15 Accounting Internships for Undergraduates
Internships can be a practical step for college students looking to understand how classroom concepts apply in real-world settings. For those studying accounting, internships provide insight into what daily work might involve—whether it’s preparing financial statements, supporting tax audits, or using accounting software.
These experiences help students explore different areas within the field, such as finance, auditing, and consulting, and can clarify whether a particular path aligns with their goals. Internships also allow students to develop professional skills and begin building experience that can be useful when applying for jobs or graduate programs.
If you're an undergraduate interested in exploring the accounting profession, here are 15 internships to consider.
1.BDO Accounting Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; over 100 interns recruited nationally each summer
Location: Multiple U.S. offices (typically in-person); some roles offer hybrid/remote flexibility
Stipend: Paid internship; competitive hourly compensation
Dates: Summer term, generally spanning 8–10 weeks between May–August
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by office, typically between January and March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
BDO provides accounting internships for undergraduates which places them in accounting roles across assurance, tax, advisory, and digital divisions. Your role may include supporting audits, preparing tax returns, assisting on advisory cases, and using accounting software while being coached by professionals. Each intern is matched with a mentor and a "buddy" who provides guidance, helps navigate firm tools, and fosters a collaborative learning environment. The program includes structured training sessions, firm-wide workshops, and flexible work arrangements, including hybrid or remote options. You get to present outcomes to senior staff and receive feedback, offering clarity about accounting career paths and enhancing your professional confidence.
2. Ladder Internships Program
Cost: Varies
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Application deadline:varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Eligibility: Undergraduates who can work 10-20 hours a week
Ladder Internships is a selective program that connects ambitious undergraduate students with high-growth startups for real-world internship experiences. The program includes opportunities in a wide range of industries including accounting, finance, consulting, and business operations, giving students practical exposure to the inner workings of startups. You collaborate directly with founders, team leads, and a dedicated Ladder Coach to work on meaningful projects that reflect the company’s current priorities. Startups in the program typically have strong funding backgrounds, offering a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
3. PKF O'Connor Davies Summer Audit Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically selects over 100 interns nationally
Location: Multiple U.S. offices
Stipend: Paid internship; hourly compensation (approx. $28–30)
Dates: Mid‑June to mid‑August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer Audit roles typically open in early fall
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors in accounting or related majors
The Summer Audit Internship introduces undergraduate juniors and seniors to audit engagements across diverse industries. You will join client service teams where you will assist with planning, testing, and documentation of financial statements while also managing a market research project to present to firm leaders. Paired with intern advisors and mentors, you will gain exposure to audit tools and methodologies within a team-based environment. The internship includes firm-sponsored training sessions, community service initiatives, and networking events to enhance professional growth. You will wrap up the program by presenting your findings to senior staff, earning visibility and confidence in client-facing communication.
4. Weaver Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; over 100 interns hired annually
Location: Multiple U.S. offices; internships are in-person
Stipend: Paid internship; $33–36/hour depending on location
Dates: Summer and academic-year internships lasting 6–12 weeks
Application Deadline: Summer roles typically posted in fall; spring positions open mid-academic year
Eligibility: U.S. work-authorized undergraduates in accounting or related majors; minimum GPA of at least 3.0
Weaver offers robust accounting internships for undergraduate students, covering auditing, tax, advisory, risk and IT services, energy compliance, and forensic accounting. You will be treated as a full team contributor—working directly with partners and staff on meaningful client engagements, from planning and testing to drafting financial reports and participating in tax preparation. The program combines formal training sessions and on-the-job learning, supported by mentors who guide you through professional development and accounting challenges.
5. PKF O'Connor Davies Winter Tax Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; mid‑size cohort nationally
Location: Multiple U.S. offices; in-person
Stipend: Paid internship; hourly compensation (approx. $28–30)
Dates: Mid‑February to mid‑April (12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Recruitment begins in late fall/winter
Eligibility: Undergraduate juniors and seniors in accounting or related majors with at least a 3.0 GPA
The Winter Tax Internship offers undergraduate juniors and seniors a part-time experience during the busy tax filing season. You will support client service teams by engaging in tax data scanning, preparing federal and state tax returns, and assisting with tax research and compliance tasks. Over 12 weeks, you will work at least 20 hours per week and participate in firm-led training, community service projects, and professional development workshops. Mentorship from experienced tax professionals will enable you to refine your technical skills, understand tax software, and develop client communication strategies.
