An internship is a great way to get to know what it is like to work in accounting and to work for a specific company. It is also a great way for a company to get to know you. Below are several things to consider when planning an internship.
For-credit or Not-for-credit Internships
Internships may be done for college credit (used as an elective of 1, 2, or 3 hours) or for no credit. When doing an internship for credit, students must complete a learning agreement and submit two evaluations and a journal, and employers must submit two evaluations. Additionally, the student must pay tuition for the three-hour course. For-credit internships include at least 120 hours of accounting-related work (not clerical), or 240 hours if for graduate credit. Not-for-credit internships are equally valuable from a learning perspective; however, there are fewer restrictions, no tuition, and they are not listed on your transcript. Beginning Fall 2024, you can get your not-for-credit internships transcripted at zero-credit-hours. See Accounting Department Chair.
Finding an Internship
Several ways of find an internship are listed below:
- Watch your email for internship announcements from studyacct@uca.edu.
- Visit Career Services to see which companies are interviewing for interns. Many companies and CPA firms interview student son campus during the fall semester for spring or summer internships.
- Contact firms of interest directly. Check out links to firms that regularly hire our graduates. Contact the human resources department of these or other firms to inquire about openings.
When to Intern
Most accounting majors who choose to complete an internship will intern in the summer before their senior year or in the spring of their senior year. Most firms and companies require student to complete Intermediate Accounting I prior to an internship.
Internships in public accounting are most common in the Spring semesters because that is when public accounts are the busiest. However, internships are available during the fall and summer as well, but in lesser numbers. Internships can last for part of a semester, all of a semester, or longer than a semester.
Internships and Academic Progress
UCA Accounting and College of Business offer many classes online each semester. It is possible to have a full-time schedule of online classes while you do an internship. This is especially attractive if you have a scholarship that requires you complete a minimum number of hours each semester. However, the more you work, the less time you will have for classes. Talk to an advisor or the Accounting Department chair to discuss scheduling options to find a solution that fits your situation.