Financial accounting internships are a great way for high school students to get hands-on experience, strengthen a resume, and test out a career in accounting or finance. Below are 15 types of accounting internships to look for, with what each involves and the kind of student they suit. These are general categories rather than specific named programs, so search locally and online for openings that match.
1. Junior accountant internship at a local CPA firm
What it involves: assisting CPAs with basic bookkeeping, data entry, and preparing financial statements, with exposure to professional accounting practices.
Good fit for: juniors and seniors interested in math and finance, with good organization and attention to detail.
2. Banking and finance internship
What it involves: learning about financial services and the accounting used in banking, helping with transaction reconciliations, budgeting, and account management.
Good fit for: students 16+ with strong analytical and communication skills.
3. Financial literacy and accounting internship (nonprofits)
What it involves: helping nonprofits manage financial records, track donations, and build fundraising budgets, with insight into nonprofit operations.
Good fit for: students interested in social impact, with basic Excel skills.
4. QuickBooks accounting internship
What it involves: learning to use QuickBooks for bookkeeping, setting up accounts, recording transactions, and generating reports.
Good fit for: students with basic computer skills and 10-15 hours a week to commit.
5. Corporate accounting internship at a large company
What it involves: shadowing accountants, helping with expense reports, and learning corporate financial policies and reporting standards.
Good fit for: high-performing students with a teacher recommendation and a clear interest in business or finance.
6. Small business accounting internship
What it involves: helping small business owners with payroll, ledger maintenance, and financial summaries, for practical experience managing business finances.
Good fit for: students interested in entrepreneurship with basic knowledge of accounting principles.
7. Summer accounting internship with a local government office
What it involves: helping government accountants with budget tracking, financial reporting for municipal projects, and auditing, for exposure to public sector accounting.
Good fit for: students 16+ interested in public administration with solid math skills.
8. Virtual accounting internship
What it involves: remote work on financial data entry and reconciliation projects, with supervisors reached by email and video call.
Good fit for: students with reliable internet, spreadsheet skills, and good time management.
9. Accounting assistant internship with a school district
What it involves: helping school accountants track expenses, process invoices, and manage budgets, with a look at how schools manage their finances.
Good fit for: students with strong organization and an interest in education.
10. Tax preparation internship
What it involves: assisting with tax filing for individuals and small businesses under supervision, organizing documents and calculating deductions.
Good fit for: students with a basic grasp of math, willing to learn tax rules, with sharp attention to detail.
11. Internship with a fintech startup
What it involves: using fintech accounting tools and helping with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, blending finance and technology.
Good fit for: tech-savvy students interested in both finance and tech; basic coding is a bonus.
12. Auditing internship with a local business
What it involves: helping audit financial records for accuracy and compliance, identifying discrepancies, and preparing audit reports.
Good fit for: detail-oriented students with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
13. Accounts receivable and payable internship
What it involves: helping with invoicing, processing payments, and keeping transaction records, focused on the cash-flow side of accounting.
Good fit for: seniors interested in accounting careers with solid math.
14. Youth financial analyst internship
What it involves: learning basic accounting and financial analysis on real business cases, including building financial models and analyzing trends.
Good fit for: high-achieving students with a strong interest in business and economics.
15. Bookkeeping internship for a local startup
What it involves: keeping accurate financial records, helping with account reconciliations, and managing receipts, good for foundational bookkeeping skills.
Good fit for: students with a flexible schedule, attention to detail, and basic spreadsheet skills.
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