Last updated: July 2026
RSM US is the 5th-largest US accounting firm by revenue ($3.7B, FY2024) and the leading middle-market professional services provider, with 16,800+ professionals across 81+ offices. Its internship program has been named a Top 100 Internship Program (2024) and has earned the Handshake Early Talent Award six consecutive years (2021–2026). For the 2027–2028 cycle (you apply fall 2027, you intern summer 2028), applications are rolling and the biggest recruiting push happens in the fall. So if you wait until spring, the seats are already filling.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where to apply | rsmus.com internships and jobs.rsmus.com campus portal |
| Application window (2027–28) | Expected fall 2027 (Aug–Oct) for core Audit, Tax, and Consulting tracks. Rolling basis, biggest recruiting in the fall. Projected pattern, not yet posted |
| Rolling? | Yes, confirmed. RSM accepts applications on a rolling basis; apply as early in the window as possible |
| Eligibility | Juniors (12–18 months from degree completion), Accounting major preferred for Audit/Tax, 90 credit hours required, minimum 3.0 GPA preferred |
| Duration | 8–12 weeks, full-time. Summer (Jun–Aug) or Winter busy-season (Jan–Apr) |
| Compensation | $28–$33/hr in most cities; $35–$41/hr in NYC (official JD ranges, Summer 2026) |
| Visa sponsorship | No. Every JD states RSM does not hire entry-level candidates requiring current or future visa sponsorship, including F-1 visa holders |
| Locations | 81+ offices: Chicago, New York, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Minneapolis, and more |
| # Programs | 6+ tracks: Audit/Assurance, Federal Tax, SALT, Consulting (Internal Audit), Consulting (IT Audit), plus early-ID pipeline (Excellence Academy, Pathways) |
RSM hires on a rolling basis with fall as the peak recruiting season. No published acceptance rate or intern class size, so timing and a 3.0+ GPA do the filtering.
Externships are short, remote projects where you finish real work for a real company. The Attronica Financial Planning & Valuation Externship and Beats by Dre Data Analytics Externship build the financial analysis and data skills RSM’s JDs ask for. Explore all Externships.
What Is a RSM Internship?
An RSM internship is a paid, full-time placement of 8–12 weeks, either summer (June to August) or winter busy-season (January to April), that puts students on real client engagement teams across audit, tax, and consulting. RSM is the 5th-largest US accounting firm and part of RSM International, the 6th-largest global accounting network with 51,000 professionals in 120+ countries. The intern experience holds up: 4.4–4.6 out of 5 on Glassdoor, with 94% of audit interns recommending RSM. Every intern receives a Performance Advisor (mentor) and participates in orientation, professional development, and community service events.
When Do RSM Internship Applications Open for 2027–2028?
RSM’s calendar is predictable even without the exact 2028 dates. The biggest recruiting push happens in the fall, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. For the Summer 2026/2027 cycle, intern postings were live on jobs.rsmus.com and WayUp from late 2024 through early 2026. So for summer 2028, expect to apply fall 2027, roughly 8–12 months ahead. But early-ID engagement through the Pathways Experience or the Excellence Academy can start a full year or more before that.
Summer 2028 applications don’t exist yet. This is the build window: your resume, GPA, and accounting coursework when postings open will decide whether rolling review reaches you.
Sophomore or early-junior year: explore the RSM Excellence Academy (for eligible students 3 years from graduation) and attend the Pathways Experience (virtual half-day event). These feed directly into internship applications.
Core Audit, Tax, and Consulting internship applications expected to open. Rolling review starts immediately, so apply in the first weeks to face the most open seats.
The funnel: recruiter screen, then a ~30-minute behavioral interview with a department supervisor. RSM’s process averages about 18 days from application to offer (Glassdoor). No formal online assessment reported.
8–12 weeks, full-time, at one of 81+ offices. Audit interns attend a week of training in Chicago. Perform well: community sources say most strong performers receive return offers.
Why You Must Apply the Week Applications Open
Rolling is not a detail at RSM, it’s the whole game. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and the firm’s biggest recruiting push happens in the fall. That means early applicants see the most open seats by location and service line. Late applicants face fewer spots, especially at popular offices like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta. The average time from application to hire is about 18 days, so the cycle moves fast. Set a job alert on jobs.rsmus.com and apply the week a posting opens.
Which RSM Internship Programs Should You Target?
