Platform Intern Playbook 2024

You’re here! We’re so glad.

This is your Platform playbook.

It contains all of the info you’ll need for a summer full of development, learning, and experiencing next-gen accounting up close.

Our History

From our founder Reyes’ grandpa doing tax returns at the kitchen table to today, where 28 boutique offices service thousands of clients across the country.

We continue to grow while maintaining our small office ethos by collecting the best talent and personalities in accounting.

Our Mission

Evolving the world of accounting to its common-sense future.

We exist to support a change that the industry knows it needs, by helping boutique accounting firms proactively adapt to a changing world without losing the heart and individuality that makes them special.

We invest in healthy, happy workers and democratic work environments through shared resources, technology, process and an eye toward the future, while protecting and investing in all the things we love about boutique: local, run-at-the-ground-level firms with strong, client-first relationships.

Our Values

Big Vision, Small Focus

Small + personal in our relationships. Big in our thinking + capabilties.

Lay It On The Table

Transparency and openness is our mode of operation.

No Frills Or Fluffs

No pretending or posturing, ever.

Every Voice (+ Every Human) Matters

Everyone, at every level, is heard and valued.

Purposeful Progress

Evolution, not revolution, rooted in strategic thought (not popular opinion).

Coast-to-coast Geographic Presence:

Group Structure:

Centers of Excellence

Collaborative Dynamic

Back-office Support

Now you are up to speed!

Onto the main event...

What you’ll be doing all summer!

Week One

Orientation + Introduction

Platform’s first office was in Salt Lake City, Utah

Did you know?

Platform’s CEO and founder, Reyes Florez, was one of Utah Business’ 2024 CEOs of the year.

Every one of our offices has its own culture and identity, which is what makes boutique great!

Day 1

9:30am CST / 10:30am EST

Office Introduction & Tour

• Meet the in-office Director(s), team & mentors

• Get to know space

11:00am CST / 12:00pm EST

12:00pm CST / 1:00pm EST

1:00pm CST / 2:00pm EST

• Share insight into office culture Onboarding with HR & IT

Lunch

• Provided by Platform

Orientation Presentation ( ALL interns, mentors optional; PAG led )

• Welcome & Introduction

- Icebreakers, get to know other interns across hubs

• About Platform, company values

• Program Overview

- Structure & Objectives

- Explanation of what to expect while with Platform

- Internship Schedule

Daily hours/schedule, key dates, events & activities

• Q&A Session

• Closing

3:00pm CST / 4:00pm EST

First Day Recap / Close

• Discuss first day takeaways

• Mentors answer any questions from interns

Day 2

9:00am CST / 10:00am EST

9:30am CST / 10:30pm EST

12:00pm CST / 1:00pm EST

Welcome to Day 2!

Orientation Presentation Cont’d ( ALL interns, mentors optional; PAG led )

• Expectations & Responsibilities

• Resources & Support

• Information about available resources / support Mentors, HR support, IT assistance, etc.

• SLC Trip Preparation

• Review itinerary

• Confirm travel times & reservations

• Attire Considerations

• Q&A Session

• Closing Lunch

• Lunch provided by Platform

1:00pm CST / 2:00pm EST

Get To Know Your Local Office

3:00pm CST / 4:00pm EST

• Learn client base, services, values & acquisition journey End of Day

• Interns leave office to prepare / pack for SLC trip

Platform’s values and mission aren’t just words – they’re integral to every choice we make as an organization.

Day 3 — Travel Day

7:00pm MT

Dinner @ TBD

Day 4

10:00am MT

10:30am MT

11:30am MT

1:30pm MT

2:30pm MT

Central Office Introduction

Welcome Session!

20 Minute Segments

• Get to know our teams: HR, TA, IT, CAS, Corp. Dev

Lunch @ Central Office

Professional Growth

• Opportunities at Platform

• EQ Session

4:00pm MT 4:30pm MT 6:00pm MT

Closing

Travel Back to Hotel

Dinner @ TBD

Day 5 — Travel Day

Tax Preparation Fundamentals

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Thursday 6/13

1pm – 2pm CST

Lunch N’ Learn w/ ALL Summer Interns

Career Development – Tax, Tony Morales (Sr. Tax Manager)

Key Focuses This Week

Overview of office processes, client onboarding, etc.

