Accounting Intern

Job Description

About the Company: Wipfli

Wipfli is a firm that places a strong emphasis on its people, considering them core to everything they do and the catalyst behind their ability to create exceptional impact and extraordinary results.

Core Values & Culture:
• People-Centric: Wipfli believes that “people count” and “people truly matter.”
• Flexibility & Relationships: They value flexibility and focus on fostering strong relationships.
• Individual Growth: Each individual is encouraged to “follow their own path.”
• Professional Home: The company aims to be a “professional home” for those looking to make a difference.

Work Arrangement Philosophy:
• Wipfli strongly advocates for an in-person work arrangement.
• In-person work is defined as associates regularly working 5 days a week (for full-time interns) or during working hours (for part-time interns) in a Wipfli office or at client sites.
• Client sites can vary locally, regionally, or nationally, depending on the industry alignment.
• Scheduled meetings at client locations and in the office require in-person attendance.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
• Wipfli is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to providing consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristics.
• They are dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.

Compensation & Benefits:
• Wipfli values fair, transparent, and competitive compensation. The actual salary at the time of offer depends on business-related factors like location, skills, experience, training/education, licensure, certifications, business needs, current associate pay, and relevant employment laws.
• Benefit offerings include paid sick leave and access to free, confidential counseling through their Employee Assistance Program.

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Job Description: Intern – Accounting

This internship offers a career-defining opportunity to experience the “Wipfli Way” firsthand and gain valuable experience in the accounting field.

Work Arrangement:
• This role requires an in-person work arrangement.
• Interns will regularly work 5 days a week (full-time) or during their scheduled hours (part-time) in a Wipfli office or at various client sites.
• Client site locations can range from local to national, based on industry alignment.
• In-person attendance is required for all scheduled meetings, whether at the client or in the office.

Responsibilities (General for Interns):
• Utilize educational knowledge and experience to perform accounting-related duties.
• Respond to client and firm associate requests in a timely, accurate, positive, and professional manner.
• Respond to inquiries from clients and gather necessary information for document completion.
• Apply data analysis skills to discover useful information and patterns to support recommendations.
• Proactively identify improvement opportunities in processes to enhance efficiency.
• Interns may receive experience in only tax or both tax AND audit.

Tax Specific Responsibilities:
• Prepare individual, business, and fiduciary tax returns and projections according to firm and professional standards.
• Effectively use current tax and accounting software applications.
• Research tax-related issues and other financial reports.
• Perform a limited number of tax return interviews.

Audit Specific Responsibilities:
• Perform audit, review, and compliance testing procedures according to firm and professional standards.
• Communicate with engagement leaders regarding open items, testing problems, or other important matters in a timely manner.
• Prepare (or review client-prepared) financial statements and footnotes, management reports, and other engagement outputs.
• Develop technical competency with GAAP, especially related to the assigned product line.

What You Will Gain:
• Direct experience with the “Wipfli Way” by working alongside professionals at all firm levels.
• Development of skills to become a trusted business advisor for clients and associates.
• Hands-on experience in tax and/or audit work, as well as related software applications.
• Opportunity to work as an individual contributor and as part of a team on client engagements.
• Exposure to a variety of clients and industries, from small businesses to large corporations.
• Development of administrative, professional, and interpersonal skills, including organization, analysis, and effective communication.

Qualifications:
• Education: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting.
• Completion of a corporate or individual taxation class is required.
• Academic Performance: Above average knowledge in accounting, demonstrated by college GPA; preferred 3.0 GPA or higher.
• CPA Path: Working towards eligibility to sit for the CPA exam upon graduation.
• Preferred Coursework: Background in Data Analytics or Big Data is preferred.
• Skills:
• Ability to think independently and make good decisions based on education and experience.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills for effective interaction with clients and staff.
• Ability to prioritize work, follow through on requests, take initiative, and meet deadlines.
• Legal Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis upon hire. Wipfli will not consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visa status now or in the future (e.g., H-1B status).

Compensation:
• The estimated base pay rate for this role is $31.50/hour. The actual salary at the time of offer will be determined by various business-related factors.

Recruiting Contact:
• Bridgette Kahny from the Wipfli recruiting team will guide candidates through the process. Her LinkedIn page is available for connection.