Accounting internships give high school students early exposure to how businesses manage money, make decisions, and maintain financial accountability. Through real-world tasks such as budgeting support, data analysis, and financial reporting, you begin to understand how accounting functions beyond textbooks. These experiences help clarify whether fields like accounting, finance, or business align with your interests. Internships also introduce professional expectations, workplace communication, and basic financial literacy skills that are useful across many career paths. For students considering business-related majors, early exposure can provide valuable context before college.
Why should you pick a summer internship?
Summer internships are distinct because they offer a condensed, high-intensity window into the professional world, typically lasting 8 to 12 weeks. These programs allow you to engage in structured, hands-on work without competing classroom responsibilities. Many internships emphasize practical application, mentorship, and observation of real workplace operations. Exposure to professionals and organizational systems helps connect academic concepts to real business environments. This trial run allows both you and the employer to evaluate a potential long-term fit, often serving as a primary pipeline for full-time hiring once the season ends.
However, finding the right accounting internship for the summer can be a tedious and time-consuming task. To simplify the search process for you, we’ve narrowed down a curated list of 15 accounting summer internships for high school students.
For more business internships for high school students, you can explore this blog.
15 Accounting Summer Internships for High School Students
1. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple CLA locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6–8 weeks in the Summer; begins in June
Application Deadline: Typically, January
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors (ages 16–18) authorised to work in the U.S. without an employment visa
In the CLA High School Internship Program, you’ll join a four-week, paid experience focused on accounting, tax, consulting, and wealth management. You will explore topics like audit and digital finance while discovering how top-tier professional services firms operate. During the program, you’ll tackle interactive case studies, shadow seasoned professionals, and collaborate on team projects with peers nationwide. This program is unique for its national scale and partnership with FBLA, offering you a rare head start at a top-10 firm before you even finish high school. Ultimately, this immersive journey helps you discover your strengths and build a professional network for your future career.
2. KPMG Future Leaders Program
Location: Virtual
Stipend: $10,000 annual scholarship awarded for four years of undergraduate study
Dates: July
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Female high school seniors graduating in the current academic year; minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA; demonstrated financial need (household income <$75,000); planning to enroll in a 4-year undergraduate program in a Business or STEM track; U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
The KPMG Future Leaders Program is a premier scholarship initiative supporting high school girls entering business fields like accounting. In this program, you cover topics like leadership strategy, college readiness, and professional career development. You will attend a virtual retreat, receive one-on-one executive mentorship, and participate in golf lessons to master corporate networking. Through these activities, you develop vital skills in strategic problem-solving, financial acumen, and public speaking. This experience empowers you to build a successful accounting career backed by elite mentorship and financial support.
3. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals Internship Program (TIP)
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid, exact amount has not been specified
Dates: 8–10 weeks between July – August
Application Deadline: Typically, early spring
Eligibility: Students in Greater Boston public school who have completed their sophomore year
The Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) program is a paid internship hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston for high school students interested in the financial sector. In this program, you’ll explore accounting topics like financial analysis, tax preparation, and audit procedures through structured, hands-on workshops. You will gain practical experience by assisting with audit fieldwork, drafting real-world financial reports, and collaborating with industry mentors on actual bank projects. The program also features a multi-year structure, which can offer you a stable professional path from your sophomore or junior year straight into your first year of college.
4. U.S. Department of Treasury – Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: None
Dates: May – August (Summer cohort)
Application Deadline: December
Eligibility: High school students in the US who are enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Headquarters Student Internship Program offers you a firsthand look at federal accounting from the nation’s financial heart. You will explore topics like federal financial reporting, budget execution, and internal controls through hands-on public service. In this role, you’ll reconcile accounts, research transaction discrepancies, and assist with audit preparation to ensure fiscal accuracy. By participating, you’ll develop critical skills like Excel proficiency, analytical thinking, and a foundational understanding of governmental accounting standards. This immersive experience is an ideal way for you to jumpstart a career in public finance.
