Find your footing — build your career.
You’ll gain hands-on experience with client projects, learn by doing, and always have the support you need along the way. We’re big on building confidence, not pressure, and helping you figure things out in a supportive, encouraging environment.
We also believe in balance, so while you’re growing your career, you’ll still have time to enjoy life outside the office.
601 N Broadway Ave, Shawnee, OK 74801
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Assurance Intern
When Elyana Cruz arrived at college, she was pursuing meteorology.
She’d already mapped out the courses and imagined the future. But after 2.5 years in the program, something didn’t feel right.
“A little over a year ago, I realized that meteorology wasn’t for me, and I switched to accounting,” she said. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but I haven’t regretted it one bit.”
Now studying Accounting at the University of Oklahoma, Elyana joined F&C CPAs to get a better understanding of what the day-to-day really looks like in the field. It didn’t take long for her to notice the range of responsibilities. Some assignments were straightforward, while others pushed her to think more critically and develop new skills.
Her first time speaking to a client was a turning point.
“I was nervous, but my in-charge talked me through it,” she said. “Once I got through that initial conversation, it built my confidence. I was able to handle future calls with much less hesitation.”
Some of that confidence came from the people around her. Elyana said she especially appreciated the steady guidance of Marissa Hair, who helped her feel supported from the very beginning and continued to check in as the internship progressed.
She also noticed how consistent the culture was, especially when it came to learning. “Everyone here has been kind and helpful,” she said.
“They create a safe environment to learn and ask questions.” Even when she felt unsure or asked what she called “dumb” questions, she never felt out of place.
Her advice to future interns is simple.
“You have no reason to be nervous. Everyone here understands that you’re coming in with little to no knowledge. Don’t be too hard on yourself and take notes—they really help.”
For Elyana, that openness made all the difference—and turned a new major into a clearer direction.
Tribal Accounting Intern
Assurance Intern
It was her dad who first suggested accounting. The idea hadn’t crossed her mind before, but once it did, it stuck. The structure appealed to her. The logic of it made sense.
At East Central University, she changed direction. She started taking accounting courses and began looking for a place to apply what she was learning. F&C CPAs stood out. She came across their booth at her school’s accounting fair, heard good things from classmates, and was drawn to the idea of working somewhere that valued training and support.
“When I first started, I just hoped to gain experience in accounting,” she said. “This is my first opportunity to really do that.”
From the beginning, her team made space for her. Even when they knew a meeting or task might be beyond her current experience, they included her anyway. They invited her to join client calls, added her to project updates, and checked in through Microsoft Teams to keep her in the loop.
“They knew I wouldn’t understand everything that was going on, but they still wanted me to get a sense of how it all works,” she said.
That kind of inclusion made a difference. It gave her the chance to get comfortable with tools like Caseware, to see how audits unfold in real time, and to learn the less predictable parts of the process. One surprise was how often clients sent documents piecemeal. She hadn’t expected that constant back-and-forth, or how important it would be to stay organized and patient.
When questions came up, she never felt like she had to figure things out on her own. There was always someone willing to explain, especially Qihua, who offered steady help without ever making her feel behind.
“Basically, everyone I worked with was supportive,” she said. “That patience made a big difference.”
To anyone stepping into a similar role, she’d suggest staying open. Pay attention, take notes, and don’t be afraid to speak up—even when you feel behind. There’s a lot to absorb, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once.
Tribal Accounting Intern
For Michael Murzin, the path to accounting wasn’t simply lit by passion, it was paved by practicality.
“I entered the field with a pragmatic approach,” he said. “Accounting offers both demand and versatility, so it felt like the smartest move.”
Now a senior at Oklahoma Baptist University, Michael is finishing his degree in Professional Accountancy. His internship at F&C CPAs started as a graduation requirement, but in the last year it has turned into something more.
“There were concepts from my classes I couldn’t fully grasp until I had real experience at a desk,” he said. “I got more comfortable with technical skills in one summer than in multiple semesters of coursework.”
What’s kept him around? The people.
