Forensic Accounting and Litigation Intern | Summer 2027

ACCA Careers; Laguna Niguel (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

ACCA Careers seeks an entry-level accounting/forensic support role in Laguna Niguel, CA. You will review tax returns, assist with valuations and analyses, and learn accounting frameworks in a litigation-focused environment.

The role emphasizes strong communication, multi-tasking, and client interaction, with guidance from senior team members to develop technical and professional skills in tax, audit, and forensic contexts.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.
• Active pursuit of CPA eligibility is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks in a team environment.
• Familiarity with tax concepts and forensic accounting fundamentals.

Responsibilities

• Review and summarize federal and state tax returns for various entity types.
• Assist with valuation, forensic, and appraisal analyses under guidance.
• Learn accounting frameworks, tax law, and audit methodologies in a forensic context.
• Communicate clearly with internal teams, attorneys, and clients.
• Assist discovery team with document inventory and data reconciliation for court submissions.
• Build relationships with client staff to improve satisfaction and strengthen relationships.
• Provide exceptional service with attention to client goals and needs.
• Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking; know when to ask for help.
• Proficient use of technology including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Maintain high standards of confidentiality and professional conduct.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Research

Project management

Interpersonal skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree (pursuing) or equivalent

Accounting degree with CPA eligibility in view

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

• Review and summarize federal and state tax returns for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations and individuals
• Support preliminary valuation, forensic, and appraisal analyses, including data input for expert witness exhibits under the guidance of senior team members
• Gain an understanding of accounting frameworks, tax law, audit methodologies, and their applicability in a forensic and litigation environment
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication both internally and externally
• Work with the discovery team to inventory and reconcile documents and data in preparation for submission to courts, attorneys, and clients
• Develop and maintain an excellent working relationship with all levels of client staff to increase customer satisfaction and to strengthen client relationships
• Pledge to provide exceptional service to every client by providing individual attention, responsiveness and commitment to understanding their goals and needs
• Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills, knowing when to ask for help
• Exceptional use of applicable technology (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Maintain and comply with the highest degree of professional standards, client confidentiality and personal conduct

Responsibilities

• Review and summarize federal and state tax returns for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations and individuals
• Support preliminary valuation, forensic, and appraisal analyses, including data input for expert witness exhibits under the guidance of senior team members
• Gain an understanding of accounting frameworks, tax law, audit methodologies, and their applicability in a forensic and litigation environment
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication both internally and externally
• Work with the discovery team to inventory and reconcile documents and data in preparation for submission to courts, attorneys, and clients
• Develop and maintain an excellent working relationship with all levels of client staff to increase customer satisfaction and to strengthen client relationships
• Pledge to provide exceptional service to every client by providing individual attention, responsiveness and commitment to understanding their goals and needs
• Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills, knowing when to ask for help
• Exceptional use of applicable technology (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Maintain and comply with the highest degree of professional standards, client confidentiality and personal conduct

Job Description

• Review and summarize federal and state tax returns for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations and individuals
• Support preliminary valuation, forensic, and appraisal analyses, including data input for expert witness exhibits under the guidance of senior team members
• Gain an understanding of accounting frameworks, tax law, audit methodologies, and their applicability in a forensic and litigation environment
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication both internally and externally
• Work with the discovery team to inventory and reconcile documents and data in preparation for submission to courts, attorneys, and clients
• Develop and maintain an excellent working relationship with all levels of client staff to increase customer satisfaction and to strengthen client relationships
• Pledge to provide exceptional service to every client by providing individual attention, responsiveness and commitment to understanding their goals and needs
• Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills, knowing when to ask for help
• Exceptional use of applicable technology (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Maintain and comply with the highest degree of professional standards, client confidentiality and personal conduct

Essential Functions And Primary Duties

• Review and summarize federal and state tax returns for partnerships, C corporations, S corporations and individuals
• Support preliminary valuation, forensic, and appraisal analyses, including data input for expert witness exhibits under the guidance of senior team members
• Gain an understanding of accounting frameworks, tax law, audit methodologies, and their applicability in a forensic and litigation environment
• Demonstrate proficiency in written and verbal communication both internally and externally
• Work with the discovery team to inventory and reconcile documents and data in preparation for submission to courts, attorneys, and clients
• Develop and maintain an excellent working relationship with all levels of client staff to increase customer satisfaction and to strengthen client relationships
• Pledge to provide exceptional service to every client by providing individual attention, responsiveness and commitment to understanding their goals and needs
• Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills, knowing when to ask for help
• Exceptional use of applicable technology (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Maintain and comply with the highest degree of professional standards, client confidentiality and personal conduct

Preferred Qualifications

• Pursuing a master's or a bachelor's degree in accounting with plans to achieve CPA eligibility
• Relevant academic, internship, or work experience in accounting, auditing, or forensic/investigative services
• Active participation in student organizations or work experience in accounting or a related field is a plus

Minimum Qualifications

• Working towards a Bachelor's degree
• Excellent interpersonal, analytical, research and project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing throughout all levels of the organization, both internally and externally
• Ability to multi-task, think independently and problem solve in a results driven team oriented environment
• Strong verbal and written communications skills
• Strong computer and technical skills including, Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, and intranet software