Last updated: July 2026
Baker Tilly is now the 6th-largest US CPA and advisory firm after its merger with Moss Adams, with roughly 11,500 professionals coast to coast. The firm hires 100+ interns a year across audit, tax, and advisory, and it does it on a rolling, year-round basis. That last part is the part that matters. For the 2027–2028 cycle (you apply during fall 2026 through early 2027, you intern in summer 2028), there is no fixed deadline, so the calendar advantage goes to whoever applies first.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | careers.bakertilly.com/student-opportunities. Also check Workday portal for specific postings |
| Application window (2027–28) | Expected fall 2026 to early 2027 for Summer 2028. Baker Tilly posts year-round on a rolling basis. Projected from prior-cycle cadence, not yet posted |
| Rolling? | Yes, explicitly year-round. Applications reviewed as received; average ~16 days to hire (Glassdoor). Earlier applicants get the widest office and track selection |
| Eligibility | College juniors, seniors, and graduate students. Accounting or related business major for Audit/Tax (CPA-eligible coursework required). Preferred GPA of 3.0+ |
| Duration | ~8 weeks full-time (range: 6 to 12 weeks). Summer (Jun to Aug) or winter busy-season (Jan to Apr) timing available |
| Compensation | $33.50 to $46.00/hr for Audit/Tax, $29.00 to $35.00/hr for Risk Advisory (official JD ranges). Rates vary by office and are annually adjusted |
| Visa sponsorship | No. Every intern JD states: "There is currently no immigration sponsorship available for this position" |
| Locations | 51+ US offices: Chicago (HQ), New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Atlanta, Washington DC, Miami, Seattle, and more |
| # Programs | 8+ tracks: Audit, Tax, Assurance, Risk Advisory (Business Risk Services), Risk Advisory (Cybersecurity), Healthcare Advisory, plus Pathfinder early-ID programs |
Three numbers define this opportunity: 100+ intern seats a year, $29 to $46 per hour in official JD pay bands, and an 80 to 90 percent conversion rate to full-time. Rolling review means no deadline, but earlier applicants get the widest choice of offices and tracks.
Externships are short, remote projects where you finish real work for a real company. The Attronica Financial Planning & Valuation Externship and the Healthcare Operations Consulting Externship build the financial-analysis, problem-solving, and client-facing communication evidence a Baker Tilly behavioral interview rewards. Explore all Externships.
What Is a Baker Tilly Internship?
A Baker Tilly internship is a paid, full-time placement of roughly 8 weeks that puts students on live client engagements across audit, tax, risk advisory, or consulting. The firm is now the 6th-largest US CPA and advisory firm post-merger, with ~11,500 professionals and combined revenue exceeding $3 billion. Intern reviews back the pitch: 4.4 out of 5 on Glassdoor for Audit Interns with 91% recommending, and the firm is a 5x Handshake Early Talent Award winner. And importantly, this is a pipeline: Baker Tilly targets 70% intern-to-full-time conversion and consistently hits 80 to 90 percent.
When Do Baker Tilly Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
Baker Tilly's calendar is rolling and year-round, which makes it more forgiving than Big 4 fixed windows but also rewards early movers. Core internship postings for Summer 2028 are projected to appear fall 2026 through early 2027, roughly 12 to 18 months before start. The Pathfinder early-ID programs engage students even earlier, about 24 months ahead (sophomore year). And since Baker Tilly reviews applications as they arrive with an average of ~16 days to hire, the best time to apply is the moment a posting appears.
Summer 2028 postings are not live yet, but Pathfinder early-ID programs for sophomores run now (June). This is the build window: your resume when postings appear decides whether rolling review reaches you.
Summer 2028 Audit, Tax, and Advisory internship postings expected to go live on Workday. Rolling review starts immediately, so apply within the first week or two for the widest office selection.
The interview funnel: a 15-minute recruiter screen followed by a second-round behavioral interview with a Senior Manager and Senior Associate. Average ~16 days from application to offer.
Offer decisions land. Baker Tilly targets 70% conversion from intern to full-time and consistently hits 80 to 90%. Secure your spot early.
~8 weeks full-time: orientation, technical training, live client engagements, mentorship, and a performance evaluation tied to a return offer.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
Rolling is not a detail, it is the whole game at Baker Tilly. The firm states applications are open year-round and reviews them as they arrive. Average time to hire is ~16 days, which means early applicants can have an offer before late applicants even submit. And because Baker Tilly fills seats by office, the best markets go first. So set a job alert on the Workday portal, and apply the week a Summer 2028 posting appears.
Which Baker Tilly Internship Programs Should You Target?
