LSU’s Department of Accounting internship program provides course credit for a wide variety of student internship experiences. Students apply academic knowledge to real-world situations through positions with local, regional, and national employers each semester. Internships allow students to gain on-the-job experience in accounting, and many result in full-time employment. Other benefits of the internship program include:
- Opportunities for travel
- Excellent pay
- Networking with students from universities across the country
- Relationships with potential employers
- Three hours of course credit
- The program is available any semester to accounting majors in the program for at least one full semester before the internship.
Steps to participate in an internship
To participate in the accounting internship program, a student must:
- Be a declared accounting major for at least one complete semester prior to the internship experience;
- Have a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.0 GPA in accounting courses;
- Have completed ACCT 2001, 3001, and 3021 (Intermediate II) with a grade of “C-” or better;
- Have received no internship credit for any other course at the current enrollment level (UG or Grad).
Students who plan to take time off from school to complete an internship in the fall or spring semester should consult Amy Caillouet in the LSU Olinde Career Center or call 225-578-5672. She can help answer questions about TOPS, university letters, other fee deferrals, and insurance matters.
If a student meets the eligibility requirements for the internship program, the student must secure employment. To receive credit for the internship, the position must:
- Be new employment or increase responsibilities of an existing position (internship credit will not be awarded for previous experience or full-time employment);
- Have a direct application to the accounting degree;
- Be directly supervised by a professional with accounting certification (e.g., CPA, CIA, CMA);
- Require at least 20 hours of work per week.
- On-campus student work positions require express prior approval of the employment by the internship coordinator.
The Office of Business Student Success Professional Development team can assist by reviewing résumés and cover letters, discussing what to expect during the interview process, or exploring other professional development topics. Appointments can be scheduled through a student’s Handshake account. To access the appointment scheduler, look for “Career Center” at the top of the page. Appointment options are available through this drop-down menu.
To be approved for internship credit, a student must complete the “Request for Permission to Earn Academic Credit for Internship” form. Completed forms must be returned to Lydia Lafleur, accounting internship coordinator, in Business Education Complex 2800, before the last day to add courses for the semester. After reviewing the internship, she will email the student to indicate approval or denial.
All students who secure internships, whether for credit or not, must complete the internship survey.
Students must register for the appropriate internship class, ACCT 4231 (undergraduate) or 7231 (MAcc). Before the payment deadline, students must verify that ACCT 4231 or 7231 has been added to their course schedule and must follow instructions for fee payment. Students are responsible for enrolling and paying for the internship course. Students will not be added to an internship course after the last date on which to add courses.
Note: Credit can be awarded for both internal audit and accounting department internships. Degree-level can influence this department directive.
- ACCT 4231: Internship in Accounting (3)
Prereq.: permission of instructor and department chair required. Grade of “C-” or above in ACCT 3021. Pass-fail grading. Credit will not be given for this course and ACCT 4333. At least 20 hours per week of learning experience in accounting under the general supervision of a faculty member and direct supervision of a professional in accounting. Grading is based on the faculty member’s evaluation, a written report by the professional supervisor, and a written report by the student. - ACCT 7231: Internship in Accounting (3)
Prereq.: permission of instructor and department chair required. Pass-fail grading. Credit will not be given for this course and ACCT 7333. At least 20 hours per week of learning experience in accounting under the general supervision of a faculty member and direct supervision of a professional in accounting. Grading is based on the faculty member’s evaluation, a written report by the professional supervisor, and a written report by the student.
While at work, students represent LSU and will be responsible for their actions under the LSU Code of Student Conduct.
Throughout the internship, students must keep a journal of their activities, the accounting principles they apply, and the experience they gain. Journals are due in the internship coordinator’s office by the last day of classes for the current semester, even if employment has not ended. If mailing in, allow at least one week for the journal to route through campus mail, even for FedEx, etc. Grading requirements demand that the information be submitted before the semester’s end.
Supervisors will be sent an evaluation document by the internship coordinator that must be completed and returned before issuing grades. The report is due in the internship coordinator’s office by the last day of the current semester’s class, even if employment has not ended.
NOTE: Internships in internal audit are handled through a separate process. If you are an internal auditing student interested in an internship, please visit the Center for Internal Auditing & Cybersecurity Risk Management Internship Program.
For questions, contact the accounting internship coordinator Lydia Lafleur.