Ernst & Young (EY) Internships 2024
Updated November 21, 2023
Ernst & Young, sometimes referred to as EY, is a British multinational professional services partnership.
It is headquartered in London, UK. It is known to be one of the Big Four accounting firms and one of the largest professional services networks globally.
Working as an intern for Ernst & Young can be a great first step for many aspiring accountants.
In this article, you will learn more about how to apply for and secure an Ernst & Young Internship.
What Is an EY Internship?
Ernst & Young internships offer lots of opportunities for potential accountants, though you need to understand more about the company to understand what opportunities are available.
What Is EY?
Ernst & Young is a company that has been formed from several mergers of firms over the past 100 years. The oldest firm was founded in 1849 and was known as Harding & Pullein. During the same year, the firm was joined by an accountant, Frederick Whinney.
Whinney became a partner a decade later and his son joined the firm, which changed its name to Whinney, Smith & Whinney in 1894.
Then in 1903, two brothers, Alwin and Theodore Ernst, founded an accountancy firm. Three years later, Scottish Arthur Young set up another accountancy firm in Chicago. These two firms would later affiliate themselves with UK firms, namely Whinney, Smith & Whinny, and Broads Paterson & Co.
One of the partnerships created an Anglo-American partnership, Ernst & Whinney, in 1979, which was then the fourth largest accountancy firm. Ten years later, this firm then merged with Arthur Young & Co to create Ernst & Young.
What Services Does Ernst & Young Provide?
As one of the largest accountancy firms, Ernst & Young offers numerous services. These include:
- Assurance – Financial audit, financial accounting advisory services, forensic and integrity services, etc.
- Tax – Transfer pricing, international tax services, business tax compliance, global trade, indirect tax, etc.
- Consulting – Divided into three sub-service lines: business consulting, technology consulting and people advisory services.
- Strategy and Transactions (SaT) – Helps companies with their capital transformation.
What EY Internships Are Available?
There are numerous Ernst & Young internships available. Interns working at the company have a variety of responsibilities. They tend to have assignments involving research or assisting the team with mergers.
There might also be some orientations that take them through different business areas, including tax, audits and other aspects of business.
Many of the tasks are there to help interns learn practical skills, such as writing and presentation techniques, which can help in their future careers.
Internships are normally offered to those in their penultimate year of university. There are also opportunities for those undergraduate students in their first or final year.
Prepare for the Internship Application Process with JobTestPrep
There are numerous areas where interns can work. A few examples of internships include:
- EY consulting/advisory internship
- EY tech consulting internship
- EY accounting internship
- EY audit internship (also known as EY assurance internship)
- EY tax internship
- EY risk advisory internship
- EY strategy internship
- EY data analytics internship
- Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) internship
- Technology Advisory Program (TAP) internship
There are also programs available for school leavers and graduate students. So there are opportunities regardless of your level of education.
There are two main internships:
- Client-Facing Internship
- Launch Internship
Ernst & Young Client-Facing Internship
A client-serving intern will gain exposure to business and world-class clients.
Under the guidance of a team leader and professional, interns on this program will work on numerous projects that could include:
- Conducting internal control reviews on audits
- Helping to perform tax planning
- Building resources to improve team efficiency
During the program, interns will learn important skills like presenting and networking. Interns will also learn how to care for physical, emotional, social and financial well-being.
There is regular feedback provided with guidance and coaching from professionals to help develop the skills needed for a future career.
Ernst & Young Launch Internship
The launch internship is a more immersive, rotational experience to help build a future career in professional services.
During the internship, candidates will learn core skills or technical skills to contribute to professional advancement.
Interns will begin with the National Launch Training. This training aspect will introduce interns to the business and provide exposure to the culture.
They will then gain valuable experience working on vital projects alongside professionals from all the service lines across numerous industries.
As a result, there are tools to discover, cultural gains and opportunities to tailor the internship so it is unique. There is also an extensive support network to guide interns through every step. Candidates will also develop the skills required to become future transformative leaders.
Other EY Internship Opportunities
And internships aren’t only available for accountancy career paths. You can also secure an internship within:
- HR
- Marketing
- Tax
- IT
Internships are taken in both the Summer and Winter in the USA, offering numerous opportunities to gain experience and earn money during college breaks.
All internships are paid.
Benefits of an EY Internship
There are numerous benefits to getting involved in an EY internship.
Those who work at EY say that they are never bored. There are always projects and tasks to complete, allowing for a sense of achievement throughout the day.
