Accounting Intern

Summary:

Supports the accounting department by assisting with account reconciliations and general accounting tasks under the guidance of staff accountants. This position offers hands-on exposure to accounting operations while providing an opportunity to learn how financial and accounting practices support agricultural marketing and supply co-ops. This is a learning-focused role intended to build foundational accounting skills and industry knowledge.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with reconciling general ledger accounts and researching discrepancies under staff accountant supervision.
• Support staff accountants with day-to-day tasks, including data entry, filing, and document preparation.
• Help gather and organize supporting documentation for month-end and audit purposes.
• Assist with entering and verifying data related to invoices, shipments, and settlements.
• Learn and observe accounting processes related to agricultural marketing and supply co-op operations, including commodity transactions.
• Participate in training sessions to build understanding of co-op accounting practices and internal controls.
• Assist with basic administrative tasks as needed, such as scanning, filing, and organizing records.
• Communicate professionally with accounting staff and other departments when gathering information.
• Maintain confidentiality of financial records and sensitive company information.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Lift Level: Light

Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.  Required walking or standing to a significant degree; or requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls.

Competency:

To perform the internship successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Problem Solving - Identifies problems and asks for guidance when needed; begins to gather and analyze information.
• Customer Service - Responds promptly and professionally to requests from staff; maintains confidentiality.

• Written Communication - Writes clearly and edits work for spelling and grammar; able to read and interpret written information.

• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently present and on time; communicates promptly if unable to attend.

• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; double-checks work and asks questions when uncertain.
• Quantity - Completes assigned tasks within expected timeframes.

• Adaptability - Willing to learn new tasks and adjust to changing priorities in a training environment.

Qualifications:

To perform this internship successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field. No prior professional accounting experience required; coursework in accounting or bookkeeping is a plus.

Language Ability:

Ability to read and interpret basic business documents and instructions. Ability to write routine correspondence and communicate clearly with team members.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to identify and bring problems or discrepancies to the attention of a supervisor.

Computer Skills:

To perform this internship successfully, an individual should have basic knowledge of Excel, Word, and Outlook. Familiarity with accounting software is a plus but not required.

Certificates and Licenses:

None

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.