High School Intern - Summer 2026 - Des Moines, IA

Spend four weeks this summer as a paid High School Intern at CLA getting hands-on experience in the professional services and accounting world!  Learn about what it’s like to create opportunities for clients, people, and in our communities through a career in accounting.  Experience the fulfillment that comes with developing new skills, discovering new strengths, and putting them to work in ways that help organizations achieve their goals and dreams.  

We strive every day to exemplify our CLA values – curious, collaborative, transparent, inclusive, and reliable. CLA is dedicated to building a culture that welcomes different beliefs and perspectives.    

We hope you’re inspired to pursue a career in this extraordinary profession.  If not, we are confident you’ll have gained notable experiences and exposure to a range of professions and client industries that you’ll carry forward into whatever career you choose. 

Join us as a high school intern in our Des Moines office.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Learn about the professional services and accounting industry and the work we do. 

• Experience hands-on opportunities through an immersive case study, that dives into many of the CLA’s service lines  

• Network and connect with professionals at different levels to learn more about their work serving clients, developing people, and making an impact in the community. These opportunities may include sitting in on either external or internal meetings, client site visits, participating in the day in the life of a CLA family member, and contributing to office and/or firm related community impact events.  

• Participate in office community impact activities. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS 

• Must be 16 years of age or older at start of internship.  

• Currently enrolled in high school with a junior or senior status.  

• Exhibit curiosity about the accounting industry.  

• Strong verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills.  

• Willingness to learn new technologies.  

• Proficient with Microsoft Office products.  

• Ability to travel to the assigned local office and possibly external locations for client visits and/or community impact experiences.   

• Must have availability between June 15th and July 16th, Monday-Thursday 9 am to 4:30 pm daily, with limited conflicts. The only exception being June 29 - July 3, interns will be off the entire week.