Accounting Co-op

Job Description

Job Title:    Accounting Co-op

Department:  Finance & Accounting

Reports To:  Controller

Classification: Temporary Part-Time

FLSA Status: Hourly Non-exempt

Work Location:  Colchester, Vermont

Cellular Phone Reimbursement Eligible: No

Prepared Date: July 2026

Summary 

Vermont Public is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented undergraduate student to join our Finance and Accounting team as an Accounting Co-op Student through the Saint Michael's College Co-op Program. This position provides hands-on experience in accounting and financial operations while allowing the student to apply classroom knowledge in a professional environment. The student will work approximately 20 hours per week and support day-to-day accounting activities, financial recordkeeping, and special projects that contribute directly to the organization's financial operations. The student will work closely with the accounting and finance team, gaining exposure to the general ledger, month-end close processes, accounts payable functions, account reconciliations, and assist with a lease management system implementation.

Key Project / Focus Area 

Project Title: Lease Management System Implementation

Project Description:

A primary focus of this co-op experience will be supporting the implementation of a lease and lease contract management application. The student will assist the Finance team in gathering lease documentation, organizing and validating lease data, supporting system configuration and testing activities, and helping ensure accurate migration of lease information into the new platform.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Preparing and posting journal entries under the supervision of accounting staff 

• Assisting with monthly account reconciliations and supporting schedules 

• Recording and posting customer payments into the general ledger 

• Supporting accounts payable processes, including invoice review, coding, and entry 

• Maintaining accurate accounting records and financial documentation 

• Assisting with month-end and year-end close activities

• Assist with Lease Software Implementation:

  • Reviewing, organizing, and validating lease agreements and supporting documentation 

  • Supporting data collection, cleansing, and migration for the lease management system implementation 

  • Assisting with business requirements, user testing and validation of lease application functionality 

  • Documenting accounting procedures and process improvements related to the new system 

  • Collaborating with finance, engineering/tech, and external implementation partners as needed 

  • Preparing reports, analyses, or presentations related to project progress and outcomes

Desired Skills or Interests

• Current junior or senior undergraduate student pursuing Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. 

• Basic understanding of accounting principles and financial statements 

• Coursework in Financial Accounting and/or Managerial Accounting 

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications 

• Ability to work with confidential financial information professionally 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Interest in accounting systems, financial technology, and process improvement

What the Student Will Gain

• Apply accounting coursework to real-world business transactions 

• Gain practical experience with the general ledger and month-end close process 

• Develop skills in account reconciliations and financial reporting support 

• Learn accounts payable and cash application processes 

• Gain exposure to accounting software  

• Participate in a software implementation project 

• Receive mentorship from experienced finance and accounting professionals

EXCELLENCE IN THIS ORGANIZATION 

• A high level of commitment and dedication to the mission of the organization and public media.

• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with co-workers and audience, supporting and enhancing a culture of belonging.

• Preserving confidentiality appropriately.

• Serving as an excellent ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally. Helping audience and potential audience members, donors, and potential donors connect with the organization.

• Facilitating excellent communications across departments, among employees, and with the public. Fostering open and candid relationships with Vermont Public audience and donors. Managing conflict constructively.

• Demonstrating a commitment to the continuous improvement of the organization’s ability to fulfill its mission and vision. 

• Demonstrating and encouraging creativity and enthusiasm for this work.

• Expressing consistent, high-performance expectations for themselves, their department, the leadership, and the organization itself.

• Developing a broad understanding of the organization’s departments, programs, and services to assist donors, collaborate effectively with peers, ensure respectful communication and teamwork among departments.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None  

Position Requirements

Education and Experience

• Current junior or senior undergraduate student pursuing Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. 

• Basic understanding of accounting principles and financial statements 

• Coursework in Financial Accounting and/or Managerial Accounting 

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills 

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications 

• Ability to work with confidential financial information professionally 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills 

• Interest in accounting systems, financial technology, and process improvement

Working Conditions

Work is normally performed in a climate-controlled office environment with moderate noise levels (computers, telephones, etc.).  No known environmental hazards are encountered in the normal performance of job duties.

Physical Demands

Work involves standing and walking for brief periods, bending, and filing, but most duties are from a seated position. There is potential for eyestrain from reading detailed materials on a computer screen. Deadlines, workloads during peak periods, and changing priorities may cause increased stress levels. Work requires finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination to operate computer keyboards at a moderate skill level. 

Please note: This is not an all-encompassing statement of this position’s responsibilities. While it attempts to be comprehensive, new responsibilities may be assigned to this position at any time.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

To request a reasonable accommodation to submit an application or participate in the interview process, please contact the HR team at careers@vermontpublic.org.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. 

Vermont Public is a proud equal-opportunity employer. We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by Vermont Public. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.