Weinlander Fitzhugh builds real-world experience for CMU accounting students

Students in Grawn Hall recently connected with representatives from Weinlander Fitzhugh—an established Mid-Michigan public accounting firm with offices in Bay City, Clare, Gladwin, and West Branch. Known for its supportive environment and strong regional reputation, the firm specializes in audit, tax, payroll, and client accounting services for individuals, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities.

Melanie Rogers, senior accountant and CMU alumna, met with students to discuss internships, full-time opportunities, and what makes the firm different.

“We offer internships in both tax and audit,” Rogers said. “If you’re interested in tax, those run from January through April, and if you’re interested in audit, we have opportunities throughout the summer. From day one, interns work with real clients and gain exposure to what public accounting truly looks like.”

Career exploration with room to grow

One of the firm’s defining characteristics is its flexibility—students aren’t locked into a single path.

“We actually encourage people to try both areas: audit and tax,” Rogers said. “If someone starts in one department and finds they don’t enjoy it, we’re happy to transition them to another department, like payroll.”

For students looking to build experience before graduation, Weinlander Fitzhugh offers multiple internship tracks, including:

• Summer audit internships working with government, school, and employee benefit plan audits
• Tax preparation internships where students complete individual and business returns
• Tax scanning internships for students gaining early exposure to tax workflows and client documentation

Many interns stay on after graduation, moving into full-time roles and specializing once they discover their interests.

Real clients, real impact

Weinlander Fitzhugh emphasizes meaningful work and professional development from day one.

“We’re helping interns grow not just as accountants, but as professionals,” Rogers said. “They’re invited to networking events and encouraged to try different areas of accounting. If there’s something new they want to explore, we make it happen.”

That balance—support paired with opportunity—is intentional.

“We’re small enough that everyone is seen as a person,” she said. “You build strong relationships and get individualized support. But we’re also big enough to be forward-thinking—we’re constantly innovating with technology, including new AI-based software. You really get the best of both worlds.”

Advice for students entering the field

Rogers shared one simple piece of guidance: stay curious.

“Ask lots of questions,” she said. “Whether you’re meeting recruiters or working through an internship, learn as much as you can about the firm and the industry. The only way to grow as a professional is to ask questions, meet people, and try new things.”

Connect with Weinlander Fitzhugh

Students interested in internships or full-time roles can explore opportunities at:
wf-cpas.com/careers

They can also reach out directly to Rogers through the firm’s career page or connect with her on LinkedIn.