Abdo Accelerate: Q&A with Nick Danger

Abdo recently hosted one of our favorite annual events, Abdo Accelerate. Abdo Accelerate is a one-day event that gives prospective students a chance to network with all levels of staff, experience our culture, and see firsthand the type of work that new staff is assigned. We sat down with Nick Danger, who participated in Abdo Accelerate 2025 and is now an intern, to learn more about his journey with Abdo so far.

 

What stood out to you about Abdo compared with other firms when you were looking for internships?

Nick: When I was exploring internship opportunities, Abdo really stood out to me during Meet the Firms at Mankato State University, an event featuring public accounting firms that are aiming to recruit students seeking professional careers in accounting and finance. Most firms I talked to gave the same spiel—where they were located, what the job would look like, and other basic details—but they didn’t offer much insight into their culture or anything else. Abdo was different. They not only shared information about the firm, but also took the time to have a genuine conversation. I spoke with Taylor, who is now my manager, and we ended up connecting over topics like golf and dogs. That interaction showed me that Abdo truly values building and maintaining real relationships with people, even before they join the firm, and that made a lasting impression on me.

 

What does a typical day or week look like for you as an intern?

Nick: An internship at Abdo is really shaped by three main components: training, independent work, and firm culture. At the start of your internship, there’s a strong emphasis on training, especially on technical skills and the software the firm uses—which takes place over the first couple of months and really helps you feel prepared. After that, you transition into more independent work, taking on responsibilities like a first-year associate and working through real-life challenges and situations. You’re trusted to focus on your work and become an integrated part of the office. This leads to the third crucial piece of an internship at Abdo: the culture. Abdo encourages interns to get involved in community and firm-wide activities, such as the Polar Plunge, firm lunches, happy hours, client visits, and many other events that help you build connections across the firm.

 

What have you learned here that you don’t think you could have learned in the classroom?

Nick: I’ve learned a lot during my internship at Abdo that I don’t think I could have gotten from a classroom alone. In school, we focus heavily on theory and “accounting homework,” but the internship is all about practice—working with real clients, using actual software, and following firm processes that can be much more complex than textbook problems. Sometimes the answers aren’t clear or straightforward, and that’s taught me to be ready for challenges and how to solve problems in new ways. I’ve also realized how many resources are available in a professional setting. In school, assignments can feel like an individual test, but at Abdo, you have a whole team, tools, and support system to help you learn and succeed.

 

What has been the most rewarding part of interning at Abdo?

Nick: The most rewarding—and my favorite—part of interning at Abdo has been building connections. It’s not just about getting to know the other interns, but also about forming relationships with people across the entire firm and in different departments. Everyone at Abdo works together really well, and there’s a strong sense of collaboration and support. Our intern class is also very close-knit and eager to learn from one another, even though we’re spread across three offices (in two states!), which has made the experience especially meaningful.

 

What’s been the most challenging part, and how did you work through it?

Nick: The most challenging part for me has been learning the software. It’s very different from what you use in school, and there’s a lot to take in at first. The learning and development team makes a big difference—they provide resources, training guides, and help make sure you really understand what you’re doing. The whole internship is about pushing yourself, trying new things, and working through problems, but always knowing you have support. One thing that really sets Abdo apart is how many people are there to help you learn. From day one, you’re given a list of go-to people: an associate buddy, your manager, tax trainers, and even partners who are willing to step in when you run into a challenge. That support system made it much easier to work through the learning curve.

 

What kind of student/person do you think would thrive here?

Nick: A student who thrives at Abdo is someone who’s both technically skilled and a strong communicator. You should be comfortable with technology and interested in developing a broad technical skillset, especially with different software and tools. At the same time, it’s important to be willing to put yourself out there, ask questions, seek feedback, and communicate openly with your team. People who are curious, proactive, and not afraid to speak up or learn from others tend to do especially well here.

 

How can a future intern make the most of their time at Abdo?

Nick: Ask as many questions as you can. There really is no such thing as a dumb question, and most of the time other interns are wondering about the same thing you are. The more you ask, the faster you’ll learn and the more confident you’ll become in your work. Taking advantage of that openness, being curious, and using every opportunity to learn from the people around you are the best ways to make the most of your time at Abdo.

 

Interning at Abdo offers far more than a line on a resume—it’s a chance to step beyond the classroom and truly experience what a career in public accounting looks like. From learning complex software and navigating real-world client work, to building relationships across departments and offices, Abdo’s internship program is designed to challenge, support, and empower students.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can help light the path forward at Abdo, please reach out to careers@abdosolutions.com.