Intern State And Local Tax Advisory Summer 2026

Intern State and Local Tax Advisory Summer 2026 at Forvis Mazars — Research Report

Introduction

The Intern State and Local Tax Advisory Summer 2026 role at Forvis Mazars offers a prime entry point into tax consulting for ambitious students. Based in Houston, TX, this paid internship runs through summer 2026, with applications closing soon—apply now to secure your spot. It's not just a resume booster; it builds real expertise in state and local tax (SALT) strategies, positioning you for full-time offers at a top-tier firm.

Imagine diving into complex tax issues for Fortune 500 clients while networking with partners who shape U.S. tax policy. Forvis Mazars values interns who bring fresh perspectives, making this a launchpad for careers in public accounting. With the deadline approaching, this report equips you with insider intel to land the gig.

Overview of Forvis Mazars

Forvis Mazars is a global powerhouse in professional services, formed in 2022 from the merger of Forvis and Mazars USA, creating a top-10 U.S. firm with over 7,000 professionals. They specialize in audit, tax, and advisory, serving mid-market to enterprise clients across industries like energy, real estate, and manufacturing—perfectly suited for Houston's oil and gas hub.

In the competitive Big Four landscape (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Forvis Mazars carves a niche with personalized service and tech-driven solutions, boasting 5% annual growth amid industry consolidation. Their tax practice handles everything from federal compliance to intricate SALT matters, leveraging tools like Thomson Reuters and CCH Axcess.

The culture emphasizes work-life balance, with hybrid models and 4.5-day workweeks in many offices. Employees rave about mentorship programs and diversity initiatives on Glassdoor (4.2/5 rating). People flock here for collaborative teams, rapid promotions, and exposure to high-profile deals, unlike the grind at larger rivals.

Intern State and Local Tax Advisory Summer 2026 Role

Role Overview

As a State and Local Tax Advisory intern in Houston, you'll support senior advisors on compliance, planning, and controversy for clients navigating multi-state tax regimes. Your work directly impacts cost savings—think millions—for energy firms facing nexus rules or sales tax audits. This 10-12 week summer program immerses you in real projects, not busywork.

Detailed Responsibilities

• Research state tax laws using primary sources like statutes and regulations.
• Assist in preparing SALT returns, refund claims, and exposure analyses.
• Model tax scenarios with Excel, identifying optimization opportunities.
• Support audit defense, drafting responses to state revenue departments.
• Collaborate on client presentations, summarizing findings for partners.
• Track legislative changes via tools like Bloomberg Tax Intelligence.

Day-to-Day Workflow

Your day starts at 8 AM with team huddles reviewing client deadlines. Mornings involve deep-dive research on Texas franchise tax or California sales/use issues, followed by Excel modeling. Afternoons shift to client calls or prep for virtual meetings, wrapping by 5 PM most days—though audit seasons amp up.

Expect 60% analytical work, 20% client interaction, and 20% learning sessions. Houston's office buzzes with energy pros, so you'll shadow nexus studies for pipeline operators. It's hands-on from week one, building your tax acumen fast.

Tools and Technologies

Core stack includes Excel (advanced formulas, PivotTables), Alteryx for data workflows, and tax-specific platforms like Avalara for sales tax automation. You'll use Thomson Reuters Checkpoint for research, Salesforce for CRM, and Power BI for visualizations. No coding required, but SQL basics help with large datasets.

Skills and Requirements

Technical Skills

Proficiency in Excel is non-negotiable—think VLOOKUPs, INDEX-MATCH, and macros. Familiarity with tax software like CCH or Vertex, plus understanding SALT concepts (nexus, apportionment, credits). Coursework in taxation or accounting (e.g., intermediate tax) gives you an edge; know basics of Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act (UDITPA).

Soft Skills

Strong analytical thinking to untangle complex regs, plus clear communication for client memos. Team players thrive in collaborative projects; initiative shines when spotting unassigned research angles. Adaptability matters—tax laws shift with elections, like post-2024 state responses to federal changes.

Experience Expectations

Sophomores or juniors pursuing accounting, finance, or business degrees; 3.3+ GPA preferred but not mandatory. Prior internships in tax or audit help, but campus tax clubs or VITA volunteering count. No portfolio needed, but showcase tax projects on your resume, like a case study on Texas margins tax.

