Anna Schultz '27 (Accounting) Accounting & CFO Advisory Intern

Anna Schultz '27 (Accounting) was an Accounting and CFO Advisory Intern (ACFO) at Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP (FRCO) in San Diego, CA

What was the process for getting this internship, job, or summer experience?

The process for getting my internship was similar to any other application. I applied to the job listing on LinkedIn after hearing from another friend who was applying. I was very interested in ACFO because it offers client-focused accounting work that aligned with my career goals. After submitting my resume and cover letter, I was selected for an interview. My interview process had two rounds: one with the recruiting team and three rounds with an associate, a senior manager, and a partner at the firm. It was nice because I had the chance to talk with people in recruiting roles and in the ACFO department I would be joining. Everyone was so nice and welcoming during my interviews, which really made me fall in love with the firm's culture. I heard firsthand what the different roles are like, from associate to senior manager to partner, which helped me picture myself in those roles if I worked there. The process was super quick, and I was offered a job soon after completing my three-round interview. I knew I loved what the job entailed and the people, so I accepted soon after that!

Tell us about your internship.

I really loved my internship at FRCO because it combined social events with hands-on work. A typical day started with arriving at the office at 8:30. First, I would talk with my buddy, an associate usually in their first year at FRCO. I would ask questions about work, and we would usually get coffee together and just chat. It was a great way for me to form a deeper, mentorship-like relationship at the firm. Next, we would usually have some type of training with senior associates and managers. For example, we would spend two hours learning how the firm does the monthly close for our clients' financials. We would work with historical data and statements to complete the month-end close. After finishing the training, we would have lunch together as a department. Everyone was so welcoming, and it was nice to get to know everyone at lunch. After lunch, we would do a firm-wide activity like trivia to celebrate summer games, which was super fun. The rest of the day, we would practice our training by doing real-life client work. We got client work from different people at the firm, which helped us practice what we learned in real time. I really enjoyed this experience because I wasn't doing the same thing every day. It was always something new, with different tasks we would be assigned to complete for clients. It was challenging but also interesting, and it allowed me to learn new things every day. 

How did Eller prepare you for this internship and any advice for other students?

I think Eller did a good job preparing me for this experience by giving me plenty of classwork that encouraged collaboration and the use of social skills. A big part of my internship was collaborating in teams to complete client accounting work, as well as speaking to real clients about their financials. Knowing the information is one thing, but learning how to present that information and talk about it is a whole different level that I feel Eller helped me prepare for. My advice to people interested in this internship is to know what you value in your future career. When searching for internships, I knew I wanted to work at a firm with a great culture that invested in its employees. When I found that at Frank, Rimerman, I could really express my excitement during interviews. My biggest challenge was shifting from school and a part-time job to a full-time internship. Adjusting to the real workforce can be challenging, but with the right people at your job, the transition is much easier. Learning time management and how to balance different deadlines can also be challenging, so I would recommend practicing these skills beforehand. Everyone makes mistakes; it's about how you move forward, and your actions determine who you are as a worker.