The Merrimack College accounting co-op is a full-time, intensive experience in the spring of accounting students’ junior or senior years. It is designed for students interested in becoming certified public accountants and working in public accounting.
When you opt in to the 3-month program, you’ll develop your interpersonal skills and gain real-world experience – all while getting paid approximately $15,000. After the three months, you’ll come back and complete two intensive classes in the same semester so you can graduate in four years.
The majority of Merrimack accounting co-op students are offered full-time employment from their co-op site employers. Not only will you get invaluable hands-on experience at your co-op, you may also land a job!
The majority of Merrimack students – a whopping 85% – receive full-time job offers from their co-op sites and are employed upon graduation.
Accounting co-op students work a minimum of 300 hours at their firm. These hours provide real-world experience you can’t learn in a classroom.
During their three months of work, co-op participants earn approximately $15,000 at a pay rate of between $28-37 per hour. Students on average work approximately 500 hours during tax season from early January through early April.
Students participate in co-ops in a wide range of sites, including the Big Four accounting firms PwC, Deloitte, E&Y and KPMG, as well as middle market, regional, and small firms. Some of our co-op partners have included:
Other co-op partners we have worked with include Andersen, Baker Newman Noyce, Baker Tilly, Cohn Resznick, CRR LLP, Edelstein and Company LLP, EJ Callahan, LGA, Marcum, PKF O’Connor Davies, RSM, Stafford Gaudet & Associates, LLC, Sullivan & Bille, PC, Waldron Rand, Wolf & Company PC, and more.
With faculty guidance every step of the way, you'll be sure to complete your co-op. Every student in the program's history has completed their co-op and graduated in four years.
Get a paycheck for around $15,000 during your 3-month co-op.
See what accountants do daily and if it's the right fit for you.
The co-op does not affect your graduation date.
Make connections. You may even land a job there after graduation.
There is no additional tuition cost for the Merrimack accounting co-op.
Gain key work experience at your co-op to enhance your employability.
“I was able to gain hands-on experience [at Baker Tilly] in the corporate tax group after virtual firm training, self-study technical training, and in-person guidance by senior associates and managers. The firm was a great fit for me, as the corporate tax group encouraged me to ask questions and helped me feel more comfortable with making mistakes.
Communication, whether it was asking for further clarification or frequently updating my schedule, was the biggest takeaway from my co-op experience.”
Kylie Flanagan ’23 M’25 – Co-op Class of 2022
BSBA, Business Administration & MS, Accounting
Tax Intern, Baker Tilly
Merrimack’s 12-week accounting co-op is an “opt-in” program for Girard School of Business juniors or seniors interested in accounting in their spring semester. You do not have to participate in the co-op program to earn your degree.
The accounting co-op benefits our students by offering real-world experience and money. It also helps area accounting firms connect with our talented students who can help them meet spring deadlines for taxes, financial statement and audits.
If you choose to opt in, you’ll:
While every co-op site is different, you’ll typically receive on-the-job training during your first two weeks. This includes time for you to learn about the software you will be using, the culture of the firm, your team and your working environment. The remaining 10 weeks are when you will complete your work.
Don’t take our word for it. Learn more about opting in to the Merrimack accounting co-op directly from our student participants.
Merrimack’s Accounting Co-op is currently recruiting for the Class of 2025. Email our co-op coordinator for more information about how to participate.
On April 23, 2024 Merrimack hosted MTF (Meet the Firms) where 63 students networked with 16 of our accounting partners for future positions and co-op opportunites.
Merrimack College has joined the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) Anti-Fraud Partnership to provide our students with additional opportunities in forensic accounting.
ACFE is the world’s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training education and certification.
The Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation, Development and Design is a new hub for faculty to explore opportunities and find support to better enhance educational experiences in the classroom and online.
