Accounting internship recruiting is one of the most important activities CPA firms undertake each year to build their talent pipeline. Firms that invest in structured intern recruitment programs consistently attract stronger candidates, fill critical tax season roles, and convert top performers into full-time hires. For accounting students, understanding how this process works gives you a significant advantage when competing for coveted positions at respected firms.
At Pease Bell (formerly Pease & Associates), accounting internship recruiting has been a cornerstone of the firm’s growth strategy for years. The firm regularly sends team members to university campuses across Northeast Ohio to meet with accounting majors interested in gaining hands-on experience. These recruiting efforts focus specifically on the Tax Department, where interns gain direct exposure to real client work during one of the busiest periods in public accounting.
Why CPA firms recruit interns on campus
CPA firm internship programs depend heavily on face-to-face campus recruiting events. Firms like Pease Bell attend “Meet the Accountants” events at regional universities because these settings allow recruiters to evaluate candidates beyond what a resume can show. A brief conversation reveals communication skills, enthusiasm for the profession, and genuine interest in tax work that no application form can capture.
Campus recruiting also lets firms target specific programs with strong accounting curricula. Pease Bell has historically recruited at Cleveland State University, Kent State University, Baldwin-Wallace University, and John Carroll University. These schools produce graduates with solid technical foundations and proximity to the firm’s client base in the greater Cleveland area.
For students wondering how to get an accounting internship, attending these campus events is the single most effective first step. Recruiters at these events are actively looking for candidates and often conduct initial screening conversations on the spot. The AICPA-CIMA student and candidate resources reinforce that early engagement with firms is central to building a public accounting career.
What makes a CPA firm internship worth pursuing
Not all accounting internships are created equal. A CPA firm internship at a well-regarded firm offers several advantages over internships at corporations or government agencies. Interns at CPA firms typically work directly with client files, prepare actual tax returns, and interact with experienced CPAs who serve as mentors throughout the engagement. Firms with a broad range of accounting services expose interns to varied work that builds a stronger foundation than a single-function role.
Pease Bell has been named to Inside Public Accounting’s “Best of the Best” list of top-performing CPA firms nationwide, a distinction that speaks to the quality of training and client work interns can expect. The firm has also been recognized repeatedly on the NorthCoast 99 list of top regional workplaces in Northeast Ohio, which signals a supportive work environment where interns are treated as valued team members rather than observers.
A tax department internship at a firm with these credentials provides more than resume padding. It delivers real professional development, exposure to diverse client situations, and a clear path to understanding whether public accounting is the right career fit. Interns supporting tax advisory services see how compliance work connects to broader client planning, which is rare in introductory roles.
How the accounting intern recruitment schedule works
Accounting internship recruiting follows a predictable annual cycle that students should plan around. Most CPA firms begin their campus recruiting efforts in September and October, well ahead of the January-through-April tax season when interns are needed most. This timeline gives firms enough lead time to interview, select, and onboard candidates before busy season begins.
Pease Bell’s recruiting schedule illustrates this pattern clearly. The firm’s team visits multiple universities over the course of a single week in September, attending structured career events where they can meet dozens of candidates in a short period. Students who wait until November or December to start looking for accounting internships often find that the strongest firms have already filled their positions.
The accounting intern recruitment schedule also varies by firm size. Larger firms like the Big Four may begin recruiting as early as the spring semester for the following year’s internships. Mid-size and regional firms like Pease Bell typically recruit in the fall, which gives students at smaller programs a competitive window to secure high-quality placements.
What CPA firms look for in intern candidates
CPA firms recruiting interns prioritize a specific set of qualities beyond academic performance. While a strong GPA in accounting coursework is a baseline requirement, firms are equally interested in candidates who demonstrate motivation, curiosity, and the ability to work effectively under the time pressure that characterizes tax season.
