Hi, my name is Eoghan Fitzgerald, a Finance student at Cork University Business School in UCC. I recently completed a two-month summer internship with EY in their Cork office, working in the Audit & Assurance department. I’m now heading into the second year of my degree with a better sense of direction, greater confidence, and a real appreciation for how the finance world works.
EY is one of the “Big Four” professional services firms, offering audit, tax, advisory, and consulting services to clients across every major industry. The Cork office supports multinational and Irish businesses, especially in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors – which is where I found myself working.
When I first applied for the internship, I had a strong interest in finance but wasn’t 100% sure which area I wanted to pursue after college. I was hoping that this experience would give me more clarity. EY promised hands-on exposure to real clients, audit tools, and teamwork across all levels of the business. Looking back, it definitely delivered.
During the internship, I worked alongside audit teams on various client engagements, gaining exposure to the day-to-day activities involved in delivering audit services. I helped with tasks such as reviewing financial information, assisting with analysis, and supporting the documentation process. I also had the opportunity to use EY’s digital tools and systems, and to observe how teams communicate with clients and manage their work under tight deadlines.
At first, joining a large and fast-paced team was intimidating, especially when working under tight deadlines. But I quickly got used to it — mainly because everyone around me was incredibly helpful and welcoming. EY puts a real emphasis on support and collaboration. I was encouraged to ask questions, contribute to team discussions, and take ownership of my work early on. This gave me a great sense of purpose and really helped me build confidence.
Outside of the day-to-day audit work, one of the highlights of my internship was taking part in EY’s Sustainability Challenge, a national initiative for all summer interns. My team chose to focus our research on sustainable agriculture, looking at how Irish farming practices can become more environmentally and financially sustainable in the years ahead. We explored the potential of regenerative agriculture, agri-tech, and financial incentives for farmers to help transition the sector.
We worked on the project throughout the internship, eventually travelling to EY’s Dublin office to share our findings with a panel of senior partners. The challenge gave us the opportunity to explore real-world sustainability issues and apply our ideas in a professional setting. It was one of the most rewarding parts of the internship and offered a great insight into how finance can contribute to positive environmental and social change.
Studying Finance at UCC gave me a solid foundation going into this internship. My coursework in financial reporting, analysis, and accounting systems meant I understood the theory behind a lot of what I was doing in audit. But it was only once I got into the office that I saw how this theory plays out in real life – how audit evidence is gathered, how client risks are evaluated, and how teams collaborate to deliver high-quality assurance work. I also realised the value of soft skills like time management, communication, and critical thinking, all of which I developed through group projects and presentations at UCC.
Going into the internship, my goal wasn’t necessarily to secure a graduate job offer (though many do through EY’s programme). Instead, I wanted to come out of it with more clarity about where I might fit in the finance world. The past two months have definitely helped me with that. I feel the past two months have given me valuable insight into the professional world, and I’m more motivated than ever to make the most of the opportunities ahead of me during the rest of my time in college.
For anyone considering applying for an internship with EY, or in the wider audit and assurance space, my biggest advice would be: say yes to everything, ask questions constantly, and get involved in projects outside your comfort zone – that’s where the real learning happens. The experience was intense but incredibly rewarding. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity and excited for what comes next.
To learn more about the BSc Finance visit : www.cubsucc.com/programmes/undergraduate/bsc-hons-finance/