Michael’s list of shoutouts reads like a tour of the office: Serina and April, who guided and challenged him. Karen and Sam, who gave him room to grow. Kyle for always being available to help with all things IT. Teresa with a constant friendly presence. Michelle, who looped him into events. And even Partner Scott Huebert, who made the time to check in.
“Everyone I’ve interacted with has been supportive. It’s hard to name just one person. It’s been a full team effort.”
F&C CPAs was not only Michael’s first office job, it was also his first job where he didn’t know a single person on day one. Suit and tie, first interview, brand new environment.
“Very intimidating,” he admitted. “But I quickly realized everyone here wanted to help and see me succeed.”
When asked what he would tell new interns just starting out, Michael said, “Just remember: you’re not here to impress anyone—you’re here to learn and to help.” He advises them to “Put in effort, ask questions, and offer help when you can. You’ll be okay.”
Tribal Accounting Intern
Peyton Ritter hadn’t planned to spend two summers in Oklahoma.
Originally from Missouri, but studying at Oklahoma Baptist University, Peyton had only intended to be here temporarily. But the opportunity to intern with F&C CPAs gave her a reason to stay. It let her remain involved with her church, continue building relationships, and gain professional experience, something she was eager to do early in her academic career.
She joined the firm just after her first year of college and has been learning on the job ever since. There was plenty she didn’t know at the start, but over time, the work began to feel more familiar. Tasks like preparing financials and handling payroll became part of her routine, and being trusted with those responsibilities helped shift something internally.
Each time she was given a task she hadn’t done before, it felt less like a trial and more like a vote of confidence. The more she did, the more capable she felt.
Flexibility has been another unexpected piece of the experience.
“I have been surprised with the flexibility of this job,” she said. “As a student, there have been times where study sessions or events have been scheduled last minute, but my manager and supervisor know that school is above work at this point in life. They have never had one issue with me taking off, along with allowing me to get extra hours in over the weekend or in the evenings.”
That understanding has helped Peyton stay grounded, even when things get difficult. She’s learned to take ownership of mistakes, without letting them define her. The people around her have reinforced that mindset, encouraging her to ask questions and reminding her that even experienced professionals are still learning.
“I can get hard on myself when I make mistakes,” she said, “but at the end of the day, they can be fixed.”
Looking ahead, Peyton is excited to explore more areas of the field, especially tax and audit. She’s already developed stronger critical thinking skills and feels that those will carry over into whatever comes next.
For someone just starting out, she’d say this: expect to be challenged. The work won’t always come easily, but that’s not a reason to shrink back. Use the resources available, ask for help, and trust that your perspective matters. You don’t have to know everything. You just have to show up willing to learn.
Tribal Accounting Intern
Marketing Intern
Carly Torbett, senior at the University of Central Oklahoma, joined F&C’s marketing department as their very first Marketing Intern.
With a passion for visual storytelling, Carly is pursuing a degree in Mass Communications and hopes her future lies in the creative side of communications. With a focus in Professional Media, her dream is to become a Multimedia Specialist and make content that people can connect and resonate with.
During her internship, Carly was immersed in the firm’s marketing efforts managing projects, shadowing coworkers, and contributing ideas during team brainstorming sessions.
“They kept me busy in the best way,” she says. “I learned more in four weeks here than I did in a whole semester of school.”
With all of the skills Carly gained during her time at F&C, one of her favorites stemmed from editing a particularly difficult segment of a video. At first, the process felt confusing and frustrating, and she wasn’t sure she would be able to get it right. But with the help of her coworker Zoie Bates, they were able to tackle the challenge together through trial and error. By making small adjustments, sharing ideas, and keeping each other motivated, they were finally able to get it right.
Carly described that experience by saying, “The moment it all came together was incredibly rewarding,” and she goes on to describe the confidence and sense of accomplishment she gained from pushing through the challenge as a team.
Beyond the technical skills, Carly credits her team for making her internship educational but also entertaining.
“Everyone in the marketing department was so fun to work with. They made it easy to ask questions, learn new things, and understand the value of strong communication,” she says. “They showed me how powerful teamwork can be.”
Carly left F&C with strengthened skills in communication, time management, and visual editing. But by far most importantly, she left with the confidence to grow as she steps into her professional career.