RSM runs 6+ distinct intern tracks across its core service lines, plus early-ID pipeline programs. Which one should you target? Match your major and coursework: Accounting majors fit Audit and Tax, while Finance, Information Systems, and Data Analytics students can target Consulting tracks.
| Program | Focus | Duration | Key skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audit / Assurance Intern | Financial statement audits, internal controls testing, risk assessment, client financial analysis | 8–12 wks (summer or winter) | GAAP/GAAS, Excel, analytical thinking, teamwork |
| Federal Tax Services Intern | Federal/state tax compliance, tax planning and research, tax return preparation, credits and incentives | 8–12 wks (summer or winter) | Tax compliance, Excel, research, communication |
| State & Local Tax (SALT) Intern | SALT compliance, sales and use tax, multi-state reporting | 8–12 wks summer | Tax law, multi-state reporting, detail orientation |
| Consulting Intern (Internal Audit) | Financial services and internal audit assessments, client consulting projects | 8–12 wks summer | Risk assessment, client service, project management |
| Consulting Intern (IT Audit) | IT controls, compliance assessments, technology risk | 8–12 wks summer | IT controls, data analytics, information systems |
| RSM Excellence Academy | 3-day leadership conference plus stipend, internship pipeline for freshmen/sophomores (diversity-focused) | 3 days + multi-year pipeline | Leadership, networking, accounting foundations |
See every open track on the RSM internships page. Note that some Consulting positions require prior attendance at the Pathways Experience (a virtual half-day event), so start your engagement early.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
RSM’s requirements are consistent across service lines, with a few track-specific additions:
• Class year: approximately 12–18 months from completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting or a related field. This typically means juniors or 4th-year students in a 5-year program.
• Major: Accounting preferred for Audit and Tax tracks. Finance, Data & Analytics, and Information Systems accepted for Consulting and IT Audit tracks.
• Credit hours: 90 credit hours completed required for Audit and Tax intern roles.
• Work authorization: RSM explicitly states it does not hire entry-level candidates requiring current or future visa sponsorship, including F-1 visa holders. This is a hard eligibility gate for international students.
Does RSM Have a GPA Cutoff?
Yes, a soft one. Every intern JD states a minimum 3.0 GPA preferred. That’s a real, workable threshold, not a formality. Competitive candidates likely sit around 3.2–3.5+, but 3.0 is the stated floor. Unlike some tech companies that skip GPA entirely, accounting firms use it as a screening metric, so treat 3.0 as the minimum to clear.
What Skills Does RSM Look For, and How Do You Build Them?
Read across six full-text RSM intern JDs, two Audit, one Tax, two Consulting, and one Winter Audit, and the pattern is clear. Teamwork and client service appear in all six, communication and Excel proficiency in five, and accounting knowledge and integrity in four each. But the skill list tells only half the story. RSM’s middle-market model puts interns directly on client engagements from day one, so soft skills like client relationship development and professional judgment carry outsized weight in interviews.
What RSM looks for in interns
Skills across 6 RSM intern & analyst job descriptions · 2026–27 cycle RSM intern JDs, projecting 2027–2028
Method: full-text analysis of six RSM intern job descriptions read verbatim on WayUp (official RSM postings): two Audit, one Federal Tax, two Consulting (Internal Audit and IT Audit), one Winter Audit. Prior-cycle basis; projected for 2027–2028.
How Is Demand for Accounting Interns Moving Right Now?
Accounting and audit intern hiring right now: July 2026
Across US accounting-intern postings · aggregate market context
The accounting talent shortage works in your favor. Firms are competing harder for qualified interns, especially those on track for CPA eligibility.
Context drawn from RSM newsroom, Accounting Today rankings, and industry-wide CPA pipeline reporting as of July 2026.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial analysis, Excel & valuation | Audit/Tax JDs: "strong analytical skills," "MS Office with emphasis on Excel" | Attronica Financial Planning & Valuation |
| Data analytics & quantitative reasoning | Consulting JDs: "data analytics," "substantive testing," "data extraction" | Beats by Dre Data Analytics |
| Client-facing communication & professionalism | All JDs: "excellent written and verbal communication," "client relationship development" | Attronica Financial Planning & Valuation |
How close is the overlap? The Attronica project is financial planning and valuation work that yields the analytical and Excel evidence RSM’s Audit and Tax JDs ask for, and the Beats project delivers the data-driven decision-making story a Consulting interviewer wants to hear.
What Is the RSM Application and Interview Process Like?
RSM’s funnel is short and behavioral, with the average time from application to offer about 18 days:
1. Apply on jobs.rsmus.com. Submit your resume, transcript/GPA, and basic profile. Select your preferred office location and list your top choice in the comment box.