5. National Association of Black Accountants – Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)
Location: Multiple university campuses across the U.S. (e.g., Howard University, UC Berkeley, Point Park University, SMU, and more)
Stipend: None (some chapters award academic scholarships to top-performing participants at the end of the program)
Dates: One-week summer residency usually held in June, July, or August
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: High school students (Freshmen–Seniors); Minimum GPA of 2.0 (Freshmen/Sophomores) or 2.5 (Juniors/Seniors)
The NABA ACAP program offers you an immersive look at accounting through a fully-funded, week-long residency on a college campus. You’ll explore diverse topics, including finance, economics, entrepreneurship, technology, and professional ethics, while getting a firsthand taste of dorm life. Throughout the week, you will tour local CPA firms, collaborate on a group case study, and sharpen your networking skills with industry professionals. The program is entirely free, covering everything from your housing and meals to your books and tuition. You’ll leave with improved confidence in time management, public speaking, and financial fluency.
6. Haslam College of Business Pre-College – Accounting and Information Management (AIM) Academy
Location: Haslam College of Business, Knoxville, TX
Stipend: None
Dates: July 12–17
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors
At the AIM Academy, you will dive into the core principles of accounting, covering essential topics like financial reporting, auditing, and tax regulations. You will engage in hands-on activities such as analyzing real-world financial statements, participating in a mock business audit, and collaborating on case studies that solve complex corporate problems. You receive direct mentorship from Haslam faculty and industry professionals, providing you with an authentic look into the profession. This immersive experience effectively bridges the gap between high school academics and a professional career in accounting.
7. Remote Finance Internships: Hosted out of Spain
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,099 – $1,799
Dates: Flexible, year-round start and end dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above
In this remote internship, you will explore the fundamentals of accounting within the context of Spain’s dynamic business environment, focusing on bookkeeping, financial statement analysis, and international tax standards. You will spend your time recording day-to-day transactions, reconciling bank accounts, and assisting with the preparation of monthly financial reports for Spanish startups or established firms. A unique feature of this program is the cross-cultural professional exposure, allowing you to collaborate with European teams through virtual platforms without leaving your home. This experience provides you with a practical foundation in accounting while building the discipline required for remote professional work.
8. Ridgeline Accounting Internship Program
Location: Ridgeline Accounting LLC, Utah County, UT
Stipend: None
Dates: Year–round; flexible dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
In the Ridgeline Accounting Internship Program, you will explore core topics including basic accounting, tax preparation, budgeting, and financial analysis. You will engage in hands-on activities such as managing business correspondence, performing accurate data entry, and assisting with client financial reports. The program features a two-year duration, offering a structured progression in responsibility that can eventually lead to a full-time job offer. You will walk away with sharpened skills in technical bookkeeping, office administration, and professional accountability. This experience provides a rare chance for high schoolers to apply classroom theories to the actual daily operations of a professional private firm.
9. INCPAS Scholars Program
Location: Indianapolis area, Indiana
Stipend: $500 academic gift
Dates: Year–long
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-June
Eligibility: High school student enrolled in an Indiana high school or home school program for the applicable school year; Indiana resident and able to participate in monthly meetings in the Indianapolis area; minimum GPA: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
As an INCPAS Scholar, you will spend a year exploring the CPA profession through topics like auditing, taxation, and forensic accounting. You will participate in hands-on activities such as touring professional firms, solving forensic challenges, and attending business etiquette dinners. You receive one-on-one mentorship with a practicing CPA and a $500 academic gift provided upon completion. The program even provides you with tailored professional apparel to ensure you are ready for the business world. Throughout the year, you’ll develop vital skills in networking, critical thinking, and professional communication.
10. Antunes Accounting Internship Program
Location: Carol Stream, IL (On-site)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Typically Summer (June – August); flexible start/end dates
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students; minimum 3.0 GPA; proficiency in Microsoft Excel
In this program, you will dive into the professional world by supporting the accounts payable and receivable teams under the guidance of an Accounting Manager. You’ll cover vital topics like cost accounting, fixed asset management, and the monthly financial close process. Your daily activities involve preparing journal entries, performing bank reconciliations, and researching vendor discrepancies to resolve account issues. A unique feature of this internship is its accessibility to high schoolers, offering rare hands-on exposure to corporate finance in a manufacturing setting. By participating, you’ll sharpen essential skills in Microsoft Excel, problem-solving, and professional communication.
