Spring Tax FOCUS Internship Program – 2026

Are you ready to gain real-world experience in public accounting while still in college? The FOCUS Internship Program is designed to give you a hands-on, immersive introduction to the accounting profession during the busiest and most educational time of year—tax season.

This is not a “coffee-run” internship. You’ll work side-by-side with experienced professionals—from Staff Accountants to Principals—on meaningful client work, learning the technical and interpersonal skills that define a successful career in public accounting.

What You’ll Do

As a FOCUS Intern, you’ll be an integral part of our tax team. Your responsibilities will include:

• Preparing tax returns for individuals, corporations, and trusts
• Learning and applying tax processes, including document scanning, assembly, and verification
• Supporting the tax team administratively, helping ensure smooth operations during busy season
• Researching tax issues and assisting with tax projections for clients
• Collaborating with professionals across departments to understand how accounting services are delivered

What You’ll Learn

• How to navigate real client scenarios and apply classroom knowledge in a professional setting
• The workflow of a public accounting firm during tax season
• How to use industry-standard software and tools for tax preparation and accounting
• The importance of teamwork, communication, and time management in a fast-paced environment

Program Details

• Timeline: January through April (aligned with tax season)
• Locations: Choose from one of our seven offices across Southern Illinois
• Scheduling: We’ll work with your class schedule to ensure you can balance work and school. We ask for a minimum of 24 hours.

Intern Requirements

We’re looking for students who are:

• Pursuing a degree in Accounting or a related field
• Maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Motivated, curious, and eager to learn
• Interested in a career in public accounting
• Equipped with basic accounting knowledge and strong analytical skills
• Effective communicators—both written and verbal
• Organized and able to manage time well in a team environment

Benefits

• Competitive hourly pay
• Mentorship from professionals at all levels
• Exposure to diverse tax filings and client industries
• Hands-on training with widely-used accounting software
• Flexible scheduling to accommodate your academic commitments
• Invitations to firm-sponsored events like holiday parties, open houses, and our legendary After Tax Party!

“Being a part of the Intern Program was so valuable to me. It was a great opportunity to get the real-world experience and exposure that helped me to determine that public accounting was something I wanted to pursue. I worked with individuals of all levels in the firm and I was given exposure to a wide variety of tax filings. I was paired with a great mentor who was always available and willing to answer any questions I had. I was also able to easily adapt my work schedule to fit in with my full course load and extracurricular activities. I would highly recommend it to any student looking for opportunities.”

-Kayla, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

“Scheffel Boyle is an incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated team that I am proud to fully be a part of. I am so thankful for the Internship program because of the experience I gained and the confidence it gave me after a few short months.”

-Rachel, Lindenwood University

“I loved learning about the many types of taxes and getting to work on business tax returns as well as individuals. Everyone in the office was so supportive and never hesitated to help whenever I needed it. I had a great experience at Scheffel Boyle!”

-Sydney, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville