Finance & Accounting Intern

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK The Finance & Accounting Intern will gain practical, hands-on experience in municipal government finance and accounting through exposure to the City's annual budget process, financial reporting, budget administration, and project accounting. This position is designed to provide the intern with a comprehensive understanding of how the City develops, enters, monitors, and maintains its annual operating budget. The intern will work closely with the Finance Department and Accounting Department to learn the City's financial processes and assist with the implementation and improvement of budgeting and project accounting within Tyler/Munis financial management system. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS Budget Development & Administration Participate in a comprehensive walkthrough of the City's annual budget process, from initial department requests through budget adoption and implementation. Gain an understanding of the City's fiscal year, budget calendar, department budget requests, revenue projections, expenditures, capital requests, and final budget adoption. Review and complete applicable Tyler/Munis budgeting training courses and instructional videos. Utilize the Tyler/Munis test environment to develop familiarity with the budgeting module and system functionality. Assist in determining how the City's adopted budget can be effectively integrated into the Tyler/Munis system. Learn and assist with the City's budget workflow, including department submissions, review and approval processes, revisions, and final budget implementation. Assist Finance staff with testing budget processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and consistency. Develop an understanding of budget controls and how appropriations are monitored throughout the fiscal year. Learn the City's budget amendment process, including the purpose of amendments, required approvals, system entry, and reporting. Assist with reviewing budget amendments and understanding their effect on departmental and fund-level budgets. Learn how to generate, review, and interpret budget reports within Tyler/Munis. Learn how to review a Budget Report to identify budgeted amounts, expenditures, encumbrances, available balances, and variances. Learn how to generate and review Balance Sheet Reports and gain an understanding of the City's assets, liabilities, fund balance/net position, and other balance sheet accounts. Accounting & Project Accounting Work closely with Accountant II to gain practical experience in governmental accounting. Complete applicable Tyler/Munis training related to project accounting. Learn the purpose, structure, and application of project accounting within the City's financial system. Assist Accountant II with implementing project accounting processes within Tyler/Munis. Assist with establishing and testing project accounting structures in the Tyler/Munis test environment. Assist with reviewing project-related financial activity for accuracy and completeness. Participate in the development and documentation of project accounting procedures and workflows. Assist with testing project accounting reports and identifying issues or opportunities for improvement. INTERSHIP FOCUS This internship is intended to provide meaningful professional development and practical exposure to municipal finance. The intern will not simply observe Finance Department operations but will be provided opportunities to participate in actual projects, system testing, financial reporting, budget development activities, and accounting initiatives under the supervision of Finance Director & Accounting Manager. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Basic knowledge of accounting and/or financial concepts. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel. Strong organizational and analytical skills. Ability to learn financial software and apply training to practical situations. Strong attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Effective written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently while also working effectively with Finance Department staff. EDUCATION A high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D) is required. Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university program with 60-credit hours completed and a major in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration; or have recently completed such a program. EXPERIENCE None or minimal experience required (entry-level position) DRIVER LICENSE A valid driver’s License with a clear driving record is required. If a candidate does not have a valid Tennessee driver's license, they must acquire one in 30 days of hire. PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is also required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, and to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Will sit for long periods of time, must be able to reach. May be required to lift to up to twenty lbs. The position is primarily performed in an office environment within the City of Lebanon Finance Department. The intern will work with confidential financial information and will be expected to maintain professional standards, accuracy, and confidentiality always. It shall be the responsibility of the City of Lebanon Finance Director to assess the type(s) of reasonable accommodations which may be necessary to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of this role and to provide such necessary reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the provision of reasonable accommodations if doing so will impose an undue hardship on the employing agency or a direct threat to the safety of himself/herself or others. EDUCATION A high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D) is required. Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university program with 60-credit hours completed and a major in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration; or have recently completed such a program. EXPERIENCE None or minimal experience required (entry-level position) DRIVER LICENSE A valid driver’s License with a clear driving record is required. If a candidate does not have a valid Tennessee driver's license, they must acquire one in 30 days of hire. PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is also required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, and to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. Will sit for long periods of time, must be able to reach. May be required to lift to up to twenty lbs. The position is primarily performed in an office environment within the City of Lebanon Finance Department. The intern will work with confidential financial information and will be expected to maintain professional standards, accuracy, and confidentiality always. It shall be the responsibility of the City of Lebanon Finance Director to assess the type(s) of reasonable accommodations which may be necessary to allow the individual to perform the essential functions of this role and to provide such necessary reasonable accommodations to a qualified individual with a disability, provided that nothing herein shall be construed to require the provision of reasonable accommodations if doing so will impose an undue hardship on the employing agency or a direct threat to the safety of himself/herself or others.