Last updated: August 2026
Cherry Bekaert is the fastest-growing Top 20 accounting firm in the US, with $812M in revenue and 40+ offices coast to coast. Their internship program drops you into real client engagements from day one, not a back-office simulation. If you want Big 4-caliber experience at a firm where you will not be invisible, this is the guide.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | Cherry Bekaert Early Careers (Workday) |
| Application window (2027-28) | Aug-Sep 2026 (Summer 2027); Dec-Jan for Spring 2028 |
| Rolling? | Not explicitly rolling, but positions may close early once filled |
| Eligibility | Junior or senior, accounting major, 3.0 GPA preferred, US work authorization |
| Duration | 8-10 weeks (summer); 8-12 weeks (spring/busy season) |
| Compensation | $29-34/hr |
| Return offers | Not publicly published |
| Locations | 40+ offices across FL, GA, NC, VA, TN, TX, CO, CA, PA, IL |
| # Tracks | 3 main (Audit, Tax, Advisory) |
Cherry Bekaert pays $29-34/hr across audit, tax, and advisory tracks. Summer applications typically open August-September the year before. The firm favors juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA, but treats it as a preference rather than a hard gate.
While you wait for Cherry Bekaert applications to open, build the accounting and strategy skills their recruiters look for. Try the Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling Externship to sharpen valuation and spreadsheet proficiency, or the Corporate Strategy Externship mentored by Eric Ries to practice client-facing advisory work.
What Is a Cherry Bekaert Internship?
Cherry Bekaert LLP is a nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Ranked #19 on the IPA 500 with $812M in revenue, the firm serves middle-market clients across industries including healthcare, real estate, manufacturing, and government. Cherry Bekaert was named the fastest-growing firm in the US by Accounting Today in 2024, and that growth translates directly into intern headcount and return-offer opportunity. Their intern program places students on live engagement teams, shadowing managers and contributing to deliverables rather than running errands.
When Do Cherry Bekaert Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
Cherry Bekaert recruits on a fairly predictable annual cycle. Applications for Summer 2027 internships typically open in late summer 2026, with offers extended by mid-fall. Here is how the timeline breaks down so you can plan months ahead.
Build technical skills and polish your resume. Complete a remote Externship in financial modeling or advisory strategy to fill gaps before applications open.
Applications open on Workday (typically August-September). Submit early since Cherry Bekaert may close postings once the cohort fills. Attend campus recruiting events and their Connect Conference if eligible.
Interview rounds take place: two back-to-back 30-minute behavioral interviews. Average time from application to offer is about 21 days. Prepare STAR stories around teamwork, client service, and adaptability.
Offers are extended and accepted. Spring busy-season interns (Tax and Audit) start their 8-12 week rotations in January through April, working alongside full-time staff on real filings.
Summer interns begin their 8-10 week program. You will shadow engagement teams, attend firm-wide training, and work on client deliverables across your chosen track.
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 Cherry Bekaert interns are assigned to a live client engagement within their first week. You will not spend two weeks in orientation watching slide decks. The firm pairs each intern with a senior associate or manager who walks you through workpapers, review notes, and client communications in real time. That immediate immersion is why former interns consistently describe the experience as closer to a first-year associate role than a traditional internship.
Which Cherry Bekaert Internship Programs Should You Target?
Cherry Bekaert runs internships across three main service lines, each with spring and summer cohorts depending on business demand.
| Track | Focus | Duration | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit (Summer) | Financial statement audits, internal controls testing, client walkthroughs | 8-10 weeks | Accounting knowledge, Excel, analytical thinking, professional communication |
| Audit (Spring/Busy Season) | Year-end audits during peak filing season, higher volume exposure | 8-12 weeks | Time management, attention to detail, workpaper preparation, team collaboration |
| Tax (Summer) | Tax return preparation, research memos, compliance projects | 8-10 weeks | Tax code research, spreadsheet proficiency, client data organization |
| Tax (Spring/Busy Season) | High-volume tax season filing, direct client support | 8-12 weeks | Deadline management, multi-state tax exposure, data accuracy |
| Advisory | Consulting engagements including valuations, transaction support, risk advisory | 8-10 weeks | Financial modeling, data analytics, presentation skills, strategic thinking |
Each track includes firm-wide training events, networking socials, and access to Cherry Bekaert's mentorship program. Advisory roles are more limited in headcount and tend to fill fastest.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Cherry Bekaert targets students who are within one to two years of completing their degree and CPA eligibility requirements.
