Navigating the PwC Internship Application Process: A Comprehensive Guide

PwC, a multinational professional services network and one of the "Big Four" accounting firms, offers a wide array of internship opportunities for students and young professionals seeking to gain exposure to the professional world and develop new skills. A PwC internship is a chance for students and recent graduates to gain experience and develop their professional skills. Interns work on real projects, collaborate with senior business professionals, and gain insight into the world of professional services. These internships provide invaluable hands-on client experience, professional mentorship, and exposure to real business challenges. However, the PwC internship program is highly competitive, and the application process can be daunting. This article provides a comprehensive guide to navigating the PwC internship application process, covering everything from eligibility and available programs to application tips and interview preparation.

Understanding PwC Internships

PwC internships are designed to be completed prior to completing your degree. A PwC internship is a professional development program that gives students real-world experience across consulting, audit, tax, and advisory services. The firm uses its internship programs to identify high-potential candidates who can contribute long term to its audit, tax, or consulting practices. Internships are typically offered during the summer or academic year and are available for different levels of study, including sophomore, junior, and MBA students.

Benefits of a PwC Internship

The PwC internship offers a long list of benefits. Interns gain access to real projects, mentorship, and a variety of professional resources. Interns also gain the opportunity to travel to different locations, connect with industry professionals, and develop professional and interpersonal skills. Additionally, the internship can potentially lead to a full-time role at PwC. Beyond skills and exposure, the PwC internship program also supports career exploration.

Types of Internships Offered

PwC offers several types of internships that cater to students’ career interests across consulting, audit, tax, and advisory. While many consulting firms will take an employee on as a "generalist", PwC assigns employees to a particular practice area, such as financial services, healthcare, consumer markets, etc. This segmentation allows for the intern to engage in work they are passionate about, and allows the whole team to gain expertise in a certain field.

Advance Internship: The PwC Advance Internship is the firm’s flagship program, typically offered to juniors in undergraduate programs. 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 our 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.
Consulting Internship: Ideal for students interested in management consulting or strategy.
Tax Internship: This internship is designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in tax.
Advisory Internship: Advisory internships are designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in consulting.
Start Internship: 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. Eligibility: To be eligible for the Start Internship, you must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree and be in your sophomore year of a 4-year degree program or junior year of a five-year degree program.

PwC also has a commitment to Black and Latinx applicants, illustrated through the Access Your Potential program focused on closing the opportunity and employment gap. Finally PwC has a sophomore summer internship program.

Read also: Unlock summer legal internships

Winter Internships

Internship opportunities labeled “Winter” run January - March or April and require full-time availability during standard business hours Monday-Friday. We do not recommend being enrolled in classes while completing a winter internship. Associate opportunities labeled “Winter” will typically have a start date in January. Winter internship takes place during the audit and tax busy season, and is a great way build your digital skills and business acumen through hands-on, client experiences. Winter internships generally last from January through March or April. PwC internships are full time and require at least 40 hours of work per week.

Eligibility and Requirements

To be eligible for a PwC internship, you usually need to be an undergraduate or master’s student in accounting, business, or a related field who meets the PwC internship requirements and application deadlines.

Academic Qualifications

GPA is an important factor for PwC internships, as the firm generally looks for strong academic performance, often around a 3.3 GPA or higher. For example, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and recommended to be pursuing a degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.

Other Requirements

Job seekers must have a plan to complete all educational requirements to satisfy the 150 credit hour requirement necessary for the CPA license by August 2025.

PwC currently is not hiring experienced or entry level job seekers who will need, now or in the future, PwC sponsorship through the H-1B lottery, except as set forth on our H-1B lottery policy page. If you have one year or more of relevant, full-time work experience, you may be eligible for an experienced career opportunity.

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The Application Process

The PWC internship application process is quite competitive, and the firm is looking for people who are motivated and have both the skills and the drive to become top professionals. The process consists of an online application and potential interviews.

Finding and Applying for Positions

All available positions are listed at pwc.to/entryleveljobs. Visit pwc.to/entryleveljobs to view available positions. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. For most of our opportunities, we recruit on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to review roles and apply to those they are qualified for based on the job description details and have true interest in pursuing.

Review all opportunities and then click on the link for the position(s) in which you’re interested. After reviewing the position(s) in further detail, including available office locations, select "Apply" if you would like to apply and submit your interest.

When completing the entry-level application, you will be required to specify your preferred PwC office. Please review the job description of the position you are applying for, as it will outline the cities that are available for that particular role.

