Summer Associate Jobs in California
Summer Associate jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in law, finance, consulting, and technology across a market that draws top-tier applicants each year at every level from first-year law students to advanced MBA candidates. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where firms like Gibson Dunn, Deloitte, and Goldman Sachs have long-standing California offices and run structured summer programs annually. The most in-demand tracks are corporate transactional work, investment banking, and strategy consulting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Summer Associate JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 33+ Summer Associate jobs
POSITION SUMMARY:
IT Assurance Associate
An IT Assurance Associate is responsible for delivering a full range of IT audit services to our clients. Responsibilities include testing and assessment of information systems control review engagements in support of financial statement audits.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Applying current knowledge of IT trends and systems processes to identify security and risk management issues, as well as other opportunities for overall process improvement.
- Maintaining professionalism and rapport with the client. Proactively interact with key client management to manage expectations, help ensure client satisfaction, meet client deadlines, and resolve any problems.
- Gaining a comprehensive understanding of assigned client operations, processes and business objectives, and then utilize that knowledge on assigned engagements.
- Participating in recruiting efforts as needed.
- To meet or exceed IT Assurance metrics (e.g. – billable hours, CPE, time delinquencies, etc…)
- Participating in other business development activities as appropriate Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS or related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
- Desire to pursue CPA, CISA, CISSP, CIA or CISM license/certification.
- Some related work experience in public accounting or equivalent delivering controls based services, auditing Information Technology General Controls (ITGC’s.) in support of financial statement audits to cross-industry clients and technologies. An understanding of generally accepted practices for testing Key Reports, and Application Controls a plus.
- Information Security experience or information security training is required.
- Exceptional client service and communication skills.
- Strong technical aptitude and problem solving skills
- Excellent analytical, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
- Effective project and time management skills for handling multiple priorities and simultaneous projects
- Enthusiasm to learn through a combination of structured, on-the-job and self-directed training
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a complex team environment
- Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications.
- Ability to work additional hours and/or travel as needed.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. No visa sponsorship is available for this position. Minimum overall GPA of 3.0/4.0
The base salary for this position in the firm’s Orange County, California office is $97,200 per year.
POSITION SUMMARY:
IT Assurance Associate
An IT Assurance Associate is responsible for delivering a full range of IT audit services to our clients. Responsibilities include testing and assessment of information systems control review engagements in support of financial statement audits.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Applying current knowledge of IT trends and systems processes to identify security and risk management issues, as well as other opportunities for overall process improvement.
- Maintaining professionalism and rapport with the client. Proactively interact with key client management to manage expectations, help ensure client satisfaction, meet client deadlines, and resolve any problems.
- Gaining a comprehensive understanding of assigned client operations, processes and business objectives, and then utilize that knowledge on assigned engagements.
- Participating in recruiting efforts as needed.
- To meet or exceed IT Assurance metrics (e.g. – billable hours, CPE, time delinquencies, etc…)
- Participating in other business development activities as appropriate Other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, MIS or related field. A Master’s degree is a plus.
- Desire to pursue CPA, CISA, CISSP, CIA or CISM license/certification.
- Some related work experience in public accounting or equivalent delivering controls based services, auditing Information Technology General Controls (ITGC’s.) in support of financial statement audits to cross-industry clients and technologies. An understanding of generally accepted practices for testing Key Reports, and Application Controls a plus.
- Information Security experience or information security training is required.
- Exceptional client service and communication skills.
- Strong technical aptitude and problem solving skills
- Excellent analytical, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
- Effective project and time management skills for handling multiple priorities and simultaneous projects
- Enthusiasm to learn through a combination of structured, on-the-job and self-directed training
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a complex team environment
- Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications.
- Ability to work additional hours and/or travel as needed.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. No visa sponsorship is available for this position. Minimum overall GPA of 3.0/4.0
The base salary for this position in the firm’s Orange County, California office is $97,200 per year.
See All 33 Summer Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Summer Associate JobsSummer Associate Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Summer Associate Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in summer associate jobs across California.
- Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school or accredited MBA program in good standing
- Completed at least one year of a qualifying JD, MBA, or graduate degree program
- Strong academic record demonstrated through GPA, class rank, or journal or moot court participation
- Prior internship, clinic, or research experience in law, finance, or a related professional field
- Proficiency in legal research platforms, financial modeling, or case analysis relevant to the practice area
- Ability to work on-site in a California office for the duration of the summer program
Summer Associate Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a summer associate in California?
The standard path is to complete your first year at an ABA-accredited law school or a top MBA program, then apply during on-campus recruiting in the fall. California employers prioritize candidates from schools with strong regional ties, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and Stanford. Building a record in moot court, law review, or a finance clinic sharpens your application. No California state license is required for a summer associate role, but passing the California Bar after graduation is the typical next step for law-track candidates.
Which companies hire summer associates in California?
Employers hiring summer associates in California right now include Clark Construction, Grant Thornton, and Goldman Sachs, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of AmLaw 100 offices, major investment banks, and global consulting firms makes it one of the deepest summer associate markets in the country.
Which California cities have the most summer associate jobs?
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego have the most summer associate openings in California. Los Angeles and San Francisco anchor the market through their dense clusters of large law firms, financial institutions, and consulting offices, while San Diego generates consistent openings through its life sciences and technology sectors, where firms run dedicated corporate and transactional summer programs.
Are there remote summer associate jobs in California?
Yes, but they're limited. About 100% of summer associate openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the profession's emphasis on in-person mentorship, client interaction, and team integration during the program. The portions of the work most likely to carry a remote or hybrid component are research, document review, and analytical assignments rather than client-facing or courtroom-adjacent responsibilities.
How can I get hired as a summer associate in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying through your law school or MBA program's on-campus recruiting process, which connects first-year students directly to California firms before prior experience becomes a deciding factor. Large California employers including Latham and Watkins, Skadden, and McKinsey run structured programs designed for candidates without prior professional experience in the field. Strengthening your application with a law school clinic, a finance case competition, or paralegal or financial analyst work before your program begins gives you a concrete edge when competing for these roles.
Where can I find and apply to summer associate jobs in California?
You can find and apply to summer associate jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's major hiring metros and practice areas. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and target firms, and apply directly through the listings.
See All 33 Summer Associate Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Summer Associate Jobs