Baker Tilly runs 8+ distinct intern tracks spanning traditional accounting and a growing advisory practice. The track you target should match where your coursework and experience already point, because the behavioral interview will probe for evidence in that domain.
| Program | Focus | Duration | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit Intern (Winter/Summer) | Financial-statement audits, assurance, client controls | ~8 weeks | CPA-track coursework, Excel, analytical skills |
| Tax Intern (Winter/Summer) | Tax advisory, compliance, multi-disciplinary planning | ~8 weeks | CPA-track coursework, tax research, attention to detail |
| Risk Advisory — Business Risk Services | Internal audit, governance, compliance, risk management | ~8 weeks | Accounting/Finance, problem-solving, collaboration |
| Risk Advisory — Cybersecurity | IT controls, cloud computing, vulnerability assessment, ERP systems | ~8 weeks | IS/Cybersecurity, cloud platforms, analytical skills |
| Advisory — Healthcare | Healthcare consulting and advisory projects | ~8 weeks (spring) | Business analysis, communication, healthcare domain |
| Pathfinder Programs (Accounting + Consulting) | Early-ID leadership immersion, case study competition, internship interview | 2-day event | Sophomore standing, leadership, intellectual curiosity |
See every open track on the student opportunities page. Note the split calendar: Audit/Tax offer both winter (Jan to Apr busy season) and summer timing, while Healthcare Advisory runs in the spring. Apply to the timing that aligns with your academic schedule.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Baker Tilly's requirements are consistent across intern postings, with a few track-specific differences:
• Class year: college juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The most common path targets juniors (internship the summer before senior year). Pathfinder early-ID programs accept sophomores.
• Major: Audit/Tax require accounting or a related business program with sufficient coursework to sit for the CPA exam. Risk Advisory accepts Accounting, Finance, Cybersecurity, or Information Systems. Advisory/Consulting is broader, accepting business, management, and analytical degrees.
• Degree level: BA, BS, JD, MA, MBA, or MS accepted.
• Work authorization: no immigration sponsorship available, stated in every intern JD. International students requiring future sponsorship are excluded.
Does Baker Tilly Have a GPA Cutoff?
Yes, a stated one: preferred GPA of 3.0 or above, verbatim in every fetched JD. This is described as 'outstanding academic performance required.' At 3.0, this is a working threshold consistent with mid-tier accounting firms, not a soft screen that quietly demands a 3.5. If you meet 3.0 and have CPA-eligible coursework, you clear the bar.
What Skills Does Baker Tilly Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Read across three full-text Baker Tilly intern JDs (one Audit/Tax, two Risk Advisory) and the pattern is clear: communication and interpersonal skills appear in all three, as do time management, collaboration, problem-solving, and Microsoft Office proficiency. CPA-track coursework appears in two of three, and technology/ERP systems in two (the Risk Advisory roles). Baker Tilly uses structured behavior-based interviewing, so every skill on this chart is one you need to back with a STAR story.
What Baker Tilly looks for in interns
Skills across 3 Baker Tilly intern & analyst job descriptions · 2026–27 cycle Baker Tilly intern JDs, projecting 2027–2028
Method: full-text analysis of three Baker Tilly US intern job descriptions read verbatim from university job board mirrors and Workday postings (one 2027 Winter/Summer Tax or Audit, one Risk Advisory Business Risk Services, one Risk Advisory Cybersecurity). Prior-cycle basis; Baker Tilly's structured behavioral interviews evaluate these skills through STAR-format questions.
How Is Demand for Accounting and Advisory Interns Moving Right Now?
Accounting and advisory intern hiring right now: July 2026
Across US accounting-intern and advisory-intern postings · aggregate market context
The post-merger Baker Tilly is hiring across more offices than ever, and the rolling model means you compete against a thinner applicant pool at any given moment than you would in a Big 4 batch window.
Method: firm-level context from Baker Tilly JDs, press releases, and Glassdoor data as of July 2026. Market-wide accounting intern demand data not separately tracked in this baseline.
Build These Skills Before You Apply
And every skill in that chart maps to a remote Externship where you finish a real project before a role opens.
| Skill (from real JDs) | JD evidence | Externship that builds it |
|---|---|---|
| Problem-solving, analytical skills & financial analysis | Audit/Tax JDs: "organizational and analytical skills," "think strategically about your client's business, systems, and risks" | Attronica Financial Planning & Valuation |
| Communication & client-facing collaboration | All JDs: "communication, interpersonal skills, relationship building" | Healthcare Operations Consulting |
| Business consulting & strategic thinking | Advisory JDs: "Build expertise... think strategically about your client's business" | Healthcare Operations Consulting |
How close is the overlap? The Attronica project is financial planning and valuation work that yields the analytical, numbers-driven evidence Baker Tilly's behavioral interview probes for, and the Healthcare Consulting project builds the client-facing problem-solving story a STAR-format round wants.
What Is the Baker Tilly Application and Interview Process Like?
Baker Tilly's funnel is short, behavioral, and moves fast, with an average of ~16 days from application to hire:
1. Apply on careers.bakertilly.com or the Workday portal. Select a specific role and office location. No separate cover letter requirement documented.
2. Recruiter screening (~15 minutes). A phone or video call covering your interest in the firm, your background, and your involvements/activities. Conversational, not technical.
