[AScott89]

I have an interview tomorrow afternoon for an internship with a smaller firm and I was wondering how could I figure out salary. I don’t want to be underpaid but I don’t want to say a number that would automatically disqualify me. I used the Robert Half salary calculator then divided it out to weeks then 40 hours a week and got 22.35. A friend has advised me not to go lower than 16. What do you guys think? I put negotiable on the salary question for the application but if they want an absolute number I have no idea what to ask for.

I have no accounting experience yet, but I do have my Bachelor’s with 150 hours and am currently studying for the exam.

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B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

I think you'll take what they offer.

You're not a highly qualified executive. There are 50 kids right behind you that can do as good a job.

#sorrynotsorry

[AScott89]

I will if its enough to cover my gas and everything. I just didn't want to look like an idiot if they insisted on me giving them an absolute number.

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B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

You don't need to say a number. If they want you, they're going to make you an offer. You will have no room to negotiate. Seriously, don't even try. Take it or leave it. New hires (the vast majority of the time) and interns have no room to ask for more than what's offered.

But to give you an idea, this Fall I received an offer to intern from early January to mid-April for $25/hr and time and a half for anything beyond 40 hours in a week. It was a one-office firm in the Southeastern US in a city of about 700,000. I took another offer, but hope that might give you an idea of what to expect.

[AScott89]

Thanks. I tried to use salary calculators but its not very helpful for internships. And their glassdoor page didn't have any info either. I just wanted to have as much information as possible when I go in tomorrow.

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B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[soyanks]

Internship hourly rate is already budgeted into the firm's fiscal plan. It's a standard rate that they will use for all their interns. So you won't have any room to negotiate. And as Billbrasskey has already mentioned, if you don't accept the offer, there's 50 other kids who will.

FAR - 86
REG - 85
BEC - 90
AUD - 84

[StephAV]

Agreed, if they pay you… Consider yourself lucky. This is an internship. For a small firm that is hard to take on. Interns take time to train and hopefully they'll give you legitimate work that will help you grow and gain experience. We had an unpaid intern over the summer. There is a balance of time spent to train/introduce tasks vs. still getting the work done. Consider the experience you gain as the major compensation. Good luck!

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[AScott89]

Thank you @StephAV. I've got my list of questions to ask prepared so fingers crossed for tomorrow!

--
B - 65, 74, 2/26/18
A - 72, 68, 84
R - 72, 82
F - 55, 79

BEC-65
AUD-72(8 '14); 68(11 '14)
FAR-
REG-

[Anonymous]

$25/hr for interns? Wow…yeah…doubt many forms pay anything close to that…

[Anonymous]

I did my internship for $12/Hr back then, full time during summer for a non-profit org, in Washington DC, which is more expensive than most areas in the country

For internship, i think experience matters more than $$$. It was my internship experience that helped me get my current full time job, for which I do believe I am well paid.

[Anonymous]

Yep. And a local office too! I was pretty surprised when that offer came. The most shocking part to me was time and a half for overtime and the realization that you'll probably see a bit of it because of busy season. Supposedly it's better to be an intern than a first-year during busy season as far as pay goes. There were no benefits offered to interns, but still.

[TNCPA16]

I'd be very, very surprised if they asked you about salary expectations (and definitely DO NOT bring it up in your interview!!) Don't spend time worrying about this – focus on how you are going to wow your interviewers and land an offer first! If, for whatever reason, they do ask you, I'd probably be vague and say something about how you are more interested in the experience than getting a specific dollar amount.

But, just to give a little perspective, I did a couple of internships when I was in school (7ish years ago), and the most I was ever paid was $15/hr.

[Anonymous]

no negotiations, especially for new interns/associates. if your not happy with it and ask for more, they might just change their minds and give the offer to the numerous other people who hope to get the position. the only chance you may have of getting more money is if you have another offer from a competitor firm who is offering to pay a little more (like one big 4 vs another big 4). u really dont have any ability to negotiation until at least after your first year as an associate and only if your some sort of super employee.

[Ntw6817]

I made $25/ hour with my internship during tax season two years ago. I live in suburb just north of Chicago so the cost of living is probably higher than most places.

I was never asked how much I expected to make. They just mailed me a written offer and I accepted it. I think internship rates are pretty non-negotiable at smaller firms.l

[waffle_house]

$25.50 during my audit internship last Spring here in Houston, Texas. Not big 4 either.

AUD - 80
BEC - 75
FAR - 84
REG - 76

Exams started Sep 2014 -Exams done Mar 2017

Texas CPA

I put in work, it was evident

[yanks2]

Sorry, but for those of you saying that firms don't pay interns that well might be a bit behind on the times. Assuming you came from a respectable school, you should never work for free as an accounting intern. I'm graduating this year with my masters and 150 credits. Not done with my CPA yet but I've already had 2 internships: one paying $28/hour and one paying $25/hour. Smaller firms might pay a bit less depending on where you're located but you should definitely be paid well.

And like other people said, I highly doubt there is any room to negotiate salary. Good luck!

[Author]

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