Self-Reflection Paper of Accounting internship

· Updated on December 13, 2025

Self-Reflection Paper of Accounting internship

The Self-Reflection Paper will reflect upon your experiences of an accountant internship at your clothing (apparel) company during this internship course and what you have learned. Include how these experiences may have furthered your career or caused you to rethink your career goals. Your essay should include your experiences, observations, and the key concepts based on the internship and business course experience. The Self-Reflection Essay will be a 3 to 4 pages. 

While writing your self-reflection, consider the following points:

1. Describe your overall experience during the internship and internship course.

2. What do you now understand best about the focus of this internship course? 

3. Where do you still have the most room to grow in the focus of this internship course?

4. What is the most important single piece of knowledge you have gained during this experience?

5. What new skills did you gain? 

6. What old skills were improved? In what way?

7. How have your abilities to solve problems, think, reason, and research changed? 

paper should be formatted in APA style. Include at least two (2) peer-reviewed sources related to courses from your academic program or scholarly journals. 

Internship Experience Reflection Paper

In a 3 - 4 page paper based on your accounting internship course experiences at clothing apparel company and the learning objectives achieved, review your internship experience successes and challenges leading to growth.  You should include in your paper a description of your professional portfolio, with examples which provide evidence of accomplishments that you have acquired during this session.

Provide at least 2 references, including 1 peer-reviewed source.  

 

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Learning Through Numbers: An Accounting Internship Reflection

Introduction

Completing my accounting internship at a clothing (apparel) company was a transformative academic and professional experience. This internship provided a valuable opportunity to apply accounting theories learned in coursework to real-world business operations within the fashion industry. The dynamic nature of apparel retail—characterized by inventory turnover, seasonal demand, cost control, and tight margins—made this internship particularly challenging and enriching. This self-reflection paper examines my overall internship experience, the knowledge and skills I gained, areas for growth, and how this experience has shaped my career goals. It also highlights key accomplishments documented in my professional portfolio and connects practical learning to academic accounting concepts.

Overall Internship Experience

My overall experience during the accounting internship was both demanding and rewarding. I was integrated into the finance and accounts department, where I assisted with daily accounting operations such as recording transactions, managing accounts payable and receivable, reconciling bank statements, and supporting month-end closing processes. Working in an apparel company exposed me to industry-specific accounting challenges, particularly inventory valuation, cost of goods sold (COGS), and sales returns.

The internship course complemented this hands-on experience by encouraging reflective learning, ethical awareness, and professional development. Regular progress reports and faculty feedback helped me connect theory with practice and critically evaluate my performance. I observed how accounting functions support strategic decision-making, especially in pricing, budgeting, and inventory control, reinforcing the importance of accurate financial information.

Understanding the Focus of the Internship Course

The primary focus of the internship course was experiential learning—bridging the gap between academic knowledge and professional accounting practice. Through this internship, I now clearly understand how foundational accounting principles such as the matching principle, accrual accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting standards operate in a real business environment.

I also learned that the course emphasized professional responsibility, communication, and ethical judgment. Observing how accountants ensure compliance with accounting standards and company policies helped me appreciate the accountant’s role as a steward of financial integrity. This focus reshaped my understanding of accounting as not merely number-crunching but as a critical business function.

Areas with the Most Room for Growth

Despite significant learning, I recognize that I still have room to grow, particularly in advanced financial analysis and strategic decision support. While I became comfortable with routine accounting tasks, interpreting financial statements for long-term planning and forecasting remains an area for further development. Additionally, I aim to improve my understanding of taxation and regulatory compliance specific to the apparel industry, such as GST/VAT implications on inventory and inter-state sales.

Improving proficiency in advanced accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems is another growth area. Although I gained exposure, mastering these tools will require continued practice and training.

Most Important Knowledge Gained

The most important single piece of knowledge I gained during this internship was the critical role of inventory accounting in the apparel business. Inventory inaccuracies directly impact profitability, financial statements, and decision-making. I learned how methods such as FIFO and weighted average affect reported income and how inventory shrinkage, obsolescence, and returns are managed.