11. Notre Dame Summer Scholars: Accounting
Location: University of Notre Dame campus (Notre Dame, Indiana)
Cost/Stipend: $5,200 + $75 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: Session I: June 6–20; Session II: June 27 – July 11
Application Deadline: February 18
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors who are at least 16 years old by August 1
In this two-week intensive program at Notre Dame, you will explore how accounting serves as the vital language of global business, moving beyond simple numbers to see its impact on everything from local shops to Fortune 500 companies. You will dive into core topics like financial statement interpretation, tax planning, and the evolving role of CPAs in protecting investors and influencing public policy. Throughout the sessions, you’ll participate in interactive exercises, visit an international consulting firm in Chicago, and collaborate on a final group presentation regarding current tax policy issues. The program allows earning transferable college credit while learning directly from esteemed faculty.
12. Morgan State: Summer Accounting Academy
Location: Earl G. Graves School of Business and Management, Baltimore, MD
Stipend: None
Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors having 3.0+ GPA
At Morgan State’s Summer Accounting Academy, you’ll explore introductory college accounting, ratio analysis, Excel’s role in business, and career specializations. This unique program is entirely free and lets you experience the business school environment firsthand while building a professional network. During the week, you will participate in activities like a group case study presentation, a field trip to a Big Four firm, and Q&A sessions with industry experts. These sessions help you develop technical skills and analytical thinking while also providing clarity on the college application and financial aid process.
13. Fordham University – Invest in Her: Financial Literacy & Leadership for Women
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, New York City, NY
Cost: $1,100 + $100 application fee; financial aid is available
Dates: July 14–18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; priority given to applications received before May
Eligibility: Female high school students
At Fordham’s Invest in Her program, you will explore accounting principles, financial statement analysis, and the mechanics of global financial markets. You will participate in hands-on activities like interpreting corporate reports, solving collaborative business cases, and engaging in networking sessions with professional guest speakers. What makes this program special is its integrated approach, blending technical financial literacy with mentorship on executive presence and leadership, specifically for young women. This one-week immersion at the Rose Hill campus provides the perfect bridge between academic accounting and your future career.
14. NYU Pre-College – Principles of Accounting
Location: NYU Washington Square Campus (Manhattan, NY)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition fees apply; complete details here; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 1 – August 12
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a 3.0 CGPA on a 4.0 scale
In this program, you dive into the language of business by mastering the accounting cycle, transaction recording, and core financial statements like balance sheets and cash flow reports. You will explore accrual accounting, asset valuation, liabilities, and stockholders’ equity while studying alongside actual NYU undergraduates for college credit. To apply these concepts, you’ll analyze real 10-K filings from public companies, participate in hands-on Excel workshops, and collaborate on a group project evaluating a firm’s financial health. Ultimately, you gain sharp skills in ratio analysis and financial literacy, allowing you to assess any company’s prospects with professional confidence.
15. Fidelity Investment High School Internship
Location: Boston, MA & Merrimack, NH
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: 5-week program (typically running July – August)
Application Deadline: Typically, March/April
Eligibility: Female high school students (typically rising juniors or seniors)
Through the Fidelity High School Internship, you gain a five-week introduction to accounting and finance while working on real-world corporate assignments. Your training covers specific topics like tax preparation, audit procedures, investment strategies, risk management, and portfolio management. During the program, you shadow experienced associates, perform data analysis in Excel, collaborate on group projects, and attend networking sessions with senior leaders. At the end, you receive a formal certificate of completion, which effectively strengthens your future college applications. This immersive experience offers a direct look at corporate life to help you determine if a career in accounting is your future path.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like financial accounting, managerial accounting, auditing, taxation, forensic accounting, and data-driven financial analysis, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – KPMG Future Leaders Program