10 Things I Learned Interning During Tax Season

As I wrap up my 2025 Spring internship with HHM, I can confidently say that I’ve grown both professionally and personally. Getting thrown into one of the busiest and most hectic seasons for your first internship forces you to adapt quickly and overcome challenges. As the deadline approaches, here are ten key takeaways I’ve learned while working here during tax season:

1. Stay organized!
   In my opinion, this is the most important takeaway. One of my peers and mentors, stressed this early on during the internship. Although I listened and adopted methods of tracking tasks and information, there were still moments where a lack of organization came back to bite me. Keeping track of your projects is crucial—not only to ensure quality work, but also to avoid wasting the time of those reviewing your work. Whether it's calendars, spreadsheets, or sticky notes, find what works for you to stay ahead of the game.
2. Don’t wait for the work to come to you.
   As an intern, it can be difficult to find work at times. You’re new, and the staff, managers, or partners may not know what you're capable of. During slow periods, I learned to introduce myself to coworkers and let them know I was willing to help. It can be intimidating to approach people you haven’t worked with before, but doing so shows initiative and a proactive mindset.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
   Starting out, learning all the software and rules can be overwhelming. But remember—you’re not expected to know everything on day one. All the staff around you were once in your shoes, and they understand how it feels to be new. They are happy to help and want you to succeed.
4. Become a problem solver.
   Tax work is rarely straightforward. Whether it’s decoding financial documents or determining eligibility for certain credits, many tasks involve nuance. I learned to be proactive in finding solutions, using available resources first before asking for help. One of my mentors, Taylor, helped me become better at this—and the satisfaction of solving something on your own is incredibly rewarding.
5. Leave a paper trail.
   With so many moving parts in a return, it's important to document where you got your information. Leaving sources, notes, and relevant emails helps reviewers understand your process. Including helpful context in your workpapers can prevent confusion and smooth out the review process.
6. See projects through to the end.
   Whether a return involves two documents or two hundred, do your best to complete the project. It’s easy to feel stuck when you lack information or a client sends unclear data, but pushing through and trying to understand the return not only shows determination—it’s where some of the best learning happens.
7. Understand how everything connects.
   Tax work is highly detail-oriented, but understanding why things matter is just as important as inputting numbers correctly. Asking questions like “What’s the purpose of this form?” or “How does this schedule impact the overall return?” helped me better retain information and become more efficient.
8. Seek feedback whenever you can.
   At first, receiving corrections can feel uncomfortable, but I quickly came to value them. I started asking for feedback on my returns, and it helped me improve more quickly and show that I truly cared about doing things the right way.
9. Excel is your best friend.
   From organizing source documents to performing calculations, Excel became an essential tool. Learning shortcuts, formulas, and formatting tricks saved time and improved the accuracy of my work. Most of the projects I worked on involved some form of Excel.
10. School is a stepping stone into the accounting world.
    While school provided the foundation—introducing me to forms, rules, and theory—this internship gave me the chance to apply those concepts in real-world situations. Whether it was LIFO calculations or journal entries, the hands-on experience I gained at HHM was invaluable preparation for life after graduation.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work at HHM during such a pivotal time of year. This experience challenged me, pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and strengthened my accounting skills. I walk away from this internship not only with increased technical knowledge but with stronger relationships and interpersonal skills that will serve me throughout my career. If there’s any place to be during tax season, it’s HHM!

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