This understanding highlighted how accounting choices influence business outcomes and reinforced the need for accuracy, internal controls, and ethical judgment in financial reporting.

New Skills Acquired

During the internship, I acquired several new skills. Technically, I learned to use accounting software to record transactions, generate financial reports, and perform reconciliations. I also developed skills in data analysis, particularly analyzing sales and expense trends.

Professionally, I enhanced my communication skills by preparing reports, explaining discrepancies, and collaborating with team members from sales and operations. Time management and adaptability were also strengthened, as the fast-paced apparel environment required meeting tight deadlines, especially during sales seasons.

Improvement of Existing Skills

The internship significantly improved my existing skills in basic accounting, Microsoft Excel, and analytical thinking. Classroom knowledge of journal entries, ledgers, and trial balances became more refined through repeated real-world application. My Excel skills improved through practical use of formulas, pivot tables, and data reconciliation tasks.

Additionally, my attention to detail improved as even minor errors could have significant financial implications. This experience strengthened my discipline, accuracy, and professional confidence.

Growth in Problem-Solving, Thinking, and Research

My ability to solve problems, think critically, and conduct research improved substantially. I encountered real accounting issues such as mismatched balances, missing invoices, and inventory discrepancies, which required investigation and logical reasoning. Rather than relying solely on instructions, I learned to analyze situations, identify root causes, and propose solutions.

Research skills improved as I consulted accounting standards, company policies, and academic resources to ensure compliance and accuracy. This growth has increased my confidence in handling complex accounting challenges independently.

Professional Portfolio and Accomplishments

My professional portfolio includes several key accomplishments from this internship. Examples include:

  • Monthly bank reconciliation statements I prepared and reviewed.

  • Inventory valuation reports supporting management decisions.

  • Excel-based expense tracking and variance analysis sheets.

  • Documentation of internal control procedures observed and recommended improvements.

These artifacts provide tangible evidence of the skills and knowledge I acquired and demonstrate my readiness for entry-level accounting roles.

Impact on Career Goals

This internship reaffirmed my interest in pursuing a career in accounting, particularly within the retail or manufacturing sector. Exposure to the apparel industry helped me appreciate how accounting supports business strategy and operational efficiency. At the same time, it encouraged me to pursue further professional development, such as advanced accounting certifications, to strengthen my long-term career prospects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my accounting internship at a clothing apparel company was a pivotal learning experience that enhanced my technical skills, professional competencies, and career clarity. By applying academic knowledge to real-world challenges, I developed a deeper understanding of accounting’s strategic importance. The successes, challenges, and reflections from this internship have contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth, preparing me for future roles in the accounting profession.

References (APA Style)

Albrecht, W. S., Stice, E. K., Stice, J. D., & Swain, M. R. (2020). Accounting: Concepts and applications (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Baker, R. E., Christensen, T. E., Cottrell, D. M., & Stocks, K. D. (2019). Financial accounting (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

Boyce, G., Greer, S., Blair, B., & Davids, C. (2012). Expanding the horizons of accounting education: Incorporating social and critical perspectives. Accounting Education, 21(1), 47–74. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639284.2011.586785

Horngren, C. T., Sundem, G. L., Burgstahler, D., & Schatzberg, J. (2018). Introduction to management accounting (16th ed.). Pearson.

Jackling, B., & De Lange, P. (2009). Do accounting graduates’ skills meet the expectations of employers? Accounting Education, 18(4–5), 369–385. https://doi.org/10.1080/09639280902719341

Kimmel, P. D., Weygandt, J. J., & Kieso, D. E. (2020). Financial accounting: Tools for business decision making (9th ed.). Wiley.

Kolb, D. A. (2015). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.

Needles, B. E., Powers, M., & Crosson, S. V. (2019). Principles of accounting (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.

Schroeder, R. G., Clark, M. W., & Cathey, J. M. (2019). Financial accounting theory and analysis (12th ed.). Wiley.

Siegel, G., & Sorensen, J. E. (1999). Counting more, counting less: Transformations in the management accounting profession. Journal of Management Accounting Research, 11, 281–303.

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