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The Role
Paid 10-week internship supporting audits of local government entities in East Tennessee. Interns examine financial records, statements, internal controls, operations, systems, and compliance with laws and agreements. The role includes audit-specific training, professional development, teamwork, and a final presentation. Travel to regional audit sites is required, generally involving same-day commutes, with approximately three overnight program stays.
Summary Generated by Built In
Local Government Audit Intern, East
Summer 2027: June 1 - August 6
About Our Program
The Comptroller of the Treasury's Audit Internship Program is a 10-week paid educational and experiential learning opportunity offering undergraduate students a chance to witness and participate in the audit operations of the office. Interns will spend the summer building skills through their assignment to an active audit and audit-specific training. Interns will also have opportunities to build relationships with each other through shared experiences.
Intern responsibilities may include learning to examine and review records, reports, financial statements, and management practices for local government entities and other organizations receiving public funds. Interns may have the opportunity to evaluate the following: fairness of financial statement presentation; the adequacy of internal controls; the efficiency and effectiveness of an entity's operations and systems; and compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements.
Our summer internship program is designed to be both professionally and academically beneficial. Interns gain hands‑on experience while participating in meaningful professional development activities such as Business Etiquette Day, a full‑day session focused on professionalism, emotional intelligence, and understanding one’s professional brand, complete with an etiquette lunch led by staff. Interns also enjoy engaging activities like speed networking with full‑time employees, a guided tour of the Tennessee Capitol to explore the state’s history, and weekly cohort check‑ins to foster connection and collaboration. The cohort experience culminates in a final presentation showcasing what interns have learned and contributed during their time with the Office.
Location
This Local Government Audit internship opportunity will be based out of the East Tennessee Region. Depending on the audit assignment, interns may have the opportunity for limited travel to counties across the East Tennessee Region during the summer.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking students who are rising juniors, seniors, or enrolled in graduate accounting programs and are interested in applying their classroom knowledge to governmental auditing. To qualify for the internship program, applicants should have successfully completed at least 6 credit hours of accounting coursework. Preference will be given to students who have completed intermediate or advanced accounting classes.
Successful interns are those who are adaptable, able to think critically, work well both individually and as part of a team, and are willing to learn and grow. Candidates should exhibit strong interpersonal, verbal communication, organizational, and writing skills. Interns are expected to apply their classroom knowledge to meaningful audit work.
About Our Office
The Office of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury is responsible for the audit of state and local governmental entities and participates in the general financial and administrative management and oversight of state government. In the Comptroller’s Office, we strive to deliver on our mission to make government work better. Through dedicated hard work and commitment, every Comptroller’s Office employee accepts personal responsibility to accomplish our mission and uphold it.
Compensation
Interns are paid $24 per hour via a third-party company. Travel is required for Local Government Audit Interns but is generally confined to same-day commutes to and from a job site. Overnight stays are required for intern events, typically 3 per summer. Overnight hotel stay(s) and related expenses are reimbursed.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pursuant to the Comptroller of the Treasury’s Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the Office is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the Comptroller’s policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person’s race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, sexual orientation, transgender and gender identity status, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.
NOTICE: This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.
Skills Required
- Rising junior or senior undergraduate student, or enrolled in a graduate accounting program
- At least 6 completed credit hours of accounting coursework
- Interest in governmental auditing
- Adaptability and critical-thinking skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong interpersonal, verbal communication, organizational, and writing skills
- Intermediate or advanced accounting coursework
- Willingness to learn and grow
- Ability to travel to local government audit sites and attend overnight intern events
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The Company
What We Do
The Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury is responsible for ensuring fiscal integrity within the State of Tennessee, acting as the state's financial overseer and 'Money Cop'.
