Corporate Accounting and Reporting Intern

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.; Portland (OR); Remote; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO and holidays

Virtual networking events

Equipment provided for remote work

Job summary

The Standard is offering an accounting internship within the Corporate Accounting and Reporting team. The role focuses on applying classroom knowledge to real-world financial tasks and developing technical and professional skills for a career in finance or accounting.

You will gain exposure to month-end close, financial statements, reconciliations, policy research, and process improvements while working in a primarily virtual environment with guidance from a manager.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field with introductory coursework.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities to support decision-making.
• Proficiency in Excel; experience with Teams and Outlook; familiarity with AI tools is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for virtual collaboration.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Support month-end and quarter-end close activities, including journal entry preparation and posting.
• Prepare and analyze entity-level and consolidated financial statements and data.
• Perform account reconciliations, certifications, and variance analysis for accurate reporting.
• Research accounting policies and assist with technical accounting matters.
• Participate in process improvement, automation, and AI-enabled initiatives.
• Support special projects and other accounting and reporting responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Teams

Outlook

Job description

The next part of your journey is right around the corner - with The Standard.

A genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others is the foundation for everything we do. With a customer-first mindset and an intentional focus on building strong teams, we've been able to uphold our legacy of financial stability while investing in new, innovative technologies that support the needs of our customers. Our high-performance culture focused on operational excellence thrives thanks to remarkable people united by compassion and a customer-first commitment. Are you ready to make a difference?

Job Summary:

The internship position within the Corporate Accounting and Reporting team at The Standard involves a wide range of duties and activities. The goal of an internship in accounting is to apply knowledge acquired in the classroom to real-world business situations while developing the technical, analytical, and professional skills necessary for a successful career in finance or accounting.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Support month-end and quarter-end close activities, including journal entry preparation and posting
• Prepare and analyze entity-level and consolidated financial statements, reporting, and key financial data
• Perform account reconciliations, account certifications, and variance analysis to support accurate financial reporting
• Research accounting policies and technical accounting matters to support business and reporting needs
• Participate in process improvement, automation, and AI-enabled initiatives to enhance efficiency and business processes
• Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and other accounting and reporting responsibilities as assigned

During the internship, the intern will be supported by a manager who will provide day-to-day guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities. Interns will have opportunities to collaborate with professionals across the organization, present findings and recommendations, and build practical experience in a corporate accounting environment. The work will be conducted in a primarily virtual environment, with opportunities for collaboration, networking, professional development, and engagement with leaders throughout the organization.

Qualifications:

• Must be enrolled as a full-time student throughout the internship; rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students are eligible to apply. Sponsorship is not available for this position.
• Currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, with completion of introductory accounting coursework and a foundational understanding of accounting concepts and financial statements
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated ability to interpret data and support business decision-making through coursework, work experience, or extracurricular activities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel (including formulas, PivotTables, formatting, and data analysis), with experience using Teams and Outlook; familiarity with AI tools is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in both independent and primarily virtual team environments
• Strong attention to detail, commitment to accuracy, and ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Benefits:

• Up to three days of paid time off, plus paid holidays
• Scheduled events to network with your team and interns across the company. E.g.: Coffee with the CEO, careers workshop, etc.
• Interns are provided with all necessary equipment (i.e., laptop, monitor) needed to work from home and will attend the company's virtual First Day Orientation to gain a deeper understanding of the company.

Compensation:

• Individual pay rates will be determined based upon current student status (i.e. Sophomore, Junior, Senior)

Key Behaviors of a Successful Candidate:

Winning together:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build relationships with team members and stakeholders within the organization. Team-oriented and takes a collaborative approach to enhance subject matter expertise while contributing to project success.

Improvement Mindset:

Continuous learner - actively seeks out learning opportunities and demonstrates curiosity regarding the story behind the numbers. Strong analytical, conceptual, and critical thinking skills with a solutions-oriented mindset to help drive results.

Adaptability:

Utilizes creative problem-solving techniques to address new circumstances and presents ideas for solutions. Demonstrated willingness to learn new skills and accept feedback.

Why Join The Standard?

• Real-world experiences and meaningful projects that support your career goals provided by a supportive and responsive management team eager to help with skills development
• Opportunities to build relationships and broaden industry knowledge through virtual networking with leaders and team members across the company
• Three days of paid time off and paid company holidays during your internship period
• A virtual first day orientation and the equipment necessary (e.g., laptop, monitors, headset) for a successful internship experience

Salary Range:

Intern

Standard Insurance Company, The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York, Standard Retirement Services, Inc., StanCorp Mortgage Investors, LLC, StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc., and American Heritage Life Insurance Company and American Heritage Service Company, marketed as The Standard, are affirmative action/Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or veteran status or any other condition protected by federal, state or local law. Except where precluded by state or federal law, The Standard will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. The Standard offers a drug- and alcohol-free work environment where possession, manufacture, transfer, offer, use of or being impaired by an illegal substance while on The Standard's property, or in other cases which the company believes might affect operations, safety or reputation of the company is prohibited. The Standard requires a criminal background investigation and employment, education and licensing verification as a condition of employment. After any conditional offer of employment is made, the background check will include an individualized assessment based on the applicant's specific record and the duties and requirements of the specific job. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain and correct background information. All employees of The Standard must be bondable.