Intern Staff Accountant

Fall/ Winter Term (September 2026 – April 2027)

Full-Time Paid Contract

Hybrid Working Environment

Ottawa, ON

Salary Range: $58,000-$63,000 per year

Job Description

At McCay Duff LLP, we are building a firm where people grow, belong, and thrive. Our internship opportunity allows you to immerse yourself in the world of public accounting, providing maximum exposure and insight into our many clients and services. Join us for a hands-on experience to thrive in a medium-sized public accounting firm and start putting your learning into practice. We will give you responsibility from the beginning and support you along the way.

We take pride in offering Master’s in Accounting students internships that provide valuable exposure to a wide range of engagements, mentorship, and lasting lifelong connections. McCay Duff LLP offers more than technical experience; we foster meaningful exposure, approachable leadership, and a culture that supports and challenges interns. Our interns are trusted with real responsibility and receive ongoing feedback and coaching throughout their experience.

We support a flexible, hybrid working environment built on trust, accountability, and collaboration. Our approach recognizes the importance of both professional development and personal well-being, especially during the demanding pace of public accounting.

As accountants of the future, we want to provide you with impactful, challenging work during your internship. Your time with us will let you apply technical skills and strengthen professional conduct, problem-solving, self-management, and communication. This internship will not only reinforce your university learnings but also equip you with the skills and confidence to excel in your CFE preparation classes and set you up for a successful career in public accounting.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN INCREDIBLY REWARDING INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY, WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!

Your Internship Experience

Over eight months, you will gain relevant practical experience in our primary public accounting services of audit and accountancy work and learn how they complement each other. You will also be introduced to many of the required competencies for the CPA designation process and begin building your toolbox of practical knowledge, which is essential for obtaining your post-nominal letters.

The internship will begin with an orientation to acquaint you with our firm, it’s policies and procedures, a tour to navigate our working environment, and software training on the firm’s systems, including real client case studies to prepare a file from start to finish. Once you have completed the onboarding items, you will shadow a senior team member, who will help you connect your studies and training to our client files, ultimately transitioning to working through your assigned client files.

There will be numerous opportunities to assist senior staff and to work independently on assurance engagements, working papers, and corresponding financial statements for a broad range of small and medium-sized clients across different industries. You will also be exposed to preparing corporate and personal income tax returns as you work through your first busy season with us. The level of assignment complexity will depend on the intern’s unique abilities, as everyone has different prior experience.

You can expect to take on real accountability in a supportive environment of fellow bullpen staff and our leadership team. Interns work closely with staff, managers, and partners throughout the program, creating direct exposure to leadership and opportunities for mentorship, feedback, and professional growth.

Key Aspects

Prepare compilation engagement working paper files.
Provide support in preparing various sections of assurance engagement files, including audits and reviews.
Prepare basic financial statements for the working paper files, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
Prepare basic corporate tax returns.
Prepare personal tax returns.
Assist with research, filing, data entry, recording and maintaining accurate and complete financial records.
Experience working with complex client information and within our software.

Training and Development

Technical learning never stops due to the wide scope of engagements an intern will work on. Specialized technical training is offered as you progress to more complex files to grow and develop your accounting skills. After each engagement, you will receive feedback from the file manager in the form of review notes, so you will learn quickly and apply your new knowledge to the next file. You will be encouraged to attend as many educational courses and seminars as the firm offers during your internship.

While knowledge of accounting principles is essential, succeeding in our line of work takes more than technical knowledge. You must also develop several soft skills to better serve our clients and ultimately become a successful leader. Our internship provides an environment for you to be challenged and practice some of the required soft skills for a successful career in public accounting.

Mentorship

Interns are assigned a mentor who will help ease the transition into the real world of accountancy and make your experience with us as valuable as possible. Your mentor will be accessible and committed to providing you with coaching, progress support and guidance for your professional development, laying the foundation for your CPA journey.

Feedback and Coaching

Our feedback culture is designed to support continuous growth in an environment that encourages questions, collaboration, and ongoing learning. You will have regular one-on-one coaching conversations focused on your development, celebrating your progress, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring your goals are aligned throughout the internship. Feedback is provided consistently to help you build confidence, strengthen technical skills, and continue growing throughout the program.

Networking Opportunities

Interns have the opportunity to interact and develop positive relationships at every level within the firm. This will help you expand your professional network and gain insights into our industry that will last throughout your career. Many of our leaders began their careers at McCay Duff LLP, reflecting our commitment to long-term growth, mentorship, and internal development.

Compensation, Benefits & Social

We offer competitive compensation and a supportive, people-first culture where interns are fully integrated into the team.

Our culture balances professionalism with connection. Throughout the year, employees can participate in a variety of optional social activities and firmwide events designed to help teams build relationships across all levels of the firm. Whether through potluck lunches, seasonal activities, team celebrations, or informal office traditions, we create opportunities for people to connect in ways that feel natural and inclusive.

What We Look For

We are looking for students who are curious, motivated, collaborative, and eager to learn. Successful interns are individuals who take initiative, communicate professionally, and are excited to challenge themselves in a fast-paced environment. Applicants are expected to:

Hold an honours bachelor’s degree in accounting or equivalent in a related field.
Prior accounting or related co-op experience is preferred.
Working towards the completion of a postgraduate master’s degree.
Intention to pursue their Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.
Motivation and a strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
High level of efficiency, accuracy and responsibility.
Proficiency in MS Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills, is preferred.
The position is a hybrid working role based at our office located at Lansdowne Park.
The role requires occasional travel to client premises.

Language Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to communicate effectively in English and their knowledge and fluency in both verbal and written communication. Proficiency in any additional languages may be beneficial and considered an asset. However, proficiency in English is the most critical language requirement for this position.

Application Process

If you are interested in a rewarding Internship opportunity with our firm, please apply in the following ways:

A. Submit your resume and cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the internship via e-mail to kmason@mccayduff.com.

Please use the subject heading “MAcc Internship 2026” and address your application to Ms. Krista Mason, HR Manager.

B. Apply to our McCay Duff LLP job posting via the Sprott application system in the mySuccess portal.

We thank all applicants for their interest in McCay Duff LLP; however, only candidates selected for an interview will hear from us.

We are excited to meet students looking to build meaningful experience, strong professional relationships, and a successful future in public accounting.

McCay Duff LLP is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, or disability.

McCay Duff LLP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. If you require accommodation during any stage of the recruitment process, please indicate this in your application.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and McCay Duff’s Policies on Accommodation, McCay Duff LLP provides reasonable accommodation so that qualified applicants with a disability may participate in the selection process.