EY is also well-known for taking care of its interns. It offers advice on maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes physical, mental and financial well-being for students and employees of the company.
The skills that are acquired throughout the internship can be applied to future careers. And an internship at Ernst & Young can look very impressive on a resume. Therefore, it can help to advance a career, even if the intern doesn’t take a full-time position at the company.
There are many interns, however, who do find a position at the accountancy firm. Therefore, a small internship can lead to a long, stable career at a world-leading company.
Finally, there are opportunities for interns to learn more about a variety of business services roles. Therefore, candidates can find what business services inspire them and tailor their future career paths to meet these.
If you need to prepare for a number of different employment tests and want to outsmart the competition, choose a Premium Membership from JobTestPrep.
You will get access to three PrepPacks of your choice, from a database that covers all the major test providers and employers and tailored profession packs.
How to Apply for an EY Internship
Applying for an EY Internship can be competitive, and there is a set process to complete.
Here are the steps to completing the application for your EY internship.
Step 1. Find an Ernst & Young Internship
Internships are listed online. Some internships are made available on the Ernst & Young website, but they also advertise some of the smaller internships on other job websites. So it might be possible to do a general search to find an internship.
Internships can be located at any of its offices.
If on another website, it is likely to direct you to its careers website to get you to complete the application.
Step 2. Apply Online
All Ernst & Young internships require you to apply online.
Applications include a simple application form, where you will be asked several questions related to the suitability of your candidacy for the position available.
You will also be asked to submit a cover letter, CV and references.
Step 3. Review of the Application
The HR department at Ernst & Young will then review the application. The review application can take several days or weeks.
Step 4. Attend Virtual Interviews
Virtual interviews are taken with the use of a computer, microphone and video.
They will be with a hiring manager and/or HR team member. They act as any other interview where you will be asked questions about your experience, education and goals.
They will also assess you for your suitability by matching your answers to the Ernst & Young core values. Providing answers that align with these is very important.
Virtual interviews can last anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour.
For the interview, it is important to dress smartly and ensure you look your best. Have a notebook and pen ready to take notes.
At the end of the interview, you will be allowed to ask the interviewer questions. It is great practice to ask questions in the interview about their career and experience working at Ernst & Young.
Questions could be related to what they like about the company, what are the main challenges and how has the company helped them advance their career.
Step 5. Take an Assessment
During the Ernst & Young interviews, you will be required to take an assessment.
The Ernst & Young Student Internship test is designed to screen and assess undergraduate applicants for suitability for the Spring/Winter/Summer schemes.
The test is not timed, though you should spend between 45 and 120 minutes completing it.
There are three main question sets:
- Situational judgment test
- Reasoning test
- Personality test.
The internship test does not have a numerical section.
The purpose of the EY assessment is to ensure that the intern candidates are a good fit for the company. Part of the process is that they have ethical values that are aligned with Ernst & Young’s core values.
Tests are done remotely, via an internet portal. A link will be sent to you for you to complete.
You should take opportunities before the interview to practice for these tests.
Step 6. Offer of an EY Internship
After all the interviews have been completed, you will be offered or declined for a position. You may receive feedback.
If you are offered a position, you will need to decide whether or not to accept it. This can normally be done via email.
EY Internship Application Tips
The competition for an EY internship position is very strong. It receives far more applications than it has positions.
To give you an edge in the application process, there are numerous strategies you can apply before the application. These can include:
Research EY Before Applying
The first option is to ensure that you’ve done your research on the company before you apply for an EY internship. The company has strong values that it will screen for during the application process.
The core values are:
- Adaptability – Being flexible to a changing environment and always learning to improve skills.
- Innovation/Creativity – EY wants employees who have an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Curiosity – As an intern, you should be purpose-driven and ask better questions to seek better answers.
- Collaboration – Interns need to demonstrate that they can work with an international, diverse team.
- Growth-oriented – Work efficiently, using the best critical thinking and judgment skills to ensure work and output matches the current trends.
- Responsibility – To be responsible for actions taken and see through the consequences of decisions made.
You also need to check the location of the role. Internships are short-term, but they might be in a location that you can’t move to for such a short period.
In addition, the internship on offer might not be suitable for your career.
Tailor Your EY Internship Application
Any application must be tailored for the specific role. The same application should not be used for two internships, such as the EY summer internship and the EY law internship.
You need to highlight the right skills and experience that are relevant to each EY internship program.
It is important to spend lots of time on your application. Spend at least one to two hours on optimizing the highlights of your career, experience and education to suit the needs of not just the position, but also the company.
