<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>Been a while since i posted on here but i was looking for some good advice. i just finished my first year at university of washington and I ended up doing very well with a 3.99 cum. I'm going to be in the business school and focusing on accounting and realllllly want to get an accounting internship (i know its too ambitious for a big 4 this early) that would help me out in the long run. If i don't end up getting an accounting internship, I may just get one at mckinsey and co where i end up having quite a good connection. Any advice on when/where to start looking for this type of internship?</p>
<p>thanksssss</p>
<p>Typically you do an accounting internship during the second semester of your junior year, i.e during busy season. Most employers will want you to have exposure to intermediate accounting, and depending on what type of internship, they may want you to have taken tax or auditing. If it is Big 4 you are after, then you need to start getting face time with the recruiters. You should start doing this right away by attending on campus meet and greets and any speakers that may come to campus through your accounting club. Big 4 firms usually recruit pretty far in advance, and usually do most recruiting in person by conducting on campus interviews or through career fairs. See if the business school has a career center, or get involved with the accounting club so that you can gain some insight as to how Big 4 recruits on your campus.</p>
<p>On another note, if you have an in with Mckinsey, and that is something that interests you, then by all means use that connection to your full advantage.</p>
<p>You’re asking this question at the ideal point in time. In the fall of your sophomore year (usually around October), the Big 4 accounting firms will begin to recruit for their summer “externship” programs for those completing their sophomore year. KPMG calls their program “Fast Forward.” Ernst & Young calls theirs “Summer Leadership Program.” You can check out the websites of the remaining two firms. If they don’t recruit on your campus, see whether you can apply for these programs online this fall. Being selected for these one-week-long programs in the summer after your sophomore year gives you a leg up on snagging an internship for the all-important summer following junior year. In fact, if all goes well, you will receive an internship offer before you return to school for your junior year. Hope this info helps and that you are selected for one or more of these programs. Keep us posted!</p>