15 Accounting Summer Programs for High School Students
For high school students considering a career in accounting, summer programs offer an early window into the professional and academic world of business, finance, and data-driven decision-making.
What are accounting summer programs for high school students?
Accounting summer programs help you move beyond classroom theory, helping you understand how concepts like auditing, financial reporting, and cost analysis actually function in practice. You’ll participate in simulations, workshops, and mentorship from faculty or certified accountants. You’ll gain hands-on experience in budgeting, financial modeling, and interpreting real financial statements.
Why participate in accounting summer programs for high school students?
Participating in an accounting summer program not only strengthens your analytical and quantitative skills but also helps you explore whether the field aligns with your long-term goals. From learning how firms manage cash flow to analyzing investment portfolios, these programs give you a practical edge before college applications.
If you’re also interested in accounting internships, check here, or go here for accounting research programs.
Here’s a list of 15 accounting summer programs for high school students!
15 Accounting Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers (DYNAMC) – McCombs School of Business, UT Austin
Cost: Free (includes tuition, housing, and meals)
Location: Austin, Texas
Application Deadline: January 31
Program Dates: June 21–June 28
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors; preference for first-generation students or those overcoming social/economic hardships
Hosted by the McCombs School of Business, DYNAMC is a six-day, fully funded program that introduces you to the field of accounting and related business careers. You’ll attend interactive workshops, case competitions, and lectures led by McCombs faculty and professionals from Ernst & Young (EY), the program’s sponsor. You will gain an overview of financial reporting, auditing, and business strategy while applying your learning through a team-based project. The program also emphasizes leadership development, networking with industry mentors, and an immersive on-campus experience at UT Austin.
2. Honkamp High School Accounting Program
Cost: Free
Location: Davenport, Iowa & Dubuque, Iowa (Honkamp offices)
Application Deadline: Not stated (registration opens seasonally; check for current availability)
Program Dates: Davenport: July 16, 23, 30, August 6 (Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.); Dubuque: July 8, 15, 22, August 5 (Tuesdays, 10:00–11:30 a.m.)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
This free multi-session program offers a structured look at audit and tax within a public accounting firm, with exposure to how professionals support clients across sectors like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and restaurants. You’ll meet firm leaders, discuss day-to-day workflows, and learn the baseline skill set valued in entry-level accounting roles (professional communication, spreadsheet fluency, documentation discipline, and deadline management). Sessions focus on understanding the scope of audit and tax practices and how technology is used in a modern CPA environment. Notable features include direct Q&A with practitioners, guidance on pathways into the profession, and practical advice on positioning your high-school experiences for future accounting internships.
3. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a practical problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on accounting & finance, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
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 accounting, finance, consulting, to tech/deep tech, and AI/ML. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on projects and present your work to the company. Here is the application form. As an intern, you are offered one-on-one training in communication and time management, and you will have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort.
5. Career Opportunities in the Accounting Profession (COAP) – New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA)
Cost: Free
Location: College campuses across New York State
Application Deadline: Typically spring (exact dates announced annually)
Program Dates: Vary by host college (typically June–July)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors interested in accounting or business
The COAP program introduces students to the fundamentals of accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial reporting, while providing firsthand exposure to the CPA profession. Over several days, you will attend workshops led by practicing accountants, visit corporate offices, and engage in networking sessions with CPAs and college faculty. You’ll also learn about different career paths, such as forensic accounting, corporate finance, and public accounting, through simulations and team activities. The program includes sessions on college preparation, financial literacy, and leadership development, making it an ideal introduction to professional accounting pathways.
6. Harvard Summer School – Secondary School Program (Economics, Finance, and Public Policy Track)
Cost: Approximately $3,700–$7,500, depending on course load and residential status
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (with online options available)
Application Deadline: February 14
Program Dates: June 21–August 8
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Students in Harvard’s 7-week Secondary School Program can design their own accounting and finance-focused curriculum by taking two college-level courses, such as Financial Accounting, Managerial Economics, and Introduction to Econometrics. Through lectures, problem sets, and case-based learning, you’ll develop quantitative and analytical skills essential for financial modeling and accounting systems. The program grants official Harvard credit, which can be transferred to future college degrees. Notable features include access to Harvard’s faculty, networking with peers worldwide, and exposure to interdisciplinary areas like data analysis and public finance.
7. Wharton Global Youth Program – Financial Decision Making
Cost: $4,099
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Priority – January 28; Final – May 20
Program Dates: Session 1: June 15–June 26; Session 2: July 6–July 17
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with an interest in economics, finance, or accounting; international students may apply
This two-week intensive online program introduces you to the fundamentals of personal and corporate finance, helping you make informed decisions about saving, investing, and managing risk. You’ll analyze actual datasets, use Excel for data modeling, and explore financial topics such as markets, credit, monetary policy, and wealth management under Wharton faculty guidance. The curriculum emphasizes quantitative reasoning and ethical financial decision-making through case-based learning. You’ll also participate in small-group projects, discussions, and networking via the Wharton Global Youth Meetup (GYM). You will connect with peers and current Penn students for insights into college and careers in finance.
8. Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience – New York Institute of Finance (NYIF)
Cost: $3,899
Location: New York
Application Deadline: Rolling; early registration recommended
Program Dates: Various dates
Eligibility: High school students interested in finance, accounting, or business careers
This two-week immersive program by the New York Institute of Finance and Westcoast Connection introduces you to the core mechanics of Wall Street, corporate finance, and financial statement analysis. You’ll engage in workshops on DCF modeling, portfolio diversification, and behavioral finance, while gaining exposure to areas like private equity, fintech, and cryptocurrency. You will work in teams to analyze companies, build investment portfolios, and present stock recommendations to industry professionals. The experience includes sessions on communication and career pathways in finance, providing a holistic understanding of how accounting principles inform investment decisions.
