Tax Planning Internship in Raleigh, NC
Financial Symmetry’s Tax Planning Internship gives undergraduate and masters students hands-on experience inside an independent, fee-only Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Since 2000, we’ve helped students launch careers in financial planning and wealth management through meaningful, real-world experience. Nearly half of our current employees—including advisors, planners, operations professionals, and firm leaders—began as interns, giving today’s interns the opportunity to learn alongside professionals who once stood exactly where they are today.
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Tax Planning & Tax Preparation Intern to join our tax team during our busiest season. This internship provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience preparing tax returns, supporting tax planning strategies, and working alongside experienced tax professionals in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities include:
• Assist with the preparation of individual income tax returns.
• Support tax planning projects for clients throughout the tax season.
• Organize and review client tax documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Perform tax research on federal and state tax issues.
• Communicate professionally with team members and assist with client information requests.
• Maintain accurate documentation while ensuring confidentiality of client information.
• Participate in team meetings and ongoing training opportunities.
Qualifications – Required
• Currently enrolled as a Senior Accounting major or a Master of Accounting student at NC State
• Strong academic performance with a solid understanding of accounting principles.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Available to work 15-20 hours per week from October through April.
Qualifications – Preferred
• Previous experience using tax preparation software (such as ProConnect).
• Prior internship or work experience in accounting, tax, or finance.
What You’ll Gain
• Real-world experience preparing tax returns and assisting with tax planning engagements.
• Mentorship from experienced tax professionals and certified financial planners.
• Exposure to a collaborative, client-focused wealth management environment.
• Opportunities to strengthen technical tax knowledge and professional communication skills.
• Valuable experience that can prepare you for a career in public accounting, tax, or financial planning
Internship Location
Our internship is located at Financial Symmetry’s Raleigh, North Carolina office in Wade V, a LEED Gold Certified building near Lenovo Center and Carter-Finley Stadium.
Interns enjoy:
- Modern office environment
- Walking paths and outdoor courtyards
- Nearby restaurants and food trucks
- Collaboration with advisors and planning professionals
Because mentoring, collaboration, and client exposure are central to our program, we do not offer remote internships.
Who Should Apply
We are seeking proactive undergraduate students who are:
- Rising Seniors
- Master of Accounting 1st or 2nd year students
Preferred majors include:
- Finance
- Accounting
Successful applicants also demonstrate:
- Familiarity with personal finance concepts
- Curiosity and initiative
- Excellent attention to detail
- Professional communication skills
- Desire to learn in a collaborative environment
What You’ll Learn
Throughout your internship, you’ll gain experience with real client work while building skills valued throughout the financial planning profession.
Tax Planning Support
During tax season, interns assist with:
- Tax preparation data entry
- Pay statement analysis
- Tax planning projects
Document Management
- Digitize financial documents
- Extract financial planning data
- Improve data quality
Process Improvement
You’ll also participate in:
- Operational improvement projects
- Internal workflow enhancements
Why Intern at Financial Symmetry?
Our paid internship is designed to prepare students for careers in:
- Tax Planning
- Wealth Management
- Financial Planning
- Investment Management
- Portfolio Operations
- Operations Management
- Client Service
- Financial Advisor roles
Learn how an independent Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) operates while working alongside experienced CFP®, CPA, Enrolled Agent, and FPQP® professionals.
Many interns continue into additional internship semesters, and many ultimately join our firm full-time after graduation.
How to Apply
To be considered for our Wealth Management Internship, please complete our brief Internship Assessment and email the following materials to Heather Gudac at hgudac@financialsymmetry.com:
- Resume
- Concise cover letter
- Unofficial transcript
- Semester class schedule showing availability
Please do not call or schedule appointments regarding internship applications. We carefully review every application and will contact candidates we wish to move forward in the interview process.