Pease Bell has consistently sought “enthusiastic and motivated accounting majors” for their intern positions. This language is deliberate. Firms want candidates who view the internship as a learning opportunity rather than just a credential. During campus recruiting events, the students who ask thoughtful questions about client work, firm culture, and professional development tend to advance further in the selection process.
Technical skills matter as well. Familiarity with tax preparation software, proficiency in Excel, and a working knowledge of individual and business tax concepts all strengthen a candidate’s position. Students who have completed intermediate accounting and at least one tax course are generally better prepared to contribute meaningfully during their internship. The AICPA’s ThisWayToCPA resource outlines the coursework and credentials that position students for both internships and eventual licensure.
How to prepare for meet the accountants events
Meet the Accountants events are structured networking sessions where accounting students interact with representatives from multiple firms simultaneously. These events can feel overwhelming, but preparation makes a significant difference in the quality of conversations you have with recruiters.
Start by researching which firms will be attending. Most university career services offices publish a list of participating firms ahead of the event. Review each firm’s website to understand their service lines, client base, and any recent awards or recognitions. When you approach a firm’s table and can reference something specific about their practice, you immediately stand out from candidates who are working the room generically.
Bring multiple copies of your resume, dress in professional business attire, and prepare a concise introduction that covers your academic focus, relevant coursework, and what you are looking for in an internship. For a tax department internship specifically, mentioning your interest in tax compliance, planning, or a particular client industry shows recruiters that you have given serious thought to your career direction.
Follow up within 48 hours of the event. A brief email thanking the recruiter for their time and reiterating your interest in the firm’s program can set you apart. Many students skip this step, which means those who do it gain a measurable advantage in the selection process.
Do accounting internships lead to full-time positions
One of the strongest arguments for pursuing a CPA firm internship is the conversion rate from intern to full-time employee. Most mid-size and regional accounting firms use their internship programs as a primary hiring channel. Firms invest significant time and resources in training interns, so extending offers to high performers is far more efficient than recruiting externally for entry-level positions.
At firms like Pease Bell, interns who demonstrate strong work ethic, technical aptitude, and cultural fit during their engagement are routinely invited back for full-time roles after graduation. The internship effectively serves as an extended interview where both the candidate and the firm can evaluate long-term compatibility.
Students should approach their accounting internship with this trajectory in mind. Treating every assignment with professionalism, seeking feedback actively, and building relationships across the firm all increase the likelihood of receiving a full-time offer. The firms that invest in accounting internship recruiting do so because they are building their future workforce, not just filling temporary seats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an accounting internship at a CPA firm?
Attend campus recruiting events like Meet the Accountants, apply directly through firm websites, and network with accounting professors who often have firm connections. Most CPA firms recruit in September and October for spring tax season internships, so start your search early in the fall semester.
When do accounting firms start recruiting interns?
Most CPA firms begin accounting internship recruiting in September for internships that start the following January. Larger firms may recruit as early as spring for the next year. Regional firms typically finalize their intern selections by November.
What should I expect during a tax department internship?
A tax department internship involves preparing individual and business tax returns, organizing client documents, and learning tax compliance procedures under the supervision of experienced CPAs. Interns at mid-size firms typically work directly on client files rather than performing only administrative tasks.
What qualifications do CPA firms look for in interns?
CPA firms seek accounting majors with strong GPAs, completed coursework in intermediate accounting and tax, proficiency in Excel, and demonstrated enthusiasm for public accounting. Soft skills like communication, time management, and the ability to work under deadline pressure are equally valued.
Do accounting internships lead to full-time job offers?
Yes, most CPA firms use internship programs as their primary pipeline for entry-level hiring. Interns who perform well and fit the firm’s culture are frequently offered full-time positions after graduation. Because firms invest heavily in training their interns, extending offers to strong performers is far more efficient than recruiting externally for entry-level roles.
How should I prepare for a Meet the Accountants event?
Research attending firms in advance, bring updated resumes, dress professionally, and prepare specific questions about each firm’s internship program and practice areas. Follow up with a thank-you email within 48 hours to reinforce your interest.
