Classroom Knowledge to Client Experience

Bryan, a student at St. Cloud State University, first heard about Froehling Anderson through two avenues: his school’s accounting club and a career fair. He was drawn to Froehling Anderson because of the culture they’ve created at the firm, which has led to notable recognition—being named a Top 200 Workplace and consistently a Top 25 Accounting Firm by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Coming into the internship with only classroom knowledge, Bryan was eager to learn more about the accounting profession. While he didn’t fully know what to expect, he embraced the opportunity to learn, grow, collaborate, and connect with others in the field.

“I hoped that this experience would kick-start my career in accounting, and it not only did that, but it also provided me with the clarity to continue pursuing what I love: audit,” said Bryan.

Some of the things Bryan enjoyed during his internship were:

• The exposure to business tax and work in areas such as S-Corps and Partnerships
• The experience of working in areas he wasn’t as familiar with
• The ability to spend concentrated time in an area he had expressed interest in during his interview

His classroom experience quickly translated into real-life client work. A fun moment that still sticks with him today was going on-site to a client’s to do an in-person audit with two of Froehling’s experienced managers: Jake Gregg and Haley Schanks.

“This was a very well-rounded experience for me,” states Bryan. “One I was glad to have received!”

During his internship, Bryan took away several key lessons:

• He felt incredibly supported by all the partners at Froehling Anderson, calling them great communicators, great leaders, and effective collaborators.
• The experience strengthened the strong work ethic he already had.
• He left with a newfound sense of leadership under his belt.

Bryan has been positively impacted by Froehling’s uplifting firm environment and will carry these lessons into his future career in accounting.

As his internship came to a close, Bryan reflected on the experience with gratitude. He would recommend that any accounting student pursue an internship with Froehling Anderson because of the exposure it provides to all aspects of accounting—an experience that builds a well-rounded accountant.

He looks back on his four months with Froehling Anderson and describes the company and the internship program in three words: supportive, fun, and well-rounded.

“Just do it. You don’t know what you are going to like and not like until you try, and Froehling makes the busy season so fun. Everyone is here to support you, and no one expects you to know everything.”

Evelyn, a student at the College of Saint Benedict & Saint John’s University, heard about Froehling Anderson through a fall 2024 event her school hosted called Numbers Night. A select number of firms had booths there, and Froehling was one of them. She was immediately drawn to the firm’s core values and the sense of community they exuded.

Coming into her first hands-on accounting experience, Evelyn felt intimidated. She had taken a handful of accounting classes but hoped to use the internship to grow her skills and learn from others at the firm.

“I came in hoping to gain knowledge in both tax and audit, and I am walking away with a newfound confidence, not only in the accounting profession but also in myself and my abilities,” said Evelyn.

Some of the things Evelyn enjoyed during her internship were:

• Everyone was very welcoming, helpful, and inclusive
• She was able to bond and form connections with all the coworkers she worked with
• The firm events and activities during busy season were a lot of fun

Her classroom knowledge was quickly put into practice. Reflecting on that transition, Evelyn shared:

“I am very grateful for the opportunity. I have seen a lot of growth in myself and realized I am far more capable of doing things I never thought I could do.”

Evelyn walked away with two key takeaways from her internship:

• When working with a team, it’s important to support one another, offer help, and ask questions
• Everything she learned during the program is incredibly useful for her future

“This was my first hands-on accounting experience; I had no prior experience,” states Evelyn.

She now feels confident and prepared to pursue her career in accounting with deeper knowledge and practical, real-life client experience.

As the internship wraps up, Evelyn looks back on her experience with gratitude. She would recommend Froehling Anderson to any accounting student because of the firm’s many opportunities for growth. She felt valued and seen—especially when both managers and partners took time to teach her, even during the busy season. She appreciated learning from the unique perspectives of leaders at every level.

She reflects on her four months with Froehling Anderson and describes the experience as: fun, communal, and educational.

“Always believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

Learn more about Froehling Anderson:

• How to Have a Successful Accounting Internship at Froehling Anderson – Accountants and Advisors | Froehling Anderson CPAs
• Celebrating Milestones: From College Grad to Partner – Accountants and Advisors | Froehling Anderson CPAs
• Internships and New Accountants – Accountants and Advisors | Froehling Anderson CPAs