Last updated: August 2026
Aprio recruits interns eight to sixteen months ahead of start dates, and right now both the 2027 and 2028 cycles are accepting applications simultaneously. The firm is ranked #6 on Vault’s Best Accounting Internships list and #2 for Employment Prospects, which means most interns walk away with a full-time offer. With 23+ city postings already live for 2028, the window to apply is wide open but filling fast.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Aprio Lever board |
| Application window (2027–28) | Rolling; apply by September 2026 for best odds |
| Rolling? | Yes |
| Eligibility | Accounting major, 3.3+ GPA, CPA-track (150-credit plan), US work authorization |
| Duration | Spring: Jan–Apr (40 hrs/wk) or Summer: Jun–Aug (32 hrs/wk) |
| Compensation | $24–$33/hr (most 2028 postings at $33/hr) |
| Return offers | Substantial number per Vault (#2 for Employment Prospects); no published rate |
| Locations | 23+ cities including Atlanta, Austin, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Nashville, NYC |
| # Tracks | 2 (Tax, Audit) plus pipeline programs |
Aprio is a Top-25 accounting firm (Accounting Today #24) with 3,200+ team members in 40 US offices. Its internship program runs on a rolling basis across Tax and Audit tracks, paying $24–$33 per hour with strong return-offer rates.
While you wait for Aprio’s cycle to kick off, two remote Externships let you build the finance and research skills the firm wants to see on your resume right now:
• Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling Externship — build financial models and valuation frameworks used in real investment decisions.
• HP Tech Ventures Deal Sourcing Externship — run due-diligence research and startup analysis for a corporate VC arm.
What Is an Aprio Internship?
Aprio (formerly Habif, Arogeti & Wynne) is a private, PE-backed accounting and advisory firm founded in 1952 and headquartered in Atlanta. It ranks #24 on Accounting Today’s Top 100 Firms list and #7 on Vault’s Accounting 25. The firm serves clients in all 50 states and 50+ countries through 40 US offices and 3,200+ team members. Since Charlesbank Capital Partners took a stake in June 2024, Aprio has been on an aggressive growth trajectory, making it one of the fastest-expanding mid-market firms in public accounting.

When Do Aprio Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
Aprio recruits on a rolling basis, and positions tend to fill before the official start date approaches. The timeline below shows when each step typically lands so you can plan your application around the firm’s actual rhythm.
2028 internship applications are wide open with 23+ city postings live on Lever. Only 2 postings remain for the 2027 Spring cycle. This is the best window to apply before September.
Submit your ONE city application through Lever or Handshake before positions fill. Aprio explicitly advises applying no later than September because spots close quickly.
Interview rounds begin. Expect two fit-based (not technical) interviews. Glassdoor data shows 91% positive interview experiences with a 2.6/5 difficulty rating.
HeadStart (freshmen/sophomores, one-day virtual) and Aprio 101 (virtual exploratory) pipeline events run for students not yet eligible for the full internship.
Spring interns work January through April at 40 hours per week. Summer interns work June through August at 32 hours per week. Both tracks are hybrid with 3+ office days.
How to read this page: our dates come from tracking previous recruiting cycles and daily posting data. Treat them as informed estimates based on historical patterns, not confirmed dates. The company's official careers page is always the most current source. If a role is posted there, go by that, even if this page suggests the window hasn't opened yet.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
Most accounting internships ease you in with orientation decks and shadow sessions, but Aprio assigns client-facing work within the first weeks. Tax interns prepare returns and conduct compliance research from day one, while Audit interns join assurance engagements and review internal controls immediately. That early exposure is why Vault ranks Aprio #2 for Employment Prospects: interns leave with proof they can do the job, not just observe it.
Which Aprio Internship Programs Should You Target?
Aprio runs two core intern tracks alongside two pipeline programs for earlier-career students.
| Track | Focus | Duration | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Internship | Tax return preparation, research, planning, and compliance | Spring (Jan–Apr, 40 hrs/wk) or Summer (Jun–Aug, 32 hrs/wk) | Tax compliance, Excel, client communication |
| Audit Internship | Assurance engagements, internal controls, financial reporting | Spring (Jan–Apr, 40 hrs/wk) or Summer (Jun–Aug, 32 hrs/wk) | Audit procedures, analytical thinking, teamwork |
| HeadStart Program | One-day virtual introduction to public accounting careers | One day (Spring) | Networking, career exploration |
| Aprio 101 | Virtual exploratory program for early-career students | Short-form (Spring) | Industry exposure, firm culture fit |
The Tax and Audit tracks are the primary internship pathways. HeadStart and Aprio 101 serve as feeders for students who are one or two years away from internship eligibility.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Aprio sets clear requirements in every internship posting, and missing even one can disqualify your application.