• Academic standing: Junior or senior pursuing a bachelor's or master's in accounting, finance, or a related field
• GPA: 3.0 preferred (see nuance below)
• Work authorization: Must be authorized to work in the US; Cherry Bekaert does not sponsor visas for internships
• Mobility: Willingness to travel to client sites, sometimes overnight, depending on the engagement
• CPA track: On track to meet 150 credit hours for CPA eligibility is strongly preferred for audit and tax roles
• Connect Conference: Sophomores (two years from graduation) can attend the Connect networking event as an early pipeline entry
Does Cherry Bekaert Have a GPA Cutoff for Interns?
Cherry Bekaert lists 3.0 as a preferred GPA on most internship postings, but it is not a hard filter. Recruiters have confirmed in campus presentations that strong extracurriculars, relevant work experience, or leadership roles can offset a GPA slightly below the threshold. If you are sitting at a 2.8-2.9, apply anyway and make sure the rest of your application demonstrates initiative and growth.
What Skills Does Cherry Bekaert Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
We analyzed recent Cherry Bekaert intern job descriptions across their audit, tax, and advisory tracks to identify the skills mentioned most frequently. The pattern is clear: technical accounting knowledge is table stakes, but the firm weights client-facing communication and adaptability just as heavily. Spreadsheet proficiency and data analytics round out the top five, reflecting the firm's push toward technology-enabled service delivery.
What Cherry Bekaert looks for in interns
Skills across 5 Cherry Bekaert intern & analyst job descriptions · 8 real Cherry Bekaert intern JDs (2025-2026)
Frequency scored 1-5 based on explicit mention and emphasis across 8 Cherry Bekaert internship postings from 2025-2026 hiring cycles.
How Is Demand for Accounting & Advisory Interns Moving Right Now?
Accounting & advisory intern hiring right now: August 2026
Aggregate market data, all employers
The accounting intern market is stable with pockets of growth in advisory and technology-adjacent roles. Candidates who combine CPA-track coursework with data skills have a measurable edge, especially at growth firms like Cherry Bekaert that are scaling advisory practices.
Based on aggregated job-posting data from LinkedIn, Handshake, and firm career pages for accounting/advisory internships, August 2026 snapshot.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting knowledge | Demonstrate understanding of accounting principles and financial statement analysis | Yinan Zhao Investing & Financial Modeling |
| Client engagement & communication | Collaborate with engagement teams and contribute to client deliverables | Corporate Strategy (Eric Ries) |
| Data analytics & research | Support data-driven insights and analytical projects for client engagements | Center for Youth Justice Data Visualization |
Each Externship runs remotely over a few weeks. You finish with a portfolio-ready deliverable and a mentor reference, giving you concrete talking points for Cherry Bekaert behavioral interviews.
What Is the Cherry Bekaert Application and Interview Process Like?
Cherry Bekaert's intern hiring process is straightforward and moves quickly, averaging about 21 days from application to offer.
1. Apply online via the Workday Early Careers portal. Upload your resume, transcript (unofficial is fine), and complete the short-answer prompts.
2. Campus or virtual event (optional but recommended) Attend a Cherry Bekaert info session, career fair booth, or their Connect Conference to get on recruiters' radar before applying.
3. Phone or video screen A recruiter reaches out for a 15-20 minute initial conversation covering your interest in accounting, preferred track, and location flexibility.
4. Two back-to-back behavioral interviews Each is 30 minutes with a manager or senior associate. Questions are STAR-based: teamwork, handling deadlines, client service orientation, and why Cherry Bekaert specifically.
5. Offer Decisions come quickly. Glassdoor data shows 76.1% of candidates report a positive interview experience, and the average difficulty rating is 2.58 out of 5.
There is no case study or technical exam. The firm is evaluating cultural fit, communication skills, and genuine interest in their specific practice rather than testing you on debits and credits.
What Students on Reddit Say
Here is what real candidates and interns say about Cherry Bekaert on Reddit.
Got the Cherry Bekaert audit internship for summer. Pay is $32 an hour which is solid for a mid-size firm. The people were super chill during interviews and I felt like they actually wanted to get to know me rather than grill me.
I am a sophomore and already locked down a Cherry Bekaert tax internship for next year. Started networking early at their campus events and it paid off. They definitely value showing up and showing interest before you even apply.
