Job Title: Accounting Intern
Location: West Des Moines, IA
Terms: 12 weeks, full-time flexible 37.5 hours/week, in office
Pay: $24/hour
Start Date: Monday, May 24th, 2027 (can be flexible)
End Date: Friday, August 13th, 2027 (can be flexible)
Ready to build a strong foundation in accounting while gaining exposure to the surety bond industry? Join Merchants Bonding Company as our Summer 2027 Accounting Intern! In this role, you'll gain hands-on experience across general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial planning and analysis, while exploring how AI tools can support and streamline accounting work.
About Us:
At Merchants Bonding, we have a positive and collaborative environment where your ideas are valued, and your growth is prioritized. We work hard to deliver first-class experiences in all our relationships. Our commitment to innovation and building trust secured our spot among the top 10 surety companies in the country. Surety bonds are a vital part of industries like insurance, finance, and construction, where reliable business transactions are essential to protect all parties involved.
Curious to learn more? Visit our website and social media to explore the perks and opportunities at Merchants.
What you’ll do:
- General Accounting: Prepare journal entries, supporting schedules, and account reconciliations while gaining hands-on experience with core accounting processes.
- Month-End Close: Support month-end close activities and learn how the accounting team works together to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Accounts Payable: Assist with invoice coding and routing to support accurate, timely payment processing.
- Accounts Receivable: Assist with payment application, review account activity, and support other accounts receivable activities while gaining exposure to agent accounts and transactions.
- Financial Planning & Analysis: Assist with financial analysis and reporting to help the organization understand financial results, trends, and business performance.
- Technology & AI Exploration: Explore how AI tools can be applied to accounting workflows and processes.
- Process Improvement: Bring curiosity and a fresh perspective to the team by identifying opportunities to improve accounting processes, reports, controls, and workflows.
Competencies You’ll Use:
- Resourcefulness: Demonstrate initiative in gathering information, learning, and improving processes.
- Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving: Analyze financial information, recognize patterns and discrepancies, and use available information to support sound conclusions.
- Build Internal Relationships: Build trust through teamwork, collaboration, and active engagement.
- Communicates Effectively: Communicate clearly and adapt to different audiences in both written and verbal forms.
- Time Management & Organization: Prioritize and manage tasks effectively while collaborating for optimal efficiency.
- Professionalism: Maintain integrity, respect, and excellence in all interactions and work environments.
Qualifications
What Sets You Apart:
- Relevant Academic Experience: Pursuing a degree in Accounting or a related field with coursework that provides a foundation in accounting principles.
- Previous Work Experience: Work experience, in a corporate environment or not, that showcases your skills and work ethic.
- Excel Skills: Experience using Microsoft Excel to organize, analyze, and work with data.
- Campus & Community Involvement: Participation in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, or other experiences that demonstrate collaboration and engagement.
- AI & Technology Curiosity: Experience with or an interest in AI tools and how they can be used effectively in a professional environment.
- Leadership & Initiative: Roles or projects where you’ve taken on leadership responsibilities and proactively addressed challenges.
Take the first step in building your career - send your resume to [email protected] or visit our careers page at www.merchantsbonding.com.
Skills Required
- Pursuing a degree in Accounting or a related field with coursework providing a foundation in accounting principles
- Previous work experience demonstrating skills and work ethic
- Experience using Microsoft Excel to organize, analyze, and work with data
- Participation in student organizations, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, or other collaborative and community-engaged experiences
- Experience with or interest in AI tools and their effective use in a professional environment
- Leadership experience or projects demonstrating initiative and proactive problem-solving
What We Do
Established in 1933, Merchants Bonding Company is a national leader specializing in contract and commercial surety bonds. The company is distinguished by its 'common sense underwriting' approach and first-class customer service, maintaining an 'A' (Excellent) rating or higher from AM Best since 1958. With nearly a century of experience, Merchants focuses exclusively on surety to provide reliable financial security and construction assurance for its clients.
