The poll of 1,400 CFOs showed that apart from functional knowledge, 50% of executives say that whether or not entry-level accounting and finance applicants had an internship heavily influences their hiring decisions.
Other hiring influences citing by CFOs included referrals (24%), college alma mater (8%) or grade point average (5%).
“One of the biggest challenges new graduates face is a lack of professional experience,” said Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, in a news release. “Students who complete one or more internships appeal to prospective employers because they often require less training and can begin contributing immediately in their roles.”