Summer Internship – Accounting & Finance
West Des Moines, Iowa | 30–32 hours/week (Mon–Thurs)
Why Forge?
Hi, we’re Forge - a boutique consulting firm based in West Des Moines with nearly 40 professionals serving small businesses and non-profits across Iowa and the U.S. We’re not your traditional accounting firm. Our purpose is simple: help business owners and non-profits grow their business while helping our people grow their careers. We prioritize balance, authenticity, and innovation over burnout and tradition. Here, you’ll have space to learn, grow, and contribute without sacrificing your summer or the things that matter most to you:
Our Core Values guide everything we do at Forge (including what you can expect in your internship experience):
- Be Better – Always growing, always improving. You’ll get feedback, mentorship, and real-world experiences that push you forward every day.
- Integrity – Do what’s right, even when it’s hard. We’ll trust you with meaningful work and expect you to lead with honesty and accountability.
- Genuine – Be real, approachable, and kind. You can bring your whole self here - we value authenticity, not perfection.
- People First – Numbers matter, but people matter more. You’ll work in a culture where teammates and clients are treated with respect and empathy.
- Own It – Take initiative and make things happen. You won’t just shadow - you’ll contribute, problem-solve, and grow your confidence.
- Passion – Bring positive energy and heart to helping others thrive. You’ll see first-hand how your work positively impacts small businesses and non-profits.
What You’ll Gain
- Explore your career path. Get real client experience across multiple areas of accounting and finance such as tax, audit, advisory, virtual Controller/CFO support, and project-based consulting. Instead of being locked into one track, you’ll “try on” different pathways to build a well-rounded foundation and discover where you want your career to go.
- CPA mentors. You’ll be mentored by CPAs who've grown their career and want to help you succeed.
- Smarter hours. Forget 50+ hour workweeks. Our team strives for 40. And, our summer internships are 30–32 hours/week, Mon–Thurs, giving you a long weekend, every weekend.
- Competitive pay. You’ll do real work and get paid fairly for it.
- Personal + professional growth. Beyond technical training, we’ll invest in you with soft-skill development (e.g., Strengths Finders, Enneagram, Kolbe, productivity, communication, and leadership skills).
- A career on-ramp. Our interns are our top candidates for full-time hiring. This is more than an internship, it’s a pathway.
Who We’re Looking For
We want people who are:
- Accounting & Finance-focused. You’re majoring in Accounting and/or Finance and plan to pursue your CPA license.
- Curious learners. You ask questions, seek understanding, and embrace change in a profession that’s evolving.
- Genuine + approachable. You’re not afraid to talk with teammates or clients. You can bring both professionalism and personality to the table.
- Collaborators. You thrive in a “we, not me” culture.
- Problem-solvers. You take initiative, figure things out, and aren’t scared to think outside the box.
Technical Skills That Help You Stand Out
- Intermediate accounting coursework and some finance or business analytics coursework.
- Familiarity with Excel, QuickBooks, or other accounting software (helpful, not required)
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to analyze financial data and communicate findings clearly
Soft Skills That Set You Apart
- Strong interpersonal communication. You can connect with people, not just spreadsheets
- Adaptability. You don’t cling to “this is how it’s always been done”
- Growth mindset. You’re open to feedback and hungry to improve.
- Time management. You embrace tools and systems to prioritize what's most important.
If this sounds like you, apply today. We'd love to meet you!
- 📍 Learn more at: www.ForgeAhead.com
- 🔗 Connect with us: Forge on LinkedIn
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