If you’re approaching the end of your degree in accounting, how are you going to bridge the gap between the world of academia to the world of commerce? Consider applying for an accounting internship program to get your start in the in-demand accounting industry. Accounting is a rewarding, skilled, and valued profession. As various sectors diversify, accounting roles are increasing in popularity and require a robust understanding of all things finance. Here’s the 4 best reasons why internships in accounting are a great addition for your resume.
1. Accounting Internships Give You Access to Industry Mentors
Have you ever started a new job and could have used some advice about the ins and outs of the industry before your first day at work? An internship experience in accounting gives you this valuable insight as you learn about the daily operations at your company and your role in the accounting team. In your internship, you’ll be surrounded by the many perspectives of older and more seasoned accountants who will take you under their wing. If you’re looking to gain just that little bit of extra help toward the steps in how to get a job in accounting in the future, consider the K22 Mentorship Program with Premium Graduate Placements, where you can get access to additional guidance from industry professionals.
2. Accounting Internships Are a Chance to Get Professional Experience
An internship program truly puts into practice the concept of learning by doing. There are many different and exciting roles in the accounting sector and you can try them out to see which ones suit you the best – maybe you like working with taxation matters, or assistance with personal finance is your jam. Internships are not simulated experiences, rather they are professional opportunities for the purpose of gaining workplace skills and technical knowledge. Qualifications in accounting often focus on the knowledge aspect of the field, but the classroom can only give you so much before it’s time to move into the life of a professional. Accounting is multi-faceted field and each client presents a unique perspective every day. Internships in accounting give you the insight of real-world applications of accounting knowledge that the classroom in your Finance 101 class won’t touch upon. With Premium Graduate Placements, the accounting internship programs are structured in a way that you can gradually build upon your skills to specialise in different roles in accounting.
3. Networking
Oftentimes, who you know is just as important as what you know, and this is no different for people who are up-and-coming in the accounting industry. Building up your connections is an important skill to learn that could make your professional life full of exciting new projects. Companies are more likely to hire previous interns as they have proven themselves to be a reliable candidate. You never know, that person you were introduced to during your accounting internship who helped you navigate payroll software like MYOB and XERO might be the person who hires you one day. Through the structure of internship programs for accounting, you’ll come across professionals at various stages in their career who can give you all the advice they wished they had when they were starting out.
4. Accounting Internship opportunities build confidence
A healthy sense of confidence and self-awareness go a long way in the professional world. If you’ve never had real-world accounting experience before, then building up soft skills is equally important as skills that are solely related to the field. Soft skills, such as communication. Building your confidence enables you to develop a sense of self-efficacy, which is the ability to complete tasks through believing in your ability to do so. Studies have shown that employees with a low sense of self-efficacy are not able to successfully complete tasks to the extent that those with a healthy sense of self-efficacy do. One way to increase self-efficacy is through gradually increasing the difficulty of tasks. This is exactly what internships in accounting do - internships scaffold your way through the day-to-day life of what a professional accountant is like, through an environment full of positive reinforcement. Many of those higher up in the firm had to start from somewhere, and an accounting internship is the head start that more seasoned professionals could have dreamed of!
An internship is like gaining practise, and a chance to up your workplace skills at a pace that’s comfortable for you on the learning curve. Accounting internships are a great experience for your resume because they give you the opportunity to network with access to all the support resources you need and more, develop your and knowledge required for the day-to-day job before you start. If you are interested in being part of Premium Graduate Placements’ accounting internship program, then check out what’s in store for you in our current vacancies.
