Accounting students have access to the “Big Four” multinational, as well as a number of regional and local, public accounting firms. Additionally, students interested in working in corporate accounting have opportunities to work with the accounting organizations of nearby corporations. The Accounting Internship Program is intended to give students a learning opportunity to apply their accounting, auditing, tax, and business knowledge in a real world setting.

What is an accounting internship?

• Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional work environment while extending what they learn in the classroom to the workplace
• Faculty supervision and assessment of the learning experience
• Applied learning in accounting, auditing, tax
• Hands-on Practical experience for  250 hours during a semester
• Networking opportunities
• Three hours of accounting credit
• Placements with both domestic and international firms
• Helps students transition from the academic setting to the professional setting
• Gives students an opportunity to assess career goals

What type of Internships are available? 

• Internship opportunities are available in the fields of : public accounting, industry and government. Opportunities exist at Big Four, regional, local accounting firms, banking, construction, health care, municipal government and within school districts.

What are the registration guidelines?

• Internships must relate and extend previous accounting course work. The internship must be a LEARNING experience with measurable academic objectives, rather than primarily a work experience.
• An internship cannot be considered as an alternative for core courses in the curriculum.
• Internships award accounting credit and a grade of Pass/Fail.
• An internship must be supervised by a faculty sponsor.
• The sponsoring professor will advise the student regarding the academic foundation of the project and evaluate the experience and assign a grade.
• Contracts must be registered (submission to Internship Office, COONEY 301J) by the add date of the semester in which credit is obtained. Internships are available during any of the Samford University terms.
• The maximum credit during any one semester is 3 credit hours. The student should work at least 250 hours during the internship.
• An internship position should be explored the semester prior to participation in the program. The recruiting process generally begins with the “Accounting Night” program. Students are responsible for registering and meeting the requirements of Career Planning and Placement if they desire to use the services of Career Planning and Placement for on-campus interviews.
• Students are responsible for obtaining their own internship firm or business sponsor.
• Students will be evaluated by both the firm or business, as well as faculty sponsor. The faculty sponsor assigns the grade on the basis of evaluation by the site supervisor.
• The intern's compensation will be established by the employer.
• If the student wishes to make application for an internship in the location of already existing employment, convincing evidence must be presented that the internship moves the experience beyond normal duties into new and educationally profitable areas.

What are the basic course requirements?

Acct 496/555 Accounting Internship (3 credits)
Academic credit may be awarded for students who complete accounting internships with local firms or businesses. Students should see the chair of the accounting department for eligibility parameters. Prerequisite: permission from the chair of the accounting department. Graded: Pass/Fail.

What is an academic internship?

• Gives a student an opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional work environment while extending the classroom into the workplace
• Applied Learning in management, marketing, finance, economics and information systems
• Hands-on practical experience at 150 hours per semester
• Networking opportunities
• Three hours of business elective credit
• Placements both domestic and international
• Helps the student make the transition from the classroom to the workplace
• Gives students the opportunity to explore career options and set life goals

What types of internships are available?

• Internship opportunities in fields such as: Financial and banking, government, health care, leisure, manufacturing, nonprofit, publishing, risk management, retail management, sports marketing and telecommunications

What are the registration guidelines?

• Internships must relate and extend previous course work. The internship must be a LEARNING experience with measurable academic objectives, rather than primarily a work experience.
• Internships are not considered an alternative for core courses in the curriculum.
• Internships award elective business credit and a grade of Pass/Fail.
• An internship must be supervised by a faculty sponsor. A written proposal detailing objectives of the experience for achieving the objectives, a timetable for work to be completed and the method of assessment for the project will be submitted to the sponsoring professor in a written contract form.
• The sponsoring professor will advise the student regarding the academic foundation of the project and evaluate the experience and assign a grade.
• Contracts must be registered (submission to Internship Office, COONEY 289-D) by the add date of the semester in which credit is obtained. Internships are available during any of the three Samford University terms.
• The maximum credit during any one semester is 3 credit hours. The student should work at least 50 hours per credit hour. (Most internships are scheduled for 10 hours per week for the 15-week semester total of 150 hours per semester.)
• Students (sophomores-seniors) who are matriculated and in good standing are eligible to apply or enroll in an internship.
• An internship position should be sought during the semester preceding participation in the program by the submission of an application to the director of Professional Success who will guide and help place students into internships.  Upon screening and recommendation by the director, the student will interview with a business sponsor who is responsible for selecting the intern.
• Students will be evaluated by both the firm or business, as well as faculty sponsor. The faculty sponsor assigns the grade on the basis of evaluation by the site supervisor.
• The director of Professional Success will facilitate the internship placement and serve as liaison to the site supervisor.
• If the student wishes to make application for an internship in the location of already existing employment, convincing evidence must be presented that the internship moves the experience beyond normal duties into new and educationally profitable areas.
• A proposed internship in a law firm requires prior personal review in an interview with the faculty sponsor.

Course Requirements 

Download the Internship Waiver