Online Application

When filling out the online application, make sure to follow the instructions and fill out the forms accurately. Be very thorough in the information you provide, including your academic and work experience, skills, and achievements. Additionally, make sure to include references, where applicable, such as former employers or professors.

Yes, you will be asked to upload a current resume when applying. Submit your resume, transcripts, and cover letter through the PwC careers portal.

Assessment

Yes, for most entry-level roles at PwC, job seekers are required to complete an assessment to be considered for the role. The following entry-level positions do not require a job seeker to complete an assessment: senior associate intern and senior associate full-time positions; seasonal and fixed term positions; and specialist roles.

Please note the use of GenAI during the assessment and interview process is not permitted. We strive for both integrity and equity during the PwC hiring process. As such, it is important that candidates provide information throughout our process that accurately reflects their own unique skills and qualifications.

Interview Process

Once your application is submitted, applicants may be invited to an interview with a member of PWC. Interviews may be one-on-one or in a group format depending on the specific project and role. For Advisory roles, you will be informed of your interview process at the time of your interview invitation.

During the interview, be prepared to answer questions about your resume, skills, and various other aspects. Additionally, it is important to come across as confident, professional, and enthusiastic during the interview process. During the interview experience, you will have an opportunity to showcase your educational background, skills and experiences.

Applicants who show genuine interest in PwC’s purpose and demonstrate adaptability often perform best in interviews and assessments.

Key Considerations for a Successful Application

Getting a PwC internship requires preparation and consistency.

Application Timeline

For most of our opportunities, we recruit on a rolling basis. This means that when our roles open up, we accept applications on an ongoing basis by location and close them as offers are accepted and positions are filled. Select opportunities remain available and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Our recruiters will be reviewing applications received on a rolling or deadline driven basis, which will determine the timeline of next steps.

What PwC Looks For

Selection criteria go beyond grades. PwC looks for candidates who demonstrate curiosity, integrity, and a growth mindset, qualities that reflect the firm’s professional standards. To get a PwC internship, you need to demonstrate strong academic performance, analytical ability, and communication skills through a structured application and interview process.

Familiarize yourself with our global career progression framework, the PwC Professional. It is foundational to PwC and provides transparency on the skills and attributes needed to be successful at the firm.

Compensation and Benefits

PwC interns are paid on an hourly basis, with most earning between $30 and $45 per hour depending on their role, location, and education level. Currently, entry-level associates at PwC receive a base salary anywhere between $65,000-$85,000 (it can reach upwards of $100,000 in certain strategy groups). As an intern, salary is paid on an hourly basis. The PwC internship salary structure reflects the firm’s investment in early talent.

Interns often appreciate the balance between professional learning and personal well-being.

Interns are paid for their work and are eligible for benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, retirement savings plans, and even discounted gym memberships!

Work Environment

A PwC internship gives you firsthand experience of working in a professional services environment where client impact, teamwork, and learning are central. From your first week, you’ll participate in orientation sessions and training workshops to understand PwC’s values, client engagement standards, and digital tools. Beyond the daily work, PwC interns gain exposure to the company’s culture of trust, innovation, and inclusion.

Tools and Technology

Yes, PwC interns typically receive laptops or other necessary equipment during their PwC internship program.

Use of Generative AI

We recognize the growing role of generative AI (GenAI) and support its responsible use in the application process where appropriate. Please note the use of GenAI during the assessment and interview process is not permitted.

Other Programs

Want to "learn while you earn" at PwC? This unique one-year 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. 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.

This unique one-year program is designed to provide a path for 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.

Start: Career Readiness and Leadership Development Experience

Start is PwC’s Career Readiness and Leadership Development Experience, uniquely designed for high-performing individuals looking to grow their business and professional acumen, and inclusive mindset. Start is just the first step in PwC's Internship Experience.

Destination CPA

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. Eligibility: For this program, we are seeking 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

Career Preview is a three-day, immersive experience designed to give attendees an opportunity to really see what PwC is about, how your major fits in at the firm, and begin a professional relationship with PwC employees invested in your personal and professional growth.

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. Career Preview is an excellent opportunity for you to confirm your college academic path and your career objectives, and to become better acquainted with PwC. It's never too early to begin your PwC journey!

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. Eligibility: For this program, we are seeking 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.

Consulting Preview

Consulting Preview is designed for students entering into their first year of business school, pursuing a Masters in Business Administration, and who self-identify as members of traditionally underrepresented minority groups in the professional services industry, protected veterans, and/or individuals with disabilities.

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