For individuals nearing completion of a bachelor's degree in accounting — or perhaps those who have just graduated — working as an accounting intern is likely the first step towards a career in the field. Typically, companies hire interns to work at reduced wages so that these individuals can gain practical experience in the field while finishing school. For the company, it is a chance to identify prospective talent to bring into their organization. As an accounting intern, the individual can gain useful insight into the practical application of accounting practices and theory, performing hands-on tasks such as data entry, billing functions, and assisting with more complicated tasks.
In many cases, an accounting intern is assigned to a department or the supervision of specific individual. The intern assists the accounting professional(s) with daily tasks, while learning any necessary company software and developing an understanding of standard practices and the organization's procedures. The intern helps analyze account statements, generate necessary reports, and participate in the closing of accounting periods (end of month, quarterly, or yearly occurrences). They look to the professionals in the accounting department as mentors and seek to broaden their education as a result of this practical experience.
To work as an accounting intern, a person must typically be working toward a degree in accounting at an accredited university. In some cases, a company may hire recent graduates with accounting degrees as interns as well, especially if the internship is meant as a springboard to a formal job offering later. The accounting intern needs to be comfortable with computers and typically works full time during regular business hours in an office environment.
Accounting Intern Tasks
Collect, analyze, and summarize operating data, highlighting trends and patterns.
Prepare, review, and analyze financial information like cost benefit analyses, profit, and loss statements and the like.
Assist with billing and collections, including filing invoices, generating checks, and annotating reports.