Accounting Intern

General Information

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars (Center) was established by an Act of Congress in 1968 as the national, living memorial honoring President Woodrow Wilson.  The Center provides an essential link between the policy and ideas by promoting initiatives that explore current and emerging challenges confronting the United States and the world.  It is a non-partisan/non-advocacy institution supported by both public and private funds. The Center was created by congressional statute and is governed by its own presidentially appointed Board of Trustees. The Center sponsors basic, original scholarship and dialogue through its programs, which cover all regions of the world and several major global issues.  

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Financial Management Office plans to offer 1 – 3 accounting internships each academic semester.  The internship duty station is 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.  The Financial Management Office strives to establish and communicate policies and procedures necessary to safeguard and ensure the proper and efficient use of Wilson Center's financial resources; maintain the Center's accounting and financial reporting systems; and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Eligibility

Applicants must be either 1) currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, 2) a recent graduate (within the last year), or 3) have been accepted to enter an advanced degree program.

U.S. citizens, U.S. legal permanent residents, and qualified non-residents with J-1 or F-1 visa work authorization.

Application Materials

·         Cover letter – The cover letter must indicate academic semester for desired internship (i.e. fall, spring, or summer) as well as availability by calendar months, days of week, and preferred hours.

·         Resume

·         Unofficial Transcripts

Internship Duration and Hours

• Intern appointments will be for three to four months.
• Interns are expected to work 12 to 24 hours per week and a minimum of 4 consecutive hours per work day.
• The work schedule is flexible, but must be approved by the intern’s supervisor.

Pay

$12.50 - $14.00 per hour

Application Due Dates

Fall Internship – August 1st

Spring Internship – November 15th

Summer Internship – April 15th   

Please know applications will be accepted subsequent to the due dates listed above, but will only be reviewed if internship position is vacant for the applied for academic semester.

Where to Submit Application Materials

Email Sue.Howard@wilsoncenter.org  with subject “Internship.”

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is an equal opportunity employer and follow the EOE guidelines for selecting interns.

Major Duties

·         Create and maintain electronic accounting files including verification of sufficient supporting documentation. 

·         Create fillable electronic FMO forms.

·         Run detail reports for programs and projects throughout the Wilson Center.

·         Reconcile accounts.

·         Create new monthly accounting reports using Excel and trial balance data from accounting system.

·         Support full-time staff in the Financial Management Office performing other related accounting duties as assigned.

Fall Semester Interns – Assist with information gathering for external audits.

Spring Semester Interns – Assist with processing of IRS information returns for contractors (i.e. IRS forms 1099 and 1042S).

Summer Interns – Assist with annual budget process

Qualifications Required

• Undergraduate junior or senior year students majoring in accounting or graduate student with an undergraduate degree in accounting.
• Completion of 24 hours in accounting course work.

Knowledge Required

Core Competencies:

Accounting - Knowledge of accounting principles and practices, tax law and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Attention to Detail-Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) - knowledge of accounting practices including but not limited to accrual, depreciation, obligation, restricted and unrestricted revenue, and release of restriction.

Oral communication- Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues and responds appropriately.

Self -Management-sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; demonstrates responsible behavior.

Teamwork- Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fosters commitment and team spirit; and works with others to achieve common goals of an organization.

Technology Application- use of computers and proficient skills using Adobe and Microsoft Office software such as Excel and Word.

Writing - Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation and spelling; communicates information in a succinct and organized manner appropriate for intended audiences.

Mathematics-Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Complexity:

Nature of Assignment - Work consists of performing specific tasks designed to orient the employee in the practical application of theory and basic principles of accounting, and as required auditing. Work requires actions based on factual differences. Factual differences may involve such matters as the type and kind of information needed on balance sheets, the consistency of various ledgers with original documents, and the portrayal of data in reports.

What Needs to be Done - Applies basic theories and principles to carry out well-defined accounting duties and practices.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - Must understand and follow the employing organization's established procedures.

Scope and Effect

Scope of the Work- Work involves performing specific accounting tasks that comprise a complete segment of an assignment or project.

Effect of the Work- Work affects the accuracy, completeness, and/or timeliness of the Financial

Management Office's products or services.

Personal Contacts

Personal contacts include staff at all levels of the Financial Management Office and the Wilson Center. Contacts also include outside auditors.

Purpose of Contacts

To plan, arrange, coordinate, or advise on work efforts and/or arrange for interviews and meetings to obtain information; and, as required, to obtain data to verity questionable items. Though differences of opinion may exist, the persons contacted are usually working toward a common goal and generally are cooperative.

Physical Demands

The work is principally sedentary. Work may also require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and .conferences away from the work site. No special physical effort or ability is required to do the work.