Accounting Intern - Academic Year

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.