Finance-Accounting Intern

Finance Internship - Gain Real-World Experience with Arvada Fire Applicants referred by Arvada Fire employees will receive priority consideration . This internship offers a hands-on opportunity for students to apply classroom knowledge in a professional, team-oriented environment. Working alongside experienced finance professionals, the Finance/Accounting Intern will contribute to essential functions including accounts payable and receivable, cash management, and maintaining accurate financial records in alignment with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This position is ideal for someone who enjoys problem-solving, values attention to detail, and is eager to build practical accounting and finance skills in a public service setting.

Position:

Finance/Accounting Internship Supervisor:

Chief Financial Officer FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt 20-30 hrs per week

Position Summary :

Under supervision, the finance/accounting intern is a temporary entry-level position designed to allow students to apply their academic knowledge in a professional environment. The position will perform moderately complex clerical and technical accounting tasks in accordance with Generally Accepted Standard Accounting Principles (GAAP). Responsibilities include working with internal and external stakeholders in support of accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, and maintaining accounting records within bookkeeping standards. Duties may include, but are not limited to preparing deposits, processing invoices for payment, responding to general inquiries from staff and vendors, and entering transactions into accounting system. The intern will collaborate closely with the entire finance team to identify and reconcile discrepancies, compile documentation, and create a record of corrective action. This position requires strong problem solving and critical thinking skills to troubleshoot and resolve data and processing issues. This position also requires a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The following duties are an overview of the primary duties and responsibilities of the Finance/Accounting Intern and should not be considered an all-inclusive list. Apply accounting, budgeting, record keeping, and fiscal management principles and practices assigned tasks under supervision. Maintain confidentiality of all financial and personal information of the district's customers, vendors and members. Compile various documents, verify their accuracy, and authorize payments/billings in accordance with the district's established procedures. Perform accounts payable and receivable functions, including coding and entering invoices into the accounting system. Prepare, review, and distribute credit card statements for users. As provided by the CFO, enter monthly general and standard journal entries, income and balance sheet statements, account reconciliations, cost reports and various other accounting statements and reports; learn to provide interpretation of results as appropriate. Assist the CFO in the preparation of monthly financial statements. Support CFO in quantitative analyses of information affecting budgets, expenses, and other financial projects. Research and resolve problems pertaining to financial reporting systems, ensuring compliance with the district's rules, procedures and policies. Provide support to other finance and accounting roles as needed. Foster and maintain positive, effective working relationships with district employees, volunteers, reserves, district residents, other governmental agencies and the community. Contribute to a progressive, team-oriented environment. Demonstrate a positive attitude and initiative as a self-starter. Always represent the district professionally and positively. Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Certification Requirements:

In or recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in accounting or related field.

Technical skills:

Knowledgeable in MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Comprehensive knowledge of and compliance with the district's rules, policies, and procedures as they pertain to the district's finances specifically and the district generally, including but not limited to the rules, policies and procedures contained in the district's Member Handbook and Standard Operating Guideline General knowledge of United States generally accepted accounting standards and procedures for governmental entities. Ability to learn complex procedures; compile and prepare financial reports; learn laws and regulations governing fiscal record keeping; examine and verify routine financial documents and reports. Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, routine correspondence, and memos. Ability to write basic reports and correspondence. Ability to communicate effectively and express ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing. An ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to vendors and other employees of the organization. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at a level adequate to perform the duties of the position.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

This position is an office-based role in a fast-paced environment. The role has frequent interactions with the public, employees, and management. This position will involve sedentary administrative work in an office environment. Use of sensory activities, such as talking, seeing, and hearing, will be required frequently. Position requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus. This position requires the ability to sit for extended periods, and frequent pushing, pulling, pinching, gripping, reaching overhead, and reaching away from body. This position also requires frequent standing, walking, twisting, and turning, and occasional kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily office activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and finger coordination in preparing statistical reports and data, using a computer keyboard and mouse. Position requires ability to frequently lift/move objects of up to 25 pounds in weight and occasionally lift/move objects of up to 50 pounds in weight.