Salary and Benefits

Forvis Mazars pays competitively: expect $28–$35/hour for this Houston internship, translating to $5,600–$7,000 for 10 weeks (Glassdoor and Levels.fyi data). That's above the $25/hour national intern average for tax roles.

Perks include full-time hours, hybrid flexibility (2-3 office days), $500 learning stipend for CPA prep, and housing assistance for relocators. Networking events and mentorship pair with wellness benefits. Top performers often convert to full-time SALT associates at $70K–$85K starting, with 80% retention rate.

Forvis Mazars Hiring Process

Step-by-Step Hiring Stages

1. Application: Submit resume, transcript via Forvis Mazars careers portal.
2. Screening: HR phone call (15 mins) on basics and interest.
3. Assignment: Take-home tax research case (2-4 hours).
4. Interviews: Virtual with manager/partner (45 mins), plus behavioral panel.
5. Offer: Extended within 1-2 weeks, with negotiation room.

Application Timeline

Apply now—deadlines hit mid-February for summer 2026, but Houston fills fast due to energy demand. Process spans 4-6 weeks: apps reviewed rolling, interviews March-April. Early birds (January) snag prime slots; expect start mid-June.

Screening Methods

Their ATS scans for keywords like "state tax," "SALT," "Excel," "accounting GPA." Tailor your resume with specifics—no generic bullets. Transcripts required; highlight relevant coursework. LinkedIn activity in tax groups boosts visibility.

Interview Preparation

Example Interview Questions

• Walk us through a time you analyzed complex data for a recommendation.
• How would you determine if a client has nexus in Texas?
• Explain apportionment and its impact on multi-state filers.
• Describe a group project where you handled conflicting priorities.

How to Answer

Use STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. For nexus: "Nexus triggers via physical presence (Public Law 86-272 limits) or economic (factor presence)—I'd review sales data exceeding $500K." Quantify impacts, like "reduced exposure by 15%." Practice aloud for poise.

What Recruiters Evaluate

They seek tax curiosity over perfection—can you learn fast? Technical accuracy (80% right beats 100% slow), client focus, and cultural fit (collaborative, proactive). Houston managers prioritize energy sector interest; mention local ties or oil/gas classes.

How to Get Selected

Practical Tips

• Customize resume: Lead with SALT-relevant coursework or clubs.
• Network via LinkedIn—message Houston SALT pros with personalized notes.
• Prep case study: Practice a mock refund claim using sample data.
• Follow up post-interview with thank-yous recapping a key insight.
• Leverage career fairs; Forvis Mazars hits UT Austin, Rice events.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don't submit generic apps—ATS rejects vague "team player" fluff. Skipping the assignment or rushing it tanks you; allocate real time. Avoid overconfidence on basics like sales tax sourcing. Ignoring Houston context (e.g., no energy mention) signals mismatch.

How to Stand Out

Build a one-page tax portfolio: Include a nexus analysis PDF from class. Attend Forvis Mazars webinars or join their talent community for insider invites. Reference recent news, like 2025 Texas franchise tax hikes, in interviews. Referrals from alumni double odds—tap your network.

Final Thoughts

Landing the Intern State and Local Tax Advisory Summer 2026 at Forvis Mazars Houston catapults your career into high-stakes tax advisory. With real client impact and conversion paths, it's worth the hustle. Polish your app today, nail the case, and step into a firm that's reshaping SALT for the energy capital.

Ready to apply? Head to their careers site now—spots vanish fast. Your future self will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the salary for Intern State and Local Tax Advisory Summer 2026 at Forvis Mazars?

A: Around $28–$35 per hour, or $5,600–$7,000 total, based on Houston market rates and firm benchmarks.

Q: How competitive is it to get hired at Forvis Mazars?

A: Moderately competitive—10-20% acceptance for interns, easier than Big Four but Houston's energy draw fills slots quickly. Stand out with SALT specifics.

Q: What skills are most important for this role?

A: Excel mastery, SALT fundamentals (nexus, apportionment), and analytical curiosity top the list, paired with communication for client work.