Internships
Because of the demand for accounting professionals, employers want to hire those who can “hit the ground running.” As a result, most employers now expect students to have accounting internships or other relevant work experience. A real benefit to students, in addition to the experience itself, internships can lead to full-time job offers.
Bellarmine accounting students, freshmen through seniors, have many opportunities to obtain part-time internships with CPA firms, corporations, and government agencies. These internships allow students to fit their work schedules around their class and study time. Juniors and seniors can participate in full-time internships by taking a semester off from coursework and fully experiencing the role of a staff accountant.
All internships are paid positions that provide students with professional accounting experience and may lead to employment opportunities upon graduation. Employers interview for internships every fall and spring semester. Additional information can be found at Career Development.
Career Outlook
The United States Department of Labor notes that employment of accountants and auditors is expected to grow 16 percent from 2010 to 2020. Entry-level accounting jobs tend to see steady growth from year to year. Completion of an accounting degree at Bellarmine University will prepare you for this growing career.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Salary Survey, accounting students earn starting salaries that exceed those in nearly every other field except engineering. Robert Half’s 2015 Salary Guide for Accounting and Finance reports starting salaries in public accounting range from approximately $45,000 to $68,000 per year; and manager level salaries (5 – 7 years of experience) range from approximately $79,000 to $139,000 per year.
All of the large “Big 4” CPA firms and Louisville-area regional and local CPA firms interview for Bellarmine students and, because of internship opportunities, many Bellarmine accounting students are offered career positions prior to graduation.