Introduction to basic tax concepts. I.e. – tax laws, regulations, and forms.

Interns will shadow senior team members and start familiarizing themselves with tax software.

Tax software – individual learning/exploration.

Training on tax preparation fundamentals, focusing on individual tax returns (Form 1040).

Interns will learn how to gather client information, input data into tax software, and identify common tax deductions and credits.

Interns will prepare 3-5 practice returns to be reviewed with their mentor.

Hands on practice with basic tax preparation tasks under guidance of mentors.

Advanced Tax Topics

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Wednesday 6/19

OFF — Holiday, Juneteenth

Thursday 6/20 1pm – 2pm CST

Lunch N’ Learn w/ ALL Summer Interns Career Development – Business Taxation Week Three

Key Focuses This Week

Deep dive into advanced tax topics (Ex: Schedule C)

Interns will begin working on more complex tax scenarios

Practice sessions to reinforce understanding of advanced tax concepts and refine tax preparation skills.

Business Taxation

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Wednesday 6/26

1pm – 3pm Local

Thursday 6/27 1pm – 2pm CST

Internship Social Event @ TBD for ALL locations

Liz Anderson (Director) and Pat Murray (Director) Week Four

Lunch N’ Learn w/ ALL Summer Interns Career Development – Audit

Key Focuses This Week

Introduction to business taxation, covering tax implications for different business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations)

Hands-on experience preparing business tax returns and analyzing business tax strategies.

Week Five

Audit & Compliance

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Thursday 7/4 & Friday 7/5

OFF — Holiday, Independence Day

Key Focuses This Week

Interns at Compass will work with the Audit team

ALL other interns will continue working on practice returns & continued advanced tax topics

We respect and protect the local culture, relationships and autonomy of our boutique firms, while supporting them with enterprise-grade technology, processes and resources.

Did you know?

Platform Accounting Group’s capital partnership with The Cynosure Group won Utah’s Association for Corporate Growth’s 2023 Private Equity Deal of the Year.

Tax Planning & Strategies

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Monday 7/8 — Wednesday 7/10

Office leaders out-of-office for Summer Conference - Interns will work alongside tax staff in the office - Mid-summer check-in with direct managers

Key Focuses This Week

Practice returns (I.e., individual / business)

Training on tax planning strategies

Dive into bookkeeping

Bookkeeping 101: Going beyond the basics!

Fun Fact: Platform’s central office enjoys an unlimited supply of ice cold La Croix and Diet Coke Plus: We recently got a shiny new Espresso machine.

Specialized Tax Areas

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Thursday 7/18 1pm – 2pm CST

Lunch N’ Learn w/ ALL Summer Interns Director Panel – All Directors from each hub Jim Clark, John Clements & Heather Lalor

Key Focuses This Week

Continue practicing returns

Interns will prepare 3-5 practice returns to be reviewed with their mentor

Exploration of specialized tax areas (HNW Individuals / Trusts & Estates)

Recap / Final Week

9:00am – 5:00pm daily, local time

Monday 7/22 — Wednesday 7/24

10am CST / 11am EST

11am CST / 12pm EST

12pm CST / 1pm EST

Review your key learnings with mentor

Interns will prepare 3-5 practice returns to be reviewed with their mentor

Meet with Reyes and Tyson

Discuss future opportunities at PAG

Meet with Chris & Marissa (Directors, Mentors & Interns)

Program Recap / Thoughts & Feedback

Internship Lunch Celebration with Office

Closing / Farewell

Receive Certificate of Completion

Quick Notes

Ongoing dialogue wanted.

Throughout your internship, you’ll have regular check-ins with your mentor for guidance and feedback (i.e., 1x per week), as well as opportunities to shadow experienced professionals and attend client meetings (if applicable).

We’re flexible around these parts.

Specific content and schedules may vary based on the office’s needs / services and interns’ prior knowledge and experience. Adjustments will be made as necessary to ensure an enriching experience for all.

We’re always improving.

Office mentors / leaders will provide weekly feedback notes to ensure a continued successful internship program.

I was surprised by…

I loved doing…

I wish for…

Something completely new…

I was impressed by…

An idea I had was…

I’d like to know more about…