How to Be a Great Intern in 2025 (and Beyond): Real Advice from a CPA and Professor
Internships aren’t what they used to be — and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The accounting and finance world in 2025 looks very different than it did just a few years ago. With economic slowdowns, AI changing workflows, and even entry-level tasks being offshored or automated, opportunities for interns are fewer, and expectations are higher.
But if you’ve landed an internship? That’s a win. Now the real work begins — not just the tasks you’re assigned, but how you show up, how you think, and what you take away from the experience. As both a CPA running a firm and a professor working with students like you, I’ve seen the full spectrum of intern performance. Let me be clear:
A good internship can change the trajectory of your career. But whether that happens is up to you.
This post is your guide — not a checklist of generic tips, but real talk from someone who’s been on the hiring and mentoring side for years.
1. Understand Your Role: You’re Here to Learn and Contribute
You are not expected to know everything. But you are expected to be present, eager, and useful.
Interns often underestimate how much time it takes to create work for them. If I’m a CPA and I can complete a task in 45 minutes, but it takes me an hour just to explain it to an intern — then the intern has to make that time worth it. That’s where quick learners and independent thinkers stand out.
One of my best interns didn’t have a fancy resume — but he had a solid grasp of Excel and could follow instructions the first time. He didn’t need his hand held, which meant I trusted him with more work — and he walked away from the internship with real experience that set him apart in future interviews.
2. Do the Little Things Exceptionally Well
Think you’re “just” downloading files or organizing folders? That’s not a throwaway task — that’s your audition.
Treat small assignments with the same care and effort you would if the partner was watching you do them. Because guess what? Your name is attached to everything you do. Sloppy work, poor naming conventions, skipped steps — they all tell a story about your professionalism.
3. Show Up Early, Ask Thoughtful Questions, and Stay Curious
If you’re not getting enough work or don’t know what to do, don’t just sit in silence. Start a conversation.
I once had an intern who consistently showed up to meetings five minutes early — not because he was trying to impress anyone, but because he was proactive. He used those minutes to check in, ask about upcoming projects, and even offer help to staff who were swamped. That intern left a strong impression, and people wanted to work with him.
Similarly, another intern asked to be included in higher-level work. She didn’t do the complex parts, but she observed, asked good questions, and learned how the pieces fit together. That initiative told us she wasn’t just there to “check the box” — she was there to grow.
4. Balance Independence with Knowing When to Ask for Help
Don’t spin your wheels for two hours on a task that’s completely over your head — but also don’t throw your hands up the moment something isn’t obvious.
The best interns develop what I call “professional humility.” They understand they’re there to learn, so they try to solve problems first, but they don’t let pride or fear of looking dumb stop them from seeking guidance.
Here’s a simple rule: Try. Think. Then ask. And when you ask, show your thought process. That way, you’re not just asking for an answer — you’re asking to learn.
5. Use AI — But Don’t Let It Use You
Yes, tools like ChatGPT and Excel add-ins can be incredible aids. I encourage you to explore and use them — in fact, internships are often the only place students get to use AI in a real-world setting.
But here's the trap: some interns think that using AI to answer questions makes them smart. It doesn’t. It makes them efficient, maybe — but if you don't understand the work, AI won’t save you when something goes wrong.
So use AI to assist you, speed up formatting, or draft a memo — but use your brain to double-check everything, ask questions, and deepen your understanding. AI is a tool, not a teacher.
6. What Not to Do: The Fast Track to a Forgettable Internship
Let’s flip the coin. Some interns miss the mark entirely, often because of one (or more) of these behaviors:
Sitting around waiting for instructions like a robot in sleep mode
Being too afraid (or too proud) to ask questions
Acting like they already know everything
Treating the internship like a chore instead of an opportunity
Doing the bare minimum and vanishing during downtime
These behaviors are not neutral — they can actively hurt your reputation. The accounting world is smaller than you think, and people do remember.
7. Final Thought: This Is Your Career, Not Just a Summer Job
If you treat your internship like a chance to earn class credit or something to throw on your résumé, that’s all it’ll ever be. But if you approach it like an on-ramp to your career, you’ll start building relationships, skills, and confidence that last far beyond the offer letter.
So ask yourself: What can I learn today? Who can I help today?
That’s the mindset that separates interns who coast from interns who grow.
And if you’ve read this far, you’re already ahead of the game.