9. Investment Portfolio Management – Columbia University Pre-College Program
Cost: Approximately $12,764 (tuition and fees for in-person 3-week session)
Location: New York, New York (in person)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended for full sections
Program Dates: Session A: June 29–July 17; Session B: July 22–August 7
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 with an interest in business, finance, or accounting
This three-week, in-person pre-college course introduces high school students to the principles of investment analysis, portfolio diversification, and financial statement interpretation. Taught by Columbia faculty and finance professionals, it uses real market data and case studies to explore how accounting metrics shape investment strategy. You simulate managing an investment portfolio, analyze company performance, and present your findings through team-based projects. By the end, you’ll gain quantitative skills and a practical understanding of how accounting and finance drive decision-making in the capital markets.
10. Introduction to Corporate Finance – Columbia University Pre-College Program
Cost: $2,815 (Online)
Location: New York (in-person and online options available)
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended for limited seats
Program Dates: June 22–June 26
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 interested in finance, accounting, or business
This one-week intensive introduces students to the fundamentals of corporate financial management, focusing on how companies make investment and financing decisions. Through case studies and interactive lectures, you will explore topics like cash flow analysis, capital budgeting, valuation, and financial statement interpretation. You’ll learn to apply core accounting and finance concepts to practical business scenarios, building skills essential for future study in accounting or financial economics. The program also offers opportunities to connect with Columbia instructors and peers in small-group discussions on financial ethics and strategic decision-making.
11. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy – University of Michigan
Cost: $5,500 (scholarships available for need-based applicants)
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Application Deadline: January 8
Program Dates: June 7–17, June 21–July 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; students from first-generation or resource-limited backgrounds are encouraged to apply
This two-week residential program offers a comprehensive introduction to business fundamentals, including accounting, finance, leadership, and operations. You will participate in lectures, workshops, and case studies taught by Ross faculty, exploring how financial data drives strategic business decisions. The program’s action-based learning model allows you to solve practical problems, engage in field visits, and collaborate in team projects that simulate corporate environments. You will also gain insights from company partners and industry experts, building professional skills and networking experience within one of the nation’s top business schools.
12. Bulls Finance Camp – University of South Florida (USF)
Cost: To be announced
Location: Tampa, Florida (USF Muma College of Business)
Application Deadline: Not yet announced; registration opens in spring
Program Dates: TBD (typically held in summer, 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.)
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders interested in finance or business
Hosted by the USF Muma College of Business, this immersive camp introduces high school students to the fundamentals of finance, accounting, and FinTech applications. You will explore topics like personal budgeting, corporate finance, and investment analysis through workshops and simulations led by USF faculty and professionals from the USF Federal Credit Union. You’ll gain hands-on experience analyzing financial scenarios, building financial plans, and learning how technology is transforming the finance sector. The program also includes guest lectures, networking sessions, and campus engagement activities that provide valuable exposure to careers in finance and accounting.
13. Economics for Leaders – Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Cost: Approximately $2,800 (financial aid and tuition discounts available)
Location: Multiple U.S. campuses; also offered virtually
Application Deadline: Early – February 5; Priority – March 12; Final – April 9
Program Dates: Vary by site (typically June–August; one-week sessions)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
The Economics for Leaders program blends economic reasoning, leadership training, and data-based decision-making through lectures, simulations, and case studies led by university faculty. You will learn to evaluate choices using opportunity cost, trade-offs, and marginal analysis, core analytical frameworks in accounting and business finance. Hands-on modules emphasize interpreting economic data and applying financial literacy in practical contexts. Each session culminates in group activities that mirror professional teamwork and leadership dynamics, helping you strengthen both your quantitative and communication skills.
14. Understanding Your Money – Wharton Global Youth Program
Cost: $329
Location: Online
Application Deadline: Open enrollment (no formal application required)
Program Dates: Self-paced (students can enroll anytime)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12; international students welcome
This on-demand Wharton Global Youth course provides a structured introduction to financial literacy, money management, and investing. Across four modules and over 50 short lectures, you will explore economic principles, budgeting strategies, compound interest, and investment fundamentals. The course integrates practical exercises and quizzes to help participants analyze financial decisions using practical contexts. By the end of the program, you will gain an understanding of how to interpret financial data, manage personal budgets, and approach investing strategically. These skills could complement future studies in accounting and business.
15. Wall Street 101 – Bentley University
Cost: $1,490 (Online); $2,450 (Commuter); $3,380 (Residential)
Location: Waltham, Massachusetts (on campus)
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications open in spring)
Program Dates: Vary by course (typically July–August; one-week sessions)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with an interest in accounting, finance, or economics
Bentley’s Wall Street 101 is a competitive pre-college program offering five intensive courses in personal finance, stock market analysis, FinTech, global trade, and macroeconomics. You’ll gain hands-on experience in financial modeling, portfolio valuation, and data analysis using industry-standard platforms like Bloomberg, FactSet, and the Financial Trading System. You’ll participate in stock pitch presentations, trading simulations, and policy debates that mirror real-world decision-making in corporate finance. The program’s small class sizes and interactive format provide both foundational accounting literacy and exposure to professional finance careers, all taught inside Bentley’s state-of-the-art trading room.
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