Accounting Intern - Academic Year

Placement within the salary range is dependent on relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

Pay

$18.00 - $18.00 hourly

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year ($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

About the role

The Accounting Intern reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine (NM), adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. This is a hybrid, part-time, paid program hosted at the downtown Chicago campus from Fall to Spring.

The Accounting Intern is responsible for accounting and financial analysis activities for the department served. The intern supports the finance function by preparing journal entries, analyzing accounts, researching transactions, and contributing to special projects.

Responsibilities

• Review invoices, payment requests, and supporting documentation for accuracy, completeness, coding, approvals, and policy compliance.
• Research and help resolve invoice discrepancies, duplicate invoices, payment issues, vendor inquiries, credits, and open items.
• Reconcile vendor statements, assigned accounts, and financial discrepancies using supporting account information.
• Monitor invoice aging, workflow queues, exceptions, and open items to support timely payments and accurate reporting.
• Assist with monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, schedules, work papers, and audit support materials.
• Support month-end close activities, including accruals, journal entries, reconciliations, account adjustments, and reporting.
• Partner with departments, vendors, and Finance teams to answer questions and resolve AP-related issues.
• Maintain documentation and follow internal controls, vendor management procedures, retention requirements, and payment policies.
• Identify process improvement opportunities to reduce manual work and support automation or workflow initiatives.
• Assist with system testing, issue resolution, special projects, financial analysis, budget support, projections, and documentation updates as assigned.

Requirements

• Pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Completion of at least the sophomore year of study.
• Understanding of advanced accounting concepts.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.