Eide Bailly Intern Journey: Xana Serra
April 27, 2026
Where Culture Meets Purpose: My Path to Eide Bailly
By Xana Serra
When I first met Eide Bailly at Arizona State University’s Meet the Firms mixer, I didn’t yet know where I wanted my accounting career to take me. From class to class and student to student, the sentiment was always the same: because firms are indistinguishable from one another, the one you choose doesn’t matter. Upon meeting Eide Bailly, however, I quickly realized that sentiment was undeniably false. The firm’s emphasis on values, people, and shared purpose made a lasting impression. Every member of the team exuded genuine excitement for the firm’s future. Although brief, that first meeting sparked a connection that opened the door to my internship, eventually leading to my acceptance of a full-time offer.
My internship at Eide Bailly was the most pivotal experience of my academic and professional journey. As an Audit & Tax Intern, I had the opportunity to explore two of public accounting’s core service lines. This structure allowed me to better understand my professional interests. At the start, I was certain I would end up in tax, after all, it had been my favorite course at ASU. Still, once I experienced both disciplines firsthand, my perspective shifted significantly.
While I enjoyed the detailed nature of tax work, assurance projects offered an environment where I could work alongside a team toward a shared goal. Though I didn’t realize it initially, my internship at Eide Bailly showed me how deeply I value collaborative effort. In the final days of the program, I reflected on my time in each department and what each path could look like. I realized that my strengths aligned more naturally with assurance work, which is something I never would have discovered without Eide Bailly’s combination internship. The freedom to learn, pivot, and find the best fit for you is not something every firm prioritizes, and it’s one of the reasons Eide Bailly stood out from the beginning.
The easiest career decision I’ve ever made came at the close of my summer internship when I was offered a full-time position. Receiving the offer was rewarding, but more importantly, it felt like the natural next step. Each day of my eight-week internship reaffirmed that Eide Bailly was the right place for me. Saying “yes” to joining such a driven and enthusiastic team was a decision made without hesitation. Eide Bailly’s dedication to practicing what they preach is the why behind my admiration of the firm. Its core values - integrity, authenticity, and people - deeply resonate with my personal convictions, and I am proud to be part of the Eide Bailly family.
Integrity at Eide Bailly means consciously choosing what is right rather than opting for the path of least resistance. Even as an intern, I was trusted with meaningful work, real deadlines, and an expectation to put in my best effort. I quickly saw just how valued consistently tackling tasks the right way was. Cutting corners was never a consideration. The firm’s clear commitment to ethical, principled work immediately resonated with me, and I aspire to model this throughout my career in public accounting.
Authenticity, I believe, is synonymous with Eide Bailly. Each person at the firm is truly encouraged to be themselves. There is no pressure to fit a certain mold, as diversity is celebrated and recognized as essential to the firm’s success. Even at the Intern level, we were welcomed as if we were true members of the team. Eide Bailly encourages individuality, honest conversations, and the freedom to be inquisitive. Sharing new ideas and building upon one another is how meaningful, lasting growth occurs. During my internship I felt comfortable being myself, which significantly contributed to my decision to return as a full-time associate.
Perhaps the most important value that I share with Eide Bailly is its prioritization of people. The firm is grounded in the belief that its people are what make it unique. A people-focused culture means caring deeply for clients, supporting colleagues, respecting contributions, and maintaining an enjoyable work environment. In each respect, Eide Bailly is incomparable. What stood out to me particularly was the firm’s care for inexperienced staff. As an intern, I was connected with an experienced associate. This “buddy system” empowered me to reach out with any questions, whether about a complex accounting concept or simply the plan for lunch. Now, as an associate, I have a Career Advisor who advocates for my success and helps me reach major milestones within the firm. Eide Bailly’s measurable care for its staff is clear, and it is what I am most proud of as a member of the Eide Bailly family.
If you had asked me a year ago where I would be working after graduation, I likely would have mentioned Eide Bailly only as a hopeful possibility. Today, however, I am grateful for everything that has transpired in the past year. From meeting Eide Bailly’s standout recruitment team at Arizona State University, to interning at the firm last summer, and ultimately to accepting a full-time position in a service line I had not anticipated, I have nothing but excitement for my future and gratitude for the experiences the firm has provided. Growing alongside a firm that cares deeply about its values, people, and impact is an exciting reality, and reminds me each day why I chose to join Eide Bailly’s mission.