semester of their junior year as well as students hired during their senior year (4th year, assuming 5 yr program). I think it really comes down to where you are at in your accounting curriculum. I have also only heard of fall recruiting, but I am sure there are a few places that do spring recruiting as well.</p>
<p>Cream - yes, I would agree that the summer after soph year is probably to soon to get an internship at a Big 4 firm.</p>
<p>I think the idea is that they really want to recruit for the following busy season but that recruiting in the Fall of 09 for the Spring of 11 for example is just too long. Besides, the recruiters aren’t busy filing tax returns anyway and the interviews with managers and whatnot mainly take place after busy season is over(but before the Spring semester is over).</p>
<p>They also might be staggering their events so they can have the same people recruit from the other two schools they draw from around here in Fall and mine in the Spring.</p>
<p>Any suggestions for someone who has already completed an internship (Internal Audit) but not in a public accounting firm? I still got at least a year to go, maybe more, not counting the fifth year for the MAcc.</p>
<p>any one knows or has experienced any business school in kansas im thinking of gettint one in kansas close to gardner city i would be very grateful.</p>
<p>any one knows or has experienced any business school in kansas im thinking of gettint one in kansas close to gardner city i would be very grateful.</p>
<p>Though you might have trouble getting an internship at the big 4, you should definitely try to pursue an accounting internship with a smaller company after sophomore year if you really want to be a competitive applicant.</p>
<p>After sophomore year, get any internship you can. You probably won’t get Big 4 internship because they are looking for students who have taken upper level accounting courses. Rising juniors without an internship are in a bad position.</p>
<p>OK, so the internship is pretty much a must for public accounting, so Im asking for some honest responses and some hopeful advice for my situation. After this summer, I will have two internships under my belt, one doing internal audit at a theme park, and one as a purchasing analyst at a manufacturing company. I ultimately want to do public accounting though. I just interviewed last week for Deloitte’s summer leadership conference, and I sent in my application for the one for BDO, and I know these conferences often turn into internship offers. I won’t take intermediate accounting I until next semester, so Im a little behind. I plan on doing the five year master’s route, though not at my current school. Anyways, what do you think my chances are of getting an internship with either the big 4 or BDO/GT? My resume is pretty solid, though my gpa could be better (3.27). They all recruit from my school (except E&Y for some reason). I’ve still got a year and a half left in undergrad, if that makes a difference. Thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Well, your resume and GPA got you the interviews. So now its a matter of how well you present and handle yourself in the interviews.</p>
<p>oh and they DO interview for summer leadership programs. I have one with PwC in about a week.</p>