Hoping to tap into the state’s approximate 8,200 fourth- and fifth-year accounting students and last year’s 3,650 Florida-based accounting graduates, according to Florida CPA Today, the Florida Institute of CPAs recently created an intern database for its membership.

FICPA members can promote internship openings, at no cost, on the web-based Internship Opportunity Engine, which serves as a directory for student members throughout the state.

“Many of our team members benefited from college internships,” said Karen Mosteller, partner with Fort Myers-based Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, who served on the committee that spearheaded the effort. “This new initiative will help students and firms who are unable to attend face-to-face events on campus find each other.”

Future versions of the directory will include entry-level positions and search options for employee members seeking student candidates.