Controller's Office Intern - Summer 2027

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing assistance

Job summary

MacArthur Foundation in Chicago invites a Summer 2027 Controller Office Intern to support AI-driven projects across Operational Accounting, including Investment Accounting, Tax, Grants Accounting, and Payroll. The internship emphasizes data analysis and hands-on experience in a mission-driven nonprofit setting.

The role focuses on creating AI-enabled dashboards, improving financial tracking, and assisting with reconciliations and audits while gaining exposure to operational accounting processes.

Qualifications

• Current 2nd/3rd year undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Accounting or Finance.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with data visualization tools (Power BI and Tableau) a plus.
• Working knowledge of AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT or CoPilot).
• Interest in nonprofit or global financial operations.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and eager to learn.

Responsibilities

• Using approved AI and data analysis tools to identify trends, anomalies and opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency in financial operations.
• Assisting with creating AI enabled dashboards and reporting tools to strengthen financial tracking, and decision-making.
• Supporting operational accounting projects, including reconciliations, audits, and process improvements by using AI.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Critical thinking

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

AI tools

Data visualization

Attention to detail

Organized

Eager to learn

Education

Accounting or Finance (undergrad/grad)

Tools

Claude

ChatGPT

CoPilot

Job description

Job Description

NOTE: To ensure a fair and equitable recruitment process, our Foundation Staff and Board do not host preliminary conversations with applicants outside of our standard interview process.

Position

Controller Office Intern - Summer 2027

Reports to

Controller

Location & Work Arrangement

Chicago, IL (Hybrid)

Duration

June 8 - August 11, 2027

Compensation

Paid Internship (Hourly rates will start at $22.00/hour)

Application Deadline

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026 AT 11:59 PM CST

About the Foundation

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions, promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news, expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence, and strengthening the well-being of Native communities. In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition, the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago. The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India.

About Finance

The Finance Department is responsible for all accounting, banking, payroll, internal controls, tax, audit, financial reporting and budget and forecasting for the Foundation, including international offices in India and Nigeria, as well as its affiliates Arc Chicago LLC and Mac Services, LLC. Finance is also responsible for maintaining the financial enterprise system and end user support and training.

About the Internship

The Finance Controller’s Office Intern will support key projects using AI across Operational Accounting, including Investment Accounting, Tax, Accounts Payable, Grants Accounting, and Payroll. The internship is designed for students interested in financial operations, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and systems improvement. The intern will gain meaningful, hands-on experience using emerging technology in a mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

• Using approved AI and data analysis tools to identify trends, anomalies and opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency in financial operations.
• Assisting with creating AI enabled dashboards and reporting tools to strengthen financial tracking, and decision-making.
• Supporting operational accounting projects, including reconciliations, audits, and process improvements by using AI.

Qualifications

• Current 2nd/3rd year undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Accounting or Finance.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, experience with data visualization tools (Power BI and Tableau) a plus.
• Working knowledge of AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT or CoPilot).
• Interest in nonprofit or global financial operations.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and eager to learn.
• Students must be returning back to school to be eligible.

Work Environment

This internship is based in Chicago, Illinois. Our work environment is hybrid with designated in-office days and virtual days. Interns will be required to reside in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the program. Housing assistance for non-local students may be available and will be discussed during the interview process.

Reasonable Accommodations

The work environment is an office setting. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.