State and Local Tax Associate Internships
State and local tax associate internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working tax practitioners, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Accounting & Auditing and Technology & Software, with RubinBrown, BDO, and Andersen among the employers posting roles now.
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Founded in 1952, RubinBrown LLP is one of the nation’s leading accounting and professional consulting firms. The RubinBrown name and reputation are synonymous with experience, integrity and value.
RubinBrown redefines the full-service experience by combining technical and industry expertise with a commitment to personal and high-level relationships.
https://www.rubinbrown.com/ (https://www.rubinbrown.com/)
General Description
The State & Local Tax team at RubinBrown assists clients with various taxes imposed by state and local jurisdictions and helps clients keep track of ever-changing state and local tax law and regulation. Our team offers a variety of consulting, compliance and dispute resolution services to allow clients to focus on their day-to-day operations and fulfill future growth. Our State & Local Tax services include income & franchise tax, real & personal property tax, sales/use tax, gross receipts, transactional taxes, credits & incentives, and multistate tax physical (MTP). The intern will assist with various aspects of state & local tax compliance, research, and consulting projects. This position offers hands-on experience in multistate taxation in a supportive, fun, and collaborative environment.
Major Responsibilities
- Assist in the preparation of state & local income/franchise, sales/use, and other tax returns
- Gather and organize supporting documentation for tax filings and audit requests
- Conduct research on state & local tax laws, regulations, and rulings
- Help respond to state and local tax notices, audits, or inquiries
- Assist with data entry, reconciliation, and analysis using Excel or tax software
- Collaborate with other tax team members and participate in internal training sessions to learn about state & local tax concepts and compliance tools
Preferred Experience/Background/Skills
- Junior or Senior Status
- Introductory level accounting courses
- Prior completion of Tax class is preferred
- Proficient in Microsoft Office – Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
One Firm
To foster a highly respected, inclusive culture that helps foster and promote an environment that is diverse and equitable for all team members and the firm to achieve growth and deepened expertise. RubinBrown is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.
Colorado, Nevada, and Illinois Salary Statement:
The hourly range displayed is specifically for those potential applicants who will work or reside in the state of Colorado, Nevada, or Illinois if selected for the role.
This position is a seasonal role with limited benefits eligibility unless required by local, state or federal law.
Intern Hourly Rate (http://www.rubinbrown.com/Careers/intern-hourly.aspx)
EEO Employer W/M/Vet/Disabled
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
State and Local Tax Associate Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Accounting & Auditing
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your State and Local Tax Associate Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large accounting firms and corporate tax departments recruit summer state and local tax associate interns the preceding fall, with some deadlines arriving in September. Smaller companies and co-ops post closer to start dates, so new openings appear throughout the year. Check listings consistently rather than waiting for a single recruiting season.
Build documented proof before you apply
Intern hiring teams for state and local tax associate roles want something concrete to assess. Put together two or three projects that show your process: a tax research memo, a nexus analysis, or a written case study that walks through your methodology. Link to finished work wherever you can so recruiters can evaluate your reasoning, not just your credentials.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured state and local tax associate programs tied directly to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which firms recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time widens the pool you reach beyond what on-campus recruiting alone covers.
Practice the actual state and local tax associate intern screen out loud
State and local tax associate intern interviews typically involve a technical or analytical screen, sometimes a written case or research question. Practice walking through your reasoning out loud before the interview, since hiring teams weigh how you structure a tax or accounting problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
State and Local Tax Associate Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a state and local tax associate internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For state and local tax associate candidates, the concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented case study, tax research memo, or analysis showing your methodology and conclusions. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a state and local tax associate internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For state and local tax associate interns, what actually drives it is consistent performance on real client work, available headcount on the team, and understanding the return-offer timeline before your internship ends. Position yourself for one by treating every assignment as a final deliverable, but keep applying to full-time roles in parallel.
When should I apply for state and local tax associate internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large accounting firms and corporate tax departments recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often with application deadlines in September or October. Smaller companies and regional firms post closer to actual start dates, and co-op programs run on their own academic calendars, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss a cohort that filled quietly.
Are state and local tax associate internships paid?
Most professional state and local tax associate internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at accounting firms and corporate tax departments but appear occasionally at smaller organizations or nonprofits, so read each listing carefully.
What should a state and local tax associate internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tax research tools, software, or analytical methods you used, and link to supporting work such as published analyses, research memos, or case studies where possible. Add relevant coursework in taxation, accounting, or law. Keep everything to one page, since intern hiring teams move fast and reward clarity.
Can international students get state and local tax associate internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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