10 Finance Internships for High School Students
For high school students interested in accounting, finance, or business, gaining practical experience early on can be super valuable. Such experience provides a solid foundation for future studies and can help you determine if a career in finance is the right fit for you. Internships offer a unique opportunity to develop critical problem-solving skills, understand the intricacies of your chosen field, and build a strong professional network.
Finance internships provide experience, skill development, and the chance to enhance your resume and college applications. Whether you’re looking to deepen your understanding of finance or simply explore your interest, these internships offer a significant step toward a career in the industry!
Here are 10 great finance internships for high school students!
1. Ladder Internship Program - Finance Track
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: New York City, NY
Stipend: Paid four-year internship and a full-time scholarship
Application Deadline: January (tentatively, based on previous years)
Internship Dates: Four years through college
Eligibility: High-achieving graduating seniors in New York City who can balance their education with work.
Also known as the Thomas G. Labrecque Smart Start Program, this internship offers an exceptional opportunity for graduating high school seniors interested in finance. This initiative combines a long-term internship with a full four-year scholarship to an approved college or university. You will work part-time during the academic year and transition to full-time roles in the summer, gaining experience across various J.P. Morgan business areas. The program’s rotational structure ensures you gain exposure to different departments each year. With over 300 alumni continuing to work for J.P. Morgan, the program has a lasting impact on participants' professional development.
Location: Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Hourly stipend provided
Application Deadline: Applications will open in fall.
Internship Dates: 8 weeks (June - August)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers a unique opportunity for students to delve into the world of finance and accounting. You will work on projects that cover budgeting, financial analysis, and planning while honing your leadership skills. A key feature of this program is its emphasis on community engagement and networking. You will connect with banking and financial industry professionals, gaining valuable insights. Additionally, the program includes guest lectures and workshops led by professionals, expanding your knowledge of the financial sector.
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid (amount not specified)
Application Deadline: Applications will open in spring.
Internship Dates: June - August (6 weeks)
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors residing in Chicago with a B or 3.0 average and family income below $80,000/year.
Established in 1991, the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) is a well-regarded program that offers paid internships to high school students in the financial services sector. Over 6 weeks, you will receive practical experience and classroom learning, including workshops, seminars, and projects. CSBI emphasizes inclusivity, offering students from low-income backgrounds access to professional growth opportunities. Alumni have interned with organizations such as Siebert Brandford Shank and Co., the City of Chicago Department of Finance, and Cabrera Capital Markets. This program has a track record of inspiring students to pursue further education in economics, business, and finance, including MBAs or college degrees.
Location: New York City, NY
Stipend: $25 an hour
Application Deadline: Unspecified
Internship Dates: 3 weeks in July
Eligibility: Rising junior or senior in high school who lives in commutable proximity to the KPMG local office and can participate in person during normal business hours
The KPMG U.S. Empower High School Experience offers an introduction to accounting and professional services. This 3-week program allows you to explore key accounting principles, auditing methods, tax concepts, and advisory services through workshops and case studies. You will collaborate on projects and enhance their problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The program also provides extensive networking and mentorship opportunities, allowing you to connect with KPMG professionals and gain insights into the industry. Additionally, guest lectures and workshops led by industry experts will enrich your knowledge.
Location: Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Application Deadline: TBA
Internship Dates: 5 weeks from July - August
Eligibility: High school students
The Fidelity Investments Asset Management High School Summer Internship offers a comprehensive experience in accounting and finance, with a particular focus on asset management. Over 5 weeks, you will gain experience with investment strategies, financial analysis, risk management, and portfolio management. You will work on real-world projects, applying economic theories to practical scenarios. In addition to project work, you will receive mentorship from professionals, gaining valuable career guidance. Upon completing the program, you will receive a certificate recognizing your skills in the field.
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid (exact amount not specified)
Application deadline: No information is available at the moment.
Internship Dates: July - August
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their sophomore year in any Boston public school.
The TIP internship offers underrepresented students the chance to develop essential skills and gain experience in finance and accounting. You will attend skill-building workshops covering key accounting principles, financial analysis, tax preparation, and audit procedures. Emphasizing professional growth and networking, the program allows you to work on real projects under the guidance of mentors and industry professionals. Based on interest and availability, select students may be chosen for a year-round internship lasting up to three years.
Location: Various Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers or business offices. Find a location near you.
Stipend: $15.50 - $18 per hour
Application Deadline: Applications typically close at the end of December.
Internship Dates: June 17 – August 2
Eligibility: Students aged 16-19 by June 1 who are current high school students and/or graduating seniors. Priority is given to juniors and seniors. Those applying must have the right to work in the US.
Kaiser Permanente, a leading global healthcare and insurance provider, offers summer internships for high school students with a focus on professional development. The program offers tracks in various fields, such as finance, accounting, sales and marketing, communications, product development, and more. You will engage in activities, shadowing experiences, and workshops designed to enhance your understanding of the business side of healthcare. The program emphasizes mentorship, teamwork, and personal development, encouraging you to explore career interests across multiple fields.
Stipend: Paid (exact amount not specified)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Internship Dates: 8 weeks, typically from mid-June to August.
Eligibility: High school students aged 16-18 years.
The CLA High School Internship Program offers students an introduction to accounting. Interns gain experience in key areas such as tax preparation, financial analysis, and audit procedures. You will collaborate on projects, applying theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios to enhance your problem-solving and analytical skills. The program emphasizes networking and professional development. You'll have the opportunity to connect with professionals, mentors, and peers, building valuable relationships that could benefit your future career.
Location: Varies, interns are placed in a location dependent on KPMG’s decisions on hosting the internship in a particular location.
Cost: No cost; annual scholarships to college offered ($10,000 per year)
Application Deadline: February 1
Internship Dates: Summer before college (exact dates can vary).
Eligibility: High school seniors.
The KPMG Future Leaders Program is a work-learn initiative designed to encourage young women to pursue careers in business and STEM fields. This highly selective program admits only 22 high school seniors yearly from a large pool of applicants. As a KPMG scholar, you will be paired with an executive mentor, who is a senior business leader and a past attendee of the KPMG Women’s Leadership Summit. This mentorship provides unique networking opportunities and the chance to learn accounting principles and concepts from professionals. Scholars benefit from annual college scholarships and support throughout their academic journey.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.