3. Second-round interview. With a Senior Manager and/or Senior Associate (15 to 20 minutes each). Baker Tilly uses structured behavior-based interviewing: open-ended STAR questions like 'Give us an example of...' and 'Describe a situation when...' Common topics: strengths, 5-year goals, why Baker Tilly, expected contribution.
4. Offer. Decisions typically come quickly. Interview difficulty rated 2.6 out of 5 on Glassdoor with 83% positive experience.
No standard online assessment or aptitude test is documented for US intern roles. The process is interview-only for most tracks, which means your STAR stories are the entire gate. Prepare four to six flexible behavioral examples that cover teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership, and rehearse them out loud.
What Students on Reddit Say
Three community patterns show the process from the inside, all paraphrased.
Baker Tilly audit interns generally report getting real client exposure early on, not just busywork. You will likely travel to client sites, work on smaller engagement teams, and get more responsibility than you would at a Big 4 firm at the same level.
When comparing Baker Tilly to similarly sized firms like RSM, pay is roughly comparable, but Baker Tilly edges ahead on work-life balance according to most commenters. The general advice is to weigh office culture and your specific service line over small salary differences.
Interns at Baker Tilly describe a supportive, approachable culture where seniors and managers are willing to teach. The firm is seen as a strong launching pad: do solid work during your internship and a full-time return offer is very likely.
How Do You Stand Out at a Firm That Hires Rolling?
Three moves, all before a posting appears. First, apply in week one: rolling review means early applicants face the widest office selection and the freshest seat count, so set a Workday alert and submit the day a Summer 2028 role goes live. Second, bring STAR stories backed by real deliverables. Baker Tilly's structured behavioral interview scores you on teamwork, problem-solving, and initiative, so a finished project beats a hypothetical every time. Third, know why Baker Tilly specifically. The merger with Moss Adams, the Vault #6 ranking, the Pathfinder culture. Interviewers notice when a candidate has done more than glance at the careers page.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
Baker Tilly competes for accounting and advisory interns alongside the Big 4 and other top-ranked firms. If you are building an accounting-internship list, these are the obvious neighbors:
- Deloittelargest Big 4 by revenue; broader service lines, fixed application windowsGuide →
- PwCBig 4 with strong tax and deals practice; structured recruiting calendarGuide →
- EYBig 4 known for consulting growth; Launch internship for underclassmenGuide →
- KPMGBig 4 with a strong audit reputation; similar behavioral interview formatGuide →
Baker Tilly's advantage over the Big 4 for many candidates: rolling year-round applications (no fixed deadline pressure), officially published pay bands, and a firm-reported 80 to 90% conversion rate. The trade-off is a smaller global footprint and less brand recognition outside the accounting world.
FAQ
When should I apply for a Summer 2028 Baker Tilly internship?
Baker Tilly posts year-round on a rolling basis. For Summer 2028, expect postings starting fall 2026 or early 2027. Apply as soon as they appear on the Workday portal. Rolling review means earlier applicants have more office and track options.
What GPA do I need for a Baker Tilly internship?
The stated preference is 3.0 or above, verbatim in every intern JD. This is a working threshold, not a soft screen hiding a higher bar. If you meet 3.0 and have the required coursework, you clear the GPA filter.
Does Baker Tilly sponsor visas for interns?
No. Every intern JD states there is currently no immigration sponsorship available for the position. This applies to both the internship and future full-time conversion.
Do I have to be an accounting major?
For Audit and Tax tracks, yes. You need CPA-eligible coursework with sufficient credits to sit for the CPA exam. Risk Advisory accepts Accounting, Finance, Information Systems, or Cybersecurity. Advisory and Consulting tracks accept broader business and analytical degrees.
How hard is the Baker Tilly intern interview?
Not very. Glassdoor rates it 2.6 out of 5 difficulty with 83% positive experience. Two rounds: a 15-minute recruiter screen and a behavioral interview with senior staff. No standard aptitude test or technical assessment for most tracks. Average ~16 days to offer.
How much does a Baker Tilly internship pay?
Official JD ranges: $33.50 to $46.00 per hour for Audit/Tax, $29.00 to $35.00 per hour for Risk Advisory. Rates vary by office and are annually evaluated. Baker Tilly is unusually transparent about pay, publishing bands directly in job descriptions.
What are my odds of a return offer?
Very good. Baker Tilly targets 70% intern-to-full-time conversion and consistently achieves 80 to 90% annually, according to a NACE-affiliated article. The internship is explicitly designed as the firm's primary full-time hiring pipeline.
What is the Baker Tilly Pathfinder Program?
An early-identification leadership experience for sophomores. It is a selective 2-day in-person event (held in June) where you learn about the firm, do case studies, and interview for a core internship. Apply about 2 years before your target internship start date.
Baker Tilly's rolling calendar means there is no single deadline to hit, but that makes timing more important, not less. Spend the runway building proof: a remote Externship turns 'interested in Baker Tilly' into a finished project with a STAR story ready for the behavioral round.
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.
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