Accounting Intern

Job Title: Accounting Intern (Winter, Spring and/or Summer opportunities available)  Division: ESCO Location: Marion, Iowa Reports to: Controller Exempt or Non-Exempt: Non-exempt (hourly)   Status: Full-time, Part-time Typical Working Hours: Between 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM   Role Summary: The Accounting Intern is a paid, hands-on role within ESCO’s finance and accounting team. Reporting to the Controller, you’ll work alongside a multi-discipline team covering project accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and month-end close.   Key Role Responsibilities: - Assist with month-end close, including general ledger account reconciliations and supporting schedules. - Prepare and post project accounting adjustments, such as updating estimates, increasing contract amounts, adding change orders, updating job types, and tracking purchase orders. - Assist with maintaining labor burden and standard rates, including union rate updates and calculations. - Research job numbers and coding questions for Payroll and Accounts Payable. - Support accounts receivable, including customer reconciliations, account adjustments, and follow-up on outstanding items. - Assist with sales tax, fixed asset, and other compliance-related schedules as needed. - Perform data entry, filing, and research to maintain accurate and complete financial records. - Communicate and follow up with internal teams and external customers or vendors regarding open issues. - Help identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reports, and Excel tools. - Understand and follow all safety, conduct, and policy requirements established by ESCO. - Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.   What You’ll Learn: - How construction and project-based accounting works, including job costing, change orders, and contract revenue. - The month-end close process at a multi-division company. - Hands-on use of an ERP system (Acumatica) and advanced Excel in a real business environment. - How accounting supports operations, project managers, and leadership decision-making.   Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Strong attention to detail and accuracy. - Clear verbal and written communication skills. - Organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines. - Self-starter who asks good questions and takes initiative. - Works well within a team and builds trust with coworkers and customers. - Adapts well to changing priorities.   Background and Work Experience: - Currently pursuing an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. - Completed at least one accounting course (Principles of Accounting or equivalent) and understands basic accounting principles. - Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook. - Preferred: prior office, bookkeeping, or customer service experience; interest in pursuing a CPA.   Travel Required: This position does not require overnight travel. Occasional local travel to other ESCO office locations or training may be required.   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. - This is primarily an office-based role involving extended periods of sitting and computer work. - The employee may occasionally stand, walk, reach, and lift or move items up to 25 pounds (e.g., file boxes or office supplies). - Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision for computer and document work.