Accounting Internship: Benefits and Top Institutions
An accounting internship is a position that provides students and recent graduates with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field of accounting. Interns typically work under the guidance of experienced accountants and perform a variety of tasks, such as data entry, and financial analysis, and assist with preparing financial statements.
Accounting internships are usually offered by public accounting firms, private companies, and government agencies. They can be full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid, and can last for a few months or up to a year. Some accounting internships are tailored to students who are currently enrolled in an accounting or finance program, while others are open to recent graduates or even professionals who are looking to change careers.
The benefits of an accounting internship include:
Gaining hands-on experience: An internship provides the opportunity to apply what you have learned in the classroom to real-world situations, and develop the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the field.
Building a professional network: Interning at a reputable accounting firm or company allows you to connect with professionals in the industry, which can be valuable in your future job search.
Enhancing your resume: An internship on your resume can demonstrate your commitment to the field and show potential employers that you have relevant experience.
Improving your chances of getting hired: Many accounting firms and companies use internships.
There are many reputable institutions around the world that offer accounting programs, but some of the top institutions for accounting education include:
Harvard University: Harvard Business School offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a concentration in accounting, as well as a doctoral program in accounting.
University of Pennsylvania: The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in accounting, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a concentration in accounting.
Stanford University: The Graduate School of Business at Stanford University offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a concentration in accounting, as well as a doctoral program in accounting.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): MIT's Sloan School of Management offers a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a concentration in accounting, as well as a doctoral program in accounting.
University of Chicago: The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in accounting, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a concentration in accounting.
London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE): LSE has a strong reputation for accounting education and research, it offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in accounting and finance.
University of Cambridge: Cambridge Judge Business School of the University of Cambridge offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in accounting and finance.
Oxford University: The Saïd Business School of Oxford University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in accounting and finance.
Princeton University: The Princeton University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in accounting, as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program with a concentration in accounting.
University of California, Berkeley: The Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in accounting, as well as a Master of Business Administration
In addition, the desired accounting role can be found on job search platforms.