First-ever accounting interview coming up with Cherry Bekaert. Everyone told me to just be personable and have good stories ready. It is two back-to-back interviews that are mostly behavioral. They want to see you can hold a conversation and work on a team.
How Do You Stand Out at Cherry Bekaert?
First, demonstrate genuine knowledge of Cherry Bekaert's growth story and middle-market focus. Mentioning their IPA ranking or a specific industry vertical they serve (healthcare, real estate, government) signals you did more than skim the careers page. Second, complete a relevant Externship or project that proves you can do the work before you have the job title. A financial modeling deliverable or a data visualization portfolio piece gives you a concrete answer when they ask what you bring to an engagement team. Third, attend their Connect Conference or campus events early, ideally as a sophomore. Cherry Bekaert tracks who shows up before the formal application cycle, and early relationship-building is the single most reliable path to an offer at this firm.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
Cherry Bekaert competes for the same candidates as other Top 25 firms that blend national reach with a mid-market, people-first culture. Here is how they compare.
- BDO USALarger global network and higher headcount, but Cherry Bekaert offers faster growth trajectory and smaller cohort sizes that mean more partner face time.Guide →
- CroweSimilar mid-market positioning, but Crowe is stronger in the Midwest while Cherry Bekaert dominates the Southeast and Sun Belt.Guide →
- Grant ThorntonGrant Thornton has more international secondment opportunities; Cherry Bekaert compensates with deeper industry specialization in healthcare and government.Guide →
- RSM USRSM is larger overall (#5 nationally), but Cherry Bekaert's growth rate outpaces RSM and interns often cite a less bureaucratic culture.Guide →
- Plante MoranPlante Moran is legendary for culture and has consistently ranked on Best Places to Work lists, but their geographic footprint is narrower than Cherry Bekaert's 40+ offices.Guide →
For the full landscape of accounting and audit internship options, see our Big 4 & Accounting Internships 2027 Guide.
FAQ
What is the Cherry Bekaert internship pay rate?
Cherry Bekaert interns earn $29-34 per hour depending on office location and service line. Audit and tax tracks fall within this range, with advisory roles sometimes at the higher end. This rate is competitive with other Top 20 firms and above what most regional firms offer for comparable positions.
How long is the Cherry Bekaert internship program?
Summer internships run 8-10 weeks, typically from early June through mid-August. Spring busy-season internships last 8-12 weeks, starting in January and ending in March or April depending on the engagement. Both formats are full-time and place you on active client teams.
Does Cherry Bekaert hire interns with a GPA below 3.0?
Yes, although 3.0 is listed as preferred on most postings. Cherry Bekaert does not use GPA as a hard cutoff filter. Strong extracurricular involvement, relevant work experience, or leadership roles can compensate for a GPA slightly below the threshold. Candidates at 2.8-2.9 should still apply.
What is the Cherry Bekaert internship interview like?
The interview consists of two back-to-back 30-minute behavioral conversations with managers or senior associates. Questions follow the STAR format covering teamwork, deadline management, and client service. Candidates rate the difficulty 2.58 out of 5, and 76.1% report a positive experience on Glassdoor.
Does Cherry Bekaert sponsor visas for interns?
No, Cherry Bekaert does not provide visa sponsorship for internship positions. You must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of the internship. This applies to all tracks including audit, tax, and advisory. International students should verify their work authorization status before applying.
When should I apply to Cherry Bekaert internships for Summer 2027?
Applications for Summer 2027 internships typically open in August-September 2026 on their Workday portal. Submit early because positions may close once cohorts fill, even though the process is not officially described as rolling. The average timeline from application to offer is approximately 21 days.
What is the Cherry Bekaert Connect Conference?
The Connect Conference is a networking event for students who are approximately two years from graduation, primarily sophomores. It serves as an early pipeline into the internship program by introducing students to firm culture and building recruiter relationships before formal applications open. Attending gives you a measurable advantage.
How many offices does Cherry Bekaert have for intern placement?
Cherry Bekaert operates 40+ offices across the United States with strong concentrations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Texas, Colorado, California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Intern placement depends on your preferred location and which offices have open headcount for your chosen service line.
Cherry Bekaert applications for Summer 2027 open soon. The candidates who land offers are the ones who show up with skills already proven, not just listed on a resume. Start a remote Externship in financial modeling or corporate strategy today and walk into your Cherry Bekaert interview with a deliverable that speaks for itself.
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.