6. Goldman Sachs Summer Analyst Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive?
Location: U.S. offices (e.g. NYC, Dallas, Seattle)
Cost/Stipend: Fully paid; competitive market-level compensation
Dates: 9–10 weeks during summer (typically June–August)
Application Deadline: Applications close between January–March
Eligibility: Undergraduate rising juniors (penultimate-year students); U.S. work authorization required
The Summer Analyst Program at Goldman Sachs offers undergraduates a 9–10 week introduction to roles within Internal Audit, Controllers, and other finance-focused teams. You will begin with a formal orientation and training sessions designed to sharpen technical skills and prepare you for finance tasks. Throughout the summer, you will collaborate closely with professionals on projects like financial reporting, risk assessment, audit testing, and accounting controls. You will benefit from continuous mentorship, cross-team interaction, and structured networking events. At the end, you will present your findings to senior leaders, enhancing both analytical thinking and communication abilities.
7. JPMorgan Chase Markets Summer Analyst Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: U.S. offices (e.g., New York, Chicago, Houston); on-site internship
Stipend: Paid internship; compensation includes hourly pay and potential housing allowance
Dates: 10-week summer program, typically between June–August
Application Deadline: Summer Audit roles are usually posted in the fall, with applications closing in winter
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (typically sophomores or juniors) studying accounting, finance, business, or related fields
J.P. Morgan’s Audit Summer Analyst program invites undergraduates to gain experience in evaluating internal controls and business processes that support the firm’s global operations. Over 10 weeks, you will perform activities such as process documentation, walkthroughs, testing, and audit report preparation—all while collaborating closely with both business and technology audit teams. You'll begin with a comprehensive week of technical training—covering audit methodologies, Excel best practices, and communication skills—before jumping into audit assignments. The program emphasizes continuous mentorship, with auditors guiding interns through each phase, and offers a structured pathway to develop risk assessment and analytical skills.
8. BMSS Advisors & CPAs Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Cohort size not publicly disclosed
Location: In-person at U.S. offices (e.g., Birmingham, Huntsville, Gadsden, Ridgeland)
Stipend: Paid internship; hourly compensation
Dates: 4 weeks (typically June)
Application Deadline: Summer program applications open in fall
Eligibility: Undergraduate accounting students (sophomore–junior level) nearing completion of degree
Internships at BMSS introduce undergraduate students to accounting rotations across both audit and tax departments. You collaborate with experienced professionals and partners, contributing to client engagements, from preparing financial reports and performing audit procedures to assisting with tax planning and compliance tasks. The program emphasizes mentorship, offering pathways that guide you through both practice areas and help shape your career interests. You also take part in career development workshops, community outreach, and firm events that enhance both technical expertise and cultural integration.
9. Deloitte Discovery Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Location: Multiple U.S. offices (e.g., Dallas, NYC, Seattle). Both hybrid and in‑person options depending on the role
Stipend: Paid internship; approximately $25–$32 per hour (varies by office)
Dates: 7–10 weeks, usually between June – July
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in fall and close around January–March
Eligibility: U.S.-authorized undergraduates (freshmen to juniors) pursuing accounting, finance, business, or related majors; often requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0–3.2
Deloitte’s Discovery Internship offers freshmen, sophomores, and juniors exposure to accounting and other professional services through client-facing and internal roles. You engage in tasks like financial analysis, audit testing, or tax research while attending structured training sessions to build technical skills and business acumen. Each participant is paired with a coach and an onboarding advisor for continuous feedback and guidance. The program blends project work with networking events, team-building activities, and learning modules on leadership and communication.
10. Bank of America Finance Management Summer Analyst
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; select group from a large candidate pool
Location: Multiple U.S. offices (e.g., Charlotte, NY, others); all internships are on-site
Stipend: Paid program; competitive compensation, exact amount not specified
Dates: 10 weeks during the summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: October 16
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduates (rising juniors preferred) majoring in accounting, finance, economics, or related fields; minimum 3.2 GPA
Bank of America's Finance Management Summer Analyst (FMAP) internship for undergraduates is a 10-week program focusing on accounting and finance. You contribute to financial planning, balance sheet analysis, and internal treasury functions while developing skills in forecasting, budgeting, and data modeling. You'll engage in formal training—covering banking operations, data literacy, and presentation skills—paired with mentorship and access to an executive speaker series and DEI networking events. Interns collaborate with finance leaders, participate in community service, and apply financial insights directly in business rotations.
