Since early in its inception, McLeod & Company has always teamed with area colleges to provide meaningful experiences for the accounting student.  The VA Tech Co-op/Intern program at McLeod & Company started in 1990.  The program has been successful in that it has grown during the tax season semesters from one student to five students.  Since 1990, McLeod & Company has offered many different students the opportunity to gain meaningful experience through the VA Tech Co-op Program.  

We offer a challenging internship program where students can gain real world experience in the accounting profession.  During this internship program, students work side by side with CPA professionals helping with commercial and non-profit audits.  In addition, our interns provide accounting assistance such as AP, AR, GL, and Inventory analysis to our clients through our outsourcing department. There is also a great opportunity for exposure to a multitude of projects for tax clients, as well as consulting and assurance clients.  McLeod & Company is looking for candidates who present themselves well and can communicate with our clients in a professional manner.

Best of Both Worlds

McLeod & Company is located only 50 minutes from the campus of VA Tech in Downtown Roanoke, VA.  This allows students to continue to live on campus and experience student life without the pleasures of homework, cram sessions, and night classes.  In addition, the co-op/intern students are paid a competitive wage to apply their accounting knowledge in various client situations.

Co-op/Intern Experience

The co-op/intern students are given an opportunity to experience “real world accounting” by assisting the professional staff in tax return preparation, auditing, employee benefits, and overall management consulting functions. The co-op students are given multiple projects with deadlines that have to be met.    The following are some quotes from former co-op students who have worked at McLeod & Company.

“All levels of the organization from the support staff all the way up to the partners include you in the many facets of the firm’s inner workings.  It was a great practical experience, not just gophering”

Steven Jones, CPA (ACCT ’91)

Partner/COO

McLeod & Company

“The professionals at McLeod & Company were solid teachers, not only in the area of accounting, but generally in how to conduct business relationships; the experience provided great “real world views” to expand on the classroom knowledge.”

Robert E. Martin (FIN ’92, ACCT ’92)

Partner

McLeod & Company

"The work as a co-op at McLeod & Company allowed me to work in several areas of accounting such as tax, audit, and employee benefits.  This allowed me to determine what my true interests are in the accounting profession and I could tailor my job search to fit those interests.  I came across as more professional and confident in my job interviews because I knew what I did and did not want."

Dawn M. Duncan (ACCT ’97, MACCT ’98) Accountant – Tax

KPMG – Tyson’s Corner, VA

“I love Co-Oping because it allows students to have experience in the real world and know how things work.  When I go to look for a job, I know better about what I want in a job, what I don’t want, and what’s important to me, versus not knowing anything and going into the workforce blind.  Companies expect more from you – having a challenging job is much more rewarding than one where the company doesn’t trust you to do the work so you sit around all day.”

Tamara Hayes (ACIS ’00)

VA Tech Co-op Student

"The co-op experience at McLeod & Company was very beneficial by giving me hands on experience, which allowed me to focus on a specific area of accounting to pursue.  I played significant roles in both tax return and financial statement preparation for the firm's clients during my tenure as a co-op student."

Bill Linkenhoker (ACCT ’93)

Vice President Finance

Millwork Supply, Inc.

For more information, please contact:

Chris Lazzuri: clazzuri@mcleodco.com

or see Contact Us for complete contact information.