Where can I find a university that offers a coop program for accounting? For example you work?

Question

for somebody like the IRS one semester and then take full time courses the next semester? My current teacher was in a program like this and I'm having trouble finding a university that offer's this, but
I really want to do a Coop program to gain hands on experience while I'm learning. Please help. Thanks.

I have called some places I have been interested in applying to ask them if they offer coop programs and haven't had any luck yet.

Answer 1

The intended duration of internship of one semester is not uncommon, usually reserved for second year students or Finals of academic colleges. Applications may be college assisted and some instances, demanded as part of course curriculum.

Emptor Caveat
- Most companies private and government are reluctant to take on trainees of such short durations as they are usually not equipped and haphazardly planned, if at all.
- Common practices of Multinationals and Government institutions to pay lip service to placate (unions) and boost self image of a socially responsible or caring company to boast favourable reviews to fish the best (and often ill informed) fresh graduates when performing half-yearly and yearly bulk recruitment.

Whilst the companies pick and choose, the buyer (You) should similarly exercise due diligence when applying to the institutions.


Sign Posts

Formulate a working employee employer contract in black and white with concrete terms.
- Demonstrate how you, their prospective applicant, will be able contribute to their company in concrete terms. (E.g. Able to do reconciliations, simple tax comps, etc.)
- Show how the intend work targets can be achieved without compromise to the employer’s operations and the university’s concerns of lagging grades.
(E.g. A clearly defined and agreed upon timetable between all parties concerned.)
- Run, review and refine the proposal with trusted teachers, family and recruitment officers during recruitment fairs.
- Get a letter of support from said teacher who interned at IRS.
Submit all of the above to prospective employers with a narrow shot gun approach.

Dig deep when it comes to knowledge and preparation.
- Extending one’s pool of friends so that grape vine knowledge will allow assessment of companies and government sectors worthy of your efforts. Independent judgment will allow separation of substance from the gloss of big corporations.
- Enriching internships are not easy to come by. Many less than satisfactory internships have most students spend time with the photocopy machines.

(Whose mantra chanted from the blind leading the blind, includes peer groups, to protagonists of recruitment officers and consumer advocates, the users of the institution, which amount to only so much cacophony.)

Timing of application.
- Recruitment seasons vary industry to industry. Enquire from working adults in the related field and through teachers that may have industry connections.

(In assumption, your teacher likely had insider assistance to enter IRS. Subject to the place of residency, most industries look at a minimum of lower education in the relevant subject.)

- Obtain university information and support from teachers.
Enquire from the registrar, education, curriculum department or from the student handbook on assistance and requirements to do placement period with industry. Some universities do have professors or teachers write letter of recommendations with existing industry links.

- Alternative education
Take a professional accountancy course.
Certified Public Accountants courses are for working and studying persons. Downsides include a longer time to complete the course, which one can expect three to five years.

Feel free to raise further questions.