2025 Summer InternshipAt — RKE LLP

SUMMARY

As an Intern at RKE, you will gain hands-on experience in tax procedures, including tax consulting and tax return preparation, while developing essential professional skills. You will work alongside partners, senior professionals, and peers as part of an engagement team, participating in tax research, planning, and the preparation of supporting workpapers.

This internship provides a unique opportunity to network with professionals, engage in office community activities, and build lasting relationships within the RKE team. You will also receive mentorship and feedback to support your professional growth and development.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

• Non-exempt 
• Temporary
•  Part-time (Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30am - 5:30pm)

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in preparing tax returns and supporting workpapers.
• Conduct tax research and assist in identifying technical tax issues.
• Support the preparation of responses to the IRS and state tax authorities.
• Work on varied client engagements across different industries.
• Collaborate with client engagement teams while building strong client relationships.
• Participate in networking opportunities and office community activities.
• Meet regularly with your mentor for feedback and professional development discussions.
• Develop and apply leadership skills throughout the internship.
• Take on additional projects as assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Accounting.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 (major and overall). 
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis upon hire.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Detail-oriented with excellent organizational abilities.
• Highly motivated with a willingness to learn.
• Ability to work efficiently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Tasks
-Prepare Tax Returns & Supporting Workpapers: develop and assemble tax returns and their accompanying workpapers, showcasing technical proficiency and attention to detail.
-Conduct In-Depth Tax Research: investigate and analyze technical tax issues, allowing interns to demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
-Assist with IRS & Tax Authority Communications: support the preparation of responses and documentation for inquiries from the IRS and state taxing authorities, demonstrating regulatory understanding and precision.
-Participate in Client Engagements: work on a variety of client projects across different industries, translating theoretical knowledge into practical, real-world applications.
-Collaborate with Cross-Departmental Teams: engage in opportunities with Assurance and Consulting departments to gain a broader perspective of public accounting services, fostering a well-rounded skill set.
-Meet Regularly with \\Buddy\\ and In-Charges: participate in mentoring sessions to receive feedback, reflect on performance, and continuously improve professional competencies.
-Lead or Support Additional Projects: take on special projects or leadership initiatives, highlighting initiative, adaptability, and the ability to work efficiently in a team environment.

Training
On the first day, students will undergo new hire onboarding and orientation. Later in the week, they will participate in training sessions that cover the following topics: financial statement basics, introduction to tax and tax returns, introduction to the firm's software, and workpaper training. Students will also participate in a case study to put their newfound knowledge into practical application. Interns will be paired with a buddy for weekly check-ins to address any questions they may have. For each project an intern is assigned, they will have an in-charge that will review their work and provide feedback- they will have ongoing communication with each in charge until the project is completed.

Learning Outcomes
-Prepare basic tax returns, analyze tax documents, and apply relevant tax laws and regulations to real-world client scenarios.
-Identify and research tax issues, interpret tax codes, and develop well-supported recommendations for clients and internal teams.
-Clearly and professionally communicate tax findings, client updates, and research results in both written and verbal formats.
-Effectively work within an engagement team, contribute to client projects, and develop professional relationships with colleagues across tax, assurance, and consulting departments.
-Exhibit professionalism, adhere to ethical accounting practices, and take ownership of assigned tasks while managing deadlines and responsibilities.
-Identify and resolve technical tax issues
-Respond to inquiries from the IRS and other tax authorities
-Identify, research and assess tax issues while also providing information to their senior staff members