Accounting Intern

Job Description

Accounting Intern – Winter 2027 | Fenner, Melstrom & Dooling, PLC

The Tone:
This is an internship at Fenner, Melstrom & Dooling, PLC, located in downtown Birmingham, Michigan. Fenner, Melstrom & Dooling, PLC (FMD) is an established independent CPA and advisory firm, providing accounting, tax, audit, and advisory services since 1952. This role is crucial for students seeking more than an observational experience, as interns contribute to real client work and gain practical skills across public accounting. The internship aims to bridge classroom knowledge with client service, enhancing technical ability, professional judgment, communication skills, and confidence.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Seasonal
• Location: In-person, Birmingham, MI

• Team: Works directly with professionals at every level, including senior managers and partners, as part of a collaborative team.
• Mission: This person helps clients by performing diversified tax, audit, advisory, and consulting assignments, assisting with various accounting processes, and supporting client service and firm deadlines.
• Tech Stack: tax, accounting, audit, workflow, research and A.I. tools

What You’ll Actually Do
• Perform Diversified Client Engagements: Work on actual client files and engagement deliverables, assisting with planning, scheduling, information gathering, testing, research, documentation, and reporting across tax, audit, advisory, and consulting assignments.
• Support Tax and Audit Functions: Assist with individual, business, partnership, trust, estate, and other tax returns and related workpapers, and compile/analyze financial information for compilations, reviews, audits, and financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
• Engage in Advisory Projects: Provide support for research, financial analysis, projections, budgeting, forecasting, or other advisory projects based on client needs and experience level.
• Maintain Client Communications and Quality: Prepare routine correspondence, organize client-provided information, identify open questions, communicate professionally with team members and clients, and ensure assignments are accurate and efficient while meeting deadlines.
• Foster Professional Growth and Teamwork: Actively seek and apply feedback, participate in training, support colleagues, contribute to a positive team environment, and apply firm policies, professional standards, and ethical requirements.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Entry-Level; pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting or a closely related field, with introductory accounting coursework completed.
• Experience: No prior professional experience required; ability to work on actual client files and engagement deliverables as part of a meaningful internship.
• Skills: Effective written and verbal communication, including asking thoughtful questions, active listening, and professional interaction; strong work ethic, dependable follow-through, and collaborative ability; capacity to prioritize assignments, manage time, adapt to changing needs, and meet deadlines.
• Bonus: Genuine interest in public accounting and continuous learning; encouraged interest in CPA eligibility and licensure.