• Accounting major (Bachelor’s or Master’s): You must be pursuing a degree in accounting or a closely related field.
• 3.3+ GPA minimum: Aprio enforces a cumulative GPA floor across all postings.
• CPA track with 150-credit plan: You need a concrete plan to meet the 150-credit CPA requirement, either through a Master’s program or extra coursework.
• US work authorization: Aprio does not sponsor visas for interns.
• No classes during the internship: You must be available full-time (40 hrs/wk for Spring, 32 hrs/wk for Summer) without scheduling conflicts.
• One-application rule: Submit only one city application. Applying to multiple locations will hurt your candidacy.

Does Aprio Have a GPA Cutoff for Interns?
Yes. Aprio requires a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA, and this threshold appears in every internship posting the firm publishes. Unlike some firms that treat GPA as a soft filter, Aprio treats it as a hard gate. If you are below 3.3, focus on raising your GPA before applying or target firms with lower thresholds.
What Skills Does Aprio Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Aprio’s internship job descriptions are consistent across cities, which makes the skill requirements easy to map. Two representative postings (Tax and Audit) reveal a clear pattern: the firm values accounting fundamentals, communication, and analytical ability over any specific software certification. Excel proficiency is the only technical tool explicitly named.
What Aprio looks for in interns
Skills across 5 Aprio intern & analyst job descriptions · 2 real Aprio internship JDs (Tax + Audit)
Frequency score (1–5) based on explicit mention and emphasis weight across 2 Aprio internship postings scraped August 2026.
How Is Demand for Accounting Interns Moving Right Now?
Accounting intern hiring right now: August 2026
Aggregate market data, all employers
The CPA candidate shortage is real, and mid-market firms are responding by opening applications earlier and across more cities. Aprio’s 23+ live postings for 2028 reflect this trend directly.
Market observations drawn from Accounting Today Top 100 data, AICPA pipeline reports, and Aprio posting volume as of August 2026.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
And every skill in that chart maps to a remote Externship.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Financial analysis & accounting knowledge | "Accounting major with strong foundation in financial principles" | Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling Externship |
| Research & due diligence | "Conduct tax research and assist with planning engagements" | HP Tech Ventures Deal Sourcing Externship |
| Data analysis & attention to detail | "Exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills" | Center for Improving Youth Justice Data Visualization Externship |
Each Externship runs remotely alongside your coursework, so you can stack relevant experience without waiting for Aprio’s cycle to start.
What Is the Aprio Application and Interview Process Like?
Aprio’s application process is straightforward but has one critical rule: you may only apply to one city.
1. Find your city on Lever. Go to jobs.lever.co/Aprio and filter by Internship. Pick the one city where you want to work.
2. Check Handshake. Some postings also appear on Handshake through your university. Either channel works, but do not submit duplicate applications.
3. Submit before September. Aprio’s own blog advises applying no later than September because positions fill quickly on a rolling basis.
4. First-round interview. Expect a fit-based conversation focused on your interest in public accounting, career goals, and teamwork style. No technical questions.
5. Second-round interview. A deeper conversation, often with a senior team member. The overall experience is rated 91% positive on Glassdoor with a 2.6/5 difficulty score.
6. Offer decision. Offers typically go out in the weeks following your final interview. Aprio is ranked #2 for Employment Prospects by Vault.
If you are a freshman or sophomore and not yet eligible for the full internship, apply to HeadStart or Aprio 101 instead to get on the firm’s radar early.
What Students on Reddit Say
Reddit threads about Aprio internships are thin, but a few posts on r/Accounting offer useful context about the firm’s culture and application norms.
Aprio has been growing fast since the PE deal. The culture is shifting, and interns should know it feels more like a startup pace than a legacy firm.
Applying to multiple offices at the same firm is generally a bad look. Stick with one location and make a strong case for why you want to be there.
