Accounting Internships in Orlando: A Launchpad for Your Career

An accounting internship in Orlando can be a pivotal step for students and graduates seeking to launch their careers in the field. These internships provide invaluable real-world experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to apply academic knowledge to practical situations. Whether you're aiming for a Big Four firm or a smaller, more specialized company, Orlando offers a diverse landscape of opportunities to kickstart your accounting career.

The Allure of the Big Four: PwC, EY, KPMG, and Deloitte

The "Big Four" accounting firms - PwC (Price Waterhouse Coopers), Ernst & Young (EY), KPMG, and Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu - are highly sought-after destinations for accounting internships. These firms boast global prestige, strong brand recognition, and competitive internship salaries, attracting top students from around the world. Landing an internship with one of the Big Four can significantly enhance a young professional's resume and open doors to future career opportunities.

PwC: A Deep Dive into Opportunities

PwC offers a variety of programs designed to attract and develop future leaders in the accounting profession. Their approach focuses on providing diverse experiences, mentorship, and technological resources to help interns excel.

Start Internship: A Foundation for Success

Start is PwC’s diversity summer internship experience, uniquely designed for high-performing college sophomores (and juniors, if in a five-year program) who self-identify as members of traditionally underrepresented minority groups in the professional services industry, protected veterans, and/or individuals with disabilities. This program serves as a career readiness and leadership development experience, aiming to enhance business acumen and promote an inclusive mindset.

Eligibility for the Start Internship requires candidates to be pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and be in their sophomore year of a 4-year degree program or junior year of a five-year degree program. Those pursuing an Associate's Degree and planning to transfer to a four-year institution are also eligible.

A successful Start internship can lead to an Advance internship offer for the following year, solidifying a pathway within PwC.

Advance Internship: Building Expertise

Open to juniors (in a four-year program) and seniors (in a five-year program), Advance Internships typically take place one year prior to graduation. As a Senior Associate Intern in the Advance internship program, you'll work on teams in our Advisory practice to develop deeper expertise in your area of focus and establish yourself as a leader.

Destination CPA: Paving the Way to Licensure

Destination CPA is a three-day, in-person, immersive event, during which attendees will have the opportunity to network and build relationships with other future CPAs, PwC professionals and discover the versatility of a CPA license and how it can impact your career- at PwC and beyond. The program seeks college sophomores (in a four-year program) or juniors (in a five-year program) who are pursuing an accounting major and 150 credit hours.

Career Preview: An Early Start

Career Preview is designed for high-performing college freshmen who self-identify as members of traditionally underrepresented minority groups in the professional services industry, protected veterans, and/or individuals with disabilities. This three-day, immersive experience allows students to confirm their academic path and career objectives while becoming acquainted with PwC.

Women’s Consulting Experience

During Women’s Consulting Experience, attendees will gain valuable insight into the firm, our advisory practice and our professionals while discovering leadership skills that can be used on campus and beyond. This program seeks sophomore (in a four-year program) or junior (in a five-year program) women who have not previously interned at PwC. In order to receive an invitation to Women’s Consulting Experience, candidates must apply to and receive an offer for a 2028 Advisory Advance Internship with PwC.

Read also: Career in Accounting

Unique One-Year Program: Learn While You Earn

PwC offers a unique one-year program designed to provide eligible individuals who will have completed their bachelor's degree by May 2027, to obtain additional credit hours and a Master’s Degree while working at PwC. This fellowship combines real work experiences through paid, part-time work at PwC and a tuition paid, on-line master’s degree program at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. Fellows may be offered a full-time associate position at PwC after the successful completion of the fellowship program. This program is designed to provide eligible college seniors, who identify as an underrepresented minority, with an opportunity to continue their education, become CPA eligible, and embark on a unique path to an in-demand career in Accounting.

KPMG: Investing in People and Their Futures

KPMG emphasizes personal and professional development, collaboration, integrity, ethics, and inclusion. The firm offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports the physical, mental, and financial well-being of its employees. KPMG understands what matters most to our professionals. That’s why we’re proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that promotes physical, mental, and financial well-being. Perks such as our comprehensive health insurance, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, mortgage assistance programs, etc.

KPMG is committed to providing innovative career development programs. Values like a commitment to education and life-long learning empower people to take control of their careers and professional development.

Beyond the Big Four: Exploring Other Opportunities

While the Big Four offer prestigious internships, numerous other opportunities exist in Orlando's accounting landscape. Smaller companies, boutique accounting firms, and non-profit organizations (NFPs) can provide valuable experiences and diverse responsibilities.

Benefits of Smaller Firms and NFPs

Many smaller companies and NFPs lack in-house financial experts, creating opportunities for accounting interns to take on significant responsibilities. These responsibilities can range from managing bank accounts to creating month-end reports, offering a broad and hands-on learning experience.

Read also: Master's in Accountancy at Rutgers

Medium to Larger Size Firms

In addition to small businesses, medium to larger size firms offer a variety of accounting internships with different cultures and compensation packages.

Gaining Practical Experience: What to Expect in an Accounting Internship

Accounting internships provide opportunities to immerse oneself in the type of work encountered as a full-time associate. Interns may assist with audits, reviews, compilations, and accounting services, learning to identify and resolve key audit issues.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities

Interns may be involved in tasks such as:

Preparing tax returns for individuals, partnerships, or corporations.
Preparing tax adjusting entries and tax trial balances.
Assisting with audits, including cash verification, bank reconciliations, and accounts payable management.
Searching for unrecorded liabilities and maintaining confirmation logs.
Preparing audit work papers.
Assisting with project management in advisory roles.

CohnReznick: An Example of a Mid-Size Firm

CohnReznick offers advisory internship opportunities that expose interns to various client engagements, helping them run their businesses. Interns have the opportunity to assist teams with project management and build knowledge of the wide range of services CohnReznick Advisory provides. Their summer internship program runs from June through August.

CohnReznick’s ACE (Accounting Career Exploration) program is available to talented freshman and sophomore college students interested in a professional services career. The day-long program consists of in-person networking with our talented team members, professional development workshops, and a CohnReznick Cares (community service) project. Professional development workshops include creating an elevator pitch, resume building, ACEing your interview, and Q&A session with our team members around their professional services careers.

Essential Skills for Success

Entering the professional world requires both technical knowledge and soft skills. To succeed, interns should focus on mastering:

Communication skills
Teamwork abilities
Integrity
Enthusiasm

Tips for Securing an Accounting Internship

Building qualifications early is crucial. All actions, both online and offline, impact a candidate's profile and chances of getting hired.

Internship Timing

Internships with "Winter, Winter/Spring, or W/S" in the title are 40+ hour per week opportunities taking place from January - March; internships with "Summer" in the title will take place from June - July/August.

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