Accounting Intern - Academic Year

Company Description

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

Job Description

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 all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

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

The Northwestern Medicine Accounting Internship – Academic Year presents a valuable opportunity for undergraduate students to gain an experiential education and for Northwestern Medicine to benefit from the service, skills and knowledge that undergraduate students can offer.  This is a hybrid, part time, paid program hosted at our downtown Chicago campus from Fall – Spring.

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.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

Education:

• Pursuing a degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Completion of at least the sophomore year of study.

Experience:

• Understanding of advanced accounting concepts
• Knowledge of Microsoft office suite

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.