Mid-market firms give you more responsibility earlier. You are not just ticking boxes on a checklist like at the Big 4.
How Do You Stand Out at Aprio?
Three moves separate the interns who get offers from the ones who get ghosted. First, apply in August, not September. Aprio says positions fill fast, and rolling admissions reward early movers. Second, know whether you want Tax or Audit before you submit your application. The firm asks you to pick one city and one track, so walking into the process undecided signals that you have not done your homework. Third, make your 150-credit CPA plan concrete in your resume and cover letter. Aprio lists CPA eligibility in every posting, so showing a clear path to 150 credits, whether through a Master’s program or a fifth-year plan, tells the recruiter you are serious about the profession and not just collecting internship stamps.

What Other Companies Should You Consider?
Aprio competes for the same intern candidates as other mid-market accounting firms. Here is how the closest alternatives compare.
- RSMLarger headcount and more international reach, but less personalized intern experience than Aprio’s smaller cohorts.Careers site
- Grant ThorntonStrong audit presence and slightly higher brand recognition, though Aprio’s PE-backed growth is closing the gap.Careers site
- BDOComparable size and service lines, but fewer US office locations than Aprio’s 40-office footprint.Careers site
- CroweMidwest-heavy with deep healthcare and financial services specialties that differ from Aprio’s broader sector mix.Careers site
- Baker TillySimilar mid-market positioning but with a stronger consulting arm; Aprio leans more toward traditional tax and audit.Careers site
For a full comparison of accounting internship programs across the Big 4 and mid-market firms, see the Big 4 & Accounting Internships hub.

FAQ
What is the Aprio internship salary?
Aprio pays interns between $24 and $33 per hour based on location and track. Most 2028 postings list $33 per hour as the rate. Indeed reports an average of $31.46 per hour for Aprio tax interns, making the compensation competitive with other Top 25 accounting firms.
Is the Aprio internship paid or unpaid?
The Aprio internship is fully paid. Every posting on the firm’s Lever board lists an hourly rate between $24 and $33. Spring interns work 40 hours per week and Summer interns work 32 hours per week, both receiving the same hourly compensation.
When should I apply to the Aprio internship?
Apply as early as August of the year before your intended start date. Aprio uses rolling admissions and its own blog advises submitting no later than September because positions fill quickly. For the 2028 cycle, 23 or more postings are already live as of August 2026.
What GPA do I need for an Aprio internship?
Aprio requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. This threshold appears in every internship posting the firm publishes and is treated as a hard cutoff rather than a soft suggestion. If your GPA falls below 3.3, consider raising it before applying or targeting firms with lower requirements.
Does Aprio offer return offers to interns?
Aprio extends full-time offers to a substantial number of its interns according to Vault, which ranks the firm #2 for Employment Prospects among accounting internships. No specific percentage is published, but the ranking indicates that most interns who perform well receive an offer to return.
Can I apply to multiple Aprio offices?
No. Aprio enforces a one-application rule and asks candidates to submit only one city application. Applying to multiple locations can hurt your candidacy. Choose the office where you genuinely want to work and tailor your application to that specific location and its team.
What is the Aprio internship interview like?
Aprio runs two interview rounds that are fit-based rather than technical. Interviewers focus on your interest in public accounting, career goals, and teamwork style. Glassdoor data shows 91 percent of candidates rate the experience as positive with a difficulty score of 2.6 out of 5.
Does Aprio sponsor visas for interns?
No. Aprio requires US work authorization for all internship positions and does not sponsor visas. This requirement is stated explicitly in every posting. International students who hold valid work authorization such as CPT or OPT should confirm their eligibility with the recruiting team before applying.
Aprio’s 2028 applications are open right now, and the firm rewards early movers. While you prepare your one-city application, build the financial analysis and research skills Aprio wants to see by joining a remote Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling Externship or an HP Tech Ventures Deal Sourcing Externship today.
About the Author
Bifei Wang has spent 17 years focused on human flow and the growth of young professionals, spanning international education, career training and coaching, and recruitment process outsourcing. Over 7 years at Extern, he has had one-on-one sessions with thousands of students exploring careers in consulting, finance, tech, marketing, and data, giving him a firsthand view of how the job market has shifted for early-career professionals and what it actually takes to break in.


