Accounting Intern

Merchants Bonding Company; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 27,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Merchants Bonding Company is seeking an Accounting Intern for Summer 2027 in West Des Moines, IA. This 12-week, full-time internship provides hands-on experience in general accounting, accounts payable/receivable, and financial planning and analysis while exploring AI tools to support accounting workflows.

Join a collaborative team and build a strong foundation in accounting—start dates are flexible, with an end date of August 13th, 2027. Compensation is $24/hour with in-office requirements.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a degree in Accounting or a related field with coursework that provides a foundation in accounting principles.
• Microsoft Excel experience to organize, analyze, and work with data.
• Campus & community involvement demonstrating collaboration and engagement.
• Interest in AI tools and how they can be used effectively in a professional environment.
• Leadership roles or projects showing initiative and responsibility.

Responsibilities

• General Accounting: prepare journal entries, supporting schedules, and account reconciliations.
• Month-End Close: support month-end close activities and ensure timely financial reporting.
• Accounts Payable: assist with invoice coding and processing.
• Accounts Receivable: assist with payment application and account activity reviews.
• Financial Planning & Analysis: assist with financial analysis and reporting of results and trends.
• Technology & AI Exploration: explore AI tools applied to accounting workflows.
• Process Improvement: identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and workflows.

Skills

Resourcefulness

Analytical Thinking

Build Internal Relationships

Communicates Effectively

Time Management

Professionalism

Education

Pursuing Accounting degree or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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.