11. KPMG Summer Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Location: U.S. offices nationwide; primarily in-person engagements
Stipend: Paid internship; competitive hourly compensation
Dates: 8–10 weeks during summer, between May–August
Application Deadline: Summer roles are typically posted in fall, with deadlines from January–April
Eligibility: U.S. work-authorized undergraduates (sophomores or juniors) majoring in accounting, finance, or related fields
KPMG’s summer internships for undergraduates provide full-time roles across audit, tax, and advisory departments. You engage in client projects, performing audit testing, preparing tax deliverables, or analyzing business challenges while receiving structured training and mentor support. You will be assigned both a performance manager and a peer buddy, fostering on-the-job learning, technical growth, and soft skill development, like communication and team collaboration.
12. Fidelity Investments Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive—around 1,000 interns participate annually
Location: Multiple U.S. offices (e.g., Boston, Charlotte, Westlake, Merrimack)
Stipend: Paid internship; competitive hourly compensation, with eligibility for housing and relocation support
Dates: 10-week program during the summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Application window typically opens mid‑September and closes mid‑October
Eligibility: U.S.-authorized undergraduates returning to school (freshman–senior); majors in accounting, finance, audit, or related fields; minimum GPA not explicitly stated
Fidelity offers a 10-week summer internship where undergraduates have the opportunity to engage in finance, accounting, audit, and related business roles within its diverse corporate divisions. You work on projects like financial analysis, balance sheet forecasting, systems auditing, or investment support, collaborating closely with full-time associates and managers. The program combines on-the-job responsibilities with structured learning—including core series sessions on financial literacy, data tools, and industry fundamentals—paired with mentorship and peer networking. With strong post-internship hiring rates, Fidelity’s program offers a great environment for aspiring finance and accounting professionals.
13. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Pathways Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by office
Location: In‑person across U.S. IRS offices and field sites
Stipend: Paid internship; hourly rate ranges between $18–$27, depending on position and location
Dates: Part- to full-time over summer and academic year; approx. 6–12 weeks or up to academic program length
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by office
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in undergraduate accounting, finance, economics, or related programs
The IRS Pathways Program offers undergraduates exposure to federal accounting and auditing roles—such as tax specialists, revenue agents, and investigative positions—through supervised project work in financial analysis, compliance, and audit processes. You support tasks like preparing financial reports, conducting internal reviews, and assisting with tax-related investigations while gaining experience with federal systems and procedures. The program includes structured training, mentorship, and opportunities to collaborate with IRS professionals, including potential site visits and participation in audit fieldwork. At the end, you also present your work to senior staff, strengthening your communication and analytical skills.
14. EY Service Line Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive – EY typically recruits 100+ summer interns
Location: Various U.S. offices; in-person internships
Stipend: Paid internship; competitive compensation
Dates: Generally 8–12 weeks between May–August
Application Deadline: Applications open in fall; reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduates in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related majors; minimum 3.0 GPA
EY’s Service Line Internship invites undergraduate students to work alongside professionals across audit, tax, consulting, strategy, and transactions service areas. As an intern, you will assist with critical tasks like conducting audit testing, analyzing internal controls, supporting tax planning, or participating in digital transformation projects while engaging directly with clients. The program features training, regular coaching sessions, and networking events designed to refine technical expertise and interpersonal skills.
15. U.S. Department of the Treasury Student Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by office
Location: Many offices which make up Treasury Departmental Offices (headquarters)
Stipend: None
Dates: Spring (January-May), Summer (May-August), Fall (September-December)
Application Deadline: Spring interns apply in October, Summer interns apply in December, Fall interns apply in June
Eligibility: U.S. citizens enrolled in accredited undergraduate programs in accounting, finance, economics, public policy, or related fields
The Treasury’s student internships offer undergraduates experience in federal accounting, finance, policy, and administrative functions. You assist with tasks like budget preparation, financial reporting, economic data analysis, and strategic planning across Departmental Offices. Paired with mentors, you’ll conduct research, draft briefing materials, present findings, and collaborate with senior staff and interagency teams. The program often includes observing congressional hearings, attending conferences, and participating in departmental workshops. While unpaid, you get access to valuable federal training and professional networks.