Internship Turning Points
September 10, 2026
By Rosa Hernandez
The pipeline is a constant point of discussion in the accounting industry. Here at the Arizona Society of Certified Public Accountants (ASCPA), we have over 500 student members. We regularly engage with high schools, colleges and universities, and we advocate for policies that create additional pathways into the profession. Another way we believe in strengthening the pipeline is through internships. Here are key insights from former interns, collected across seven different accounting firms — Aprio (formerly Price Kong), BeachFleischman, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen), Eide Bailly, REDW, Walker & Armstrong and Wallace Plese + Dreher (WP + D).
Internships are an incredibly important part of the pipeline for the future of accounting. They provide students with the opportunity to explore different fields, workloads and work environments. Depending on their experience, internships
can influence a student’s decision to pursue further education and certification.
How do students find internships?
“All of my internships came from attending events like Meet the Firms and from connections I formed throughout college. I focused on having genuine conversations and building connections beyond the formal interview process.”
— Cameryn Frogge, Assurance Associate, CLA
Primarily, students find internships through connections made at networking events, such as their college’s Meet the Firms event. They also find internships through independent searches, peer recommendations and various other sources.
“Reading about previous interns’ experiences on the firm’s website also stood out. It consistently described a strong learning environment with supportive mentors.”
— Brandon Galvez-Garcia, Audit Associate, Aprio (formerly Price Kong)
What do students look for in an internship?
When you hire an intern, you’re not just filling a temporary role, you’re investing in the future of accounting. Whether they are your future hires or another’s, they are looking at your culture and leadership as guiding posts of what it
means to work in accounting. Every interaction shapes their perception of not only your company, but the profession overall.
“I chose REDW because it stood out as a firm that offered both strong professional development and a supportive culture. I was drawn to the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, contribute to real client work and gain exposure to a variety of experiences that would help me grow early in my career.”
— Nolan Hokanson, CPA, MSA, Senior Audit Associate I, REDW
Three common themes came from the feedback we received from the former interns.
They looked for an internship with:
• Opportunities for meaningful learning
• Inclusiveness — being treated like an associate
• Supportive leadership and teams
Students want a variety of experiences during their internships. They value opportunities to explore both audit and tax, assist on a range of tasks, and maximize their exposure to the profession. Students also want to be treated as valued associates — that what they say matters, and they can be trusted to take ownership of tasks. Last, they want support — who doesn’t? Interns are looking to you and your team to train them well, be available for questions, guidance and even mentorship.
Why do students accept FTE with the place they interned?
Not surprisingly, interns typically accept full-time employment (FTE) with a company that:
• Is supportive
• Has a balance between professionalism and personalism
• Invests in employee development
Interns stay with companies that offer a friendly, encouraging and supportive environment.
“We all look out for each other and will gladly pause what we are working on to help someone else answer a question or talk through an issue. Busy Season is hard and hours are long, but it is so much more enjoyable to experience when you genuinely like the people you work with.”
— Emily L. Mead, CPA, Tax Supervisor at WP+D
Another thing interns notice that helps tip the scales towards saying ‘yes’ to the offer of employment, is a balance of professionalism and personalism. They don’t want to be just another body to do the work, they want to be valued for who they are and what they can do.
Finally, no shocking gasp from us, interns say ‘yes’ and stay at a company that invests in their growth. This can come from creating opportunities to assist with special projects, paying for classes and membership to learning platforms and associations, and once again —mentorship.
Advice to Make the Most of an Internship
We asked our former interns for advice on what they believed helped them stand out.
Three pieces of advice were repeated throughout all the responses.
The first was to ask questions. Former interns emphasized the importance of asking questions.
“My advice to current accounting students would be to sample a variety of firms via internship and externship opportunities and ask as many questions as possible during the experience. As someone who regularly interviews candidates for the firm and works with interns during their first week of training, I’m always impressed by the students who ask the unexpected questions. An internship is your opportunity to find out what a career at a specific firm, or within a specific industry, is really like – so take advantage!”
— Gina Khawam, CPA, MAcc, Manager of Internal Tax Operations, BeachFleischman
Second, was to build genuine connections. From networking to workplace collaboration, connecting with colleagues is incredibly important to success and longevity in a company. But how does one build those relationships? One former intern stressed that part of being genuine is to start with being yourself.
“Be yourself. While professionalism is important, being personable and maintaining a positive attitude can go a long way in building strong relationships and making a lasting impression.”
— Ryan McCargar, Assurance Associate, Eide Bailly
Third, be open-minded. Many of the former interns talked about being open-minded when it came to learning, receiving feedback and opportunities. It’s the readiness to embrace all you don’t know just yet and staying curious that truly sets you apart.
“I would also encourage future interns to give each type of work more than one chance. A single experience may not provide a complete picture, and your perspective can change as you gain more knowledge and confidence. By approaching
each opportunity with an open mind and trying different types of audits multiple times, you’ll be better equipped to identify the areas of accounting that you find the most rewarding.”
— Olivia Martin, Audit Associate, Walker & Armstrong
Bottom Line
Students take internships seriously. They are strategic in what they search for in an internship, where they apply and ultimately, where they end up after graduation.
Investing in an internship program is a pivotal way to support the accounting pipeline and if you’re wondering how you can get in front of students or you need support with workplace culture, the ASCPA is here to help. We have robust student sponsorship programs, the ability to communicate with over 500 student members and diverse educational offerings to ensure your company stands out.
To get started, contact us today at student@ascpa.com.
A special thank you to the firms and their staff for participating in this article. Your advice will help the next generation of interns.