2. Recruiter/behavioral interview, about 30 minutes. A conversational session with a department intern supervisor covering career aspirations, “why RSM,” and why you chose your service line. 85% of candidates rated their interview experience as positive, and the difficulty is 2.5 out of 5.
3. Offer. Decisions come on a rolling basis, averaging about 18 days from application. Some Consulting positions require prior attendance at the Pathways Experience (virtual half-day event), so check the JD.
So the prep is straightforward: have three to four behavioral stories ready (teamwork, client service, problem-solving, integrity), know why you want RSM specifically (middle-market focus, culture, early client exposure), and be prepared to talk about your service-line interest. RSM interviews are conversations, not technical gauntlets.
What Students on Reddit Say
Three community data points show the experience from the inside, all paraphrased from Glassdoor and Fishbowl sources.
RSM interviews are mostly behavioral and fit-based. Brush up on "why RSM" and "why audit/tax," show genuine interest in the middle-market focus, and have a few thoughtful questions ready for the partner round.
RSM pays competitively with Big 4 in most markets and the work-life balance tends to be noticeably better. If brand prestige matters less to you than day-to-day quality of life, RSM is a strong choice.
Ask questions early, stay organized with your workpapers, and don't be afraid to flag when you're stuck. RSM teams are generally supportive of interns, and showing initiative matters more than getting everything right on the first try.
How Do You Stand Out at a Middle-Market Leader?
Three moves, all before a posting opens. First, apply in the first week of the fall cycle: rolling review plus a behavioral-only process means timing and preparation beat everything else. Second, engage early through the Pathways Experience or the Excellence Academy, because RSM tracks candidates who show genuine interest before the formal application opens. Third, bring stories about client-facing work or team collaboration backed by real artifacts, not hypotheticals. RSM puts interns on client engagements from week one, so the behavioral interview is screening for people who can handle that responsibility immediately.
What Other Companies Should You Consider?
RSM isn’t the only large accounting firm hiring interns on a fall-rolling calendar. If you’re building an accounting-internship list, these are the natural neighbors:
- DeloitteBig 4 leader, larger class size and broader service linesGuide →
- PwCBig 4 with strong audit and advisory tracksGuide →
- EYBig 4 with a consulting-heavy growth strategyGuide →
- KPMGBig 4 with a lean toward advisory and taxGuide →
- Grant Thorntonclosest middle-market peer, similar culture and office footprintCareers site
Our accounting internships guide maps the whole landscape, timeline by timeline.
FAQ
When should I apply for a summer 2028 RSM internship?
Apply in fall 2027 (August to October) when RSM’s biggest recruiting cycle begins. Applications are rolling, so apply as early in the window as possible. For the Pathways Experience or Excellence Academy, engage even earlier, as early as sophomore year.
What GPA do I need for an RSM internship?
A minimum 3.0 GPA is preferred, stated in every intern JD. Competitive candidates typically have a 3.2 or higher. Unlike some tech firms, accounting firms use GPA as a real screening metric, so treat 3.0 as the floor.
Does RSM sponsor visas for interns?
No. Every intern JD states RSM does not hire entry-level candidates requiring current or future visa sponsorship, including F-1 visa holders. This is a firm eligibility gate with no documented exceptions for interns.
Do I have to be an accounting major?
For Audit and Tax tracks, effectively yes: an Accounting major and 90 credit hours are required. Consulting and IT Audit tracks accept Finance, Data & Analytics, Information Systems, and related majors.
How hard is the RSM internship interview?
2.5 out of 5 difficulty on Glassdoor, with 85% of experiences rated positive. It is a roughly 30-minute behavioral conversation with a department supervisor, covering career goals, why RSM, and teamwork. No formal online assessment or technical test has been reported.
How much does an RSM internship pay?
$28 to $33 per hour in most cities; $35 to $41 per hour in New York City. These are official JD ranges from Summer 2026 postings. RSM also provides at least 14 paid holidays, wellbeing days, and flexible scheduling.
How long is an RSM internship and where is it?
8 to 12 weeks, full-time, either summer (June to August) or winter busy-season (January to April), at one of 81+ US offices. Audit interns attend a week of training in Chicago at the start.
What are my odds of getting a return offer?
Community sources suggest most strong performers receive return offers, but it is not guaranteed. Office headcount and budget play a role, and at least one cycle reportedly extended more intern offers than full-time seats. Treat the internship as a paid audition.
RSM’s rolling calendar rewards early movers, and every seat is won one behavioral conversation at a time. Spend the runway building proof: a remote Externship turns ‘interested in RSM’ into a finished project you can point at.
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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