Practice Online Assessments
When applying for EY internships, there are going to be some assessments and interviews.
You can take mock practice tests to check your understanding of the questions. Practice can improve your chances of passing a test significantly and can reduce stress when taking a test.
You should also look at creating standardized responses to common questions asked at EY interviews.
For instance, you might be asked why you deserve a placement in the program, why you want to work with EY and what skills you can bring to the team.
Prepare some questions for the interviewer as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are numerous internships available throughout the year. Therefore, some applications are open all the time. Check on its website and job boards to keep notified of the next opening for an internship.
Only about 3.5% of applicants for the EY internship program receive an offer on a program. Competition is tough and only the best get a chance to move forward.
You will be expected to work full-time at the internship, which is about 40 hours per week.
It depends on how many applicants there are. Sometimes you can hear back within a few days, but it can be a few weeks.
To apply for an internship at EY (Ernst & Young), you can visit the official website and navigate to the 'Careers' or 'Internship' section.
There, you can search for available internship opportunities and submit your application online.
Typically, you will need to provide your resume, cover letter, academic transcripts and any other required documents.
Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills, experiences and interest in the specific internship position at EY.
The competitiveness of getting an internship at EY can vary depending on factors such as the number of applicants, the specific internship program and the demand for interns.
EY is a renowned global professional services firm, and it receives a large number of applications each year. It typically looks for candidates with strong academic records, relevant experience and excellent interpersonal skills.
While it can be challenging to secure an internship at EY, focusing on showcasing your unique qualities and preparing thoroughly for the application process can increase your chances of success.
The duration of an EY summer internship can vary depending on the specific program and location. Generally, summer internships at EY span from eight to 12 weeks.
During this period, interns are exposed to various aspects of the firm's work, including client engagements, team collaboration and professional development opportunities.
The length of the internship allows interns to gain valuable insights into EY's culture, build relationships and develop their skills within their chosen field of interest.
EY looks for several key qualities in its internship candidates. It seeks individuals who demonstrate strong academic performance, possess relevant technical knowledge and exhibit excellent communication and teamwork skills.
EY values candidates who show a proactive and adaptable attitude, as well as a keen interest in the industry and the firm's services.
Additionally, having leadership potential, problem-solving abilities and a global mindset can further enhance your chances of standing out as a candidate for an EY internship.
The EY TAP (Technology Advisory Program) Internship is a unique opportunity for students interested in technology consulting and advisory services.
This program specifically focuses on providing hands-on experience in working with EY's cutting-edge technology solutions and assisting clients in navigating digital transformations.
Interns in the TAP program engage in various client projects, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and gain exposure to different industries.
The internship aims to develop interns' technical skills, problem-solving abilities and business acumen, preparing them for a career in technology consulting.
The number of interview invitations extended for an Ernst & Young (EY) internship can vary depending on the specific internship program and the number of qualified applicants.
EY receives a substantial number of applications each year, and the selection process involves multiple rounds of review and evaluation.
The exact number of candidates invited for interviews is not publicly available, as it is based on the overall pool of applicants and the specific requirements of each program.
EY focuses on identifying top talent and inviting candidates who best meet its criteria for the internship positions.
To increase your chances of getting an internship at Ernst & Young (EY), you should follow these steps:
- Research – Gain a comprehensive understanding of EY's services, values and culture. Research the specific internship programs available and determine which aligns with your interests and skills.
- Network – Build connections with professionals at EY through networking events, career fairs or online platforms like LinkedIn.
- Tailor your application – Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experiences, skills and academic achievements. Emphasize your passion for the industry and explain why you are interested in an internship at EY.
- Prepare for interviews – Practice common interview questions, especially those related to your field of interest and EY's core competencies. Be prepared to showcase your knowledge, skills and enthusiasm for the opportunity.
The number of internships Ernst & Young (EY) hires per year can vary based on its business needs and the availability of projects.
EY is a global organization with a substantial workforce, and it offers numerous internship programs across different departments and locations.
The specific number of internships offered by EY annually is not publicly disclosed. However, EY typically hires a significant number of interns to support its diverse operations and provide valuable learning experiences to aspiring professionals in various fields such as accounting, consulting, tax and advisory services.
Final Thoughts
Getting a position on the EY internship – whether you’re looking for an EY consulting internship, EY tech consulting internship or EY law internship – can be rather challenging. Fewer than one in 33 applicants gets a position in the program.
By being prepared, tailoring your application and making a good impression, you can increase your chances and be more likely to secure a position. And then you secure the rewards that such a placement can provide.
